11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
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
- 92Power92
- 78Control78
- 90Spin88
- 82Forgiveness71
- 82Sweet spot73
- 84Stability76
- 74Maneuverability79
- 90Pop93
- 72Touch74
- 80Consistency79
- 76Swing weight68
- 80Twist weight62
- 60Launch angle61
- 88Plow through84
- 60Softness58
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air 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 | Selkirk Vanguard Power Air |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.3 — better | 78.4 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.4 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Quadcarbon face |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam | X5 polypropylene |
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.
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air verdict
Explosive acceleration and crisp feedback for players who create their own control. The air-dynamic throat cuts drag noticeably on fast swings.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 scores 80 against 62 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air — a 18-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, spin, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 is $50 cheaper at $200.
Twist weight
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 18 points (80 vs 62).
Forgiveness
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 11 points (82 vs 71).
Sweet spot
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 9 points (82 vs 73).
Stability
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 8 points (84 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 the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 80 vs 62, forgiveness 82 vs 71, sweet spot 82 vs 73. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.1 vs 80.4 on the weighted index). Take 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 and keep the $50.
- 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 83.5 on the weighted index). Take 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 and keep the $50.
- Plow through
- 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 — twist weight 80 vs 62, forgiveness 82 vs 71, 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.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16
Take 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 if you want twist weight (+18), forgiveness (+11), sweet spot (+9). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 review →Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Take Selkirk Vanguard Power Air if you want maneuverability (+5). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air review →11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air FAQ
- Which is better, the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 or the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.3 vs 78.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air, 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 Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 measures 92 on power against 92 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. 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?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 at 78 versus 78. 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 Vantage Power 16 scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 88 for the Quadcarbon face face on Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16, with 6.6 twist weight against 5.6. 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?
- 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. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air: 14 mm X5 polypropylene core with a Quadcarbon face 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?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air at 7.9 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 Selkirk Vanguard Power Air to the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads on twist weight by 18 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $200 vs $250, 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.
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- Vanguard Power Air vs Bantam TKO-C 14
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 Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.