ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Six Zero Sapphire 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Sapphire 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
- 74Power80
- 88Control93
- 82Spin91
- 88Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot88
- 82Stability84
- 78Maneuverability80
- 70Pop72
- 90Touch91
- 88Consistency88
- 70Swing weight64
- 78Twist weight82
- 48Launch angle48
- 76Plow through76
- 92Softness86
ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Six Zero Sapphire 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | ProKennex Black Ace LG | Six Zero Sapphire 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.1 | 85.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 106 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Toray T700 raw carbon |
| Core material | Kinetic core with damping chambers | Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene |
ProKennex Black Ace LG verdict
The most arm-friendly build in the database. Softness 92 comes from ProKennex's Kinetic damping, and it is the one paddle we recommend without hesitation for players managing tendon pain.
Six Zero Sapphire 16 verdict
Six Zero's standard-shape Gen 3 build. It trades the Coral Pro's reach for a wider face, and the result is one of the most forgiving control paddles in the $200 bracket.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: Six Zero Sapphire 16 scores 91 against 82 for ProKennex Black Ace LG — a 9-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $190) that it should not break the tie.
Spin
Six Zero Sapphire 16 leads by 9 points (91 vs 82).
Power
Six Zero Sapphire 16 leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
Swing weight
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 6 points (70 vs 64).
Softness
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.1 vs 86.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Black Ace LG, standard on the Sapphire 16.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Sapphire 16
Six Zero Sapphire 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 91 vs 82, control 93 vs 88, power 80 vs 74. At 106 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Six Zero Sapphire 16
Six Zero Sapphire 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 91 vs 82, power 80 vs 74, control 93 vs 88. Swing weight 106 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — softness 92 vs 86, forgiveness 88 vs 86. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want swing weight (+6), softness (+6). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →Six Zero Sapphire 16
Take Six Zero Sapphire 16 if you want spin (+9), power (+6), control (+5). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Sapphire 16 review →ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Six Zero Sapphire 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Six Zero Sapphire 16?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 83.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Six Zero Sapphire 16 leads by 9 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16, at 106 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Six Zero Sapphire 16?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 measures 80 on power against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. That comes from a 16 mm Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene core swinging at 106 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 at 93 versus 88. 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 Sapphire 16 scores 91 for spin off its Toray T700 raw carbon face, against 82 for the Textured carbon face on ProKennex Black Ace LG. In practice a 9-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16, with 6.7 twist weight against 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and ProKennex Black Ace LG carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG: 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core with a Textured carbon face. Six Zero Sapphire 16: 16 mm Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene core with a Toray T700 raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which ProKennex Black Ace LG avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Sapphire 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG at 8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 106) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Black Ace LG to the Six Zero Sapphire 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Sapphire 16 leads on spin by 9 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $200 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.
- Black Ace LG vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Black Ace LG vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Black Ace LG vs Atlas 16
- Black Ace LG vs Crush Control 16
- Sapphire 16 vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Sapphire 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Sapphire 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Sapphire 16 vs V-Sol Pro 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: ProKennex Black Ace LG and Six Zero Sapphire 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.