ProKennex Black Ace 14 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta

    ProKennex Black Ace 14 7.8oz 14mm pickleball paddle — Toray Carbon Fiber (Carbon Fire) face

    ProKennex

    Black Ace 14

    $279

    Shop ProKennex →
    Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 7.9oz 20mm pickleball paddle — CFS+ (carbon fiber spray) face

    Selkirk

    LUXX Control Air Invikta

    $199.99

    Shop Selkirk →

    Pickle's 5-axis score

    Spec-grounded, quartile-ranked across the 322-paddle catalog. Diff highlighted when one paddle leads by 0.5+ points.

    ProKennex Black Ace 14Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
    Power — Selkirk +5.1
    4.5 vs 9.6
    Hand speed — ProKennex +3.5
    6.5 vs 3.0
    Forgiveness — ProKennex +5.1
    10.0 vs 4.9
    Touch — Selkirk +5.5
    4.5 vs 10.0
    Spin — Selkirk +2.0
    4.4 vs 6.4

    The value vs. premium matchup

    The Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta's 20mm core delivers a more forgiving sweet spot, while the ProKennex Black Ace 14's 14mm core trades a little plush feel for quicker ball speed. Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta is the value pick at $199.99. ProKennex Black Ace 14 is the premium option at $279 — you're paying for

    Side-by-side specs

    Weight

    7.8–8.2 oz7.9–8.3 oz

    Shape

    WidebodyElongated

    Core thickness

    14mm20mm

    Core material

    Polypropylene honeycomb with Kinetic SystemPolymer honeycomb (x5+)

    Face material

    Toray Carbon Fiber (Carbon Fire)CFS+ (carbon fiber spray)

    Handle length

    5.3"5.5"

    Price

    $279$199.99

    What the spec differences mean

    • Weight. ProKennex Black Ace 14 is listed at 7.8–8.2 oz; Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta at 7.9–8.3 oz. At the low end of each listed range, the ProKennex Black Ace 14 is 0.1 oz lighter. How paddle weights compare across our catalog
    • Core thickness. ProKennex Black Ace 14 has a 14mm core; Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta has a 20mm core, so the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta core is 6mm thicker. What core thickness changes
    • Length and width. ProKennex Black Ace 14 measures 16" × 8"; Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta measures 16.5" × 7.38" (widebody vs elongated). The Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta is 0.5" longer. Paddle shapes and the size rule
    • Handle length. ProKennex Black Ace 14 has a 5.3" handle; Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta has a 5.5" handle, so the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta handle is 0.2" longer. What grip length changes
    • Face material. ProKennex Black Ace 14 lists its face as Toray Carbon Fiber; Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta lists CFS+. Paddle face materials explained
    • Core material. ProKennex Black Ace 14 lists its core as Polypropylene honeycomb with Kinetic System; Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta lists Polymer honeycomb. Paddle core materials explained

    Who each paddle is for

    ProKennex Black Ace 14

    Best for intermediate players (3.5-4.5) looking for a balanced upgrade who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The widebody profile gives you a generous sweet spot, the 14mm core balances pop and control, and the face surface keeps spin honest without overdoing it.

    Playing style: balanced, power

    Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta

    Best for 3.5+ players who prioritize control and reach who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The elongated shape extends your reach at the kitchen line, the 20mm core gives you a soft touch window, and the face surface keeps spin honest without overdoing it.

    Playing style: control, spin

    Pickle's verdict

    Both are great. Pick by playstyle, not specs.

    Pick the ProKennex Black Ace 14 if…

    • ✓you want a generous sweet spot

    Pick the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta if…

    • ✓you prize control on resets and dinks
    • ✓you like reach at the kitchen line
    Shop ProKennex Black Ace 14 →Shop Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta →

    More matchups with the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta

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