RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Quartz Control takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Six Zero Quartz Control wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm, which costs $249.99.
Power
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
93 vs 78
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Control
93 vs 84
Forgiveness
91 vs 85
Hand speed
108 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$190 at IQ 88 vs $249.99 at IQ 85.1
Overall pick: Six Zero Quartz Control · $190 · IQ 88
Paddle DNA head-to-head
Estimated scores: the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm Paddle DNA is our estimate from published specs, not a sourced profile.
- 93Power78
- 84Control93
- 90Spin90
- 85Forgiveness91
- 87Sweet spot92
- 84Stability90
- 76Maneuverability82
- 91Pop72
- 80Touch92
- 85Consistency91
- 76Swing weight68
- 80Twist weight90
- 62Launch angle50
- 85Plow through72
- 70Softness89
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Six Zero Quartz Control specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $249.99 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.1 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Carbon fiber surface | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Gen 4 full-foam core | Thermoformed polymer |
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm verdict
RPM's Gen 4 full-foam Q2 trades the Friction Pro's honeycomb feel for a firmer, more powerful response. The published 114 swing weight is lighter than most elongated power paddles, while the 6.1 twist weight is on the low side for the shape.
Six Zero Quartz Control verdict
A control build in the Double Black Diamond tradition, only lighter and quicker. Twist weight and sweet spot are the standouts; power is deliberately mid-pack.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm scores 91 against 72 for Six Zero Quartz Control — a 19-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Quartz Control is $59.99000000000001 cheaper at $190.
Pop
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads by 19 points (91 vs 72).
Softness
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 19 points (89 vs 70).
Power
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads by 15 points (93 vs 78).
Plow through
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads by 13 points (85 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
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 90 vs 80, forgiveness 91 vs 85, sweet spot 92 vs 87. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — control 93 vs 84, touch 92 vs 80, maneuverability 82 vs 76. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.6 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Quartz Control and keep the $59.99000000000001.
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — softness 89 vs 70, twist weight 90 vs 80, forgiveness 91 vs 85. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
Take RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm if you want pop (+19), power (+15), plow through (+13). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want softness (+19), touch (+12), twist weight (+10). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Where to Buy
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
Six Zero Quartz Control
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 85.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads by 19 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm scores 93 for power against 78 for Six Zero Quartz Control. That comes from a 16 mm Gen 4 full-foam core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 85). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.1 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Six Zero Quartz Control costs $190, $59.99000000000001 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?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm: 16 mm Gen 4 full-foam core with a Carbon fiber surface. Six Zero Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Quartz Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 91 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm at 7.8 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads on pop by 19 points; everything else is within 19 points. At $249.99 vs $190, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.