ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Vatic Pro Atlas 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
- 74Power78
- 88Control88
- 82Spin86
- 88Forgiveness90
- 86Sweet spot90
- 82Stability84
- 78Maneuverability82
- 70Pop74
- 90Touch86
- 88Consistency88
- 70Swing weight66
- 78Twist weight80
- 48Launch angle48
- 76Plow through74
- 92Softness82
ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Vatic Pro Atlas 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 | Vatic Pro Atlas 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $110 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.1 | 84.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| 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 | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Kinetic core with damping chambers | Polypropylene honeycomb |
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.
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 verdict
The most forgiving paddle Vatic has shipped and still under $120. Sweet spot 90 and forgiveness 90 in an 8.1 in widebody is the profile most improving players actually need.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 92 against 82 for Vatic Pro Atlas 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, stability, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is $90 cheaper at $110.
Softness
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
Power
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 4 points (78 vs 74).
Spin
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
Sweet spot
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 4 points (90 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
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is a narrow pick at this level — sweet spot 90 vs 86, forgiveness 90 vs 88, stability 84 vs 82. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.7 vs 85.3 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $90.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.9 vs 82.1 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $90.
- Power
- Spin
- Maneuverability
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 82. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want softness (+10), touch (+4), swing weight (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 if you want power (+4), spin (+4), sweet spot (+4). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Atlas 16 review →ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.8 vs 83.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 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 Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 measures 78 on power against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 106 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG at 88 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?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 scores 86 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 82 for the Textured carbon face on ProKennex Black Ace LG. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16, with 6.7 twist weight against 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Vatic Pro Atlas 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 costs $110, $90 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG: 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core with a Textured carbon face. Vatic Pro Atlas 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 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?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (106 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Black Ace LG to the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProKennex Black Ace LG leads on softness by 10 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $200 vs $110, 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 Crush Control 16
- Atlas 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Atlas 16 vs Crush Control 16
- Atlas 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Atlas 16 vs Sapphire 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 Vatic Pro Atlas 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.