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Buy the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air if you're tournament-bound, otherwise the JOOLA Scorpeus CFS 16 is smarter money.
Different price tiers, different ambitions. The JOOLA Scorpeus CFS 16 at £140 is JOOLA's competitive offering with a 16mm core, popular on the US tour and increasingly seen on UK courts. The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air at £170 to 220 is one of the most expensive paddles you can buy, with the headline Air Dynamic Throat reducing drag through swings.
What actually matters at the kitchen line:
The Vanguard's niche feel divides players. Some swear by the throat cutout, others find it odd in the hand. If you're at 4.0 plus level and chasing every marginal gain in spin and power, it's defensible. For most UK club players, the Scorpeus delivers 90 percent of the performance and leaves change for coaching.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Weight | — | 220-235g |
| Shape | Standard | Elongated |
| Core | Polymer honeycomb | Polymer X5 honeycomb |
| Surface | Carbon Friction Surface | QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre |
| Grip Size | — | 4 1/4" |
| Core Thickness | 16mm | 16mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Shape: JOOLA Scorpeus has Standard vs Elongated. Core: JOOLA Scorpeus has Polymer honeycomb vs Polymer X5 honeycomb. Surface: JOOLA Scorpeus has Carbon Friction Surface vs QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre. Overall, the JOOLA Scorpeus CFS 16 Pickleball Paddle is best for intermediate players while the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players.
Neither is specifically designed for beginners — the JOOLA Scorpeus CFS 16 Pickleball Paddle suits intermediate players and the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players. Beginners may find both challenging.
The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle (£170-220) costs more than the JOOLA Scorpeus CFS 16 Pickleball Paddle (£140). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are advanced players, the extra investment in the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle can pay off.