Selkirk LUXX Control Air Review: Six Weeks With Selkirk's Control Paddle
Quick Answer
The Selkirk LUXX Control Air is the most forgiving premium control paddle I have tested, and the Invikta 20mm is the version most players should buy. Its thick X7 core keeps dinks and resets low, and it stays stable in hands battles. Pick the InfiniGrit 19mm if you want extra topspin.
- Best for: 3.0 to 4.5 players who win points in the kitchen, and beginners ready to spend on a paddle they will keep
- Weight and shape: 7.9 to 8.3 oz, elongated Invikta, 16.4 in by 7.5 in, 5.35 in handle, 20 mm core
- Price at Padelnox: $219 for every LUXX Control Air version
Key Takeaways
- Thick core, calm feel: the X7 Thickset honeycomb core at 20 mm is what makes the LUXX so easy on soft shots.
- InfiniGrit adds spin, not harshness: the 19 mm InfiniGrit version grips the ball harder and lists a 113 average swingweight.
- Shape matters more than color: the Red, Blue and Jack Sock Signature Invikta paddles share a single spec sheet.
- It is not a power paddle: you have to swing to finish points, which is the trade for all that control.
- Beginner-friendly at a premium price: it forgives mistakes better than cheaper paddles, but $219 only makes sense if you play often.
Quick Links
- Six weeks with the LUXX Control Air
- Versions explained: Epic, Invikta, S2, InfiniGrit
- Who should buy it and how to set it up
- LUXX Control Air vs alternatives
- Where to buy
- FAQ
Six Weeks With the Selkirk LUXX Control Air
I coach padel, and most of my US students also play pickleball. When three of them turned up in the same month with a LUXX, I decided to test it properly. I used the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 20mm in Red ($219) as my main paddle for six weeks, with a session every two or three days, the same outdoor balls, and the same practice partner for drills. I kept notes after every session.
Week 1: first contact
The sound was the first thing I noticed. A soft, low thud on every dink. That quietness is a good sign of a thick, well-damped core. The balance sits a little higher in the hand than on a wide paddle because the Invikta is long, but it never felt head-heavy. Blocks off hard drives came back soft and short without any effort from my wrist.
Week 2: dinks and drops
This is where the LUXX earns its price. My cross-court dinks landed deeper in the kitchen and stayed low. Third-shot drops from the baseline dropped more reliably than with my usual 16 mm demo paddle. I counted: in one 20-minute drill I put six drops into the net or up high, against around ten the week before with the thinner paddle. Small numbers, but the direction was obvious.
Week 3: hands battles
Fast exchanges at the kitchen line are where control paddles usually struggle. The LUXX surprised me. The 7.9 to 8.3 oz weight range and the long face make it stable, so counters were solid. What it does not do is add free pace. When I wanted to put a ball away, I had to take a real swing.
Week 4: the InfiniGrit version
I switched to the Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Invikta 19mm in Red ($219) for a week. It feels almost identical, a touch firmer from the 19 mm core, and the gritty face grabs the ball noticeably more on topspin rolls and slice dinks. If you already brush the ball, this is the version I would pick.
Week 5: arm comfort and a padel comparison
After two 90-minute sessions back to back, my forearm felt fresh. The LUXX is one of the most comfortable paddles I have used. It reminded me of a soft EVA padel racket: calm, cushioned, and a little slow to generate pace. My padel students who crossed over found it the easiest pickleball paddle to adapt to.
Week 6: the verdict
The LUXX does exactly what it says. It makes the soft game easier and it keeps your arm happy. If your points are won with patience, it is the best paddle in our range. If you win with raw pace, look at the Vanguard Power Air instead.
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Versions Explained
The LUXX family confuses people because the same name covers different shapes, surfaces and colors. Here is how I break it down.
Invikta 20mm: Red, Blue and Jack Sock Signature
The Invikta is Selkirk's elongated shape: 16.4 in long, 7.5 in wide, with a 5.35 in handle and a 4.25 in grip circumference. The core is 20 mm X7 Thickset honeycomb, the face is Florek carbon fiber and the edge is Aero-DuraEdge edgeless. You can have it in Red, in Blue ($219), or as the Jack Sock Signature edition ($219). All three share one spec sheet, so pick the look you prefer.
InfiniGrit Invikta 19mm: Red and Blue
Same shape and weight range, a 19 mm core and Selkirk's InfiniGrit surface. It is the spin version, and it is the only LUXX with a published swingweight: 113 average. We stock it in Red and Blue ($219).
Epic
The Selkirk LUXX Control Air Epic in Red ($219) uses Selkirk's Epic shape, which the brand positions between the long Invikta and a wider face. We do not hold a full spec sheet for it, so I will not quote numbers. In my hand it felt a little more compact and slightly quicker to maneuver, with a sweet spot that felt a touch wider on off-center blocks.
What about the S2?
Selkirk also makes a wider, shorter S2 shape. We do not currently list the LUXX in S2, so it is outside this review. If you want a wide face, the Epic is the closest option we carry.
Who Should Buy the LUXX Control Air, and How to Set It Up
Buy it if your errors are pop-ups and long drops, if you have any elbow or shoulder history, or if you are a newer player who plays at least twice a week. Skip it if you are a big hitter who wants a paddle to add pace for you.
- Choose the shape first. Invikta for reach, two-handed backhands and leverage on serves. Epic if you want a more compact face.
- Choose the surface. Standard Florek carbon for most players. InfiniGrit if you already hit topspin rolls and want more.
- Check grip size. The Selkirk Geo Grip lists a 4.25 in circumference. Add one thin overgrip if your fingers wrap too far around.
- Leave the weight alone at first. Play a month before adding lead tape. If you do, add small amounts at 3 and 9 o'clock for stability.
- Protect the edge. The edgeless design scuffs if you scrape low balls. Keep it in a cover or bag between sessions.
- Wipe the face. A damp cloth after play keeps the carbon and InfiniGrit surfaces grabbing the ball.
Selkirk LUXX Control Air vs the Alternatives
| Paddle | Shape | Weight | Core | Face | Price at Padelnox |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 20mm | Elongated (Invikta) | 7.9 - 8.3 oz | X7 Thickset honeycomb, 20 mm | Florek carbon fiber | $219 |
| Selkirk LUXX Control Air InfiniGrit Invikta 19mm | Elongated (Invikta) | 7.9 - 8.3 oz | X7 Thickset honeycomb, 19 mm | Florek carbon fiber, InfiniGrit | $219 |
| Selkirk LUXX Control Air Epic | - | - | - | - | $219 |
| Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta 13mm | Elongated (Invikta) | 7.7 - 8.1 oz | Polymer honeycomb, 13 mm | Fiberglass and carbon fiber hybrid | $219 |
| JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus | Elongated | 7.9 - 8.3 oz (8.1 oz average) | Honeycomb propulsion, hyper-foam edge wall | Textured carbon fiber | $219 |
| CRBN 3X Power Series 16mm | Elongated | 7.8 - 8.1 oz (8.0 oz average) | Polypropylene honeycomb, 16 mm | Raw T700 carbon fiber | $159 |
The closest in-house rival is the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta 13mm in Grey ($219), which is the power opposite of the LUXX. The JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus ($219) is the spin-first alternative, and I compare the two properly in my Selkirk vs JOOLA guide and my JOOLA Perseus review. The CRBN 3X is the value route, covered in my CRBN paddle review.
Where to Buy the Selkirk LUXX Control Air
Every LUXX version above is in our Selkirk paddles collection. Each LUXX is genuine Selkirk stock, never a replica, and gets inspected before it is packed and sent with tracking. We are a US-based online store with 221 frames and bags in stock, shipping worldwide, and orders are processed in 1 to 3 business days.
At $219, the LUXX ships free and tracked, since free shipping starts at $99 (under that it is $9.95 flat). You have 30 days to return an unused paddle in its original packaging, and a damaged or wrong item shown to us in a photo within 7 days is replaced or refunded. Our shipping and returns page has the full terms. Every racket over $150 ships with a free overgrip 3-pack and frame protector, and three or more items from accessories are 15% off automatically. See the discount code page for how offers apply.
Still comparing? Browse every pickleball paddle or the JOOLA range, and read my Selkirk pickleball paddle guide and best pickleball paddle picks for 2026. Padel players trying pickleball should read the padel vs pickleball guide first. If you arrived here searching for a pickleball racket, that page explains why the right word is paddle and what actually changes between the two sports. Questions about the LUXX go to helppadelnox@outlook.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Selkirk LUXX Control Air good for beginners?
Yes, if the beginner plays regularly. The 20 mm X7 core is the most forgiving we stock, so dinks, drops and blocks stay low even on off-center contact. That speeds up learning the soft game. The only argument against it is price. At $219 it makes sense for someone playing two or more times a week. An occasional player can start with the Selkirk SLK Control XL at $129.
What is the difference between the LUXX Invikta and Epic?
The Invikta is Selkirk's elongated shape, listed at 16.4 in long and 7.5 in wide with a 5.35 in handle, which adds reach and leverage. The Epic is a more compact shape that Selkirk places between the long Invikta and a wider face. We have no full spec sheet for the Epic, but in my testing it felt quicker to maneuver with a slightly more forgiving sweet spot on blocks.
Is the LUXX InfiniGrit worth it over the standard 20mm?
It is worth it if you already hit topspin rolls, slice dinks or brushed drives. The InfiniGrit surface grips the ball noticeably more, and the 19 mm core keeps the calm LUXX feel with a touch more firmness. If you still mostly push the ball, the extra grit will not change much yet, and the standard LUXX Control Air Invikta 20mm at the same $219 is the better start.