I’m back with another Six Zero paddle review. In this review, I’ll provide you with an in-depth, firsthand analysis of the new Six Zero Infinity Edgeless Double Black Diamond paddle.
I’ll cover specifics such as power, control, sweet spot, spin potential, and more. You’ll get a full breakdown of how it compares favorably or unfavorably against the popular original Double Black Diamond paddle.
This review will help you determine if Infinity is the right match for your next paddle investment. I also recommend checking out my Complete Six Zero Paddles Buyer’s Guide.
Table of Contents
Six Zero Infinity Double Black Diamond Technical Specifications
- Price: $220 BUY
- Shape: Hybrid
- Core: Polypropylene Honeycomb
- Core thickness: 16mm
- Face: Raw Carbon Fiber
- Grip length: 5.5″
- Grip circumference: 4.25″ Octagon
- Average weight: 8.1oz (+/- 0.2)
- Swingweight: 110
- Twistweight: 5.9
- Thermoformed: Yes
- Total length: 16.3″
- Width: 7.5″
- Warranty: 6-12 months
Quick Summary
The Infinity DBD is an edgeless version of the original Double Black Diamond paddle. The edgeless design offers both advantages and disadvantages compared to the traditional raw carbon paddle with an edge guard.
On the positive side, the Infinity DBD is lighter and swings faster, enhancing maneuverability and improving your hand game. It also has a sleeker, more streamlined appearance that many players find appealing.
However, the downside of edgeless paddles is that they are more susceptible to damage and scratches along the exposed edge (edge tape is recommended). Another notable drawback is that edgeless paddles generally have a less effective sweet spot compared to their edge-guarded counterparts.
Aside from the sweet spot, the primary performance differences between the regular DBD and the Infinity DBD involve trade-offs between power and control.
The standard DBD offers more power and is suitable for all-court performance, whereas the Infinity DBD is more geared towards control. Although the original DBD is marketed as a thermoformed control paddle, the Infinity DBD emphasizes control even further.
The Infinity DBD plays like a true control paddle – anything involving soft shots feels excellent. However, when attempting to hit a powerful serve or smash a counter, I found it more challenging to put balls away compared to the original DBD and other thermoformed paddles. With such a low swing weight, it doesn’t provide as much plow-through power.
Feel
Handle
The Infinity DBD paddle has a 5.5-inch handle length, which is ideal for me and supports comfortable two-handed backhands for most players. However, it doesn’t provide as much room for two-handed backhands as some other paddles of similar length. Nonetheless, it should be sufficient unless you have large hands.
The grip circumference is supposed to be 4.25 inches, but the initial production paddles have a thicker 4.5-inch grip. This size is a bit large for me, but not unmanageable. Future batches will have the intended 4.25-inch circumference, which is suitable for most people. Personally, I prefer a 4.125-inch handle and then add an overgrip myself later, but 4.25 inches is acceptable too.
Weight & balance
The Infinity DBD weighs between 8 and 8.2 ounces, with a very low swing weight of 110–112. This makes it extremely maneuverable and one of the fastest hybrid/elongated 16mm paddles on the market.
The paddle feels balanced, with no head heaviness. It ultimately depends on your preference: whether you like a light paddle for enhanced hand speed and assistance in executing wristy shots like flicks and backhand rolls with spin and power, or if you prefer a heavier paddle for plow-through and extra stability.
How it feels to hit the ball with the Infinity DBD
The Infinity DBD has a softer feel at impact compared to the original DBD. Shots related to the soft game, such as drops, dinks, and resets, feel excellent, offering great control for a thermoform paddle.
While it is softer than most thermoforms, it still retains the stiffness characteristic of a thermoformed paddle. It’s just not as stiff as the original DBD or most other thermoformed paddles.
Power
As mentioned earlier, the Infinity DBD emphasizes control over power. My drives, serves, counters, and other power shots lacked the force I was accustomed to with more powerful paddles like the original DBD.
I believe this is mainly due to the lower swing weight rather than the paddle’s design. When I added lead tape to match the swing weight of the original DBD, the Infinity delivered comparable power. However, doing so diminishes the Infinity’s advantage of being lightweight and quick.
If you’re able to generate your own power, the added control and speed may be worth the tradeoff. However, players who favor thermoformed paddles primarily for their power might prefer the original DBD.
If you depend on your paddle for power and prefer an all-court style, the original DBD 16mm is probably a better choice.
Pop
The pop of the Infinity DBD falls into a similar category as its power. The paddle sacrifices some pop for increased control. While it still offers decent pop due to its thermoformed construction, it’s less pronounced compared to many other thermoformed paddles.
The paddle’s construction does provide a good amount of pop, which I find suitable for a more controlled style of play. However, if you’re seeking more pop and don’t mind a slight increase in swing weight, the original DBD would deliver more.
Control
Control is where the Infinity DBD truly shines – its softer feel on impact enhances touch, feel, and overall control.
Anything involving the soft game – like drops, dinks, resets, and brush shots – feels incredibly responsive with the Infinity. It adds a nice touch of finesse to a thermoformed, control-focused playstyle.
Despite being a lightweight, edgeless paddle, the Infinity DBD feels quite stable. While it doesn’t offer the same level of stability as a paddle with an edge guard, it’s still solid compared to other similar paddles I’ve tested. The weight distribution is well-balanced, which helps maintain high twist weight and improves stability.
However, there is a drawback in the control department. As I expected from using other edgeless paddles, the sweet spot on the Infinity isn’t as good as the original DBD. The smaller sweet spot means slightly less forgiveness on off-center hits. I noticed more mishits, especially when resetting mid-court drops, particularly when switching between DBDs.
That said, the high level of control when you hit well, combined with increased swing speed, helps you dominate points at the net. Dinking and hand battles felt great with the Infinity.
If you’re familiar with other thermoformed paddles, you shouldn’t have much trouble controlling this one. However, you might pop the ball up more than you would with a true control paddle.
Spin
The Infinity Double Black Diamond delivers the same excellent spin performance as other Six Zero paddles. My average spin reading exceeded 2000 RPM, which is quite high. Even though the paddle’s face isn’t extremely gritty, the Infinity DBD grips the ball well and generates impressive spin on serves, drives, drops, and dinks.
I was able to consistently land topspin serves deep in the corners, pulling opponents wide off the court. So, while the power is reduced, the spin potential remains very strong with the Infinity.
Hand Speed & Maneuverability
This is the best hybrid-shaped paddle I’ve played with in terms of maneuverability. The lightweight swing weight of around 110 is the key factor that gives the Infinity DBD its quick feel and maneuverability. This allows for faster reaction times and better positioning during play. I was able to get my Infinity into position very quickly in all situations.
During hand battles at the net, I found myself consistently getting my paddle into better positions to counter drives or attacks. The lower swing weight really stood out in these fast-paced exchanges.
While using the Infinity, I often forgot that I was playing with a 16mm paddle. It offers the speed and maneuverability of a 14mm paddle, combined with the control of a 16mm one. This is a remarkable achievement by Six Zero.
However, while the Infinity excels in speed, it does compromise on power and plow-through, as previously mentioned. Choosing the Infinity means prioritizing speed and maneuverability over hitting harder shots.
Durability
I haven’t had this paddle long enough to fully assess its durability, but based on my experience with other Six Zero paddles and similar thermoforms, I expect it to hold up well.
However, without an edge guard, the perimeter of the paddle is more prone to scratching and exterior wear over time. Using edge tape can help reduce this cosmetic wear.
I wanted to test the edges’ durability before adding protective tape. After just a few play sessions, I noticed some light chipping on the edges. So, if the unprotected edge makes contact with the ground with moderate force, it can chip or dent.
If you protect the edges, the paddle should last through many seasons of play. Six Zero offers a 6-month limited warranty on core materials, deformation, and delamination, along with a 12-month structural warranty against manufacturer defects and workmanship for added peace of mind.
Value
Retailing at $220, the Infinity DBD is about 15% more expensive than the original DBD paddle. Considering its niche appeal and smaller target market, this pricing seems reasonable.
For players who prioritize maximum control and touch, even at the expense of power, the Infinity offers clear advantages over the DBD and many other paddles on the market. The price reflects its specialized strengths.
What Type of Player is the Infinity Double Black Diamond Paddle Best For
This paddle is an excellent choice for players who value a low swing weight for quick handling and maneuverability. It’s also one of the most controllable thermoformed paddles available and doesn’t compromise on spin. Additionally, it offers the sleek look of an edgeless paddle.
While it’s suitable for players of all levels, it’s particularly well-suited for advanced players who rely on finesse and hand speed rather than brute force to win points.
However, beginners and intermediate players might benefit more from the more forgiving sweet spot and balanced weight distribution of the original DBD or other versatile thermoformed all-court paddles.
How the Infinity Double Black Diamond compares to the original Double Black Diamond (DBD)
Although Six Zero markets the Infinity as an advanced version of the Double Black Diamond line, these paddles are distinctly different and cater to different play styles.
The Infinity offers enhanced control, touch, spin, and placement, but sacrifices some power, pop, stability, and sweet spot performance compared to the original DBD. The original DBD provides more power and plow-through but is less agile in fast-paced hand battles. Both paddles deliver similarly high levels of spin.
Interestingly, without the edge guard, the playable surface of the Infinity is slightly larger than that of the original DBD.