Six Zero gained a massive following with their classic Double Black Diamond paddle. It’s one of the all-time best all-court paddles, and tons of intermediate players advanced their skills and took their games to the next level with it.
That paddle came out back in 2023, so it’s high time we got an upgrade from Six Zero. The Coral is that upgrade. It has the most modern Gen 4 tech, with a foam core and a gritty face made with Six Zero’s new trademark "Diamond Tough texture”.
I’ve been playing with the Coral for almost two weeks now and here’s what I think.
Ideal for 3.5 to 4.0 players, the Six Zero Coral is one of the best intermediate pickleball paddles right now. With an amazing sweet spot, it’s forgiving and usable right out of the box. It’s not a super-strong power paddle, more of an all-court paddle. If you’re looking for a definitive upgrade to the DBD, this is it. Thankfully, it’s still in the same price range.
A user-friendly paddle at a fair price
The Coral has wide appeal. No customization is required – you can just take this paddle down to the court and play and control the ball pretty darn well. You’re not going to be worried about mishits with this paddle.
If you’re an intermediate player who likes Six Zero and wants a more durable and modern upgrade to the DBD, grab this. Considering the hike in technology since 2023, you’re looking at just a $20 increase on the $180 DBD. That’s good value in today’s market.
Try the Six Zero Black Opal if you want more power.
✅ What stands out
Big boost in durability
I put at least 25 hours on this paddle and I came away very impressed with the durability. Usually a paddle is caked in dirt by now and starting to wear down somewhere (especially the surface grit) but my Coral looks pretty much new.
The grit is as strong as when I took it out of the box. I think this is a huge selling point. I let another player use mine and he tried to buy it off me on the spot! He was tired of buying new paddles every time the grit wears down.
I’m surprised this paddle is only $20 more than the DBD when it seems like it’s going to last way longer.
Great sweet spot
This paddle has a really good sweet spot. Whenever my opponent attacked while I was in the midcourt, it was easy to get up to the net and make my next shot unattackable.
It’s a little more of a control paddle than a power paddle, and lobs are easy. I think intermediate players especially will really like adding that to their games.
Fair pricing
With so many paddles coming straight onto the market at $250 to $280, even going over $300 nowadays, it’s good to see Six Zero position the Coral squarely at $200. It sits in the same ballpark as the SLK ERA Power Elongated, Honolulu Sword & Shield J2NF, and Bread & Butter Loco. I’m very encouraged by this as we enter 2026, that pickleball is going to remain affordable for the masses.
❌ What to consider
Not a power paddle
The biggest adjustment for me was on power. I’m used to playing with more powerful paddles but I’d call this an all-court leaning toward control. I wasn't always able to put the ball away like I’m used to.
Consider your level
Against intermediate players, this lack of power wasn’t a big problem and I relied on placement and spin. It mattered more in hand battles against high-level players where your opponent will put it away if you don’t.
If you’re upgrading from the Six Zero DBD, I think you’ll want the Coral if you’re in the intermediate range (3.5 to 4.0) and the more powerful Six Zero Black Opal if you’re a more advanced player.
How the Six Zero Coral plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 8/10 | There’s enough power for intermediate matches but not enough on drives at a higher level, so just be aware of that. |
| Control | 9/10 | Very reliable on control. Lobs, resets, dinks are all on point. |
| Spin | 8.5/10 | Decent spin. The texture is really strong but it’s not a real standout spin paddle like the RPM Friction Pro. |
| Forgiveness | 9/10 | Very forgiving thanks to a large sweet spot. Mishits are rare. |
| Weighting | 9/10 | Because it's a 16 mm, some people might find it a little harder to work at the net, but I like the weighting. It's not too light and it's not too heavy. |
| Grip | 9/10 | Very comfortable grip out of the box. No need for an overgrip for me. |
| Durability | 9.5/10 | This new Diamond Tough grit from Six Zero is incredible. After a week-and-a-half of intense play it still feels like new. |
| Aerodynamics | 8.5/10 | Not slow but not super-quick in your hands either. Solid aerodynamics. |
Features that matter
- Foam core: foam paddles are all the rage and Six Zero is the latest brand to move on from polypropylene cores. Foam is more durable and responsive, so this should play better for longer.
- Diamond Tough surface: this looks to me like Six Zero’s answer to Selkirk's InfiniGrit. It’s a real standout feature. Apparently it’s infused with real diamonds. It lasts long and gets great spin.
- Three shapes: choose from a Widebody, Hybrid, and Elongated model. The Elongated paddle has a 5.75-inch handle; the other two have 5.5-inch handles.
Who the Six Zero Coral is for
I stick with what I said about this being for intermediate players mostly. Beginners with the budget can definitely give it a go because it’s forgiving and user-friendly right out of the box. More advanced players will most likely need a more powerful paddle.
Read our list of the best pickleball paddles for more inspiration.
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