Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Selkirk Labs Project 006
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Labs Project 006 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power92
- 81Control84
- 82Spin87
- 74Forgiveness80
- 76Sweet spot82
- 86Stability89
- 68Maneuverability65
- 88Pop90
- 76Touch80
- 81Consistency83
- 82Swing weight86
- 82Twist weight82
- 52Launch angle63
- 89Plow through92
- 58Softness74
Specs
| $210 | Price | $280 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 8.4 oz | Weight | 8.5 oz |
| 123 | Swing weight | 124 |
| 6.5 | Twist weight | 6.2 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Solid-span carbon | Surface | Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.75 in |
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 Labs Project 006 verdict
Selkirk's limited-run Labs build is unapologetically a power paddle. Plow-through and pop lead the field; touch play asks for a deliberate slower swing.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Selkirk Labs Project 006 scores 74 against 58 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on control, stability, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power is $70 cheaper at $210.
Softness
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 16 points (74 vs 58).
Launch angle
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 11 points (63 vs 52).
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
Sweet spot
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Selkirk Labs Project 006.
Read the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power review →Selkirk Labs Project 006
Take Selkirk Labs Project 006 if you want softness (+16), launch angle (+11), forgiveness (+6). Its swing weight of 124 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project 006 review →Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Selkirk Labs Project 006 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.7 vs 80.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, at 123 kg·cm² swing weight against 124 for Selkirk Labs Project 006. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 measures 92 on power against 88 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. That comes from a 14 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 124 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 at 84 versus 81. 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 scores 87 for spin off its Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face, against 82 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, with 6.5 twist weight against 6.2. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Labs Project 006 carries the higher forgiveness score (80) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power costs $210, $70 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?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face. Selkirk Labs Project 006: 14 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006, at 5.75 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project 006 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 80 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project 006 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power at 8.4 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (123 vs 124) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power to the Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads on softness by 16 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $210 vs $280, 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.
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Hyperion CFS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- Labs Project 006 vs Hyperion CFS 16
- Labs Project 006 vs Loco 16mm Elongated
- Labs Project 006 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Labs Project 006 vs Loco 16mm Hybrid
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Selkirk Labs Project 006. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.