HEAD Extreme Tour 16 vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Quartz Control 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
- 84Power78
- 84Control93
- 86Spin90
- 86Forgiveness91
- 86Sweet spot92
- 86Stability90
- 76Maneuverability82
- 82Pop72
- 80Touch92
- 84Consistency91
- 74Swing weight68
- 82Twist weight90
- 54Launch angle50
- 84Plow through72
- 76Softness89
HEAD Extreme Tour 16 vs Six Zero Quartz Control specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | HEAD Extreme Tour 16 | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.7 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 113 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.4 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon fiber | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Comfort polymer honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
HEAD Extreme Tour 16 verdict
HEAD's most balanced pickleball build yet. Nothing spikes, but nothing drops below 74 either — a dependable tournament paddle for players who dislike surprises.
Six Zero Quartz Control verdict
A control build in the Double Black Diamond tradition, only lighter and quicker. Twist weight and sweet spot are the standouts; power is deliberately mid-pack.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 89 against 76 for HEAD Extreme Tour 16 — a 13-point gap. Price is close enough ($180 vs $190) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 13 points (89 vs 76).
Touch
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
Plow through
HEAD Extreme Tour 16 leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Pop
HEAD Extreme Tour 16 leads by 10 points (82 vs 72).
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 Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — sweet spot 92 vs 86, twist weight 90 vs 82, forgiveness 91 vs 86. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — control 93 vs 84, touch 92 vs 80, maneuverability 82 vs 76. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Extreme Tour 16, standard on the Quartz Control.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — softness 89 vs 76, twist weight 90 vs 82, forgiveness 91 vs 86. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
HEAD Extreme Tour 16
Take HEAD Extreme Tour 16 if you want plow through (+12), pop (+10), power (+6). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the HEAD Extreme Tour 16 review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want softness (+13), touch (+12), control (+9). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →HEAD Extreme Tour 16 vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the HEAD Extreme Tour 16 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 83.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 13 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for HEAD Extreme Tour 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the HEAD Extreme Tour 16 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- HEAD Extreme Tour 16 measures 84 on power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. That comes from a 16 mm Comfort polymer honeycomb core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 versus 84. 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 Quartz Control scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 86 for the Textured carbon fiber face on HEAD Extreme Tour 16. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with 7.2 twist weight against 6.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher forgiveness score (91) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- HEAD Extreme Tour 16: 16 mm Comfort polymer honeycomb core with a Textured carbon fiber face. Six Zero Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- HEAD Extreme Tour 16, at 5.4 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Quartz Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 91 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. HEAD Extreme Tour 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 7.9 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the HEAD Extreme Tour 16 to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on softness by 13 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $180 vs $190, 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.
- Extreme Tour 16 vs R3 Pulsar
- Extreme Tour 16 vs Mod TA-15 3S 16
- Extreme Tour 16 vs Ruby
- Extreme Tour 16 vs Mach 1 Forza 16
- Quartz Control vs Radius CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Vision CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Tempest Pro C 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: HEAD Extreme Tour 16 and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.