Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16, which costs $220.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 85
Spin
Too close to call
95 vs 94
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Forgiveness
90 vs 82
Hand speed
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
110 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
$175 at IQ 85.6 vs $220 at IQ 88.2
Overall pick: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) · $175 · IQ 85.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power88
- 88Control89
- 95Spin94
- 82Forgiveness90
- 84Sweet spot91
- 83Stability90
- 84Maneuverability70
- 82Pop84
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency89
- 68Swing weight76
- 82Twist weight90
- 57Launch angle54
- 78Plow through86
- 80Softness78
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) | Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $175 — better | $220 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.6 | 88.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 15 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.7 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.375 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave | Aramid fiber |
| Core material | Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb | Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls |
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) verdict
The exposed Kevlar weave is the story: it grips the ball like a fresh grit face but, unlike sprayed textures, it is the material itself, so the spin number does not decay over a season.
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 verdict
The edgeless Ruby. Removing the edge guard adds face area and twist weight (7.0) to a paddle that already had one of the most durable spin surfaces in the sport.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 84 against 70 for Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on power, launch angle, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is $45 cheaper at $175.
Maneuverability
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Swing weight
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 8 points (76 vs 68).
Twist weight
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 8 points (90 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
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 90 vs 82, sweet spot 91 vs 84, twist weight 90 vs 82. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.1 vs 86.2 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and keep the $45.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.3 vs 86.5 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and keep the $45.
- Plow through
- Power
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 90 vs 82, twist weight 90 vs 82. Its 16 mm Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls core at 8.2 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want maneuverability (+14). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 15 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) review →Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Take Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 if you want forgiveness (+8), swing weight (+8), twist weight (+8). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.2 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 scores 88 for power against 85 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 at 89 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 94 for the Aramid fiber face on Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 82). Its 7 twist weight against 6.3 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) costs $175, $45 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with an Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16: 16 mm Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls core with an Aramid fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16, 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 Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) at 7.9 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on maneuverability by 14 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $175 vs $220, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series One Project Black
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Ruby
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs J2CR
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Coral Pro
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs OMNI 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs CRBN-3X Power Series
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series Two Project Flash
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Vice V2 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Scorpeus Pro IV 16
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs CRBN-1X
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Coral Pro
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.