Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 85.1), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
95 vs 71
Spin
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
91 vs 84
Control
94 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 87
Hand speed
Too close to call
118 vs 119 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$250 at IQ 85.1 vs $332.99 at IQ 87.1
Overall pick: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 · $332.99 · IQ 87.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 95Power71
- 84Control94
- 91Spin84
- 88Forgiveness87
- 89Sweet spot88
- 92Stability89
- 66Maneuverability68
- 90Pop66
- 80Touch95
- 85Consistency90
- 82Swing weight78
- 92Twist weight88
- 58Launch angle48
- 93Plow through76
- 72Softness93
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk Luxx Control Air specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 | Selkirk Luxx Control Air |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $332.99 | $250 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.1 — better | 85.1 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.25 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 20 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 119 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.2 — better | 6.6 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.4 |
| Face width(in) | 7.45 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.8 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit | Florek carbon |
| Core material | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring | X5 polypropylene |
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest power score in the database, and the twist weight (7.2) to back it up. The MOI tuning system lets you dial the balance, but nothing turns a 118 swing weight into a fast-hands paddle.
Selkirk Luxx Control Air verdict
The plushest paddle in the test. A 20 mm core swallows pace on resets, and the twist weight keeps the face square when the ball finds the edge.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is power: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 against 71 for Selkirk Luxx Control Air — a 24-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, maneuverability, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Luxx Control Air is $82.99000000000001 cheaper at $250.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 24 points (95 vs 71).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 24 points (90 vs 66).
Softness
Selkirk Luxx Control Air leads by 21 points (93 vs 72).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 17 points (93 vs 76).
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 (88.7 vs 88.7 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Luxx Control Air and keep the $82.99000000000001.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Luxx Control Air and keep the $82.99000000000001.
- Power
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the clearer pick at this level — power 95 vs 71, plow through 93 vs 76, spin 91 vs 84. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Selkirk Luxx Control Air is the clearer pick at this level — softness 93 vs 72. Its 20 mm X5 polypropylene core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want power (+24), pop (+24), plow through (+17). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 review →Selkirk Luxx Control Air
Take Selkirk Luxx Control Air if you want softness (+21), touch (+15), control (+10). Its swing weight of 119 kg·cm² and 20 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Luxx Control Air review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk Luxx Control Air FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Selkirk Luxx Control Air?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 85.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 24 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 118 kg·cm² swing weight against 119 for Selkirk Luxx Control Air. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Selkirk Luxx Control Air?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 71 for Selkirk Luxx Control Air. That comes from a 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Luxx Control Air at 94 versus 84. Its 20 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 Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 91 for spin off its Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face, against 84 for the Florek carbon face on Selkirk Luxx Control Air. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 87). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk Luxx Control Air costs $250, $82.99000000000001 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 Boomstik Elongated 16: 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core with a Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face. Selkirk Luxx Control Air: 20 mm X5 polypropylene core with a Florek carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Luxx Control Air rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 at 8.25 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (118 vs 119) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Luxx Control Air to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on power by 24 points; everything else is within 24 points. At $332.99 vs $250, 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.
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- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus Pro V 16
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- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus CFS 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Luxx Control Air vs Perseus CFS 16
- Luxx Control Air vs Vanguard Power Air
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 Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs 008 Project 16
- Luxx Control Air vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Luxx Control Air vs Vanguard Control Air Invikta
- Luxx Control Air vs Black Ace LG
- Luxx Control Air vs Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
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 Boomstik Elongated 16 and Selkirk Luxx Control Air in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 and Selkirk Luxx Control Air. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.