Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 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
- 84Power82
- 88Control88
- 92Spin90
- 84Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot88
- 84Stability84
- 80Maneuverability82
- 80Pop80
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency88
- 70Swing weight68
- 80Twist weight82
- 50Launch angle50
- 80Plow through78
- 80Softness82
Proton Series Two Project Flash vs Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 specs
Every measured 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 Ruby Hybrid 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $170 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.3 | 85.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 | 6.8 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.2 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Gritted raw carbon | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb |
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 Ruby Hybrid 16 verdict
The Ruby formula in a hybrid shape. Spin 90 with a 109 swing weight is a rare combination — you get grip on the ball without losing the hands battle.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 scores 88 against 84 for Proton Series Two Project Flash — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 is $30 cheaper at $170.
Forgiveness
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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 (86.5 vs 84.8 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 and keep the $30.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.3 vs 86 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 and keep the $30.
- Forgiveness
- Maneuverability
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). Take Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 and keep the $30.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 82 vs 80, forgiveness 88 vs 84, twist weight 82 vs 80. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16
Take Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 if you want forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 review →Proton Series Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you prefer a hybrid face and a 5.4 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.7 vs 85.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16, at 109 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 Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash measures 84 on power against 82 for Six Zero Ruby 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 Ruby Hybrid 16 at 88 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 Two Project Flash scores 92 for spin off its Gritted raw carbon face, against 90 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 costs $170, $30 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?
- Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon 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 Two Project Flash, at 5.4 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 Ruby 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 Two Project Flash rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Two Project Flash to the Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16 leads on forgiveness by 4 points; everything else is within 2 points. At $170 vs $200, 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 Two Project Flash vs Crush Control 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Series Two Project Flash vs R3 Pulsar
- Ruby Hybrid 16 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Ruby Hybrid 16 vs Crush Control 16
- Ruby Hybrid 16 vs Prism Flash V2 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Proton Series Two Project Flash and Six Zero Ruby Hybrid 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.