Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Quartz 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 Quartz Control wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, which costs $150.
Power
78 vs 70
Spin
90 vs 74
Control
Too close to call
93 vs 93
Forgiveness
91 vs 82
Hand speed
100 vs 108 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 79.8 vs $190 at IQ 88
Overall pick: Six Zero Quartz Control · $190 · IQ 88
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 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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, 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 scores 78 for 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 93 for control.
- 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 the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 82). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.25 in handle.
- 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. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro 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 7.9 oz, though swing weight differs (100 vs 108) and that 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.
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