Are you prone to injuries like tennis elbow or are you a power player? The ProKennex Black Ace Pro might be just what you need if that’s the case.
Because of its 10 mm core, this paddle smashes with incredible force and produces loud pop, as everyone who has ever faced one knows. I’ve always been interested in the Black Ace Pro because, being a power player myself, I find it to be an excellent and impressive paddle to battle against.
I wanted to know how much control I would lose with all that power. I tested this paddle under every kind of condition for two weeks in order to find out.
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BUY OR PASS
Buy if:
✅ You play an aggressive game: This paddle delivers raw power, making it ideal for hard drives and overhead putaways.
✅ You’re injury-prone: ProKennex’s shock-absorbing tech is a game-changer for players dealing with tennis elbow or other injuries.
✅ You need speed and aerodynamics: The edgeless, ultra-light design makes it incredibly fast for quick hand battles.
Pass if:
❌ You want a forgiving sweet spot: The small sweet spot can be frustrating. Check out the Proton Series One for a better mix of power and forgiveness.
❌ You focus on your soft game: While this paddle has decent control for its power class, it won’t give you the finesse of a control-focused paddle.
❌ You prefer edge guards: If you need durability, the Franklin FS Tour Dynasty has an edge guard and plenty of power, but it’s significantly heavier.
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Review Summary ProKennex Black Ace Pro
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A great option for advanced power players is the ProKennex Black Ace Pro. Similar to the Selkirk VANGUARD and Gearbox Pro Power Elongated paddles, the ball bursts from the face. Hard drives down the middle have helped me score endless points, and overhead smashes feel effortless. Additionally, its aerodynamic shape makes it ideal for fast-paced hand-to-hand combat.
The Six Zero DBD Infinity is a good example for a detailed comparison. In addition to being 10% less expensive, it is almost as powerful, just as quick, and has modern paddle technology. The ProKennex’s shock-absorbing technology, which is crucial for sportsmen who are prone to injuries, is absent from this model.
In particular, if you can get a bargain on the $250 Black Ace Pro, it’s a wonderful deal. But if you want high spin levels to balance the power, I’d suggest the Bread & Butter Filth or the CRBN-1X Power Series instead.
For intermediates or control players, the Black Ace Pro might not be a good choice. It is unstable and can twist in your hands sometimes, and its small sweet spot can result in annoying mishits. An improved paddle would be the Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy if forgiveness and accuracy are important to you.
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ProKennex Black Ace Pro Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
| Paddle Weight | 7.95 oz |
| Paddle Length | 15.8″ |
| Paddle Width | 7.6″ |
| Handle Length | 5.33″ |
| Grip Circumference | 4″ |
| Paddle Face Material | Toray carbon fiber |
| Core Material | Polypropylene honeycomb |
| Core Thickness | 10 mm (0.39″) |
| Sweet Spot | Small |
Features of the ProKennex Black Ace Pro
Design and Appearance
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The massive ace symbol in the center of the paddle face makes the ProKennex Black Ace Pro visually striking. Some players may find this striking design cool and special, while others may find it overpowering or “corny.”
The paddle’s edgeless shape greatly improves its aerodynamics, allowing it to move through the air more quickly during aggressive play and hand fights. However, this design compromises durability because the paddle is more susceptible to scratches and dents from gameplay or unintentional drops due to the absence of an edge guard.
Core Ultra-Thin 10 mm Thickness
The 10 mm polypropylene honeycomb core of the Black Ace Pro is one of the thinnest on the market, which makes it a unique characteristic.
When hitting the ball, the paddle’s explosive power and loud pop are caused by this incredibly thin core. Players that value hard drives and putaways love it because of the sound and feel, which give each hit a sense of force.
Some players find a sense of satisfaction in the loud pop, but others who prefer softer paddles may find it off-putting. Players who are sensitive to noise may wish that this paddle had built-in sound-dampening technology.
Paddle Face Toray Carbon Fiber
The paddle’s face is made of premium heat-molded Toray carbon fiber, which improves the paddle’s power and responsiveness.
There is enough rough grit on this carbon fiber face to provide moderate spin. The spin potential of the Black Ace Pro feels limited though, in contrast to raw carbon paddles like the Legacy Pro or ProXR Zane Standard. The paddle might not be as good for those who depend on spin.
The material makes a substantial contribution to the paddle’s durability and reliability of performance, even with its moderate spin.
Kinetic Technology Shock Absorption
Kinetic technology is a protected feature of the ProKennex Black Ace Pro that absorbs vibrations and shocks.
This technology, which is built into the grip, is especially helpful for players who are prone to wrist strain or tennis elbow. The paddle offers a more comfortable experience by decreasing vibrations, particularly during prolonged play periods.
Even though I don’t get hurt very often, I thought the paddle was pleasant for extended games. Even during high-intensity swings, I felt reduced strain, suggesting that the vibration-dampening technology is effective.
Swing Weight and Comfort
The Black Ace Pro feels exceptionally light and easy due to its extremely low swing weight of 100. Because of this characteristic, it’s a great option for quick hand-to-hand combat and kitchen exchanges.
The aerodynamic edgeless shape and lightweight design enable effortless power creation without wearing the player out.
ProKennex Black Ace Pro Performance Ratings
| Attribute | Rating |
| Power | 9.5/10 |
| Control | 8/10 |
| Spin | 8/10 |
| Forgiveness | 7.5/10 |
| Weighting | 9/10 |
| Grip | 8/10 |
| Durability | 9.5/10 |
| Aerodynamics | 8/10 |
ProKennex Black Ace Pro Performance Breakdown
Power – 9.5/10
Although the ProKennex Black Ace Pro has a lot of power, it is not as strong as the somewhat heavier Bread & Butter Filth and Gearbox Pro Power Elongated. Its reduced swing weight, which requires a harder swing to produce maximum power, is the main cause of this. Even though the change is slight, I could see it on regular drives and putaways. The ball may occasionally land shorter than planned while having high pop and acceleration, which gives opponents an opportunity to recover. Lead tape may be added by some players to increase power, but this might reduce control and paddle speed.
Control – 8/10
The Black Ace Pro outperforms other power paddles, such as the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated and Selkirk VANGUARD, in terms of control. Using topspin improves control and makes third-shot drops more dependable, which is difficult with other power paddles. You must, however, pay attention to swing speed because an excessively quick swing can cause pop-ups.
Spin – 8/10
The Black Ace Pro’s spin is passable but not exceptional. Although it’s not as spin-heavy as some other power paddles, such as the Bread & Butter Filth, Gearbox Pro Power Elongated, Selkirk VANGUARD, or CRBN-1X, which all score higher in this category, it still offers enough spin to smash hard drives and place shots properly. Some balls come off the paddle flat and fly long on serve returns, and sometimes I don’t catch the spin on my own serves, which makes them sail long, which is uncommon for me with most paddles.
Forgiveness – 7.5/10
The Black Ace Pro’s weakness, which is typical with pure power paddles, is forgiveness. Compared to paddles with an edge guard, such as the Bread & Butter Filth, it is less forgiving due to its edgeless design. You must strike the sweet spot exactly if you want to release your maximum power potential. Off-center shots are the result of mishits, especially on the edges. I remember a simple backhand flick that landed in the net. Still, compared to the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated, which has a lower twist weight, it is a little more forgiving.
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Weighting – 9/10
One of the standout features of the Black Ace Pro is its lightweight. Despite its light construction, it delivers a surprising amount of pop and power, making it a well-engineered choice. Many players may opt to add lead tape to the paddle to make it heavier, which could provide more putaway power and a larger sweet spot. The fact that the paddle is light but allows for customization with lead tape is a great feature for players who want to tailor their setup.
Grip – 8/10
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The Black Ace Pro’s grip could be seen as mediocre considering its cost. Since it’s not a high-end grip, you might wish to add an overgrip for better feel and comfort. Although it’s not a significant disadvantage, if you value grip quality at this price range, you should take it into account.
Durability – 8/10
Although the Black Ace Pro is made of premium materials, it lacks the security that an edge guard provides due to its edgeless design. This increases the likelihood of scratches and dings, particularly during vigorous activity. On my first session, I received a handful of dings, which some players would find unacceptable. If you are concerned about durability, you can fix this by using your own edge guard tape.
Aerodynamics – 9.5/10
The Black Ace Pro’s extremely low swing weight (100) is a major factor in its exceptional aerodynamic performance. Because of this, it is quick and sensitive, especially in hand clashes and fast-paced games. Its lightweight shape makes it easy to cut through the air, giving it an advantage over paddles with larger swing weights and facilitating fast reactions at the net. About air dynamics, which refers to how well it moves in the air during play, it makes me think of the Selkirk VANGUARD.
Is the ProKennex Black Ace Pro Paddle Worth It?
The ProKennex Black Ace Pro retails for $250, although it frequently goes on sale for as little as $150. At full price, I’m not sure I’d suggest it. Not because it’s too expensive; other high-end power paddles, such as the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated and Selkirk VANGUARD, are priced similarly. Paddles such as the CRBN-1X ($207 with a discount) or the Bread & Butter Filth (about $140) can be purchased for the same price or less.
A little more power, similar control, better forgiveness, and a lot more spin are all provided by these choices. For intermediate players in particular, they offer superior value as a result..
That being said, it’s absolutely something to think about if you can locate the ProKennex Black Ace Pro for $150 to $200 less. For anyone who like light, quick, and strong paddles—a difficult mix to find—it’s a good option. Its shock-absorbing technology makes it perfect for players who suffer from ailments like tennis elbow. Getting a $50–100 discount on this cutting-edge paddle is a fantastic deal if this suits you.
Bottom Line
If the ProKennex Black Ace Pro can be purchased for a discounted price between $150 and $200, it’s a good choice. Better value options that provide more power, spin, and forgiveness, like the CRBN-1X or Bread & Butter Filth, are available at the full $250 price. But if you have a tennis elbow injury or are searching for a paddle that is light, quick, and powerful, the Black Ace Pro is a good option, especially when it’s on sale.
