- Front
- Back view not yet publishedBack
- Edge guard view not yet publishedEdge guard
- Handle view not yet publishedHandle
- Surface texture view not yet publishedSurface texture
- Side profile view not yet publishedSide profile
- Size comparison
5 of 7 views are still being sourced from Proton. We only publish photography of this exact model, so empty slots stay empty until the real shot exists.
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Proton
Proton Series One Project Black
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
From Proton
Open box, 'visually blemished,' returned, demo, or otherwise gently used Proton Series One Type A Elongated 15mm Pickleball Paddle. Colors vary. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to guarantee what color you are shipped. Most of these paddles are customer returns or demo paddles used by our staff. We inspect them before making them available for sale. All sales of this paddle are final, and they are not eligible for return, exchange, or refund (unless we’ve made a misrepresentation about the paddle).
Official Proton product page →Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the Series One Project Black against the Six Zero Ruby — see them side by side, or browse every Proton paddle.
- Core
- 16 mm
- Weight
- 8.3 oz
- Swing wt
- 117
- Twist wt
- 7
- Shape
- elongated
- Surface
- Raw carbon fiber
- Grip
- 5.5 in
- Released
- 2025
Pros
- Top-tier twist weight and stability
- Strong spin and power combination
- Priced under the JOOLA and CRBN flagships
Cons
- Heavy swing weight at the kitchen
- Thermoformed paddles historically soften over a season
AI verdict — generated from measured specs
Last updated: July 2026
Should you buy the Series One Project Black?
The Proton Series One Project Black scores 83.8/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is twist weight (86/100, 74th percentile of the database), backed by plow through at 86 and stability at 86. The 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core and Raw carbon fiber face at 8.3 oz put it in the all-court — comfortable driving and resetting in the same rally bracket.
Where it gives ground is maneuverability (72) and touch (82). With a 117 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5.5 in handle it suits advanced/pro players, two-handed backhands, balanced doubles play. Skip it if you specifically want the opposite profile — maximum pop and minimum dwell time.
Closest paddles by DNA: Six Zero Ruby ($160), Vatic Pro Oni 16 ($130), Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 ($275). If budget matters, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 lands within 2 IQ points for $101 less. Overall: a strong buy for the right player, though not the outright best paddle in the database.
- Best for
- advanced/pro players, two-handed backhands, balanced doubles play
- Playing style
- all-court — comfortable driving and resetting in the same rally
- Avoid if
- you specifically want the opposite profile — maximum pop and minimum dwell time
Community consensus
What other players say about the Proton Series One Project Black
Verbatim excerpts from public discussion and independent reviews, plus the themes they add up to. These are other people's opinions, not ours, and every quote links back to where it was written.
No sourced community excerpts are published for this paddle yet. We only quote text we can link back to.
Who should buy the Series One Project Black?
- Former tennis players and two-handed backhands
- Singles players and drivers who end points with pace
- Topspin-heavy players rolling and dipping every ball
- Brand-new beginners still finding a contact point
- Anyone not ready to spend $200+ before knowing their shape preference
AI paddle match
If you like the Series One Project Black, you'll probably like…
Each pick is the database's best answer to one specific question, ranked by how far it moves the needle versus the Series One Project Black.
- Better controlJOOLA Perseus Pro V 16Control 96 vs 86, touch 94 vs 82IQ 89.1 · $300
- More powerSelkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16Power 95 vs 86, pop 90 vs 82IQ 87.1 · $332.99
- Better valueVERSIX Strike 4FIQ 69.7 at $15 — $185 less than the Series One Project BlackIQ 69.7 · $15
- Similar feelSix Zero RubyClosest DNA profile in the database to the Series One Project BlackIQ 83.5 · $160
- More spinCRBN CRBN-2X SquareSpin 96 vs 90 off a Raw T700 carbon peel-ply faceIQ 87.3 · $229
- More forgivingSix Zero Quartz ControlForgiveness 91 vs 80, sweet spot 92 vs 82IQ 88 · $190
Series One Project Black head-to-head comparisons
The matchups people actually cross-shop, each with a full 15-trait breakdown.
- Series One Project Black vs Pegasus Gen 3Cross-shopped at the same price
- Series One Project Black vs Loco 16mm StandardCross-shopped at the same price
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby$40 cheaper
- Series One Project Black vs Mach 1 Forza 16$30 cheaper
- Series One Project Black vs Loco 16mm HybridCross-shopped at the same price
- Series One Project Black vs TenonCross-shopped at the same price
Paddle DNA™ — all 15 traits
Every trait normalised 0-100 against the full database, so these numbers mean the same thing on any paddle page. How we measure →
Key attributes
DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Series One Project Black
Our similarity engine ranks the whole database by average DNA deviation. Tighten or widen the band to see how far you have to travel to save money or gain a trait.
Paddle DNA™ match
Proton Series One Project Black
IQ 83.8 · $200
8 paddles within 5% of the Series One Project Black
Ranked by DNA deviation
- -6 swing weight-6 plow through+6 softness+4 maneuverability
Saves $40 versus the Series One Project Black · +6 softness · -6 swing weight
- +14 softness+6 launch angle+4 forgiveness+3 sweet spot
Saves $70 versus the Series One Project Black · +14 softness · Higher IQ score (84.6 vs 83.8)
- +12 softness+6 forgiveness+6 sweet spot+4 stability
+12 softness · Higher IQ score (86.8 vs 83.8)
- +6 pop-6 softness+4 power+4 launch angle
+6 pop · -6 softness · Higher IQ score (84 vs 83.8)
- #5RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2$249.99 (+49.99000000000001) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match96.9%86+6 power+6 pop+6 launch angle+6 softness
+6 power · Higher IQ score (86.3 vs 83.8)
- +16 softness+6 forgiveness+5 sweet spot-4 plow through
Saves $30 versus the Series One Project Black · +16 softness · -4 plow through · Higher IQ score (85.3 vs 83.8)
- +15 softness+5 swing weight+5 launch angle+4 pop
+15 softness · -4 twist weight · Higher IQ score (85.1 vs 83.8)
- +7 power+7 pop+6 swing weight+6 launch angle
+7 power · -4 spin
Best alternatives to the Series One Project Black
Each pick beats the Series One Project Black on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.
Similar paddles to the Series One Project Black
Closest matches by player level, hand weight and price — the paddles most players cross-shop against the Proton Series One Project Black.
- CRBN CRBN-1X94% match
- Player level
- advanced / pro
- Weight
- 8.3 oz(same as Series One Project Black)
- Price
- $220(+$20)
- CRBN 2X Power Series94% match
- Player level
- advanced / pro
- Weight
- 8.3 oz(same as Series One Project Black)
- Price
- $220(+$20)
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power93% match
- Player level
- advanced / pro
- Weight
- 8.4 oz(+0.10 vs Series One Project Black)
- Price
- $210(+$10)
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated93% match
- Player level
- advanced / pro
- Weight
- 8.5 oz(+0.20 vs Series One Project Black)
- Price
- $200(same price)
- Series One Project Black vs CRBN-1X
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
- Series One Project Black vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Power Elongated
Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)
Six Zero Ruby16 mm · hybrid · 8.2 oz · SW 114$16084
Vatic Pro Oni 1616 mm · hybrid · 8.2 oz · SW 115$13085
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 1616 mm · elongated · 8 oz · SW 116$27587
CRBN 2X Power Series14 mm · hybrid · 8.3 oz · SW 118$22084- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Oni 16
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
Want a different matchup? Compare any two paddles or browse the full paddle database.
Ranked in
More from Proton
Aerospace-materials brand known for edgeless builds and exposed aramid (Kevlar) weaves that keep their grit far longer than sprayed-on textures.
Series One Project Black — frequently asked questions
- Is the Proton Series One Project Black good for beginners?
- Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 80/100 and the paddle is tuned for advanced/pro play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.
- Is the Proton Series One Project Black worth the price?
- At $200 it sits in the 56th percentile of the database for cost and the 57th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at $99 is the value alternative we point people to.
- How does the Series One Project Black compare to the Ruby?
- They are close on DNA. The Series One Project Black reads power 86 / control 86 / spin 90 against 85 / 86 / 88 for the Ruby, at $200 versus $160. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.
- Is the 16 mm better than the 14 mm version?
- A 16 mm core has longer dwell time, which is what produces softer resets and more repeatable placement. The 14 mm build trades that dwell for a faster, poppier response off the face. Control players take 16 mm; players who want the ball gone quickly take 14 mm.
- Is the Proton Series One Project Black approved for tournament play?
- Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. Proton submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Series One Project Black build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
- Does the Series One Project Black have good spin?
- Spin measures 90/100 — the 51th percentile of our database — off a Raw carbon fiber face. That is top-tier: enough bite for heavy topspin drives and rolls.
- Is the Series One Project Black head heavy?
- Swing weight is 117 kg·cm² and twist weight 7. That is mid-range: balanced enough that most players will not describe it as head heavy. Static weight is 8.3 oz.
- Does the Series One Project Black benefit from lead tape?
- It already swings at 117 kg·cm², so adding weight at 12 o'clock will make it sluggish. If you customise, keep it to a few grams at 3 and 9 o'clock for stability. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.
- What is the best overgrip for the Series One Project Black?
- The stock handle is 5.5 in long with a 4.25 in circumference. A thin tacky overgrip adds roughly 1/16 in of circumference and a few grams above the balance point — the cheapest way to fine-tune fit. If your hand is larger than the 4.25 in stock size, build up with an under-wrap first rather than stacking overgrips.
- What should I replace the Series One Project Black with when it wears out?
- Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Series One Project Black; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 86) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 86).
- Who is the Series One Project Black best for?
- Aggressive doubles players who drive from the baseline. Skill levels we would put on it: advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.5 in supports a two-handed backhand.
- What shape and size is the Series One Project Black?
- elongated shape, 16.5 in long by 7.5 in wide, 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core, Raw carbon fiber face, 8.3 oz. Released 2025.
- Is the Series One Project Black good for two-handed backhands?
- Yes — the 5.5 in handle gives your top hand a full grip rather than riding the throat.
- Series One Project Black or Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Both are Proton. The Series One Project Black reads IQ 83.8 at $200; the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) reads IQ 85.6 at $175. The clearest split is control (86 vs 88).
- How does PickleballLookup score the Series One Project Black?
- The IQ score of 83.8 is a weighted composite of the 15 Paddle DNA traits, normalized across every paddle in the database so the number means the same thing on any page. Performance traits carry the most weight; descriptive traits like swing weight carry none. Full methodology is published.
Series One Project Black on video
Reviewed by
Alex Zubarev
Founder, PickleballLookupAlex built the Paddle DNA™ database behind PickleballLookup — 15 normalized traits measured against every paddle in the catalog. Every page on this site is generated from that data and editorially reviewed before publication.
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Last updated July 2026 · How we score paddles