Is the DBD Control V2 a good upgrade from a starter paddle?

It is one of the safest upgrades in the database — high control and forgiveness with no harsh edges, under $200.

What changed from the original Double Black Diamond?

The V2 adds face texture, which lifts the measured spin figure while holding the original's control and forgiveness.

Is a standard shape a disadvantage?

You lose about half an inch of reach against an elongated paddle and gain sweet spot and hand speed.

Is the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 good for beginners?

Yes. Forgiveness measures 88/100 and the sweet spot 88/100, both high enough that off-centre contact still produces a playable ball. At $170 it is more paddle than most beginners need, but it will not hold you back.

Is the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 worth the price?

At $170 it sits in the 35th percentile of the database for cost and the 71th 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 V2 compare to the Radius CGS 16?

They are close on DNA. The Double Black Diamond Control V2 reads power 80 / control 90 / spin 88 against 79 / 91 / 88 for the Radius CGS 16, at $170 versus $230. 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 V2 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 V2 build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the Double Black Diamond Control V2 have good spin?

Spin measures 88/100 — the 38th percentile of our database — off a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. That is top-tier: enough bite for heavy topspin drives and rolls.

Is the Double Black Diamond Control V2 head heavy?

Swing weight is 111 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.8. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 8 oz.

Does the Double Black Diamond Control V2 benefit from lead tape?

Yes — at 111 kg·cm² there is room to add. Tape at 3 and 9 o'clock raises twist weight and stability with the smallest hit to hand speed; tape at 12 adds power and plow-through but slows the paddle noticeably. 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 V2?

The stock handle is 5.25 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 V2 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 V2; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 90) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 80).

Who is the Double Black Diamond Control V2 best for?

Intermediate players upgrading from a starter paddle. Skill levels we would put on it: beginner, intermediate, advanced. Handle length of 5.25 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.

What shape and size is the Double Black Diamond Control V2?

standard shape, 16 in long by 7.9 in wide, 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core, Raw Toray T700 carbon face, 8 oz. Released 2026.

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 pickleball paddle, front face — standard shape, Raw Toray T700 carbon hitting surface — Front · Hitting face and graphics7/7 verified views

$170MSRP $190

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Six Zero

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2

85Tested 2026-08-03 · Intermediate players upgrading from a starter paddle

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.

From Six Zero

The Double Black Diamond paddle is 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. With revolutionary Raw Carbon technology, this paddle delivers superior grip, spin capabilities, and a precise feel with each contact, optimized for high-performance play.

Official Six Zero product page →

Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the Double Black Diamond Control V2 against the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 — see them side by side, or browse every Six Zero paddle.

Core: 16 mm
Weight: 8 oz
Swing wt: 111
Twist wt: 6.8
Shape: standard
Surface: Raw Toray T700 carbon
Grip: 5.25 in
Released: 2026

Pros

Control, touch and consistency all 88+
Wide 7.9 in face is very forgiving
Well under $200

Cons

Pop 74 will frustrate power players
Standard shape gives up reach

AI verdict — generated from measured specs

Last updated: July 2026

Should you buy the Double Black Diamond Control V2?

The Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 scores 85.4/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is forgiveness (88/100, 78th percentile of the database), backed by sweet spot at 88 and consistency at 88. The 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core and Raw Toray T700 carbon face at 8 oz put it in the placement-first — you win points by out-positioning people bracket.

Where it gives ground is pop (74) and power (80). With a 111 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5.25 in handle it suits beginner/intermediate/advanced players, one-handed backhands, hands battles at the kitchen. Skip it if you specifically want the opposite profile — maximum pop and minimum dwell time.

Closest paddles by DNA: JOOLA Radius CGS 16 ($230), Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 ($230), Electrum Model E Max V3 ($200). If budget matters, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 lands within 0 IQ points for $71 less. Overall: a strong buy for the right player, though not the outright best paddle in the database.

Best for: beginner/intermediate/advanced players, one-handed backhands, hands battles at the kitchen
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 V2 — the long answer

The Double Black Diamond Control V2 keeps the original's forgiveness and adds face texture: control 90, spin 88 and sweet spot 88 in a standard shape, under $200.

The sections below are analysis of measured 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.

Control 90 with spin 88 in a standard shape

The V2's raw T700 face lifts spin to 88 without costing control, which stays at 90. Standard shapes normally trade spin away because the shorter face reduces the swing arc through contact; a grippier surface recovers most of that. The result is a paddle that shapes rolls and dinks about as well as anything at the price.

A 7.9 in face is the forgiveness story

Sweet spot 88 and forgiveness 88 come directly from the wide face and 6.8 kg·cm² twist weight. For an intermediate player whose contact point still moves around, that is worth more than any power figure — a mishit that lands deep keeps you in the point.

Pop 74 sets the ceiling

This is a control paddle and the numbers do not hide it. Against a thermoformed power build you will be out-hit in speed-ups, and you win by extending points instead. Players whose game is already built on pace should look at the power side of the same catalogue.

Community consensus

What other players say about the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2

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 Double Black Diamond Control V2?

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 who live in hands battles at the kitchen line
Players still tightening up their contact point
Newer players wanting one paddle to grow into

Two-handed backhand players — the handle is short for it

AI paddle match

If you like the Double Black Diamond Control V2, 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 Double Black Diamond Control V2.

Double Black Diamond Control V2 head-to-head comparisons

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

More comparisons in this bracket

Other head-to-heads shoppers read alongside the Double Black Diamond Control V2.

Browse all paddle comparisons →

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

Power80

Control90

Spin88

Forgiveness88

Sweet spot88

Stability86

Maneuverability78

Pop74

Touch88

Consistency88

Swing weight72

Twist weight82

Launch angle48

Plow through78

Softness80

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Double Black Diamond Control V2

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

Only show cheaper paddles

Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2

IQ 85.4 · $170

8 paddles within 5% of the Double Black Diamond Control V2

Ranked by DNA deviation

#1JOOLA Radius CGS 16$230 (+60) · 16 mm · widebodyDNA match98.9%86
+4 sweet spot-4 swing weight+2 forgiveness+2 launch angle
+4 sweet spot · -4 swing weight · Higher IQ score (86.1 vs 85.4)
Compare Full DNA
#2Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0$230 (+60) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match98.2%84
-4 forgiveness-4 stability+2 power-2 sweet spot
-4 forgiveness
Compare Full DNA
#3Electrum Model E Max V3$200 (+30) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.9%85
-6 maneuverability+6 swing weight+4 plow through+2 power
+6 swing weight · -6 maneuverability
Compare Full DNA
#4Six Zero Sapphire 16$190 (+20) · 16 mm · standardDNA match97.8%86
-8 swing weight+6 softness+3 control+3 spin
+6 softness · -8 swing weight · Higher IQ score (85.9 vs 85.4)
Compare Full DNA
#5Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16$99 (-71) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match97.7%86
+7 launch angle+6 pop+4 power-4 swing weight
Saves $71 versus the Double Black Diamond Control V2 · +7 launch angle · -4 swing weight · Higher IQ score (85.8 vs 85.4)
Compare Full DNA
#6Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control$100 (-70) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.7%84
+7 launch angle-4 forgiveness-4 stability+4 pop
Saves $70 versus the Double Black Diamond Control V2 · +7 launch angle · -4 forgiveness
Compare Full DNA
#7Engage Pursuit MX 6.0$220 (+50) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.5%85
+9 softness-6 maneuverability+5 launch angle-3 pop
+9 softness · -6 maneuverability
Compare Full DNA
#8JOOLA Magnus 3S 16$230 (+60) · 16 mm · standardDNA match97.1%88
+9 launch angle+6 twist weight+4 spin+4 pop
+9 launch angle · Higher IQ score (87.6 vs 85.4)
Compare Full DNA

Best alternatives to the Double Black Diamond Control V2

Each pick beats the Double Black Diamond Control V2 on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

Similar paddles to the Double Black Diamond Control V2

Closest matches by player level, hand weight and price — the paddles most players cross-shop against the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2.

Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)

JOOLA Radius CGS 1616 mm · widebody · 8.1 oz · SW 108$23086

Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.016 mm · elongated · 8.2 oz · SW 113$23084

Electrum Model E Max V316 mm · elongated · 8.3 oz · SW 118$20085

Six Zero Sapphire 1616 mm · standard · 8.1 oz · SW 106$19086

Want a different matchup? Compare any two paddles or browse the full paddle database.

Ranked in

More from Six Zero

Compact challenger brand whose Double Black Diamond became a control-player favourite on the strength of its twist weight.

Double Black Diamond Control V2 — frequently asked questions

Is the DBD Control V2 a good upgrade from a starter paddle?: It is one of the safest upgrades in the database — high control and forgiveness with no harsh edges, under $200.
What changed from the original Double Black Diamond?: The V2 adds face texture, which lifts the measured spin figure while holding the original's control and forgiveness.
Is a standard shape a disadvantage?: You lose about half an inch of reach against an elongated paddle and gain sweet spot and hand speed.
Is the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 good for beginners?: Yes. Forgiveness measures 88/100 and the sweet spot 88/100, both high enough that off-centre contact still produces a playable ball. At $170 it is more paddle than most beginners need, but it will not hold you back.
Is the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2 worth the price?: At $170 it sits in the 35th percentile of the database for cost and the 71th 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 V2 compare to the Radius CGS 16?: They are close on DNA. The Double Black Diamond Control V2 reads power 80 / control 90 / spin 88 against 79 / 91 / 88 for the Radius CGS 16, at $170 versus $230. 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 V2 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 V2 build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
Does the Double Black Diamond Control V2 have good spin?: Spin measures 88/100 — the 38th percentile of our database — off a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. That is top-tier: enough bite for heavy topspin drives and rolls.
Is the Double Black Diamond Control V2 head heavy?: Swing weight is 111 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.8. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 8 oz.
Does the Double Black Diamond Control V2 benefit from lead tape?: Yes — at 111 kg·cm² there is room to add. Tape at 3 and 9 o'clock raises twist weight and stability with the smallest hit to hand speed; tape at 12 adds power and plow-through but slows the paddle noticeably. 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 V2?: The stock handle is 5.25 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 V2 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 V2; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 90) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 80).
Who is the Double Black Diamond Control V2 best for?: Intermediate players upgrading from a starter paddle. Skill levels we would put on it: beginner, intermediate, advanced. Handle length of 5.25 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.
What shape and size is the Double Black Diamond Control V2?: standard shape, 16 in long by 7.9 in wide, 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core, Raw Toray T700 carbon face, 8 oz. Released 2026.

Double Black Diamond Control V2 on video

PickleballLookup review — coming soon

Head-to-head comparison — coming soon

Manufacturer footage — coming soon

Reviewed by

Alex Zubarev

Founder, PickleballLookup

Alex 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