Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power80
- 88Control92
- 86Spin88
- 86Forgiveness84
- 88Sweet spot84
- 86Stability88
- 72Maneuverability74
- 74Pop76
- 86Touch92
- 88Consistency90
- 78Swing weight74
- 84Twist weight82
- 50Launch angle46
- 82Plow through84
- 78Softness86
Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Electrum Model E Max V3 | Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.7 | 85.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Florek carbon fiber |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
Electrum Model E Max V3 verdict
The Max is the widest-body Electrum yet, and the numbers show it: sweet spot 88 and twist weight 84 are both top-quartile. It is a forgiving elongated paddle, which is not a common combination.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta scores 86 against 78 for Electrum Model E Max V3 — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Electrum Model E Max V3 is $50 cheaper at $200.
Softness
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Touch
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
Control
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta leads by 4 points (92 vs 88).
Sweet spot
Electrum Model E Max V3 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.6 vs 85.8 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $50.
- 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 (83.6 vs 85.4 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $50.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — touch 92 vs 86, control 92 vs 88, spin 88 vs 86. Swing weight 114 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 78. Its 16 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core at 8.2 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Electrum Model E Max V3
Take Electrum Model E Max V3 if you want sweet spot (+4), swing weight (+4), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Electrum Model E Max V3 review →Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta if you want softness (+8), touch (+6), control (+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 →Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the Electrum Model E Max V3 or the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.6 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Electrum Model E Max V3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Electrum Model E Max V3 or the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 measures 82 on power against 80 for Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta at 92 versus 88. 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?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta scores 88 for spin off its Florek carbon fiber face, against 86 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Electrum Model E Max V3. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Electrum Model E Max V3, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Electrum Model E Max V3 carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 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?
- Electrum Model E Max V3: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter core with a Raw Toray 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?
- Electrum Model E Max V3, 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 Electrum Model E Max V3 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Electrum Model E Max V3 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta at 8.2 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Electrum Model E Max V3 to the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta leads on softness by 8 points; everything else is within 6 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.
- Model E Max V3 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Model E Max V3 vs Mach 1 Forza 16
- Model E Max V3 vs Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
- Model E Max V3 vs Crush Control 16
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Perseus CFS 16
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Electrum Model E Max V3 and Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.