Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro 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
- 70Power78
- 93Control93
- 74Spin90
- 82Forgiveness91
- 80Sweet spot92
- 76Stability90
- 88Maneuverability82
- 64Pop72
- 92Touch92
- 88Consistency91
- 58Swing weight68
- 62Twist weight90
- 42Launch angle50
- 66Plow through72
- 90Softness89
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro 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 Wave Pro | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14.3 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 100 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.75 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Patented Poly Core II | Thermoformed polymer |
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro verdict
The paddle a generation of control players learned on, and still one of the quietest, most predictable graphite faces made. It will not out-hit a thermoformed paddle, but it will not surprise you either.
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 62 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro — a 28-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, softness, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is $40 cheaper at $150.
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 28 points (90 vs 62).
Spin
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 16 points (90 vs 74).
Stability
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 14 points (90 vs 76).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
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 62, sweet spot 92 vs 80, stability 90 vs 76. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Stability
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 74, forgiveness 91 vs 82, power 78 vs 70. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Forgiveness
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 74, power 78 vs 70, plow through 72 vs 66. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 90 vs 62, forgiveness 91 vs 82. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro if you want maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 14.3 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want twist weight (+28), spin (+16), stability (+14). 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 Wave Pro vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 28 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, at 100 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 Wave Pro or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control measures 78 on power against 70 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. 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?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro at 93 versus 93. Its 14.3 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 74 for the Textured graphite face on Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. In practice a 16-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. 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?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro costs $150, $40 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 Tempest Wave Pro: 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core with a Textured graphite 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 Wave Pro, 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 Wave Pro at 7.9 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (100 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on twist weight by 28 points; everything else is within 16 points. At $150 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 Wave Pro vs BALLR+ 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Coral Hybrid 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Tempest Wave V3
- Quartz Control vs Radius CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Magnus 3S 16
- Quartz Control vs Double Black Diamond Control
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.