Proton Series One Project Black vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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
- 86Power92
- 86Control86
- 90Spin94
- 80Forgiveness84
- 82Sweet spot86
- 86Stability88
- 72Maneuverability72
- 82Pop88
- 82Touch82
- 84Consistency86
- 76Swing weight80
- 86Twist weight86
- 54Launch angle60
- 86Plow through88
- 68Softness74
Proton Series One Project Black vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series One Project Black | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $249.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.8 | 86.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| Core material | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring |
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 verdict
The James Ignatowich signature build is an unapologetic attack paddle: 16.5 in of reach, a grippy CarbonBite face and a tri-density core that launches drives without giving up the sweet spot the first V2 lacked.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is power: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 92 against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, consistency, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $49.99000000000001 cheaper at $200.
Power
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
Pop
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Launch angle
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (60 vs 54).
Softness
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (74 vs 68).
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
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 80, sweet spot 86 vs 82, stability 88 vs 86. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is a narrow pick at this level — power 92 vs 86, spin 94 vs 90, forgiveness 84 vs 80. At 117 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Power
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is a narrow pick at this level — power 92 vs 86, spin 94 vs 90, plow through 88 vs 86. Swing weight 117 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 74 vs 68, forgiveness 84 vs 80. Its 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core at 7.9 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 prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want power (+6), pop (+6), launch angle (+6). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 review →Proton Series One Project Black vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series One Project Black or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. 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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 measures 92 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 for spin off its CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series One Project Black costs $200, $49.99000000000001 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 One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads on power by 6 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $200 vs $249.99, 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.
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
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- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Proton Series One Project Black and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.