11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 92Power88
- 78Control81
- 90Spin82
- 82Forgiveness74
- 82Sweet spot76
- 84Stability86
- 74Maneuverability68
- 90Pop88
- 72Touch76
- 80Consistency81
- 76Swing weight82
- 80Twist weight82
- 60Launch angle52
- 88Plow through89
- 60Softness58
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 | Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $210 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.3 — better | 80.4 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 123 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Solid-span carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam | Coreless carbon |
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 verdict
A pure drive paddle. Power 92, pop 90 and plow-through 88 put it in the top tier for pace, and spin 90 means those drives still dip inside the baseline.
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power verdict
A more livable Gearbox. It keeps most of the drive velocity of the Pro Power while adding enough stability to survive hands battles.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 scores 90 against 82 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on control, stability, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $210) that it should not break the tie.
Spin
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Forgiveness
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Launch angle
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 8 points (60 vs 52).
Sweet spot
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
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
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 82 vs 74, sweet spot 82 vs 76. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 90 vs 82, maneuverability 74 vs 68, forgiveness 82 vs 74. At 116 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 90 vs 82, power 92 vs 88, maneuverability 74 vs 68. Swing weight 116 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 82 vs 74, softness 60 vs 58. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16
Take 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 if you want spin (+8), forgiveness (+8), launch angle (+8). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 review →Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power if you want swing weight (+6), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power review →11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power FAQ
- Which is better, the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 or the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.3 vs 80.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16, at 116 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 or the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 measures 92 on power against 88 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power at 81 versus 78. Its 14 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 Vantage Power 16 scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 82 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. In practice a 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (82) as a result.
- 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 Vantage Power 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 at 8.3 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power to the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads on spin by 8 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $200 vs $210, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Vantage Power 16 vs Black Diamond Power 16
- Vantage Power 16 vs Pro XS 16
- Vantage Power 16 vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- Vantage Power 16 vs 2X Power Series
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro XS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Hyperion CFS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs GX2 Power Elongated
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs 2X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 and Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.