Selkirk Labs Project 006 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
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
- 84Control78
- 87Spin88
- 80Forgiveness71
- 82Sweet spot73
- 89Stability76
- 65Maneuverability79
- 90Pop93
- 80Touch74
- 83Consistency79
- 86Swing weight68
- 82Twist weight62
- 63Launch angle61
- 92Plow through84
- 74Softness58
Specs
| $280 | Price | $250 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 8.5 oz | Weight | 7.9 oz |
| 124 | Swing weight | 114 |
| 6.2 | Twist weight | 5.6 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat | Surface | Quadcarbon face |
| 5.75 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
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 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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: Selkirk Labs Project 006 scores 82 against 62 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air — a 20-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, launch angle, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air is $30 cheaper at $250.
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 20 points (82 vs 62).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 18 points (86 vs 68).
Softness
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 16 points (74 vs 58).
Maneuverability
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air leads by 14 points (79 vs 65).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project 006
Take Selkirk Labs Project 006 if you want twist weight (+20), swing weight (+18), softness (+16). Its swing weight of 124 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project 006 review →Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Take Selkirk Vanguard Power Air if you want maneuverability (+14). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air review →Selkirk Labs Project 006 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project 006 or the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.7 vs 78.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 20 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air, 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 Selkirk Labs Project 006 or the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 measures 92 on power against 92 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. 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?
- 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 Vanguard Power Air scores 88 for spin off its Quadcarbon face face, against 87 for the Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face on Selkirk Labs Project 006. In practice a 1-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 5.6. 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?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006: 14 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air: 14 mm X5 polypropylene core with a Quadcarbon face 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 Project 006 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 80 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project 006 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air at 7.9 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 Selkirk Vanguard Power Air to the Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads on twist weight by 20 points; everything else is within 18 points. At $280 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.
- Labs Project 006 vs Hyperion CFS 16
- Labs Project 006 vs Loco 16mm Elongated
- Labs Project 006 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Labs Project 006 vs Loco 16mm Hybrid
- Vanguard Power Air vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- Vanguard Power Air vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- Vanguard Power Air vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- Vanguard Power Air vs Hyperion CFS 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project 006 and Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.