Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16
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
Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Proton Series Two Project Flash, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
84 vs 83
Spin
Too close to call
92 vs 92
Control
92 vs 88
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 82
Hand speed
105 vs 111 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$200 at IQ 85.3 vs $200 at IQ 82.7
Overall pick: Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 · $200 · IQ 82.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 84Power83
- 88Control92
- 92Spin92
- 84Forgiveness82
- 86Sweet spot82
- 84Stability74
- 80Maneuverability87
- 80Pop75
- 86Touch92
- 88Consistency83
- 70Swing weight58
- 80Twist weight62
- 50Launch angle50
- 80Plow through69
- 80Softness84
Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Proton Series Two Project Flash | Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.3 — better | 82.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.15 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 — better | 6 |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Gritted raw carbon | Diamond Tough Raw Carbon Fiber |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb | Tectonic Core With Propulsion Foam |
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.
Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 verdict
The non-Pro Coral keeps the Tectonic core and propulsion foam but softens the build, which makes it the more playable of the two for anyone who is not hitting flat winners.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 80 against 62 for Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 — an 18-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, power, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $200, so price cannot break the tie.
Twist weight
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 18 points (80 vs 62).
Swing weight
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 12 points (70 vs 58).
Plow through
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 11 points (80 vs 69).
Stability
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
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
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Proton Series Two Project Flash is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 80 vs 62, stability 84 vs 74, sweet spot 86 vs 82. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86 vs 87.9 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.4 in on the Series Two Project Flash, 5.5 in on the Coral Hybrid 16.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.3 vs 85.7 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.4 in on the Series Two Project Flash, 5.5 in on the Coral Hybrid 16.
- Touch
- Maneuverability
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.1 vs 79.5 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.4 in on the Series Two Project Flash, 5.5 in on the Coral Hybrid 16.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want twist weight (+18), swing weight (+12), plow through (+11). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16
Take Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 if you want maneuverability (+7), touch (+6), control (+4). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 review →Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Two Project Flash or the Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.3 vs 82.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Proton Series Two Project Flash. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Proton Series Two Project Flash or the Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 84 for power against 83 for Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 at 92 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 92 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 82). Its 6.7 twist weight against 6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- 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 Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw carbon face. Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16: 16 mm Tectonic Core With Propulsion Foam core with a Diamond Tough Raw Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16, 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 Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 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. Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 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 8.15 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 to the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Two Project Flash leads on twist weight by 18 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $200 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Proton Series Two Project Flash and Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series Two Project Flash and Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.