Paddletek Tempest Pro C 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
- 76Power78
- 92Control93
- 84Spin90
- 86Forgiveness91
- 86Sweet spot92
- 84Stability90
- 80Maneuverability82
- 72Pop72
- 92Touch92
- 90Consistency91
- 68Swing weight68
- 78Twist weight90
- 46Launch angle50
- 74Plow through72
- 88Softness89
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 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 | Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $190 | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.5 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 107 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Poly-Core II honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 verdict
Paddletek's control benchmark. Control 92, touch 92 and softness 88 with a 107 swing weight is the classic soft-game recipe, updated with a raw carbon face for spin 84.
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 twist weight: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 against 78 for Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on power, maneuverability, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($190 vs $190) that it should not break the tie.
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 12 points (90 vs 78).
Spin
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
Stability
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 6 points (90 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 Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 90 vs 78, sweet spot 92 vs 86, forgiveness 91 vs 86. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — spin 90 vs 84, forgiveness 91 vs 86, maneuverability 82 vs 80. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Forgiveness
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.5 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Tempest Pro C 16, standard on the Quartz Control.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 90 vs 78, forgiveness 91 vs 86, softness 89 vs 88. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Take Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 if you prefer a standard face and a 5.25 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Six Zero Quartz Control.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want twist weight (+12), spin (+6), sweet spot (+6). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 84.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16, at 107 kg·cm² swing weight against 108 for Six Zero Quartz Control. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control measures 78 on power against 76 for Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 versus 92. 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 84 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with 7.2 twist weight against 6.4. 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 $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16: 16 mm Poly-Core II honeycomb core with a Raw 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?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16, at 5.25 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. Six Zero Quartz Control rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 at 7.9 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (107 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on twist weight by 12 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $190 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.
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Black Ace LG
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Atlas 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs R1 Pulsar
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.