Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 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
- 80Control80
- 84Spin86
- 78Forgiveness84
- 80Sweet spot84
- 82Stability84
- 84Maneuverability76
- 92Pop88
- 74Touch74
- 80Consistency82
- 66Swing weight74
- 74Twist weight80
- 60Launch angle58
- 78Plow through84
- 62Softness62
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 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 | Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 | Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 81 | 82.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Bantam Poly-Core | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls |
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 verdict
A 14 mm hands-battle paddle. Pop 92 and maneuverability 84 make it the fastest counter-punching option Paddletek builds, at the cost of a small margin for error.
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 maneuverability: Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 scores 84 against 76 for Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, stability, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is $20 cheaper at $180.
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
Swing weight
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 8 points (74 vs 66).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Twist weight
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
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 a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 78, sweet spot 84 vs 80, twist weight 80 vs 74. 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.6 vs 81.7 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.5 vs 82.1 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 and keep the $20.
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 78, twist weight 80 vs 74. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 if you want swing weight (+8), forgiveness (+6), twist weight (+6). 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 →Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+8), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 review →Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 or the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.6 vs 81), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, at 105 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 Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 or the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 measures 90 on power against 90 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core swinging at 113 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 80. 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 84 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. In practice a 2-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 6.2. 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14: 14 mm Bantam Poly-Core core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 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. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 at 7.9 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 to the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads on maneuverability by 8 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $180 vs $200, 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.
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Perseus Pro V 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Warrior Edge 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Power Pro X 14
- 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 Evoke Premier Pro
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 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.