Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (82 vs 80.9), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
77 vs 75
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Control
94 vs 89
Forgiveness
Too close to call
77 vs 76
Hand speed
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
100 vs 105 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$120 at IQ 80.9 vs $130 at IQ 82
Overall pick: Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 · $130 · IQ 82
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 75Power77
- 94Control89
- 90Spin90
- 76Forgiveness77
- 75Sweet spot75
- 77Stability84
- 86Maneuverability92
- 70Pop76
- 92Touch88
- 82Consistency83
- 58Swing weight50
- 65Twist weight74
- 46Launch angle49
- 70Plow through64
- 90Softness85
Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Babolat BALLR+ 16 | Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $120 — better | $130 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 | 82 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 100 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 6.4 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.2 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.85 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Biaxial 3K Woven Carbon Fiber w/RPM Max Grit | Florek Carbon Face with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | X5™ Polypropylene Honeycomb | Polypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer System |
Babolat BALLR+ 16 verdict
Babolat brings its RPM tennis grit to pickleball on a 16 mm hybrid. The face texture is the story — it spins like a raw carbon paddle without the chalky wear pattern.
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 verdict
A titanium mesh layer under the Florek carbon face gives the 007 Epic a firmer, louder response than the rest of the Labs line, and it sells for a third of Boomstik money.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 scores 74 against 65 for Babolat BALLR+ 16 — a 9-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, power, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($120 vs $130) that it should not break the tie.
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads by 9 points (74 vs 65).
Swing weight
Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 8 points (58 vs 50).
Stability
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads by 7 points (84 vs 77).
Maneuverability
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
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
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 74 vs 65, stability 84 vs 77, forgiveness 77 vs 76. Twist weight 6.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 85.9 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the BALLR+ 16, standard on the Labs Project 007 Epic 14.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.9 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the BALLR+ 16, standard on the Labs Project 007 Epic 14.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.6 vs 80.8 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the BALLR+ 16, standard on the Labs Project 007 Epic 14.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Babolat BALLR+ 16
Take Babolat BALLR+ 16 if you want swing weight (+8), plow through (+6), control (+5). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Babolat BALLR+ 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14
Take Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 if you want twist weight (+9), stability (+7), maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 review →Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Babolat BALLR+ 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82 vs 80.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads by 9 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 105 for Babolat BALLR+ 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Babolat BALLR+ 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 scores 77 for power against 75 for Babolat BALLR+ 16. That comes from a 14 mm Polypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer System core swinging at 100 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 at 94 versus 89. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14, with the higher forgiveness score (77 vs 76). Its 6.4 twist weight against 6.1 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?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16: 16 mm X5™ Polypropylene Honeycomb core with a Biaxial 3K Woven Carbon Fiber w/RPM Max Grit face. Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14: 14 mm Polypropylene Honeycomb with Patent Pending Titanium Mesh Layer System core with a Florek Carbon Face with InfiniGrit face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Babolat BALLR+ 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 77 and sweet spot 75 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Babolat BALLR+ 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 at 8.3 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 100) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Babolat BALLR+ 16 to the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 leads on twist weight by 9 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $120 vs $130, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Also worth comparing
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- BALLR+ 16 vs GX2 Integra XL
- BALLR+ 16 vs Coral Hybrid 16
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Scorpeus 14
- Labs Project 007 Epic 14 vs Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: Babolat BALLR+ 16 and Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.