Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated wins this matchup for most players: it takes control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air, which costs $250.
Power
Too close to call
93 vs 92
Spin
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Control
83 vs 78
Forgiveness
78 vs 71
Hand speed
114 vs 123 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$250 at IQ 83.4 vs $250 at IQ 78.4
Overall pick: Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated · $250 · IQ 83.4
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 93Power92
- 83Control78
- 86Spin88
- 78Forgiveness71
- 80Sweet spot73
- 87Stability76
- 70Maneuverability79
- 89Pop93
- 80Touch74
- 84Consistency79
- 82Swing weight68
- 84Twist weight62
- 60Launch angle61
- 91Plow through84
- 68Softness58
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated | Selkirk Vanguard Power Air |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $250 | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.4 — better | 78.4 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 123 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.3 — better | 5.6 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.6 | 16.4 |
| Face width(in) | 7.3 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Quadcarbon face |
| Core material | Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) | X5 polypropylene |
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated verdict
Gearbox's solid-span construction with a genuine power tune. It feels unlike any honeycomb paddle — firmer, more direct — and rewards players who already hit clean.
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air verdict
Explosive acceleration and crisp feedback for players who create their own control. The air-dynamic throat cuts drag noticeably on fast swings.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated scores 84 against 62 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, power, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $250, so price cannot break the tie.
Twist weight
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 22 points (84 vs 62).
Swing weight
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 14 points (82 vs 68).
Stability
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 11 points (87 vs 76).
Softness
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 10 points (68 vs 58).
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
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 84 vs 62, stability 87 vs 76, forgiveness 78 vs 71. Twist weight 6.3 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.4 vs 81.6 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.9 oz on the Vanguard Power Air, 8.4 oz on the GX2 Power Elongated.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.5 vs 84.9 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.9 oz on the Vanguard Power Air, 8.4 oz on the GX2 Power Elongated.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated is the clearer pick at this level — softness 68 vs 58, twist weight 84 vs 62, forgiveness 78 vs 71. Its 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Take Selkirk Vanguard Power Air if you want maneuverability (+9), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air review →Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Take Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated if you want twist weight (+22), swing weight (+14), stability (+11). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated review →Selkirk Vanguard Power Air vs Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air or the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.4 vs 78.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air or the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated scores 93 for power against 92 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. That comes from a 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core swinging at 123 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated at 83 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 Vanguard Power Air scores 88 for spin off its Quadcarbon face, against 86 for the Textured carbon face on Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated, with the higher forgiveness score (78 vs 71). Its 6.3 twist weight against 5.6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $250. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air: 14 mm X5 polypropylene core with a Quadcarbon face. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated: 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 78 and sweet spot 80 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air at 7.9 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air to the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads on twist weight by 22 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $250 vs $250, 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.
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- GX2 Power Elongated vs Loco 16mm Elongated
- Vanguard Power Air vs Luxx Control Air
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Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- GX2 Power Elongated vs Hyperion CFS 16
- Vanguard Power Air vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Vanguard Power Air vs Perseus Pro V 14
- Vanguard Power Air vs Warrior Edge 14
- Vanguard Power Air vs Bantam TKO-C 14
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 GX2 Power Elongated and Selkirk Vanguard Power Air in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated and Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.