Gearbox Pro Power Elongated vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 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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Quick answer
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control, forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated, which costs $200.
Power
94 vs 90
Spin
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
86 vs 79
Control
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
80 vs 74
Forgiveness
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
84 vs 66
Hand speed
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
113 vs 126 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
$180 at IQ 82.6 vs $200 at IQ 76.6
Overall pick: Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 · $180 · IQ 82.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 94Power90
- 74Control80
- 79Spin86
- 66Forgiveness84
- 68Sweet spot84
- 84Stability84
- 64Maneuverability76
- 95Pop88
- 68Touch74
- 76Consistency82
- 86Swing weight74
- 76Twist weight80
- 50Launch angle58
- 93Plow through84
- 44Softness62
Gearbox Pro Power Elongated vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox Pro Power Elongated | Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 76.6 | 82.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.5 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 126 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.6 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.6 | 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 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.
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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 scores 84 against 66 for Gearbox Pro Power Elongated — an 18-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is $20 cheaper at $180.
Forgiveness
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 18 points (84 vs 66).
Softness
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 18 points (62 vs 44).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 16 points (84 vs 68).
Maneuverability
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 12 points (76 vs 64).
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 the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 66, sweet spot 84 vs 68, consistency 82 vs 76. 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 the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 66, maneuverability 76 vs 64, spin 86 vs 79. At 113 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 76 vs 64, spin 86 vs 79, touch 74 vs 68. Swing weight 113 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 62 vs 44, forgiveness 84 vs 66, twist weight 80 vs 76. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core at 8.1 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 swing weight (+12), plow through (+9), pop (+7). Its swing weight of 126 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated review →Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 if you want forgiveness (+18), softness (+18), sweet spot (+16). 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 Pro Power Elongated vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated or the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.6 vs 76.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, at 113 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 Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated scores 94 for power against 90 for Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 at 80 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 scores 86 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 79 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox Pro Power Elongated. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 66). Its 6.6 twist weight against 6.3 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 costs $180, $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?
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated: 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 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?
- 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. Gearbox Pro Power Elongated rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113 vs 126) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated 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 18 points; everything else is within 18 points. At $200 vs $180, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Pro Power Elongated vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- Pro Power Elongated vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Vantage Power 16
- Pro Power Elongated vs Power Pro X 14
- Pro Power Elongated vs Pro Integra Power 16
- Pro Power Elongated vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Pro Power Elongated vs Bantam TKO-C 14
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Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Pro Power Elongated vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- Pro Power Elongated vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Vantage Power 16
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs R4 Pulsar
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Mach 2 Forza 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Gearbox Pro Power Elongated and Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox Pro Power Elongated 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.