Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm wins this matchup for most players: it takes value on Paddle DNA against the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Control
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 82
Hand speed
Too close to call
115 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm
$109.99 at IQ 84.1 vs $200 at IQ 84.6
Overall pick: Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm · $109.99 · IQ 84.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
Estimated scores: the Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm Paddle DNA is our estimate from published specs, not a sourced profile.
- 90Power88
- 84Control84
- 88Spin88
- 82Forgiveness84
- 83Sweet spot86
- 83Stability88
- 77Maneuverability76
- 88Pop84
- 85Touch80
- 84Consistency84
- 74Swing weight76
- 79Twist weight84
- 59Launch angle56
- 85Plow through88
- 80Softness70
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm | Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $109.99 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.1 | 84.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.85 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 6.9 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | QuadFiber carbon layup with PermaGritNano | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) | Foam-injected thermoformed polymer |
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm verdict
A lower-price elongated power design with listed swing weight 116, quicker handling than Cannon’s nominal 122, and similar twist-weight territory. Turbo Foam and QuadFiber target power with dwell and touch; our DNA is estimated, not a measured same-lab comparison.
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 verdict
Volair's second-gen Forza adds foam walls without adding swing weight past 115. Power 88 and stability 88 make it a genuine tournament option.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm scores 80 against 70 for Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, launch angle, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm is $90.01 cheaper at $109.99.
Softness
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm leads by 10 points (80 vs 70).
Stability
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 5 points (88 vs 83).
Touch
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm leads by 5 points (85 vs 80).
Twist weight
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 5 points (84 vs 79).
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
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 is a narrow pick at this level — stability 88 vs 83, twist weight 84 vs 79, sweet spot 86 vs 83. Twist weight 6.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.1 vs 83.3 on the weighted index). Take Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm and keep the $90.01.
- Touch
- Power
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.5 vs 84.7 on the weighted index). Take Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm and keep the $90.01.
- Touch
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm is a narrow pick at this level — softness 80 vs 70. Its 16 mm Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) core at 7.85 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm
Take Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm if you want softness (+10), touch (+5), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm review →Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Take Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 if you want stability (+5), twist weight (+5). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 review →Where to Buy
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.6 vs 84.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm scores 90 for power against 88 for Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. That comes from a 16 mm Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) core swinging at 116 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 82). Its 6.9 twist weight against 6.2 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm costs $109.99, $90.01 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?
- Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm: 16 mm Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) core with a QuadFiber carbon layup with PermaGritNano 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?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm at 7.85 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 115) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm to the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm leads on softness by 10 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $109.99 vs $200, 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.
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Pressure X 8E Elongated 16mm
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Cannon XPP M1 Elongated 16mm
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Oni 16
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs V7 Pro 16
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Loco 16mm Hybrid
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs R4 Pulsar
- Mach 2 Forza 16 vs Hyperion CFS 16
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Pressure X 8E Elongated 16mm
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Aura Pro Hybrid 16mm
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Oni 16
- Spitfire Elongated 16mm vs Loco 16mm Hybrid
- 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.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm and Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Spartus Spitfire Elongated 16mm and Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.