Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Six Zero Sapphire 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Sapphire 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Six Zero Sapphire 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 85.4), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
80 vs 80
Spin
Too close to call
91 vs 88
Control
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Hand speed
106 vs 111 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2
$170 at IQ 85.4 vs $190 at IQ 85.9
Overall pick: Six Zero Sapphire 16 · $190 · IQ 85.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 80Power80
- 90Control93
- 88Spin91
- 88Forgiveness86
- 88Sweet spot88
- 86Stability84
- 78Maneuverability80
- 74Pop72
- 88Touch91
- 88Consistency88
- 72Swing weight64
- 82Twist weight82
- 48Launch angle48
- 78Plow through76
- 80Softness86
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Six Zero Sapphire 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 | Six Zero Sapphire 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.4 | 85.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 106 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.7 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Toray T700 raw carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb | Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene |
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 verdict
The V2 keeps the original DBD's forgiveness and adds face texture. Control 90 with sweet spot 88 in a standard shape is the safest upgrade path in the database.
Six Zero Sapphire 16 verdict
Six Zero's standard-shape Gen 3 build. It trades the Coral Pro's reach for a wider face, and the result is one of the most forgiving control paddles in the $200 bracket.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 scores 72 against 64 for Six Zero Sapphire 16 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on control, spin, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 is $20 cheaper at $170.
Swing weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 8 points (72 vs 64).
Softness
Six Zero Sapphire 16 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
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 (86.4 vs 86.9 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 and keep the $20.
- Forgiveness
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.1 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 and keep the $20.
- Control
- Spin
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.1 vs 83.7 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 and keep the $20.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Sapphire 16
Six Zero Sapphire 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 80. Its 16 mm Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Six Zero Sapphire 16
Take Six Zero Sapphire 16 if you want softness (+6). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Sapphire 16 review →Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2
Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 if you want swing weight (+8). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 review →Six Zero Sapphire 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the Six Zero Sapphire 16 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 85.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16, at 106 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Six Zero Sapphire 16 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 80 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 at 93 versus 90. 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?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 scores 91 for spin off its Toray T700 raw carbon face, against 88 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 86). Its 6.8 twist weight against 6.7 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 Double Black Diamond Control V2 costs $170, $20 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 Sapphire 16: 16 mm Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene core with a Toray T700 raw carbon face. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2, at 5.25 in of handle against 5 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 Double Black Diamond Control V2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Sapphire 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 at 8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 106) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 to the Six Zero Sapphire 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 leads on swing weight by 8 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $190 vs $170, 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.
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Blaze Pro 16
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Black Diamond Power 16
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Loco 16mm Standard
- Sapphire 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Quartz Hybrid 16
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Vision CGS 16
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Crush Control 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.
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Radius CGS 16
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Pursuit Pro EX 16
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Vision CGS 16
- Double Black Diamond Control V2 vs Crush Control 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 Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 and Six Zero Sapphire 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 and Six Zero Sapphire 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.