Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (87.7 vs 86.3), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
85 vs 79
Spin
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
90 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Hand speed
105 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
$170 at IQ 87.7 vs $200 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control · $170 · IQ 87.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power79
- 90Control93
- 84Spin90
- 88Forgiveness90
- 89Sweet spot91
- 85Stability92
- 84Maneuverability70
- 84Pop73
- 88Touch89
- 89Consistency91
- 66Swing weight78
- 84Twist weight93
- 54Launch angle54
- 74Plow through82
- 86Softness84
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 | Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $170 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 | 87.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 | 7 — better |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.2 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.375 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | Thermoformed polymer |
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 verdict
The lightweight Bantam. At 7.7 oz it is one of the fastest paddles in the database through hands battles, and Paddletek's core keeps the feel soft rather than tinny.
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control verdict
The best stability-to-price ratio in the database. Twist weight is near CRBN levels for sixty dollars less.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 70 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on control, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control is $30 cheaper at $170.
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
Swing weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 12 points (78 vs 66).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 11 points (84 vs 73).
Twist weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 9 points (93 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
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 93 vs 84, stability 92 vs 85, forgiveness 90 vs 88. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control and keep the $30.
- Maneuverability
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 84.1 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control and keep the $30.
- Plow through
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.2 vs 87.3 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control and keep the $30.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+14), pop (+11), power (+6). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control if you want swing weight (+12), twist weight (+9), plow through (+8). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.7 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 85 for power against 79 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam polymer core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control at 93 versus 90. 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 Double Black Diamond Control scores 90 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 88). Its 7 twist weight against 6.9 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 Double Black Diamond Control costs $170, $30 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core with a Textured carbon face. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 5.25 in of handle against 5.2 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 Double Black Diamond Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 7.7 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 to the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on maneuverability by 14 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $200 vs $170, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
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- Double Black Diamond Control vs Prism Flash
- Double Black Diamond Control vs Hyperion CFS 16
- Double Black Diamond Control vs Coral Pro
- Double Black Diamond Control vs Sapphire 16
- Double Black Diamond Control vs V-Sol Pro 16
Also worth comparing
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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- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Tenon
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Vision CGS 16
- Double Black Diamond Control vs CRBN-2X Square
- Double Black Diamond Control vs TruFoam Genesis 2
- Double Black Diamond Control vs OMNI 16
- Double Black Diamond Control vs 2X TruFoam Genesis
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 Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.