In 2023, the Double Black Diamond from Six Zero reshaped the paddle landscape. 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. That paddle is the Coral, the true successor to the Double Black Diamond.
For this review I’ll cover the paddle tech, specs, on court performance and how it compares to the market. Let’s dive in.
The Coral series sits in an all court leaning power space with offense similar to the Honolulu J2NF but with a little extra pop at the net. Power and pop fall in the high 60 to low 70 percentile range, which gives most players enough punch without making the paddle too difficult to control. If you are coming from a DBD, it feels like a clear and manageable step up in offense.
Control is strong for the power level, and the feel is smoother and less hollow than comparable floating foam paddles. The Shock Shield helps keep feedback clean, and the ball comes off the face predictably. I found my soft game quickly, and players with decent touch will adjust easily. Beginners who tend to hit long may prefer something with less pop, but most players will find the Coral very approachable.
Buy from Six Zero >>
(save with code PBEFFECT)
By from Pickleball Central >>
(click link for discount + 30 day paddle trial)
Table of Contents
Affiliate disclosure: I was sent this paddle to test, but this review wasn’t paid for or approved by the brand. Everything here reflects my own testing and opinions. If you use the links or my code PBEFFECT, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you that supports future reviews.
Paddle Technology
Six Zero blends the current floating-foam trend with a few twists that make the Coral distinct from other brands. These are the core technology elements:
- Diamond-Tough texture: industrial diamonds embedded in the peel-ply surface. Spin is good but the real upside is durability. This texture should hold up longer than standard raw carbon fiber.
- Tectonic Core Suspension System: This is their floating core design that also has a suspension structure to it that I think are incisions across the core that gives it added dwell time and a more full feel compared to other floating foam paddles.
This paddle is different because the tech is theirs. No copycats, no shortcuts. New tech doesn’t always work, but this one delivers.
Shapes & Specs
The series is available in three shapes though it’s launching with their hybrid shape while the widebody and elongated will be available shortly after.
The specs make a good first impression. The hybrid and widebody in particular have the kind of lightweight swing weights and solid twist weights that most players find easy to play.
Measurements are from my review units and may vary between paddles.
- Static Weight: 8.1 oz avg
- Swing Weight: 113 (E), 112 (H), 108 (W)
- Twist Weight: 6.03 (E), 6.52 (H), 7.33 (W)
- Spin RPMs: 2000 (high)
- Face: Carbon Fiber
- Grip Circumference: 4.25″ for all
- Handle Length: 5.75″ (E), 5.5″ (H,W)
- Core: 16 mm for all
- Paddle Type: All Court
- Price: $200 ($180 with code PBEFFECT)
- Warranty: 1 year, learn more >>
Save with code PBEFFECT on Six Zero’s site, or click the button to apply the Pickleball Central discount.
They come maneuverable with enough built-in stability to feel trustworthy, and there’s still room to add a couple grams if you want to expand the sweet spot further.
The elongated is the only shape that feels a bit out of step. It’s barely longer than the hybrid and isn’t a true 16.5-inch build, yet it’s narrowed to 7.5 inches wide, which reduces stability. You don’t get the usual reach or plow-through advantage that elongated paddles normally offer, so unless you’re a die-hard elongated fan who doesn’t mind the trimmed length, the hybrid makes more sense. The elongated shape does have an extra long handle at 5.75” though if that’s important to you.
On-Court Performance
Power and Pop
The Coral series lands in an all court leaning power space. It does not bring the same raw offense as paddles like the Selkirk Boomstik or Bread and Butter Loco line, and it sits closer to the Honolulu J2NF in overall power, just with a little extra pop at the net.
Both power and pop fall in the high 60 to low 70 percentile range in my database. This range is ideal for most players because it provides enough offense to stay dangerous without creeping into the territory where the paddle starts causing unforced errors. If you are coming from a DBD, the Coral will feel like a noticeable step up in offense while still being easy to control.
It’s not going to overpower people from the baseline for you, but it responds well when you bring your own pace, and you don’t have to overswing to generate offense.
Control, Drops and Resets
The control is very good for the level of offense you get, and it feels different from other floating foam paddles that often have a crisp, hollow sensation that some players like and others struggle with. The Coral still has that crisp response, but it is smoother and not nearly as hollow. The Shock Shield helps soften the feel without muting feedback, so you get a lively, connected response with more pleasant feedback overall.
The ball listens well off the face and goes where you expect. I adjusted quickly and found myself playing instinctively, and by my second session I was not thinking about the paddle at all, which is always a good sign. If you already have a functional soft game, the Coral will not get in your way. The paddle does have enough offense that total beginners or players who frequently hit long may want something with less pop, but if you have a working soft game this one is very easy to learn.
Spin
My spin tests came in the high 1900s to low 2000 RPM range. This is good but expectational result. The face is a little smoother and does not grab quite as aggressively as some paddles when brand new, but the real benefit is the durability of the Diamond Tough grit, which should hold up longer than typical textures.
Sweet Spot
The Coral Series has a reliable sweet spot that feels solid and connected across most of the face. The hybrid and widebody shapes stand out the most, offering the best combination of stability and forgiveness. Off-center hits hold their line well, and the face delivers a consistent launch that makes resets, blocks, and roll volleys predictable. With a little weight tuning, the sweet spot becomes even more pronounced without making the paddle feel heavy or sluggish.
Maneuverability
Maneuverability is in a good place with the Corals. The lighter swing weights make it easy to get the paddle into position, and it stays quick in hand during fast exchanges. It feels especially comfortable at the kitchen line, where the crisp response and manageable head weight help you handle flicks, counters, and hand battles without feeling late. Even with a few grams of added weight for stability, the Corals remain easy to move.
Save with code PBEFFECT on Six Zero’s site, or click the button to apply the Pickleball Central discount.
Set Up Recommendation
I liked the Hybrid shape the most so I spent some time finding a good paddle set up for it which is this one shown in the image.
If I were to tinker with the widebody I’d likely add 2-3 grams on each side at the same spot I put the higher up piece on the hybrid. For the Elongated I’d do a similar set up as the one for the hybrid but with a little more weight on that side piece since it needs a bigger stability boost.
You can virtually try your own set ups in my Tuning Lab app.
Market Comparisons
Against the Honolulu NF Series
The closest comparison to the Coral is the Honolulu J2NF. Both offer similar overall offense, but the Coral brings a little more pop and a slightly crisper feel. The Honolulu NF line is more forgiving, although the Coral is not far behind. Choose the NF paddles if you want a softer feel or the highest level of forgiveness. Choose the Coral if you prefer a crisper response and want longer lasting texture durability.
Against the Pickleball Apes Charm
Compared to the Pickleball Apes Charm series, the Coral is a bit poppier and more maneuverable. The Charm series plays plusher and more dense and has a higher activated power ceiling. Both sit in the all court foam category but offer different flavors. Go with the Charm if you want a softer feel and activated power, and choose the Coral if you want a crisp, refined feel or more linear power response.
Against the Double Black Diamond
The Coral gives DBD players exactly what they have been waiting for. You get more offense, a slightly crisper impact feel, and nearly the same balance and maneuverability. If you enjoyed the DBD, the Coral will feel familiar in the best ways. The DBD is still a good option for entry level players or players who consistently hit long and need more help taming pop.
Against the Selkirk Boomstik, Bread and Butter Loco, and Ronbus Quanta
These paddles sit a tier higher in pure offense. The Coral trades a bit of power for noticeably better controllability. It still feels crisp, but it is less hollow and has a slightly more composed, foam supported feel.
Save on the paddles mentioned above and others with my discount codes found here >>
Save with code PBEFFECT on Six Zero’s site, or click the button to apply the Pickleball Central discount.
Who’s The Coral Series For?
Six Zero did a good job with the Coral Series. Outside of the elongated shape missing the mark a bit, I’m a fan of this series and think it’s one of the best all-court paddles you can get right now. The tech is smart, the feel is refined, and the overall performance profile is going to be easy for a large group of players to connect with.
Players who liked the Double Black Diamond and are looking for a bump offensively will find the Coral to be an immediate upgrade. And I’m glad the Coral and Black Opal feel distinctly different. It makes Six Zero’s lineup clearer and easier to navigate than in the past.
Buy if:
- You want an all-court paddle with accessible offense and a crisp but not hollow impact feel.
- You’re coming from a DBD or Honolulu NF and want a step up in power without losing predictability.
- You like lighter swing weights but still care about stability and sweet spot size.
- You want a raw carbon surface with better long-term texture durability than usual.
- You’re in the 3.0–4.25 range and find that hot, power-forward paddles often cause pop-ups.
Pass if:
- You want effortless, always-on power and pop (Boomstick, Loco, etc.).
- You’re still developing and frequently pop the ball up, a true control paddle would suit you better.
- You prefer a plush, foam-dense feel (the Pickleball Apes Charm series or Honolulu NF series would be a better fit).
- You specifically want an elongated paddle, the Coral’s elongated shape isn’t its strongest execution and isn’t much different from the hybrid which has stronger specs.
Save with code PBEFFECT on Six Zero’s site, or click the button to apply the Pickleball Central discount.
Braydon competes at the 5.0 level and plays in 5-10 tournaments a year. He plays/drills 3 to 4 times a week and would play more if time allowed it.
Paddle Terms Glossary
We’ve categorized paddles into three categories. Control, All-Court, and Power. Paddle categories are determined by Braydon after he hits or reviews the paddle.
- Control paddles offer a softer feel and better absorbs pace off the ball but doesn’t give you as much power.
- All-Court paddles give you a blend of power and control and does well at everything though it doesn’t excel at anything.
- Power paddles often have a firmer feel and will return more power but are harder to control.
A paddle’s weight represents the inherent mass of the paddle as measured on a scale. However, relying solely on this static weight measurement can be misleading when assessing the true perceived heaviness of the paddle. Even if two paddles both clock in at 8 oz, their actual heft in your hand can markedly differ due to variations in weight distribution within the paddle. This is why the static weight should be considered with the swingweight of the paddle. See the definition of swingweight below.
The weight value listed in the database corresponds to the paddle’s weight that I used to gather the swingweight and twistweight measurement. It’s possible that if your paddle has a different static weight than then the swingweight and twistweight may be slightly different.
There are three primary shapes a paddle can have which consists of the length and width of the paddle. These three shapes are:
- Elongated: The dimensions for an elongated paddle are 16.5″ x 7.5″.
- Standard: A standard shaped paddle has dimensions of 16″ x 8″.
- Hybrid: A hybrid shaped paddle falls somewhere in between the standard and elongated shapes, with approximate dimensions of 16.25″ x 7.5″-7.7″.
Then there are two less common shapes you’ll see. These are:
- Extra-Elongated: This shape is 17″ x 7″
- Widebody: This any paddle shorter than 16″ long.
When considering the advantages and trade-offs of paddle shapes, it’s important to understand the characteristics of each shape.
- Elongated Paddle: An elongated paddle offers increased reach, spin, and power. However, this additional reach comes at the expense of forgiveness, particularly from side-to-side.
- Standard Paddle: In contrast, a standard-shaped paddle provides less reach and a little less power & spin but offers greater overall forgiveness. This means that while you may not have the same extended reach as an elongated paddle, you gain better control and stability.
- Hybrid Paddle: The hybrid shape serves as a middle ground between the elongated and standard shapes. It provides a balance between reach and forgiveness, offering players a versatile option that combines aspects of both shapes.
It’s interesting to note that advanced players often prefer elongated shapes. On the other hand, players at lower skill levels typically opt for the extra forgiveness offered by standard shaped paddles.
Ultimately, the choice of paddle shape depends on an individual’s playing style, preferences, and skill level. Whether your focus is on reach or forgiveness, understanding the unique benefits and trade-offs of each shape can assist you in selecting the paddle that best suits your game.
Swingweight is a measure of the paddle’s resistance to swinging about the end of the handle. The higher the swingweight number the heavier it will feel in your hands. A higher swingweight has more power but is harder to swing, lower swingweight is easier to swing but has less power. Sometimes a faster swing with a lower swingweight can make up for power lost in swingweight. The price paid for that is greater impact shock. Stock swingweights will vary between 100 – 140.
Twistweight is the resistance to rotating around the long axis through the middle of the paddle from butt to tip. The higher the twistweight the more resistance the paddle has to rotating on off center hits. This measurement is closely related to the amount of forgiveness or the size of the sweet spot of the paddle. A higher twistweight indicates a bigger sweet spot. Twistweight numbers range from 5 – 8.
Measuring the revolutions per minute (RPMs) off of a serve you get a number that shows the spin potential of a paddle. Using these RPM measurements I’ve created five buckets that a paddle will fall into indicating its overall spin potential. The five buckets are:
1900 or Higher = Very High
1700 – 1900 = High
1500 – 1700 = Medium
1300 – 1500 = Low
1300 or less = Very Low
You can tell a big difference in the amount of spin a paddle generates when you compare a Very High paddle to a low paddle. But the gains from Medium to High to Very High are marginal. We’ve found that having at least a medium rating is often enough if you’re looking for a good spin paddle. However, if you’re a big hitter then you will benefit more from a high spin paddle to help you keep the ball in play more often.
The power level of a paddle is shown in miles per hour (MPH) after taking ten measurements with a speed gun of hitting a serve as hard as I can. This measurement gives you an idea of how hard you can hit the ball when given the chance to take a full swing. So shots like serves, drives and overheads. The higher the MPH reading the more power you can generate with the paddle.
I also show the percentile ranking of the measurement to give you an idea of how it stacks up against the rest of the paddles in my database.
The pop level of a paddle is shown in miles per hour (MPH) after taking the average of ten speed gun measurements of hitting a punch volley as hard as I can. This measurement gives you an idea of how hard you can hit the ball on shorter swings and gives you an idea of how quickly a ball comes off the face when you apply less force on the ball. So shots volleys, dinks, counters, and resets are all affected by the pop measurement. The higher the pop measurement the stronger your counters will be but it takes more skill to keep the ball from floating or popping up on you when resetting a hard hit ball or when dinking.
I also show the percentile ranking of the measurement to give you an idea of how it stacks up against the rest of the paddles in my database.
