11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (85.1 vs 84.6), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
91 vs 88
Control
Too close to call
87 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 83
Hand speed
Too close to call
115 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$190 at IQ 85.1 vs $200 at IQ 84.6
Overall pick: 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 · $190 · IQ 85.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 89Power88
- 87Control84
- 91Spin88
- 83Forgiveness84
- 84Sweet spot86
- 87Stability88
- 71Maneuverability76
- 86Pop84
- 84Touch80
- 85Consistency84
- 81Swing weight76
- 82Twist weight84
- 59Launch angle56
- 87Plow through88
- 83Softness70
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 | Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $190 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.1 — better | 84.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 | 6.9 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.4 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon friction | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Foam-injected polymer | Foam-injected thermoformed polymer |
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 verdict
A drive-oriented hybrid with unusually high spin. The Pegasus rewards players who swing through the ball rather than block it back.
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 verdict
Volair's second-gen Forza adds foam walls without adding swing weight past 115. Power 88 and stability 88 make it a genuine tournament option.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 scores 83 against 70 for Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 — a 13-point gap. They are effectively level on control, spin, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($190 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads by 13 points (83 vs 70).
Maneuverability
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 5 points (76 vs 71).
Swing weight
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads by 5 points (81 vs 76).
Touch
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads by 4 points (84 vs 80).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.3 vs 85.1 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Pegasus Gen 3, elongated on the Mach 2 Forza 16.
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.1 vs 83.3 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Pegasus Gen 3, elongated on the Mach 2 Forza 16.
- Control
- Spin
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 84.7 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Pegasus Gen 3, elongated on the Mach 2 Forza 16.
- Touch
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 83 vs 70. Its 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3
Take 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 if you want softness (+13), swing weight (+5), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 review →Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Take Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 if you want maneuverability (+5). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 review →11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.1 vs 84.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads by 13 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 scores 89 for power against 88 for Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 at 87 versus 84. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 scores 91 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 88 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 83). Its 6.9 twist weight against 6.3 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16: 16 mm Foam-injected thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.3 oz, though swing weight differs (117 vs 115) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 to the 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 leads on softness by 13 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $190 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Mach 2 Forza 16 vs Extreme Tour 16
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Read the full reviews: 11SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3 and Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.