ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 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
- 74Power84
- 88Control90
- 82Spin89
- 88Forgiveness87
- 86Sweet spot87
- 82Stability84
- 78Maneuverability80
- 70Pop80
- 90Touch88
- 88Consistency88
- 70Swing weight68
- 78Twist weight82
- 48Launch angle55
- 76Plow through76
- 92Softness84
ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 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 V-Sol Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.1 | 85.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 107 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.5 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Kinetic core with damping chambers | Thermoformed polymer |
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 V-Sol Pro 16 verdict
The $99 paddle that keeps embarrassing $200 ones. The V-Sol Pro will not out-drive the foam flagships, but on control, spin and consistency it is genuinely competitive.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is power: Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 scores 84 against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on control, stability, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is $101 cheaper at $99.
Power
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Pop
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 10 points (80 vs 70).
Softness
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).
Spin
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 7 points (89 vs 82).
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 86.2 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 and keep the $101.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 84 vs 74, spin 89 vs 82, control 90 vs 88. At 107 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Power
- Spin
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 84 vs 74, spin 89 vs 82, maneuverability 80 vs 78. Swing weight 107 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- 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 84, forgiveness 88 vs 87. 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 softness (+8). 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 V-Sol Pro 16
Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 if you want power (+10), pop (+10), spin (+7). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 review →ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.8 vs 83.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, at 107 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 V-Sol Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 measures 84 on power against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 107 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at 90 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 V-Sol Pro 16 scores 89 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 82 for the Textured carbon face on ProKennex Black Ace LG. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, with 6.5 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?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 costs $99, $101 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 V-Sol Pro 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer 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 5.3 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. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (107 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Black Ace LG to the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads on power by 10 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $200 vs $99, 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
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Bantam ALW-C 14
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs SLK Halo XL Control
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Magnus 3S 16
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
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 V-Sol Pro 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.