Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 88 against 74 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on control, maneuverability, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power is $122.99000000000001 cheaper at $210.

• Forgiveness

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).

• Softness

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 14 points (72 vs 58).

• Sweet spot

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 13 points (89 vs 76).

• Twist weight

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).

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.

Which one should you buy?

Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ

Which is better, the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 80.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 14 points.

Which one is faster at the kitchen line?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 118 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 Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 88 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. That comes from a 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.

Which one gives more control and touch?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 at 84 versus 81. 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 Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 91 for spin off its Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face, against 82 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. In practice a 9-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.

Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 74). Its 7.2 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?

Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power costs $210, $122.99000000000001 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 Boomstik Elongated 16: 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core with a Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face.

Which is better for a two-handed backhand?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 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 Boomstik Elongated 16 avoids.

Which one is better for beginners?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 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 Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 at 8.25 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (118 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.

Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?

Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on forgiveness by 14 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $210 vs $332.99, 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 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

• Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
• Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
• Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
• Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs 008 Project 16

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 Boomstik Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.