Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) wins this matchup for most players: it takes power and spin on Paddle DNA against the Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16, which costs $180.
Power
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
85 vs 80
Spin
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
95 vs 88
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Forgiveness
88 vs 82
Hand speed
Too close to call
108 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$175 at IQ 85.6 vs $180 at IQ 85.8
Overall pick: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) · $175 · IQ 85.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power80
- 88Control90
- 95Spin88
- 82Forgiveness88
- 84Sweet spot88
- 83Stability84
- 84Maneuverability82
- 82Pop76
- 86Touch90
- 88Consistency90
- 68Swing weight66
- 82Twist weight80
- 57Launch angle46
- 78Plow through78
- 80Softness88
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 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 Quartz Hybrid 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $175 — better | $180 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.6 | 85.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 15 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 6.8 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.2 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.375 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave | Raw Toray carbon |
| Core material | Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb | Thermoformed polypropylene |
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 Quartz Hybrid 16 verdict
Six Zero's softest build. Softness 88 and touch 90 make it the most arm-friendly hybrid under $200 without dropping spin below 88.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is launch angle: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 57 against 46 for Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 — an 11-point gap. They are effectively level on control, maneuverability, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($175 vs $180) that it should not break the tie.
Launch angle
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 11 points (57 vs 46).
Softness
Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Spin
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 7 points (95 vs 88).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 leads by 6 points (88 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 Quartz Hybrid 16
Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 82, sweet spot 88 vs 84, consistency 90 vs 88. Twist weight 6.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.1 vs 86.7 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Series Four (Project Roadrunner), hybrid on the Quartz Hybrid 16.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.3 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Series Four (Project Roadrunner), hybrid on the Quartz Hybrid 16.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16
Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 88 vs 80, forgiveness 88 vs 82. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want launch angle (+11), spin (+7), pop (+6). 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 Quartz Hybrid 16
Take Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 if you want softness (+8), forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16?
- Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.8 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 11 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). 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 Quartz Hybrid 16?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 85 for power against 80 for Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16. That comes from a 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 88 for the Raw Toray carbon face on Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 82). Its 6.8 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?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- 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 Quartz Hybrid 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene core with a Raw Toray carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 5.375 in of handle against 5.3 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 7.9 oz, though swing weight differs (110 vs 108) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on launch angle by 11 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $175 vs $180, 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
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series Two Project Flash
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Vice V2 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Infinity Ruby 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Edge 18K V2
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
- Quartz Hybrid 16 vs Vision CGS 16
- Quartz Hybrid 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Hybrid 16 vs Pursuit Pro EX 16
- Quartz Hybrid 16 vs Ruby Hybrid 16
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 Quartz Hybrid 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) and Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.