CRBN 2X Power Series vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN 2X Power Series wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, which costs $280.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Spin
93 vs 86
Control
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Forgiveness
86 vs 78
Hand speed
Too close to call
118 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$220 at IQ 84 vs $280 at IQ 85.2
Overall pick: CRBN 2X Power Series · $220 · IQ 84
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power90
- 84Control84
- 93Spin86
- 78Forgiveness86
- 80Sweet spot88
- 87Stability90
- 70Maneuverability72
- 88Pop86
- 80Touch78
- 82Consistency84
- 78Swing weight80
- 88Twist weight88
- 58Launch angle58
- 90Plow through90
- 62Softness70
CRBN 2X Power Series vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN 2X Power Series | Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 — better | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84 | 85.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 | 7 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.7 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon fiber | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges | Foam-injected polymer |
CRBN 2X Power Series verdict
CRBN's hybrid power build. The foam-filled perimeter pushes twist weight near the top of the field, so you get put-away power without the face twisting on off-center drives.
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 verdict
A Labs release built for plow-through. Twist weight 88 and stability 90 are among the highest pairings in the database — it simply does not twist on off-center hits.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 86 against 78 for CRBN 2X Power Series — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, maneuverability, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN 2X Power Series is $60 cheaper at $220.
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Sweet spot
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Softness
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 8 points (70 vs 62).
Spin
CRBN 2X Power Series leads by 7 points (93 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 008 Project 16
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 78, sweet spot 88 vs 80, stability 90 vs 87. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.4 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Take CRBN 2X Power Series and keep the $60.
- Forgiveness
- Maneuverability
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.7 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Take CRBN 2X Power Series and keep the $60.
- Spin
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 70 vs 62, forgiveness 86 vs 78. Its 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN 2X Power Series
Take CRBN 2X Power Series if you want spin (+7). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN 2X Power Series review →Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 if you want forgiveness (+8), sweet spot (+8), softness (+8). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 review →CRBN 2X Power Series vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN 2X Power Series or the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.2 vs 84), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 118 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN 2X Power Series or the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- CRBN 2X Power Series scores 93 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon fiber face, against 86 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 78). Its 7 twist weight against 6.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN 2X Power Series costs $220, $60 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?
- CRBN 2X Power Series: 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber face. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 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 Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN 2X Power Series rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN 2X Power Series at 8.3 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight is identical at 118 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN 2X Power Series to the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads on forgiveness by 8 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $220 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: CRBN 2X Power Series and Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.