Six Zero Black Opal
Our take on the Black Opal
This paddle is definitely geared toward advanced players (4.5 or 5.0+), but it has an extremely high ceiling if you’re willing to invest the time to get the touch dialed in.
It’s a true power paddle that also offers great shot-shaping ability — particularly for players with shorter, whippy strokes. The 14mm foam core feels very satisfying when you connect with the center of the paddle, but if there is a knock on this paddle, it’s that the sweet spot isn’t as big as the paddles ahead of it on this list. But it definitely has top-tier potential when in the hands of a good player.
Check out our in-depth review of the Six Zero Opal here.
- Shape
- Hybrid
- Core Thickness
- 14mm
- Core Type
- Gen 4
- Handle Length
- Medium
- Certification
- Dual Certified
- Price
- $250.00
Is the Black Opal worth $250?
Who should buy the Black Opal?
How does the Black Opal play?
What are the strengths and trade-offs of the Black Opal?
Black Opal vs Zen S+
Power
Six Zero Black Opal
- Shape
- Hybrid
- Core Thickness
- 14mm
- Core Type
- Gen 4
Additional details
- Brand
- Six Zero
- Paddle Type
- Power
- Static Weight
- 8.1 oz
- Swing Weight
- 114
- Twist Weight
- 6.3
- Handle Length
- Medium
- Certification
- Dual Certified
Power
Pickleball Apes Zen S+
- Shape
- Hybrid
- Core Thickness
- 16mm
- Core Type
- Gen 4
Additional details
- Brand
- Pickleball Apes
- Paddle Type
- Power
- Static Weight
- 7.8 oz
- Swing Weight
- 107
- Twist Weight
- 7
- Handle Length
- Long
- Certification
- USAP
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Questions people ask about the Black Opal
Is the Six Zero Black Opal worth $250?
Yes, for advanced players willing to spend time dialing in their touch. It's a true power paddle with top-tier pop in hands battles, though its sweet spot is smaller than some premium paddles.
Is the Six Zero Black Opal good for beginners?
No. We'd recommend it for players around 4.5 and up, since its power, pop and spin are hard to harness at the 3.0 to 3.5 level.
Six Zero Black Opal vs Six Zero Coral: which is better?
The Black Opal has the higher ceiling, while the Coral is steadier. The Coral is more stable on resets and dinks with a bigger sweet spot, but gives up noticeable pop and power.
Does the Six Zero Black Opal need lead or tungsten tape?
Tape helps but isn't a cure-all. A strip of tungsten tape at the throat and bottom corners makes it more stable on resets, but transition play is still its weak spot.
Is the Six Zero Black Opal USAP approved?
Yes, it's approved by both USA Pickleball and the UPA-A, so it's legal in any sanctioned tournament.
What are some Six Zero Black Opal alternatives?
Honolulu J2CR
Pickleball Apes Zen S+
Gearbox GBX Power Hybrid
How We Tested
Our paddle reviewers (all 5.0+ players) work with other high-level players in their area to test paddles on a variety of shots. This testing involves several hours of drills and games in an effort to determine how the paddle impacts performance in real-world scenarios.
We use the Life Time LT Pro 48 pickleball for our testing.