Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and control on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta, which costs $100.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Spin
88 vs 78
Control
84 vs 80
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
115 vs 115 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$100 at IQ 81.9 vs $200 at IQ 84.6
Overall pick: Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 · $200 · IQ 84.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power88
- 80Control84
- 78Spin88
- 84Forgiveness84
- 84Sweet spot86
- 86Stability88
- 72Maneuverability76
- 90Pop84
- 76Touch80
- 80Consistency84
- 76Swing weight76
- 84Twist weight84
- 62Launch angle56
- 86Plow through88
- 72Softness70
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta | Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $100 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 81.9 | 84.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 115 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.9 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | FiberFlex+ fiberglass with ProSpin+ micro texture | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | X5+ honeycomb with FlexFoam perimeter | Foam-injected thermoformed polymer |
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta verdict
Fiberglass instead of carbon means more pop and less bite. At $100 the Pro Air Invikta is the cheapest way into elongated Selkirk power, as long as you do not need a raw-carbon spin number.
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 verdict
Volair's second-gen Forza adds foam walls without adding swing weight past 115. Power 88 and stability 88 make it a genuine tournament option.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 scores 88 against 78 for Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, stability, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta is $100 cheaper at $100.
Spin
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 10 points (88 vs 78).
Pop
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
Launch angle
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta leads by 6 points (62 vs 56).
Control
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 4 points (84 vs 80).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.4 vs 85.1 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta and keep the $100.
- Consistency
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 88 vs 78, control 84 vs 80, maneuverability 76 vs 72. At 115 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 88 vs 78, touch 80 vs 76, maneuverability 76 vs 72. Swing weight 115 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (77.5 vs 76.4 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta and keep the $100.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta
Take Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta if you want pop (+6), launch angle (+6). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta review →Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Take Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 if you want spin (+10), control (+4), maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 review →Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.6 vs 81.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 115 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 at 84 versus 80. 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?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 scores 88 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 78 for the FiberFlex+ fiberglass with ProSpin+ micro texture face on Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.4 and 6.9.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta costs $100, $100 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?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta: 16 mm X5+ honeycomb with FlexFoam perimeter core with a FiberFlex+ fiberglass with ProSpin+ micro texture face. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16: 16 mm Foam-injected thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight is identical at 115 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta to the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads on spin by 10 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $100 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Also worth comparing
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- Mach 2 Forza 16 vs R4 Pulsar
- Mach 2 Forza 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Mach 2 Forza 16 vs Extreme Tour 16
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta and Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk AMPED Pro Air Invikta and Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.