Gearbox Pro Power Elongated vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Proton Series One Project Black 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
- 94Power86
- 74Control86
- 79Spin90
- 66Forgiveness80
- 68Sweet spot82
- 84Stability86
- 64Maneuverability72
- 95Pop82
- 68Touch82
- 76Consistency84
- 86Swing weight76
- 76Twist weight86
- 50Launch angle54
- 93Plow through86
- 44Softness68
Gearbox Pro Power Elongated vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox Pro Power Elongated | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 76.6 | 83.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.5 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 126 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.6 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Coreless carbon | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
Gearbox Pro Power Elongated verdict
The coreless construction produces the hardest, most direct feel in the database. It is a specialist's tool, not a general recommendation.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Proton Series One Project Black scores 68 against 44 for Gearbox Pro Power Elongated — a 24-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 24 points (68 vs 44).
Forgiveness
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 14 points (80 vs 66).
Sweet spot
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 14 points (82 vs 68).
Touch
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 14 points (82 vs 68).
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
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 80 vs 66, sweet spot 82 vs 68, twist weight 86 vs 76. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is the clearer pick at this level — control 86 vs 74, spin 90 vs 79, forgiveness 80 vs 66. At 117 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — touch 82 vs 68, spin 90 vs 79, control 86 vs 74. Swing weight 117 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is the clearer pick at this level — softness 68 vs 44, forgiveness 80 vs 66, twist weight 86 vs 76. Its 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox Pro Power Elongated
Take Gearbox Pro Power Elongated if you want pop (+13), swing weight (+10), power (+8). Its swing weight of 126 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want softness (+24), forgiveness (+14), sweet spot (+14). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Gearbox Pro Power Elongated vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 76.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Proton Series One Project Black leads by 24 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 126 for Gearbox Pro Power Elongated. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated measures 94 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 14 mm Coreless carbon core swinging at 126 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 versus 74. 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 79 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox Pro Power Elongated. In practice a 11-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.3. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher forgiveness score (80) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated, at 5.6 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 Pro Power Elongated avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series One Project Black is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 80 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox Pro Power Elongated rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 8.3 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 126) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated to the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series One Project Black leads on softness by 24 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $200 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
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- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Oni 16
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Gearbox Pro Power Elongated and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.