Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 74Power88
- 95Control89
- 86Spin94
- 80Forgiveness90
- 82Sweet spot91
- 84Stability90
- 72Maneuverability70
- 66Pop84
- 94Touch86
- 90Consistency89
- 74Swing weight76
- 78Twist weight90
- 44Launch angle54
- 82Plow through86
- 88Softness78
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta | Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $220 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.6 | 88.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 19.05 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.7 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber | Aramid fiber |
| Core material | X5 polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls |
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta verdict
The softest premium elongated paddle we measure. The thick Quadcarbon build absorbs pace so completely that resets from mid-court land in the kitchen almost by default.
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 verdict
The edgeless Ruby. Removing the edge guard adds face area and twist weight (7.0) to a paddle that already had one of the most durable spin surfaces in the sport.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is pop: Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 scores 84 against 66 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta — a 18-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, swing weight, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta is $20 cheaper at $200.
Pop
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 18 points (84 vs 66).
Power
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).
Twist weight
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 12 points (90 vs 78).
Forgiveness
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 10 points (90 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
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 90 vs 80, sweet spot 91 vs 82, twist weight 90 vs 78. 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
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 88 vs 74, spin 94 vs 86, forgiveness 90 vs 80. At 116 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Power
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 88 vs 74, spin 94 vs 86, plow through 86 vs 82. Swing weight 116 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta and keep the $20.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta if you want softness (+10), touch (+8), control (+6). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 19.05 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta review →Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Take Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 if you want pop (+18), power (+14), twist weight (+12). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 review →Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta or the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.2 vs 83.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta, at 116 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta or the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 measures 88 on power against 74 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta at 95 versus 89. Its 19.05 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?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 scores 94 for spin off its Aramid fiber face, against 86 for the Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face on Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. In practice a 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16, with 7 twist weight against 6.2. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta costs $200, $20 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta: 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16: 16 mm Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls core with a Aramid fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta at 8 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta to the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 leads on pop by 18 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $200 vs $220, 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.
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Luxx Control Air
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Perseus CFS 16
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Sapphire 16
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs CRBN-1X
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Coral Pro
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta and Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.