Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 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
- 88Power90
- 81Control80
- 82Spin86
- 74Forgiveness84
- 76Sweet spot84
- 86Stability84
- 68Maneuverability76
- 88Pop88
- 76Touch74
- 81Consistency82
- 82Swing weight74
- 82Twist weight80
- 52Launch angle58
- 89Plow through84
- 58Softness62
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power | Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $210 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.4 | 82.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 123 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Coreless carbon | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls |
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power verdict
A more livable Gearbox. It keeps most of the drive velocity of the Pro Power while adding enough stability to survive hands battles.
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 verdict
Six Zero finally built a power paddle. Pop 88 and power 90 at $180 undercut every flagship drive paddle in the database, and the DBD forgiveness DNA mostly survives the switch.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 scores 84 against 74 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, stability, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is $30 cheaper at $180.
Forgiveness
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
Maneuverability
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 8 points (76 vs 68).
Swing weight
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
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
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 74, sweet spot 84 vs 76, consistency 82 vs 81. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 76 vs 68, forgiveness 84 vs 74, spin 86 vs 82. At 113 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.5 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 and keep the $30.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 74, softness 62 vs 58. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power if you want swing weight (+8), plow through (+5). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power review →Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 if you want forgiveness (+10), sweet spot (+8), maneuverability (+8). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 review →Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.6 vs 80.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, at 113 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 measures 90 on power against 88 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power at 81 versus 80. Its 14 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 scores 86 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 82 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 costs $180, $30 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?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power to the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads on forgiveness by 10 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $210 vs $180, 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.
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro XS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Hyperion CFS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs GX2 Power Elongated
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs 2X Power Series
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Vantage Power 16
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Evoke Premier Pro
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs 2X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.