Dan’s Take
Core thickness is the big divide: 19 mm honeycomb in the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Epic, 16 mm in the Onix Malice Raw Carbon. On our scale the LUXX gives up power (6 vs 8) without gaining control (both 9.5), and rates higher for spin (9.5 vs 8.5). The Malice is more balanced (8 power, 9.5 control) with a top sweet spot rating of 10.
The LUXX has 4.7 out of 5 from 150+ ratings on Selkirk's site, while the Malice has too few ratings on Onix's site to lean on yet. Pick the LUXX if dinks and resets are your game; pick the Malice if you want more pop with the same control on our scale.
By Dan · Based on each brand’s published specs and buyer ratings, October 2026. We don’t play-test paddles.
Selkirk
Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic)
Touch players who prioritize dinks, resets and spin
Ratings Head to Head
Which Suits Your Game?
| Player type | Onix Malice Raw Carbon | Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic) |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | 9.4 | 9.0 |
| Touch players | 9.3 | 9.2 |
| Power hitters | 8.7 | 7.9 |
| Spin players | 8.8 | 8.8 |
Weighted from the four ratings. How these are weighted
Key Differences
- The biggest gap is power: the Onix Malice Raw Carbon rates 8 to the Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic)’s 6.
- The Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic) also leads on spin, 9.5 to 8.5.
- The Onix Malice Raw Carbon also leads on sweet spot, 10 to 9.5.
- They tie on control (9.5).
- Core thickness: 16 mm (14 mm version also available) for the Onix Malice Raw Carbon against 19 mm for the Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic). The thinner Onix Malice Raw Carbon should give more pop; thicker cores lean toward control.
- Price: the Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic) costs less right now (see the prices above).
The Verdict
Pick the Onix Malice Raw Carbon if you want more power and a bigger sweet spot, especially if you’re a beginner or a power hitter.
Go with the Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic) if you want more spin and a lower price.
Specs Side by Side
| Spec | Onix Malice Raw Carbon | Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 7.8–8.2 oz | 7.9–8.3 oz |
| Shape | Standard | Standard |
| Length | 16 in | 15.85 in |
| Width | 8 in | 7.85 in |
| Core thickness | 16 mm (14 mm version also available) | 19 mm |
| Core | Polypropylene honeycomb | X7 Thickset polymer honeycomb |
| Face | Raw carbon fiber | Florek carbon fiber with InfiniGrit texture |
| Handle length | 5 in | 5.25 in |
| Grip size | 4.25 in | 4.25 in |
| Price | $249.99 | $200 (list $280) |
| USA Pickleball approved | Yes | Yes |
Specs as published by each manufacturer. Prices are checked daily on each brand’s own store; the checkout price is final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Onix Malice Raw Carbon or the Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic)?
On our spec-based scale the Onix Malice Raw Carbon scores higher (9.0 vs 8.6). By player type, the Onix Malice Raw Carbon suits beginners and power hitters better.
Which has more power, the Onix Malice Raw Carbon or the Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic)?
The Onix Malice Raw Carbon rates higher for power on our scale (8 vs 6).
Which is better for beginners, the Onix Malice Raw Carbon or the Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic)?
The Onix Malice Raw Carbon scores higher for beginners (9.4 vs 9.0), mainly from its sweet spot and control ratings.
Are the Onix Malice Raw Carbon and Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic) approved for tournament play?
Yes. Both are on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list.
More Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Onix Malice Raw Carbon vs JOOLA Scorpeus Pro V
- Onix Malice Raw Carbon vs Paddletek Bantam EXL-C
- Onix Malice Raw Carbon vs Onix Malice DB Raw Carbon
- Onix Malice Raw Carbon vs Onix Praxis
- Onix Malice Raw Carbon vs Onix Hype X Pro Raw Carbon
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air with InfiniGrit (Epic) vs JOOLA Scorpeus Pro V
Next Step
Compare More Paddles
Line up to four paddles side by side on the same research scale.