Selkirk Labs Project 006 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs Project 006, which costs $280.
Power
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Spin
Too close to call
87 vs 86
Control
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Forgiveness
86 vs 80
Hand speed
118 vs 124 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$280 at IQ 85.2 vs $280 at IQ 83.7
Overall pick: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 · $280 · IQ 85.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 92Power90
- 84Control84
- 87Spin86
- 80Forgiveness86
- 82Sweet spot88
- 89Stability90
- 65Maneuverability72
- 90Pop86
- 80Touch78
- 83Consistency84
- 86Swing weight80
- 82Twist weight88
- 63Launch angle58
- 92Plow through90
- 74Softness70
Selkirk Labs Project 006 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Labs Project 006 | Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.7 | 85.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.5 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 124 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.7 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.75 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer | Foam-injected polymer |
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.
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 verdict
A Labs release built for plow-through. Twist weight 88 and stability 90 are among the highest pairings in the database — it simply does not twist on off-center hits.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 72 against 65 for Selkirk Labs Project 006 — a 7-point gap. They are effectively level on power, touch, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $280, so price cannot break the tie.
Maneuverability
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 7 points (72 vs 65).
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Sweet spot
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 6 points (86 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
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 80, sweet spot 88 vs 82, twist weight 88 vs 82. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.5 vs 81.1 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.5 in on the Labs 008 Project 16, 5.75 in on the Labs Project 006.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.2 vs 84.6 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.5 in on the Labs 008 Project 16, 5.75 in on the Labs Project 006.
- Power
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (77.6 vs 77.1 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.5 in on the Labs 008 Project 16, 5.75 in on the Labs Project 006.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 if you want maneuverability (+7), forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+6). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project 006
Take Selkirk Labs Project 006 if you want swing weight (+6), launch angle (+5), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 124 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project 006 review →Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project 006 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.2 vs 83.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 7 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, at 118 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 Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 scores 92 for power against 90 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. That comes from a 14 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 124 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 scores 87 for spin off its Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face, against 86 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 80). Its 7 twist weight against 6.2 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 $280. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core with a Raw 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 5.5 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 008 Project 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project 006 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 at 8.4 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (118 vs 124) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs Project 006 to the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads on maneuverability by 7 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $280 vs $280, 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.
- Labs Project 006 vs Luxx Control Air
- Labs Project 006 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Labs Project 006 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Labs Project 006 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs Project 006 vs TruFoam Genesis 1
- Labs Project 006 vs TruFoam Genesis X
- Labs Project 006 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Labs Project 006 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Labs Project 006 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project 006 vs Hyperion CFS 16
- Labs Project 006 vs Loco 16mm Elongated
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Ultré Power 2
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 Selkirk Labs Project 006 and Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project 006 and Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.