Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control vs Six Zero Sapphire 16
Six Zero's newer control paddle against the model that made the brand. Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control 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
- 79Power80
- 93Control93
- 90Spin91
- 90Forgiveness86
- 91Sweet spot88
- 92Stability84
- 70Maneuverability80
- 73Pop72
- 89Touch91
- 91Consistency88
- 78Swing weight64
- 93Twist weight82
- 54Launch angle48
- 82Plow through76
- 84Softness86
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control vs Six Zero Sapphire 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control | Six Zero Sapphire 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.7 — better | 85.9 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 106 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.7 |
| Shape | widebody | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.2 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Toray T700 raw carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer | Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene |
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control verdict
The best stability-to-price ratio in the database. Twist weight is near CRBN levels for sixty dollars less.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control scores 78 against 64 for Six Zero Sapphire 16 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, consistency, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control is $20 cheaper at $170.
Swing weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 14 points (78 vs 64).
Twist weight
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 11 points (93 vs 82).
Maneuverability
Six Zero Sapphire 16 leads by 10 points (80 vs 70).
Stability
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 8 points (92 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
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 93 vs 82, stability 92 vs 84, forgiveness 90 vs 86. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
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 and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.1 vs 84.1 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 93 vs 82, forgiveness 90 vs 86. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Six Zero Sapphire 16
Take Six Zero Sapphire 16 if you want maneuverability (+10). 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
Take Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control if you want swing weight (+14), twist weight (+11), stability (+8). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control review →Six Zero Sapphire 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Six Zero Sapphire 16 or the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.7 vs 85.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16, at 106 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. 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?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 measures 80 on power against 79 for Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. That comes from a 16 mm Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene core swinging at 106 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 at 93 versus 93. 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 90 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control, with 7 twist weight against 6.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control 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: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control, at 5.2 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 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Sapphire 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (106 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Six Zero Sapphire 16 to the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control leads on swing weight by 14 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $190 vs $170, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a hand speed vs plow through decision
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Read the full reviews: Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control and Six Zero Sapphire 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.