Find Your PaddleReviews
Paddles
Best Pickleball PaddlesBest Power Pickleball PaddlesBest Control Pickleball PaddlesBest Pickleball Paddles for SpinBest Pickleball Paddles for BeginnersBest All-Court Pickleball PaddlesBest Heavyweight Pickleball PaddlesBest Budget Pickleball PaddlesBest Foam-Core Pickleball PaddlesBest Pickleball Paddles for Intermediate PlayersBest Pickleball Paddles for Advanced Players
Brands
11SIX24 Pickleball PaddlesBread & Butter Pickleball PaddlesCRBN Pickleball PaddlesHEAD Pickleball PaddlesJOOLA Pickleball PaddlesOnix Pickleball PaddlesPaddletek Pickleball PaddlesSelkirk Pickleball PaddlesVatic Pro Pickleball PaddlesVolair Pickleball PaddlesAll Pickleball Paddle Brands
Tools
Find Your PaddleCompare PaddlesHead-to-Head Paddle ReviewsPickleball Paddle Buying GuidePickleball Paddle Glossary
Blog

Head-to-Head Comparison

Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 vs Volair SHIFT WB

The Volair SHIFT WB scores 9.1 and the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 scores 8.6 on our spec-based rating scale. Calculated from each maker’s published specs; we don’t play-test paddles.

Ratings Head to Head

Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2Volair SHIFT WB
Power910
Control7.58.5
Spin98
Sweet spot910
Research score8.69.1

Which Suits Your Game?

Player typeSelkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2Volair SHIFT WB
Beginners8.59.3
Touch players8.38.9
Power hitters8.89.4
Spin players8.88.8

Weighted from the four ratings. How these are weighted

Key Differences

  • The biggest gap is power: the Volair SHIFT WB rates 10 to the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2’s 9.
  • On control, the Volair SHIFT WB is ahead: 8.5 vs 7.5.
  • The Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 also leads on spin, 9 to 8.
  • On sweet spot, the Volair SHIFT WB is ahead: 10 vs 9.
  • Different shapes: the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 is standard and the Volair SHIFT WB is wide-body.
  • Core thickness: 13 mm for the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 against 14 mm for the Volair SHIFT WB. The thinner Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 should give more pop; thicker cores lean toward control.

The Verdict

Choose the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 if you want more spin.

Choose the Volair SHIFT WB if you want more power, more control and a bigger sweet spot, especially if you’re a beginner or a touch player.

Buy at VolairBuy at Selkirk

Specs Side by Side

SpecSelkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2Volair SHIFT WB
Weight7.7–8.1 oz8.1 oz average
ShapeStandardWide-body
Length15.75 in15.88 in
Width8 in8.12 in
Core thickness13 mm14 mm
CorePolymer honeycombFull-foam floating core with flex channels, EVA perimeter and carbon-infused edge foam
FaceQuadFlex hybrid (fiberglass + carbon fiber) with ProSpin+ textureT700 carbon fiber (four layers)
Handle length4.375 in5.5 in
Grip size4.25 in4.125 in
Price$100.99 (list $250)$99.99
USA Pickleball approvedYesYes

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 Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 or the Volair SHIFT WB?

On our spec-based scale the Volair SHIFT WB scores higher (9.1 vs 8.6). By player type, the Volair SHIFT WB suits beginners, touch players and power hitters better.

Which has more power, the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 or the Volair SHIFT WB?

The Volair SHIFT WB rates higher for power on our scale (10 vs 9).

Which is better for beginners, the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 or the Volair SHIFT WB?

The Volair SHIFT WB scores higher for beginners (9.3 vs 8.5), mainly from its sweet spot and control ratings.

Are the Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 and Volair SHIFT WB approved for tournament play?

Yes. Both are on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list.

More Head-to-Head Comparisons

Compare every paddle in one table

Next Step

Compare More Paddles

Line up to four paddles side by side on the same research scale.

Open the Comparison Tool Find Your Paddle