ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Luxx Control Air 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
- 74Power71
- 88Control94
- 82Spin84
- 88Forgiveness87
- 86Sweet spot88
- 82Stability89
- 78Maneuverability68
- 70Pop66
- 90Touch95
- 88Consistency90
- 70Swing weight78
- 78Twist weight88
- 48Launch angle48
- 76Plow through76
- 92Softness93
ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Selkirk Luxx Control Air specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | ProKennex Black Ace LG | Selkirk Luxx Control Air |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.1 | 85.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 20 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 119 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.4 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Florek carbon |
| Core material | Kinetic core with damping chambers | X5 polypropylene |
ProKennex Black Ace LG verdict
The most arm-friendly build in the database. Softness 92 comes from ProKennex's Kinetic damping, and it is the one paddle we recommend without hesitation for players managing tendon pain.
Selkirk Luxx Control Air verdict
The plushest paddle in the test. A 20 mm core swallows pace on resets, and the twist weight keeps the face square when the ball finds the edge.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 78 against 68 for Selkirk Luxx Control Air — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ProKennex Black Ace LG is $50 cheaper at $200.
Maneuverability
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 10 points (78 vs 68).
Twist weight
Selkirk Luxx Control Air leads by 10 points (88 vs 78).
Swing weight
Selkirk Luxx Control Air leads by 8 points (78 vs 70).
Stability
Selkirk Luxx Control Air leads by 7 points (89 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.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Selkirk Luxx Control Air is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 78, stability 89 vs 82, sweet spot 88 vs 86. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.7 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take ProKennex Black Ace LG and keep the $50.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.9 vs 81 on the weighted index). Take ProKennex Black Ace LG and keep the $50.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Selkirk Luxx Control Air is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 78, softness 93 vs 92. Its 20 mm X5 polypropylene core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want maneuverability (+10), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Take Selkirk Luxx Control Air if you want twist weight (+10), swing weight (+8), stability (+7). Its swing weight of 119 kg·cm² and 20 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Luxx Control Air review →ProKennex Black Ace LG vs Selkirk Luxx Control Air FAQ
- Which is better, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Selkirk Luxx Control Air?
- Selkirk Luxx Control Air carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.1 vs 83.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, at 109 kg·cm² swing weight against 119 for Selkirk Luxx Control Air. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ProKennex Black Ace LG or the Selkirk Luxx Control Air?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG measures 74 on power against 71 for Selkirk Luxx Control Air. That comes from a 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core swinging at 109 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Luxx Control Air at 94 versus 88. Its 20 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 Luxx Control Air scores 84 for spin off its Florek carbon face, against 82 for the Textured carbon face on ProKennex Black Ace LG. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Luxx Control Air, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and ProKennex Black Ace LG carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG costs $200, $50 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG: 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core with a Textured carbon face. Selkirk Luxx Control Air: 20 mm X5 polypropylene core with a Florek carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which ProKennex Black Ace LG avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. ProKennex Black Ace LG rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG at 8 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 119) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Black Ace LG to the Selkirk Luxx Control Air?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProKennex Black Ace LG leads on maneuverability by 10 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $200 vs $250, 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.
- Black Ace LG vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Black Ace LG vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Black Ace LG vs Atlas 16
- Black Ace LG vs Crush Control 16
- Luxx Control Air vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Luxx Control Air vs Vanguard Control Air Invikta
- Luxx Control Air vs Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: ProKennex Black Ace LG and Selkirk Luxx Control Air. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.