GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Wilson Blaze Pro 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. GAMMA Obsidian 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power78
- 86Control82
- 74Spin78
- 88Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot84
- 78Stability80
- 84Maneuverability78
- 68Pop76
- 86Touch78
- 84Consistency84
- 62Swing weight70
- 72Twist weight76
- 46Launch angle52
- 68Plow through76
- 86Softness74
GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Wilson Blaze Pro 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | GAMMA Obsidian 16 | Wilson Blaze Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 — better | $170 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.3 — better | 80.2 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 6.5 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.375 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite composite | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Polypropylene honeycomb |
GAMMA Obsidian 16 verdict
The softest paddle in this group and one of the lightest-swinging. Softness 86 plus a 102 swing weight is a recipe for confident dinks — provided you accept a low power ceiling.
Wilson Blaze Pro 16 verdict
Wilson's most competitive pickleball paddle to date. Nothing in the DNA profile is exceptional, but nothing is a weakness either — it is the definition of a balanced all-court build.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: GAMMA Obsidian 16 scores 86 against 74 for Wilson Blaze Pro 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, stability, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. GAMMA Obsidian 16 is $20 cheaper at $150.
Softness
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
Pop
Wilson Blaze Pro 16 leads by 8 points (76 vs 68).
Touch
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Swing weight
Wilson Blaze Pro 16 leads by 8 points (70 vs 62).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 82 on the weighted index). Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 and keep the $20.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.8 vs 80 on the weighted index). Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (77.3 vs 78.2 on the weighted index). Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 and keep the $20.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
GAMMA Obsidian 16
GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 86 vs 74, forgiveness 88 vs 84. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want softness (+12), touch (+8), maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →Wilson Blaze Pro 16
Take Wilson Blaze Pro 16 if you want pop (+8), swing weight (+8), plow through (+8). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Wilson Blaze Pro 16 review →GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs Wilson Blaze Pro 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the Wilson Blaze Pro 16?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.3 vs 80.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Wilson Blaze Pro 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the Wilson Blaze Pro 16?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16 measures 78 on power against 72 for GAMMA Obsidian 16. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 86 versus 82. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16 scores 78 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 74 for the Textured graphite composite face on GAMMA Obsidian 16. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16, with 6.5 twist weight against 6.2. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and GAMMA Obsidian 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 costs $150, $20 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured graphite composite face. Wilson Blaze Pro 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16, at 5.375 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Wilson Blaze Pro 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 7.7 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Wilson Blaze Pro 16 to the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads on softness by 12 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $150 vs $170, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Obsidian 16 vs Radical Tour Ultra 16
- Obsidian 16 vs R1 Pulsar
- Obsidian 16 vs Tempest Wave V3
- Obsidian 16 vs Encore Pro EX
- Blaze Pro 16 vs Evoke Premier
- Blaze Pro 16 vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Blaze Pro 16 vs V7 Hybrid
- Blaze Pro 16 vs Edge 18K V2
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: GAMMA Obsidian 16 and Wilson Blaze Pro 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.