There's a paddle company in New Zealand that's quietly built one of the most respected control-and-power lineups in the sport. They go by Six Zero, they ship out of Auckland, and over the past two years they've become one of our most-recommended brands at Pickld — particularly for players who care about feel over raw pop.
This guide covers what Six Zero makes, who each paddle is for, why buying in Australia is genuinely easier than ordering direct from NZ, and how to land the permanent 12% off that Six Zero offers on their site (which we match here in Australia with the code SIXZERO12).
Why Six Zero matters
Six Zero isn't trying to be JOOLA. The brand was started by players who wanted thermoformed paddles with a softer, more connected feel — the kind that rewards good footwork and ball placement rather than just swinging hard. Their flagship lines (Double Black Diamond, Coral, Black Opal, Ruby Pro) use Toray carbon faces, foam-injected perimeters, and increasingly sophisticated core construction.
In Australia, control-first paddles are an underserved niche. Most players pick up an RPM Q2 or a JOOLA Perseus because they're loud and visible — but if you ask the Sydney club players who've cycled through 8-10 paddles which they keep coming back to, Six Zero shows up surprisingly often.
The Six Zero range explained
Walking the lineup from entry-level to flagship.
Six Zero Quartz — $99
The Quartz is where Six Zero's carbon-paddle experience starts. T300 raw-carbon face, generous sweet spot, 7.9 oz average. There's no thermoform shell or foam perimeter at this price — you're buying the brand DNA in its simplest form.
If you're stepping up from a beginner paddle or you want a control-feel paddle without spending $300, this is the place to start. Shop the Six Zero Quartz →
Six Zero Black Diamond — $225
A 16mm thermoformed paddle with a Toray 700K raw fibreglass face. The fibreglass face produces more elastic rebound than carbon, which means the ball comes off hotter — you'll notice it on drives. If you want pop without sacrificing the kitchen-line feel, this is the move. Shop the Black Diamond →
Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control — $224.99
The paddle that put Six Zero on the map in Australia. Toray 700K raw carbon face, foam-injected perimeter walls, Carbon Fusion Edge construction. Three colourways: Black with white logo, Cherry (Black Edge), Cherry (Pink Edge). This is the one Ben and Chris keep coming back to on Sydney courts when they're testing other paddles and want a reliable benchmark to compare against. Shop the Double Black Diamond →
Six Zero Coral 16mm — $275
The successor to the Double Black Diamond. Six Zero's new Tectonic Core Suspension lets the polypropylene core float within the frame, producing a plush, connected feel on soft shots that's distinct from anything in their older lineup. Diamond Tough textured face — the spin texture is rated to last far longer than standard raw carbon, which matters if you play 3+ times a week. Available in Ocean Blue, Coral Pink, or Black. Shop the Coral 16mm →
Six Zero Black Opal — $350
Six Zero's most technically ambitious paddle. G4 aerospace solid foam core that floats inside a Carbon Lite frame, Diamond Tough face. 14mm build that plays like 16mm — meaning you keep hand speed at the kitchen but get the stability of a thicker paddle. This is the one for serious players who've tried the Double Black Diamond and want more. Shop the Black Opal →
Six Zero Ruby Pro (Rubine) — $275
Aramid Flex Tech face, 14mm Carbon Foam Perimeter, deep-red Rubine colourway. 2,200+ RPM spin numbers, fast and manoeuvrable. The spin-monster choice in the Six Zero lineup. Shop the Ruby Pro Rubine →
Six Zero Ruby — $249
Standard Ruby with a Kevlar fibre face — softer feel at contact, excellent grip on the ball, 16mm core with foam edgewalls. Heavier swing weight than the Ruby Pro at 117, which translates to plow-through power on drives. Shop the Six Zero Ruby →
(The Six Zero Sapphire — a 13mm elongated control paddle — is being phased out as stock sells through. We're not restocking it, so if you wanted to try one, now's the window.)
Why buy Six Zero in Australia (rather than direct from NZ)
Six Zero ships globally from Auckland, and you can technically order direct. But here's what that actually looks like in practice for Australian buyers:
| Six Zero direct (NZ) | Pickld (Australia) | |
|---|---|---|
| Lead time | 7-14 business days | 1-2 business days dispatch + 3-7 transit |
| Shipping cost | International rate (often $40-80) | Free over $200, $9.99 otherwise |
| GST | Sometimes charged at import, sometimes not — buyer surprise | Included in price |
| Warranty | Lodge directly with Six Zero NZ, factor in international postage | Pickld handles warranty claims with Six Zero on your behalf |
| Returns | Customer pays return shipping to NZ (~$40+) | 30-day no-questions return, Australian address |
| Pricing | Full RRP minus 12% coupon | Full RRP minus 12% with SIXZERO12 (we match) |
Authorised AU dealer status matters most for the warranty side — claims for any defective paddle go through us directly. You don't deal with the supplier, you deal with us, and we ship a replacement. Same end result, no international hassle.
The 12% off — same net price either way
Six Zero offers a permanent 12% off coupon to all customers on their own site. They've authorised us to match it on every Six Zero paddle.
Use the code SIXZERO12 at checkout on Pickld and you'll see the 12% applied automatically. No minimum order, no expiry, applies to every Six Zero paddle in stock. It's also auto-applied if you click any of our shareable discount links (pickld.com.au/discount/SIXZERO12).
If you're a Six Zero loyalist comparing direct vs Pickld pricing, you'll end up paying roughly the same net amount either way — but you'll get yours faster, with simpler returns and warranty, and no surprise GST at the border.
Which Six Zero should I buy?
A quick decision framework:
If you're new to pickleball or stepping up from a beginner paddle — start with the Quartz ($99). Real raw-carbon face, forgiving sweet spot, sub-$100 entry to the Six Zero feel. Once you've played 3-4 months, you'll know whether you want to step up to a thermoform paddle. See our paddle guide for new players for more entry-level options.
If you want spin and forgiveness at club level — the Double Black Diamond ($224.99) is the safest bet. It's the most-tested paddle in the Six Zero lineup and the one we recommend most often for 3.5-4.5 players who want a single paddle that does everything reasonably well.
If you want the latest control feel — the Coral 16mm ($275) is the genuine step up from the Double Black Diamond. Tectonic Core Suspension produces a softer connected feel that's distinct from anything else in the lineup. Diamond Tough surface means the spin texture lasts longer too. Read our full Coral vs Black Opal comparison if you're choosing between the two flagships.
If you want maximum power in a thin paddle — the Black Opal ($350) at 14mm with the G4 aerospace foam core feels like 16mm but moves like 14mm. The most technically ambitious paddle in the range.
If spin is everything — the Ruby Pro Rubine ($275) is the spin-monster pick. Aramid Flex Tech face, 14mm Next Gem construction, 2,200+ RPM.
If you want soft feel with weight behind it — the Ruby ($249) and its Kevlar face has the softest feel at contact in the lineup, paired with a heavier swing weight for plow-through power.
The Coral vs Black Opal question
These two are Six Zero's flagship line and they're often compared. Short version:
- Coral 16mm — softer, more connected feel, Tectonic Core Suspension, traditional 16mm thickness. The control-first flagship.
- Black Opal 14mm — power-leaning, G4 foam core, plays like 16mm but moves like 14mm. The power-first flagship.
For a deeper look at how they actually play in head-to-head testing, read our Six Zero Coral vs Black Opal comparison.
The catch
This guide is current as of June 2026. Six Zero release new paddles regularly — when they do, we'll add them here. The Sapphire is being phased out and not restocked. If you spot one in stock at Pickld and you want one, don't sit on it.
A few things this guide doesn't cover: custom builds, demo programs (we don't run them yet), or grip changes and lead tape modifications (covered in our paddle accessories guide).
Where to start
Browse the full Six Zero range at Pickld →
All paddles include a free Pickld Paddle Cover with any order over $200, plus free Australia-wide shipping over $200 and 30-day no-questions returns. Use SIXZERO12 at checkout for an additional 12% off — applied to every Six Zero paddle, every order, no minimum.