CRBN-3X Power Series vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-3X Power Series takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN-3X Power Series wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin, forgiveness and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta, which costs $250.
Power
87 vs 80
Spin
93 vs 88
Control
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Forgiveness
89 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
114 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$170 at IQ 87.9 vs $250 at IQ 85.6
Overall pick: CRBN-3X Power Series · $170 · IQ 87.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power80
- 90Control92
- 93Spin88
- 89Forgiveness84
- 90Sweet spot84
- 88Stability88
- 74Maneuverability74
- 84Pop76
- 88Touch92
- 89Consistency90
- 74Swing weight74
- 88Twist weight82
- 55Launch angle46
- 84Plow through84
- 78Softness86
CRBN-3X Power Series vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-3X Power Series | Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 — better | 85.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 114 |
| 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) | 7.5 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Florek carbon fiber |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
CRBN-3X Power Series verdict
The 3X keeps the 1X length but widens the face to 7.5 in and shortens the handle to 5.25 in, which buys a noticeably larger sweet spot at the cost of two-handed backhand room.
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta verdict
The Invikta shape of Selkirk's control flagship. Control 92 and touch 92 with elongated reach — the trade is a 114 swing weight that punishes late hands.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is launch angle: CRBN-3X Power Series scores 55 against 46 for Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta — a 9-point gap. They are effectively level on control, consistency, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN-3X Power Series is $80 cheaper at $170.
Launch angle
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 9 points (55 vs 46).
Pop
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
Softness
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Power
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 7 points (87 vs 80).
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
CRBN-3X Power Series
CRBN-3X Power Series is a narrow pick at this level — sweet spot 90 vs 84, forgiveness 89 vs 84, twist weight 88 vs 82. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.9 vs 85.4 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $80.
- Power
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 85.1 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $80.
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 84.7 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $80.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN-3X Power Series if you want launch angle (+9), pop (+8), power (+7). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-3X Power Series review →Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta if you want softness (+8), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta review →CRBN-3X Power Series vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta?
- CRBN-3X Power Series carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 9 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 114 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta?
- CRBN-3X Power Series scores 87 for power against 80 for Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta at 92 versus 90. 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?
- CRBN-3X Power Series scores 93 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 88 for the Florek carbon fiber face on Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-3X Power Series, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 84). Its 6.6 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN-3X Power Series costs $170, $80 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-3X Power Series: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta: 16 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a Florek carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta, 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 LUXX Control Air Invikta avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN-3X Power Series is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN-3X Power Series at 8 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight is identical at 114 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta to the CRBN-3X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN-3X Power Series leads on launch angle by 9 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $170 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.
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- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Tenon
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Infinity Ruby 16
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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- CRBN-3X Power Series vs CRBN-1X
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit Pro EX 16
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs 2X TruFoam Genesis
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Perseus CFS 16
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-3X Power Series and Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-3X Power Series and Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.