Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 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
- 90Power90
- 76Control80
- 82Spin86
- 74Forgiveness84
- 76Sweet spot84
- 78Stability84
- 82Maneuverability76
- 90Pop88
- 70Touch74
- 76Consistency82
- 70Swing weight74
- 72Twist weight80
- 60Launch angle58
- 80Plow through84
- 54Softness62
Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 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 | Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 | Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 78.1 | 82.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.375 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls |
Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 verdict
Holbrook's power build is a conventional 14 mm thermoformed hybrid with the pop numbers to match. You are paying partly for the cosmetics, but the construction is honest.
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 Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, launch angle, power, 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 10 points (84 vs 74).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
Twist weight
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
Softness
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 8 points (62 vs 54).
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 74, sweet spot 84 vs 76, twist weight 80 vs 72. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
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 — forgiveness 84 vs 74, control 80 vs 76, spin 86 vs 82. At 113 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.6 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 and keep the $20.
- Spin
- Plow through
- 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 54, forgiveness 84 vs 74, twist weight 80 vs 72. 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?
Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14
Take Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 if you want maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 review →Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 if you want forgiveness (+10), sweet spot (+8), twist weight (+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 →Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 or the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.6 vs 78.1), 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?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 or the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 measures 90 on power against 90 for Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. That comes from a 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 110 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 76. 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 82 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14. 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 6.3. 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, $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?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14: 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.375 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 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. Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 at 8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 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 $200 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.
- Power Pro X 14 vs Warrior Edge 14
- Power Pro X 14 vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Power Pro X 14 vs Perseus Pro V 14
- Power Pro X 14 vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- 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: Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 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.