ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Proton Series Two Project Flash takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness and value on Paddle DNA against the Proton Series Two Project Flash, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
84 vs 82
Spin
Proton Series Two Project Flash
92 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Forgiveness
88 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
109 vs 111 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 84.2 vs $200 at IQ 85.3
Overall pick: ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 · $150 · IQ 84.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power84
- 86Control88
- 84Spin92
- 88Forgiveness84
- 88Sweet spot86
- 84Stability84
- 78Maneuverability80
- 78Pop80
- 84Touch86
- 86Consistency88
- 68Swing weight70
- 82Twist weight80
- 52Launch angle50
- 80Plow through80
- 80Softness80
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 | Proton Series Two Project Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.2 | 85.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| Shape | standard | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.4 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Gritted raw carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb |
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 verdict
Onix finally ships a raw-carbon face. Forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 in a standard shape make it one of the safest $150 paddles on the market.
Proton Series Two Project Flash verdict
The grittiest face Proton has made. Spin 92 puts it in the top tier of the database, and the hybrid shape keeps it usable at the kitchen line.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 92 against 84 for ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 is $50 cheaper at $150.
Spin
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).
Forgiveness
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86 vs 84.8 on the weighted index). Take ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 and keep the $50.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Proton Series Two Project Flash is a narrow pick at this level — spin 92 vs 84, control 88 vs 86, maneuverability 80 vs 78. At 111 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Proton Series Two Project Flash is a narrow pick at this level — spin 92 vs 84, power 84 vs 82, touch 86 vs 84. Swing weight 111 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.5 vs 81.1 on the weighted index). Take ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 and keep the $50.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16
Take ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 if you want forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 review →Proton Series Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want spin (+8). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.3 vs 84.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16, at 109 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Proton Series Two Project Flash. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 84 for power against 82 for ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash at 88 versus 86. 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 Two Project Flash scores 92 for spin off its Gritted raw carbon face, against 84 for the Raw carbon fiber face on ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16. In practice an 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 84). Twist weight is identical at 6.7, so the gap comes from sweet-spot size and face stability rather than resistance to twisting.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 costs $150, $50 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?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Proton Series Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 5.4 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series Two Project Flash rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8 oz, though swing weight differs (109 vs 111) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 to the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Two Project Flash leads on spin by 8 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $150 vs $200, 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.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs R3 Pulsar
- Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs Crush Control 16
- Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs Prism Flash V2 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Scorpeus Pro IV 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Crush Control 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
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 ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 and Proton Series Two Project Flash in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 and Proton Series Two Project Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.