Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 scores 76 against 72 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 is $80 cheaper at $200.

• Maneuverability

  Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 4 points (76 vs 72).

• Swing weight

  Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 4 points (80 vs 76).

• Twist weight

  Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).

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.

Which one should you buy?

Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 FAQ

Which is better, the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?

Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.2 vs 84.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 4 points.

Which one is faster at the kitchen line?

Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. 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 Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?

Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 90 for power against 88 for Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core swinging at 118 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?

Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 scores 88 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 86 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. In practice a 2-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 84). Its 7 twist weight against 6.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.

Is the price difference worth it?

Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 costs $200, $80 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 008 Project 16: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core with a Raw carbon fiber 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?

Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.

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. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.

Which is lighter in the hand?

Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 at 8.3 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.

Is it worth upgrading from the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 to the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?

Only if you need what it actually adds. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads on maneuverability by 4 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $280 vs $200, 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 008 Project 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs Ultré Power 2

• Mach 2 Forza 16 vs Agassi Pro 16
• 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

Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.

Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 and Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.