Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 review

Selkirk pitches the VANGUARD Power Air S2 as its top choice for power players, but two details make it relevant for newer players too. The S2 shape has the largest face of any Selkirk paddle, 15.75 by 8 inches, and Selkirk says that gives it the biggest sweet spot in its range. The ProSpin+ NextGen micro texture is Selkirk's spin surface, and the QuadFlex face mixes two layers of fiberglass with two layers of carbon over a 13mm polymer honeycomb core. The paddle weighs 7.7 to 8.1 oz and is assembled in the USA. At $100.99 it also carries a limited lifetime warranty once registered, which no other paddle here matches. The tradeoffs are real: the handle is only 4 3/8 inches, so two-handed backhands are awkward, the thin core favors drives over soft dinks, and one color was out of stock when we checked.

Who it is for

players who want maximum spin and a big sweet spot

Price

$100.99 at the Selkirk US store when checked.

Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air - S2 $100.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• S2 shape: 15.75 by 8 inch face, the largest of Selkirk's paddle shapes
• ProSpin+ NextGen micro texture surface
• QuadFlex 4 layer face of fiberglass and carbon fiber over a 13mm polymer honeycomb core
• Midweight range of 7.7 to 8.1 oz
• Limited lifetime warranty with registration, 30-day free returns

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Limited lifetime warranty, the longest on this list
• Strength: Widest face here at 8 inches for off-center hits
• Strength: Free US shipping on orders over $55 and 30-day returns
• Weakness: 4 3/8 inch handle is too short for most two-handed backhands
• Weakness: Selkirk describes it as a power paddle, so touch shots take more practice
• Weakness: The black core version showed out of stock when checked

Key facts

• Price: $100.99
• Core: 13mm polymer honeycomb
• Weight: 7.7 to 8.1 oz
• Shape: Standard, 15.75 x 8 in
• Warranty: Limited lifetime, with registration

Where it ranks

Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 is No. 2 in our Best Pickleball Paddles verdict.