Elongated16mmPower
Tested by Austin Hardy
PPR Certified Coach · Pro Player · 12+ years coaching
Selkirk
Tesla Elongated 16mm Pickleball Paddle Review
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Retail Price
$450.00
Promo Code
Free eGift Card after purchase
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Austin's Take
Austin Hardy
The Selkirk Tesla Plaid is a collaboration paddle with a premium price and a premium spec sheet. At a swing weight of 121.52, it's the highest-SW paddle in our entire database — a legitimate claim to 'most powerful' status in terms of raw numbers.
Read full reviewWeight & Balance
How this paddle compares to 131+ paddles in our database.
Swing Weight
Head-Heavy121.52avg 113.97
96.66124.18
Head-heavy with serious plow-through on drives — slower hand speed at the kitchen, more strain on the shoulder over long sessions.
Twist Weight
Forgiving6.06avg 6.2
2.367.87
Solid sweet spot for most players — handles normal off-center contact predictably.
Static Weight
Average8ozavg 7.96 oz
7.5 oz9.1 oz
Average weight — versatile across the court and easy to control for most players.
Play StylePower
Specifications
Dimensions
ShapeElongated
Core Thickness16mm
Categories
Play StylePower
Recommended20% OffVKTRY
Carbon Fiber Insoles
Carbon fiber insoles that boost performance and reduce fatigue on the court.
$149.00
Buy at VKTRY Read full reviewFeatured In Our Guides
Best Pickleball Paddles (2026) →Recommended Gear
Redmond Re-lyte Electrolytes
$45.99 · 15% Off
Slyce Slydr Paddle Weights
$29.95 · 10% Off
VKTRY Carbon Fiber Insoles
$149.00 · 20% Off
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Who Tesla Is For
Buy if
- You want raw power and pop on drives and serves
- You like extra reach and leverage on groundstrokes
- High swing weight (121.52) gives you serious plow-through power
- You prefer the soft, forgiving feel of a 16mm core
Skip if
- You prefer a wider face for easier contact on fast exchanges
- You need fast hand speed at the net — this is a heavy swinger
- You want maximum pop — thinner cores are snappier
- You're on a tight budget — more affordable options exist
Ready to buy? Use code INF-PLAYBOOK for a discount.
Buy at SelkirkGear We Recommend
All Gear15% OffRedmond Re-lyte Electrolytes
Real salt electrolyte drink mix. Stay hydrated on and off the court.
$45.99
10% OffSlyce Slydr Paddle Weights
Adjustable clamp-on paddle weights. Fine-tune your swing weight in seconds.
$29.95
20% OffVKTRY Carbon Fiber Insoles
Carbon fiber insoles that boost performance and reduce fatigue on the court.
$149.00
Methodology
How we tested the Selkirk Tesla
Every paddle on this site goes through the same five-step protocol — lab measurement first, then structured on-court drills with a partner. No shortcuts, no guessing, no relying on the brand's spec sheet.
- Lab-measured specs. Static weight, swing weight, and twist weight measured on calibrated equipment — not pulled from the brand's claim sheet.
- 10-minute break-in. Drives, dinks, drops, and resets to let the face settle in before any verdict is recorded.
- Baseline power & spin. Drives, topspin patterns, and serves with a drilling partner to evaluate raw power and ball pocketing.
- Kitchen touch & control. Dinking, third-shot drops, and resets to evaluate dwell time, plushness, and mishit forgiveness.
- Transition firepower. Mid-court exchanges and hand-speed battles where shape and twist weight separate the great from the average.
How Tesla Compares
Paddles in the same category and price range.
Compare Selkirk Tesla Head-to-Head
Side-by-side spec breakdowns against the closest alternatives — drill into specs, price, feel, and who each one is for.
vs.
Luzz Tornazo
Elongated · 16mm · $229.00
vs.
Hudef Viva
Elongated · 16mm · $169.99
vs.
RPM Q2
Elongated · 16mm · $249.99
vs.
Warping Point Sophon
Elongated · 16mm · $149.99
vs.
Selkirk Boomstik
Elongated · 16mm · $332.99
vs.
Bread & Butter Loco
Elongated · 16mm · $199.00
vs.
Joola 3S Dual Perseus
Elongated · 16mm · $199.95
vs.
Friday Aura Pro
Elongated · 16mm · $169.00
Also From Selkirk
Other paddles in the Selkirk lineup — different shapes, cores, and price points to consider.
Browse the full Selkirk brand page →
Playing Feel
PowerThe Selkirk Tesla is a 16mm elongated paddle weighing 8.0 oz with a swing weight of 121.52 and twist weight of 6.06. Expect a firm, powerful feel with pop on drives and serves. The higher swing weight delivers momentum through contact, rewarding full swings.
Swing Weight
High121.52avg 113.97
96.66124.18
Above average.
Twist Weight
Average6.06avg 6.2
2.367.87
Near average.
16mm CoreElongated8.0 oz
Written Review
Selkirk Tesla Plaid Review: The Highest Swing Weight in Our Database
The Selkirk Tesla Plaid is a collaboration paddle with a premium price and a premium spec sheet. At a swing weight of 121.52, it's the highest-SW paddle in our entire database — a legitimate claim to 'most powerful' status in terms of raw numbers.
Specs at a Glance
- Shape: Elongated
- Core: 16mm
- Weight: 8.0 oz
- Swing Weight: 121.52
- Twist Weight: 6.06
- Price: $450 — use code PLAYBOOK for 15% off
Is SW 121 Actually Different?
Yes. Players who have tested multiple high-SW paddles consistently report that the jump from SW 117–118 to 120+ is noticeable, especially on drives from the baseline and overheads. The Tesla Plaid's 121.52 translates to genuinely heavy ball-pounding — the kind of pace that forces errors from opponents.
The $450 Question
The premium price is partly the collaboration cost and partly the paddle's construction. The Boomstik and Q2 Elongated are both SW 120+ at lower prices. The Tesla Plaid edges them out on swing weight and adds Selkirk's premium build quality and finishing. For dedicated power players who want the absolute top of the spec sheet, it's worth considering. For everyone else, the Boomstik or Q2 Elongated represent better value.
Verdict
The Selkirk Tesla Plaid is a benchmark power paddle — SW 121.52 is simply the highest we've tested. The $450 price is real, but 15% off with PLAYBOOK brings it closer to earth. Best suited to advanced players who have already maxed out what lower-SW paddles can offer them.
Discussion
Have questions or thoughts about the Selkirk Tesla? Join the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the swing weight of the Selkirk Tesla?
The Selkirk Tesla has a swing weight of 121.52, which is above the catalog average of 113.97.
Who should buy the Selkirk Tesla?
The Selkirk Tesla is a elongated 16mm paddle best suited for power-oriented players who want pop and drive on their shots.
Is there a discount code for the Selkirk Tesla?
Check Pickleball Playbook regularly for the latest deals and discount codes for the Selkirk Tesla.
Learn
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