Proton Series One Project Black vs Proton Series Two Project Flash
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Proton Series Two Project Flash takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Proton Series Two Project Flash wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Proton Series One Project Black, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Spin
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Forgiveness
Proton Series Two Project Flash
84 vs 80
Hand speed
Proton Series Two Project Flash
111 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$200 at IQ 85.3 vs $200 at IQ 83.8
Overall pick: Proton Series Two Project Flash · $200 · IQ 85.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 86Power84
- 86Control88
- 90Spin92
- 80Forgiveness84
- 82Sweet spot86
- 86Stability84
- 72Maneuverability80
- 82Pop80
- 82Touch86
- 84Consistency88
- 76Swing weight70
- 86Twist weight80
- 54Launch angle50
- 86Plow through80
- 68Softness80
Proton Series One Project Black vs Proton Series Two Project Flash specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series One Project Black | Proton Series Two Project Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.8 | 85.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.7 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.4 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Gritted raw carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb |
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our scored range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
Proton Series Two Project Flash verdict
The grittiest face Proton has made. Spin 92 puts it in the top tier of the database, and the hybrid shape keeps it usable at the kitchen line.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 80 against 68 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $200, so price cannot break the tie.
Softness
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 12 points (80 vs 68).
Maneuverability
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
Swing weight
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points (76 vs 70).
Twist weight
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
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 (83.4 vs 84.8 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Series One Project Black, hybrid on the Series Two Project Flash.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Proton Series Two Project Flash is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 80 vs 72, forgiveness 84 vs 80, touch 86 vs 82. At 111 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 85.3 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Series One Project Black, hybrid on the Series Two Project Flash.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Proton Series Two Project Flash is the clearer pick at this level — softness 80 vs 68, forgiveness 84 vs 80. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want swing weight (+6), twist weight (+6), plow through (+6). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Proton Series Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want softness (+12), maneuverability (+8), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →Proton Series One Project Black vs Proton Series Two Project Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series One Project Black or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.3 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Proton Series One Project Black. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Proton Series One Project Black or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Proton Series One Project Black scores 86 for power against 84 for Proton Series Two Project Flash. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash at 88 versus 86. 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 Two Project Flash scores 92 for spin off its Gritted raw carbon face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 80). Proton Series One Project Black actually carries the higher twist weight (7 vs 6.7), but Proton Series Two Project Flash makes it back on sweet spot (86) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $200. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Proton Series Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.4 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Proton Series One Project Black avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Two Project Flash leads on softness by 12 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $200 vs $200, 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 One Project Black vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
- Series One Project Black vs Edge 18K V2
- Series One Project Black vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Series One Project Black vs Agassi Pro 16
- Series One Project Black vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Series One Project Black vs Loco 16mm Standard
- Series One Project Black vs Vice V2 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Vice V2 16
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 One Project Black vs Agassi Pro 16
- Series One Project Black vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs R4 Pulsar
- Series Two Project Flash vs Scorpeus Pro IV 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Crush Control 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
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 One Project Black and Proton Series Two Project Flash in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series One Project Black and Proton Series Two Project Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.