Gearbox CX14H 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
- 92Power92
- 78Control84
- 82Spin87
- 70Forgiveness80
- 72Sweet spot82
- 78Stability89
- 76Maneuverability65
- 90Pop90
- 72Touch80
- 76Consistency83
- 74Swing weight86
- 68Twist weight82
- 60Launch angle63
- 88Plow through92
- 54Softness74
Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power vs Selkirk Labs Project 006 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power | Selkirk Labs Project 006 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $250 — better | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 77.6 | 83.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.5 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 124 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 6.2 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.7 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.375 | 5.75 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 3.5 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon fiber | Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat |
| Core material | Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) | Thermoformed polymer |
Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power verdict
Nothing else feels like a Gearbox. The solid-span core has no honeycomb at all, so energy return is immediate and the paddle rewards a clean, compact swing.
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 54 for Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power — a 20-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, power, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power is $30 cheaper at $250.
Softness
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 20 points (74 vs 54).
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 14 points (82 vs 68).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
Stability
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 11 points (89 vs 78).
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 Labs Project 006
Selkirk Labs Project 006 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 80 vs 70, sweet spot 82 vs 72, twist weight 82 vs 68. Twist weight 6.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Selkirk Labs Project 006
Selkirk Labs Project 006 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 80 vs 70, control 84 vs 78, touch 80 vs 72. At 124 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project 006
Selkirk Labs Project 006 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 80 vs 72, spin 87 vs 82, control 84 vs 78. Swing weight 124 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Labs Project 006
Selkirk Labs Project 006 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 74 vs 54, forgiveness 80 vs 70, twist weight 82 vs 68. Its 14 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 8.5 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power if you want maneuverability (+11). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power review →Selkirk Labs Project 006
Take Selkirk Labs Project 006 if you want softness (+20), twist weight (+14), swing weight (+12). Its swing weight of 124 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project 006 review →Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power vs Selkirk Labs Project 006 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power or the Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.7 vs 77.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 20 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power, at 114 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 CX14H Ultimate Power or the Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power measures 92 on power against 92 for Selkirk Labs Project 006. That comes from a 14 mm Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 at 84 versus 78. 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 fiber face on Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006, with 6.2 twist weight against 5.9. 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 CX14H Ultimate Power costs $250, $30 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 CX14H Ultimate Power: 14 mm Gearbox solid-core (no honeycomb) core with a Solid-span carbon fiber 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 5.375 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. Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power at 8 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 124) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox CX14H Ultimate Power to the Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads on softness by 20 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $250 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a stability vs maneuverability decision
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Read the full reviews: Gearbox CX14H 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.