11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, forgiveness and value on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power, which costs $250.
Power
Too close to call
92 vs 92
Spin
90 vs 82
Control
Too close to call
78 vs 78
Forgiveness
82 vs 70
Hand speed
Too close to call
114 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$200 at IQ 82.3 vs $250 at IQ 77.6
Overall pick: 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 · $200 · IQ 82.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 92Power92
- 78Control78
- 90Spin82
- 82Forgiveness70
- 82Sweet spot72
- 84Stability78
- 74Maneuverability76
- 90Pop90
- 72Touch72
- 80Consistency76
- 76Swing weight74
- 80Twist weight68
- 60Launch angle60
- 88Plow through88
- 60Softness54
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 | Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.3 — better | 77.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 — better | 5.9 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.375 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 3.5 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Solid-span carbon fiber |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam | Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) |
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 CX14H Ultimate Power verdict
Nothing else feels like a Gearbox. The solid-span core has no honeycomb at all, so energy return is immediate and the paddle rewards a clean, compact swing.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is forgiveness: 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 scores 82 against 70 for Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, swing weight, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 is $50 cheaper at $200.
Forgiveness
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 12 points (82 vs 70).
Twist weight
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 12 points (80 vs 68).
Sweet spot
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 10 points (82 vs 72).
Spin
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
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 the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 82 vs 70, sweet spot 82 vs 72, twist weight 80 vs 68. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
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 — forgiveness 82 vs 70, spin 90 vs 82, consistency 80 vs 76. At 116 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Spin
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 82.2 on the weighted index). Take 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 and keep the $50.
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 60 vs 54, forgiveness 82 vs 70, twist weight 80 vs 68. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16
Take 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 if you want forgiveness (+12), twist weight (+12), sweet spot (+10). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 review →Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power if you prefer a hybrid face and a 5.375 in handle and a 14 mm Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) core — it gives up nothing measurable to 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16.
Read the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power review →11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power FAQ
- Which is better, the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 or the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.3 vs 77.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16. 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 CX14H Ultimate Power?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 92 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 78 for control.
- 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 fiber face on Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power. In practice an 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16, with the higher forgiveness score (82 vs 70). Its 6.6 twist weight against 5.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 costs $200, $50 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- 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 CX14H Ultimate Power: 14 mm Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) core with a Solid-span carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.375 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. Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power to the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads on forgiveness by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $200 vs $250, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Vantage Power 16 vs Black Diamond Power 16
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- Vantage Power 16 vs Pro XS 16
- Vantage Power 16 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- Vantage Power 16 vs Vanguard Power Air
- Vantage Power 16 vs Loco 16mm Elongated
- Vantage Power 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Vantage Power 16 vs Perseus Pro V 14
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 R4 Pulsar
- Vantage Power 16 vs Pro XS 16
- Vantage Power 16 vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Power Pro X 14
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Vanguard Power Air
- CX14H Ultimate Power vs Warrior Edge 14
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 and Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 and Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.