Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk AMPED Pro 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 →
Quick answer
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, which costs $210.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Spin
82 vs 78
Control
Too close to call
81 vs 80
Forgiveness
84 vs 74
Hand speed
115 vs 123 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$100 at IQ 81.9 vs $210 at IQ 80.4
Overall pick: Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta · $100 · IQ 81.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power88
- 81Control80
- 82Spin78
- 74Forgiveness84
- 76Sweet spot84
- 86Stability86
- 68Maneuverability72
- 88Pop90
- 76Touch76
- 81Consistency80
- 82Swing weight76
- 82Twist weight84
- 52Launch angle62
- 89Plow through86
- 58Softness72
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power | Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $210 | $100 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.4 | 81.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 123 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 — better | 6.4 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon | FiberFlex+ fiberglass with ProSpin+ micro texture |
| Core material | Coreless carbon | X5+ honeycomb with FlexFoam perimeter |
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power verdict
A more livable Gearbox. It keeps most of the drive velocity of the Pro Power while adding enough stability to survive hands battles.
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta verdict
Fiberglass instead of carbon means more pop and less bite. At $100 the Pro Air Invikta is the cheapest way into elongated Selkirk power, as long as you do not need a raw-carbon spin number.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta scores 72 against 58 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on plow through, pop, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta is $110 cheaper at $100.
Softness
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 14 points (72 vs 58).
Forgiveness
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Launch angle
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 10 points (62 vs 52).
Sweet spot
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta 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
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 74, sweet spot 84 vs 76, twist weight 84 vs 82. Twist weight 6.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (79.3 vs 78.3 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta and keep the $110.
- Forgiveness
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.6 vs 81.5 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta and keep the $110.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta is the clearer pick at this level — softness 72 vs 58, forgiveness 84 vs 74, twist weight 84 vs 82. Its 16 mm X5+ honeycomb with FlexFoam perimeter core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta
Take Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta if you want softness (+14), forgiveness (+10), launch angle (+10). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta review →Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power if you want swing weight (+6), spin (+4). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power review →Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta or the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (81.9 vs 80.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta or the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power at 81 versus 80. Its 14 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?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power scores 82 for spin off its Solid-span carbon face, against 78 for the FiberFlex+ fiberglass with ProSpin+ micro texture face on Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 74). Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power actually carries the higher twist weight (6.5 vs 6.4), but Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta makes it back on sweet spot (84) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta costs $100, $110 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?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta: 16 mm X5+ honeycomb with FlexFoam perimeter core with a FiberFlex+ fiberglass with ProSpin+ micro texture face. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta at 8 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power to the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads on softness by 14 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $100 vs $210, 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.
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro Power Elongated
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs Vanguard Control Air Invikta
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Power Pro X 14
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Evoke Premier Pro
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Warrior Edge 14
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Black Diamond Power 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.
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro XS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Hyperion CFS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro Integra Power 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs GX2 Power Elongated
- AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs R4 Pulsar
- AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs Black Diamond Power 16
- AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs Vantage Power 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.