ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Wilson Blaze Pro 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. ProKennex Black Ace LG 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
- 88Control82
- 82Spin78
- 88Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot84
- 82Stability80
- 78Maneuverability78
- 70Pop76
- 90Touch78
- 88Consistency84
- 70Swing weight70
- 78Twist weight76
- 48Launch angle52
- 76Plow through76
- 92Softness74
ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Wilson Blaze 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 | Wilson Blaze Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $170 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.1 — better | 80.2 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.5 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.375 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| 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.
Wilson Blaze Pro 16 verdict
Wilson's most competitive pickleball paddle to date. Nothing in the DNA profile is exceptional, but nothing is a weakness either — it is the definition of a balanced all-court build.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 92 against 74 for Wilson Blaze Pro 16 — a 18-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, stability, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Wilson Blaze Pro 16 is $30 cheaper at $170.
Softness
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 18 points (92 vs 74).
Touch
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 12 points (90 vs 78).
Control
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Pop
Wilson Blaze Pro 16 leads by 6 points (76 vs 70).
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
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 84, consistency 88 vs 84, sweet spot 86 vs 84. Twist weight 6.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — touch 90 vs 78, control 88 vs 82, spin 82 vs 78. At 109 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — touch 90 vs 78, spin 82 vs 78, control 88 vs 82. Swing weight 109 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is the clearer pick at this level — softness 92 vs 74, forgiveness 88 vs 84, twist weight 78 vs 76. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want softness (+18), touch (+12), control (+6). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →Wilson Blaze Pro 16
Take Wilson Blaze Pro 16 if you want pop (+6), power (+4), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Wilson Blaze Pro 16 review →ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Wilson Blaze Pro 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Wilson Blaze Pro 16?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.1 vs 80.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, at 109 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Wilson Blaze Pro 16. 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 Wilson Blaze Pro 16?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16 measures 78 on power against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG at 88 versus 82. 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 82 for spin off its Textured carbon face, against 78 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Wilson Blaze Pro 16. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Wilson Blaze 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?
- Wilson Blaze Pro 16 costs $170, $30 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. Wilson Blaze Pro 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.375 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. Wilson Blaze Pro 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 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Wilson Blaze Pro 16 to the ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProKennex Black Ace LG leads on softness by 18 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $200 vs $170, 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
- Blaze Pro 16 vs Evoke Premier
- Blaze Pro 16 vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Blaze Pro 16 vs V7 Hybrid
- Blaze Pro 16 vs Crush Control 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 Wilson Blaze Pro 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.