Selkirk Labs Project 006 vs Vatic Pro Oni 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Vatic Pro Oni 16 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
- 92Power88
- 84Control86
- 87Spin89
- 80Forgiveness84
- 82Sweet spot85
- 89Stability86
- 65Maneuverability74
- 90Pop85
- 80Touch82
- 83Consistency84
- 86Swing weight78
- 82Twist weight83
- 63Launch angle60
- 92Plow through84
- 74Softness82
Specs
| $280 | Price | $130 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.5 oz | Weight | 8.2 oz |
| 124 | Swing weight | 115 |
| 6.2 | Twist weight | 6.6 |
| elongated | Shape | hybrid |
| Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat | Surface | Raw T700 carbon |
| 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.
Vatic Pro Oni 16 verdict
Vatic's answer to the $250 foam paddles at roughly half the price. It gives up some polish in finish quality, not in measured performance.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Vatic Pro Oni 16 scores 74 against 65 for Selkirk Labs Project 006 — a 9-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, stability, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Oni 16 is $150 cheaper at $130.
Maneuverability
Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads by 9 points (74 vs 65).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project 006 leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).
Softness
Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project 006
Take Selkirk Labs Project 006 if you want swing weight (+8), plow through (+8), pop (+5). Its swing weight of 124 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project 006 review →Vatic Pro Oni 16
Take Vatic Pro Oni 16 if you want maneuverability (+9), softness (+8), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Oni 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project 006 vs Vatic Pro Oni 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project 006 or the Vatic Pro Oni 16?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.6 vs 83.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads by 9 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16, at 115 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 Vatic Pro Oni 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 measures 92 on power against 88 for Vatic Pro Oni 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?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 at 86 versus 84. 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?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 scores 89 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 87 for the Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face on Selkirk Labs Project 006. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.2. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Vatic Pro Oni 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 costs $130, $150 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. Vatic Pro Oni 16: 16 mm Foam-edged thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon 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?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 85 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?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 at 8.2 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 124) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs Project 006 to the Vatic Pro Oni 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads on maneuverability by 9 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $280 vs $130, 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
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 Vatic Pro Oni 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.