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Reference price$170MSRP $189

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Six Zero

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control

88Specs recorded July 2026 · Stability-first doubles players
Reviewed by Alex ZubarevPickleball player since 2021Jacksonville, FLUpdated Community verified

The Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control is a 16 mm widebody pickleball paddle weighing 8.3 oz, with a Raw T700 carbon face, listed around $170.

The best stability-to-price ratio in the database. Twist weight is near CRBN levels for sixty dollars less.

From Six Zero

Go Next Level with the Double Black Diamond paddle—engineered for players who demand precision and control with every stroke. This paddle offers a unique blend of power and finesse, making it a seamless extension of your arm on the court.

Official Six Zero product page →

Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the Double Black Diamond Control against the CRBN-2X Square see them side by side, or browse every Six Zero paddle.

Core
16 mm
Weight
8.3 oz
Swing wt
117
Twist wt
7
Shape
widebody
Surface
Raw T700 carbon
Grip
5.2 in
Released
2025

Pros

  • Outstanding twist weight for the price
  • Huge sweet spot
  • Strong spin and control together

Cons

  • Not a power paddle
  • Thermoformed cores can soften over a season

Paddle DNA Verdict

Last updated: August 2026

Derived from our published scoring model and sourced paddle specifications.

Should you buy the Double Black Diamond Control?

The Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control scores 87.7/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is stability (92/100, 99th percentile of the database — elite — top-tier), backed by twist weight at 93 and consistency at 91. The 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core and Raw T700 carbon face at 8.3 oz make it a placement-first paddle: you win points by out-positioning people.

Where it gives ground is maneuverability (70) and pop (73). With a 117 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5.2 in handle it suits intermediate/advanced/pro players, one-handed backhands, balanced doubles play. Skip it if you specifically want the opposite profile — maximum pop and minimum dwell time.

Closest paddles by DNA: CRBN-2X Square ($229), CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 ($280), Selkirk OMNI 16 ($280). If budget matters, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 lands within 2 IQ points for $71 less. Overall: a genuine top-tier recommendation (top 10% of the database) for the profile above, and worth the money if that profile is yours.

Best for
intermediate/advanced/pro players, one-handed backhands, balanced doubles play
Playing style
placement-first — you win points by out-positioning people
Avoid if
you specifically want the opposite profile — maximum pop and minimum dwell time

In depth

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control — the long answer

The Double Black Diamond Control pairs the highest twist weight in this group — 7.0 — with stability 92 and sweet spot 91. It is the reference forgiveness paddle in the database, and at $170 it undercuts most paddles that measure anywhere near it.

The sections below are analysis of published specifications and Paddle DNA™ values, not a play-test write-up. Where we have hit with a paddle, those notes appear separately and are attributed.

A 7.0 twist weight is the headline

Twist weight measures how much the face resists rotating on off-center contact, and 7.0 is the top of the table. That single figure drives stability 92, sweet spot 91 and forgiveness 90 — the tightest cluster of high forgiveness numbers here. Practically, a ball struck an inch off center still leaves on your intended line rather than spraying wide.

Thermoformed, but still soft at 84

Thermoformed paddles usually trade feel for stiffness; this one holds softness 84 and touch 89 alongside control 93. A 16 mm core in a 16.0 x 8.0 in widebody gives enough material to keep dwell time long. The result is a paddle that resets like a control build and defends like a power build, which is the reason it stays on shortlists years after release.

117 swing weight and the one weak column

Maneuverability 70 is the trade. A 117 kg·cm² swing weight is what puts mass at the perimeter and generates the 7.0 twist weight — you cannot have the forgiveness without the mass. In fast kitchen exchanges you will be a step slow against lighter paddles. Everywhere else, the mass works for you.

Community consensus

What other players say about the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control

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.

In 2023, the Double Black Diamond from Six Zero reshaped the paddle landscape.
Pickleball Effect· Braydon Unsicker· valuepraise
Ever since, Six Zero fans have been waiting for something that could match today's more offensive play style while keeping the Double Black Diamond's DNA of consistency and forgiveness.
Pickleball Effect· Braydon Unsicker· controlpraise
If you are coming from a DBD, it feels like a clear and manageable step up in offense.
Pickleball Effect· Braydon Unsicker· powerpraise
First of all, this is very clearly a power paddle, and it rivals the power of anything at the top right now.
Pickleball Studio· powerpraise
One of my favorite shots with the Double Black Diamond is my third shot drop. It has great spin to make the ball arc how I want, and the amount of pop off the face feels just right to me.
Pickleball Studio· spinpraise
The DBD 16mm is in the bottom 30% of power when compared to all paddles. THAT is a straight control paddle.
r/Pickleball (Reddit)· u/cprice12· powerpraise
The reason I think it's going to be a polarizing paddle, is because of the sweet spot consistency.
Pickleball Studio· sweet spotcriticism
There are very clear areas as you get outside of the sweet spot where the feel and power drops off considerably.
Pickleball Studio· sweet spotcriticism
The Double Black Diamond is no exception. While technically listed as the "control" model on their website, it does not offer the same level of control that people are used to with the original raw carbon fiber paddles like the CRBN1, Electrum Model E, Joola Vision, and SLK Halo.
Pickleball Studio· controlmixed
Overall, I would call the Double Black Diamond a power paddle that leans slightly toward control.
Pickleball Studio· powermixed
Do you know if the Six Zero Ruby has a lot more power than the Double Black Diamond 14mm?
r/Pickleball (Reddit)· u/keepgoing252· powermixed
Anyone have comps on how the Six Zero Infinity DBD feels compared to the baseline DBD control? I've tried a few different edgeless paddles and they all seem to have significant/noticeable loss of sweet spot.
r/Pickleball (Reddit)· u/eliasgreyjoy· feelcriticism

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control price range & availability

Built from the retailer offers we track for this paddle. In stock at all 2 tracked retailers. Prices last checked Jul 30, 2026.

Tracked price range

$170 – $177

$7 spread between retailers

Typical price

$173.50

Median of tracked offers

MSRP

$189

Best tracked offer is 10% under list

Recorded low / high

$170 / $177

2 price points since Jul 30, 2026

Cheapest tracked offer sits $3.50 below the typical price.

Who should buy the Double Black Diamond Control?

  • One-handed backhand players who want more face for the same length
  • Soft-game specialists who reset and dink their way through rallies
  • Topspin-heavy players rolling and dipping every ball
  • Players still tightening up their contact point
  • Brand-new beginners still finding a contact point
  • Power-first players who win points on raw put-away pace
  • Two-handed backhand players — the handle is short for it

Most compared with the Double Black Diamond Control

The matchups people actually cross-shop, each with a full 15-trait breakdown.

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 score →

Power79Control93Spin90Forgiveness90Sweet spot91Stability92Maneuverability70Touch89

Key attributes

Power79
Control93
Spin90
Forgiveness90
Sweet spot91
Stability92
Maneuverability70
Pop73
Touch89
Consistency91
Swing weight78
Twist weight93
Launch angle54
Plow through82
Softness84

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Double Black Diamond Control

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

Match tolerance

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control

IQ 87.7 · $170

Power79Control93Spin90Forgiveness90Sweet spot91Stability92Maneuverability70Touch89

8 paddles within 5% of the Double Black Diamond Control

Ranked by DNA deviation

  1. +6 spin-4 control-4 plow through-4 softness

    +6 spin · -4 control

  2. +8 power+6 pop+5 softness-4 control

    +8 power · -4 control · Higher IQ score (87.9 vs 87.7)

  3. +11 pop+10 power+4 maneuverability-4 twist weight

    +11 pop · -4 twist weight · Higher IQ score (88.7 vs 87.7)

  4. -7 twist weight+6 maneuverability-6 launch angle+5 power

    +6 maneuverability · -7 twist weight · Higher IQ score (87.9 vs 87.7)

  5. -8 twist weight-6 stability+5 softness-4 spin

    +5 softness · -8 twist weight

  6. +11 pop+9 power-6 softness-4 control

    +11 pop · -6 softness · Higher IQ score (88.2 vs 87.7)

  7. +11 power+11 pop+5 maneuverability-5 twist weight

    +11 power · -5 twist weight · Higher IQ score (88.5 vs 87.7)

  8. +12 maneuverability-10 swing weight-10 plow through+5 softness

    +12 maneuverability · -10 swing weight · Higher IQ score (88 vs 87.7)

Best alternatives to the Double Black Diamond Control

Each pick beats the Double Black Diamond Control on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

Similar paddles to the Double Black Diamond Control

Closest matches by player level, hand weight and price — the paddles most players cross-shop against the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control.

Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)

Weighing the brands against each other? Compare Selkirk vs Six Zero paddles.

Want a different matchup? Compare any two paddles or browse the full paddle database. Buying your first paddle? Read the beginner paddle guide.

Double Black Diamond Control — frequently asked questions

Why is the Double Black Diamond still recommended so often?
Twist weight 7.0 and stability 92 remain at the top of the database, and $170 is well below what comparable forgiveness normally costs. The value case has not been beaten.
Is it good for beginners?
It is one of the best. Sweet spot 91 and forgiveness 90 cover the mishits beginners produce most. The only caution is the 117 swing weight, which is a lot of paddle for a small player.
Control or Power version?
This is the Control build — power 79 and pop 73. Choose it if you want the forgiveness and reset game; choose the Power variant if you need a higher ceiling on drives.
Is the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control good for beginners?
Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 90/100 and the paddle is tuned for intermediate/advanced/pro play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.
Is the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control worth the price?
At $170 it sits in the 33rd percentile of the database for cost and the 91st 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 Double Black Diamond Control compare to the CRBN-2X Square?
They are close on DNA. The Double Black Diamond Control reads power 79 / control 93 / spin 90 against 80 / 89 / 96 for the CRBN-2X Square, at $170 versus $229. 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 Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control approved for tournament play?
Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. Six Zero submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Double Black Diamond Control build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
Does the Double Black Diamond Control have good spin?
Spin scores 90/100 — the 56th percentile of our database (around the database average) — off a Raw T700 carbon face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.
Is the Double Black Diamond Control 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 Double Black Diamond Control 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 Double Black Diamond Control?
The stock handle is 5.2 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 Double Black Diamond Control with when it wears out?
Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Double Black Diamond Control; if you want to change something, look at a higher-control build and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 79).
Who is the Double Black Diamond Control best for?
Stability-first doubles players. Skill levels we would put on it: intermediate, advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.2 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.
What shape and size is the Double Black Diamond Control?
widebody shape, 16 in long by 8 in wide, 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core, Raw T700 carbon face, 8.3 oz. Released 2025.

Watch: Double Black Diamond vs Coral Pro

See how the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control compares with the Coral Pro for power, pop, spin, control, forgiveness, stability, and value.

Evidence & sources — how we know this

Show

Every significant number on this page carries a source and a date. Where a figure comes from the manufacturer rather than our own measurement, we say so.

  • Price

    $170

    Amazon listing — checked July 30, 2026

  • Weight

    8.3 oz

    Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026

  • Core thickness

    16 mm

    Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026

  • Swing weight

    117 kg·cm²

    Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale

  • Twist weight

    7 kg·cm²

    Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale

  • Paddle DNA (15 traits)

    IQ 87.7/100

    Computed from the specs above by our published scoring model

  • USAP approval

    Listed by the manufacturer as USA Pickleball approved

    USA Pickleball equipment database — checked August 10, 2026

  • Alex's experience

    Not personally tested

    Analysis on this page is spec-derived, not play-tested

Spot an error? Send a correction — every fix is logged publicly. Full protocol on our methodology page.

Why trust this page?

We separate firsthand testing from research-based analysis. Specifications are sourced and dated, corrections are logged publicly, and affiliate relationships never affect Paddle IQ scores.

Reviewed by Alex Zubarev →Our methodology →Editorial policy →

Community verified

Spec-derived analysis plus cited owner and player reports from public sources. Community opinion is attributed, never restated as our own finding. Editorial policy · Affiliate disclosure

Reviewed by

Alex Zubarev

Founder, PickleballLookup

Alex built the Paddle DNA™ database behind PickleballLookup — 15 normalized traits scored for every paddle in the catalog. Every page on this site is generated from that data and editorially reviewed before publication.

  • Paddle research
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Last updated August 2026 · How we score paddles