Proton Series One Project Black vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Proton Series One Project Black, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Forgiveness
84 vs 80
Hand speed
Too close to call
115 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$200 at IQ 84.6 vs $200 at IQ 83.8
Overall pick: Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 · $200 · IQ 84.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 86Power88
- 86Control84
- 90Spin88
- 80Forgiveness84
- 82Sweet spot86
- 86Stability88
- 72Maneuverability76
- 82Pop84
- 82Touch80
- 84Consistency84
- 76Swing weight76
- 86Twist weight84
- 54Launch angle56
- 86Plow through88
- 68Softness70
Proton Series One Project Black vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 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 | Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.8 | 84.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.9 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls | Foam-injected thermoformed polymer |
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.
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 verdict
Volair's second-gen Forza adds foam walls without adding swing weight past 115. Power 88 and stability 88 make it a genuine tournament option.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 scores 84 against 80 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 4-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.
Forgiveness
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 4 points (84 vs 80).
Sweet spot
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
Maneuverability
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 4 points (76 vs 72).
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 (85.1 vs 83.4 on the weighted index). Neither has an advantage here — buy on availability, colourway or whichever grip feels better in hand.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.3 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Neither has an advantage here — buy on availability, colourway or whichever grip feels better in hand.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.7 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Neither has an advantage here — buy on availability, colourway or whichever grip feels better in hand.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (76.4 vs 74.5 on the weighted index). Neither has an advantage here — buy on availability, colourway or whichever grip feels better in hand.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Take Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 if you want forgiveness (+4), sweet spot (+4), maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you prefer a 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core — it gives up nothing measurable to Volair Mach 2 Forza 16.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.6 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, at 115 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 Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 scores 88 for power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-injected thermoformed polymer core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 versus 84. 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 One Project Black scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 88 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 80). Proton Series One Project Black actually carries the higher twist weight (7 vs 6.9), but Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 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?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16: 16 mm Foam-injected thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.3 oz, though swing weight differs (115 vs 117) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads on forgiveness by 4 points; everything else is within 4 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 Series Two Project Flash
- Series One Project Black vs Agassi Pro 16
- Series One Project Black vs Loco 16mm Standard
- Series One Project Black vs Vice V2 16
- Mach 2 Forza 16 vs Hyperion CFS 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 Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs R4 Pulsar
- Mach 2 Forza 16 vs Agassi Pro 16
- Mach 2 Forza 16 vs R4 Pulsar
- Mach 2 Forza 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Mach 2 Forza 16 vs Extreme Tour 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 One Project Black and Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series One Project Black and Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.