I got my hands on a Selkirk Omni, just days before launch, but I wanted to share with you whether I believe the Boomstick or Omni is better, the playability, how much each costs and which I would choose.
At least visually, the two paddles have a lot in common.
Since I’ve spent quite a bit of time playing with the Boomstick over the last year and recently got some court time with the new Omni, I wanted to see how similar they actually are once you get beyond the marketing and start hitting balls.
Both paddles sit firmly in the premium category. Both come from Selkirk. Both have some unique technology built into them. But after spending time with them in doubles, singles, drilling sessions, and probably more serves than my shoulder appreciated, I came away with some pretty clear opinions.
I’ll cover first impressions, playability differences, cost considerations, and ultimately which paddle I would choose.
First Impressions
The first thing that jumped out at me was how similar these paddles feel when you first pick them up.
The overall shape, construction, and premium look are very much in the same family. If someone walked past your court and glanced at them from a distance, they would probably assume they’re variations of the same paddle.
The Omni comes in three colors, and I received the blue version. In person, it looks fantastic. The finish feels premium, the graphics are clean, and it definitely has that flagship-paddle appearance.
One thing I found interesting is Selkirk’s MOI tuning system. Unlike the Boomstick, the Omni allows you to remove the tuning mechanism if you want to experiment with the paddle’s setup.
Will most players actually make adjustments? Probably not.
But I still appreciate having the option, especially for gear junkies who enjoy tinkering with weight and balance.
That said, the Boomstick still wins the overall unboxing experience for me.
Everything from the packaging to the paddle cover feels incredibly polished. Opening the Boomstick honestly feels more like unboxing a premium electronic device than a pickleball paddle.
Selkirk clearly put a lot of thought into the presentation.
If I had to rank first impressions:
- Selkirk Boomstick
- Selkirk Omni
The gap isn’t huge, but the Boomstick still feels like Selkirk’s most premium overall package.
Playability Comparisons
Of course, nobody buys a paddle because the box looked nice.
What really matters is how it performs when you’re hitting drops, resets, drives, speedups, and serves.
This is where things start getting interesting.
Spin
Spin is one area where both paddles perform extremely well.
The Boomstick has already built a reputation as one of the better spin paddles available, and my experience supports that reputation.
Whether I was hitting topspin drives, slicing returns, or trying to make my serves do something unfair, the Boomstick consistently generated excellent movement on the ball.
The Omni was surprisingly close.
Selkirk’s updated grit feels fantastic. The paddle grabs the ball well and produces plenty of spin across all types of shots.
There were several serves where I immediately noticed opponents reacting to the extra movement after the bounce.
Do I still think paddles like the RPM Friction Pro V2 or Honolulu J2CR Crystal Blue have a slight edge in pure spin potential?
Yes.
But among Selkirk paddles, the Omni absolutely belongs near the top of the conversation.
For spin, I’d rank them:
- Selkirk Boomstick
- Selkirk Omni
Again, we’re splitting hairs here.
Both paddles generate more than enough spin for competitive play.
Control
The biggest surprise for me was just how much control both paddles offer.
When I first reviewed the Boomstick, I expected a pure power paddle. Instead, I found a paddle that delivered plenty of power while remaining surprisingly stable and predictable.
The Omni takes that control-focused feeling even further.
Compared to the Boomstick, the Omni feels softer, more muted, and noticeably more forgiving. There’s still a slightly hollow sensation at contact, but it’s less pronounced than the Boomstick.
Where I noticed the biggest difference was in the soft game.
Drops felt incredibly easy to place. Resets came off the paddle face consistently. I found myself needing fewer adjustments and simply trusting the paddle to do what I wanted.
Time after time, my drops landed comfortably in the kitchen and forced opponents to hit up on the next ball.
The Boomstick is still a very good control paddle, but it has a bit more pop and liveliness. That extra power can occasionally make touch shots slightly less forgiving.
For control, I’d rank them:
- Selkirk Omni
- Selkirk Boomstick
The difference isn’t massive, but players who prioritize consistency, resets, and placement will probably appreciate the Omni’s softer feel.
Power
Power is where the biggest separation appears.
The Boomstick remains one of the most fun power paddles I’ve used.
Everything feels explosive.
Serves jump off the face. Drives penetrate through opponents. Speedups come out with authority.
What I like most is that the power feels usable rather than chaotic. I never felt like the paddle was launching balls unpredictably. Instead, it simply provides an extra gear when you want to attack.
The Omni takes a different approach.
Compared to the Boomstick, it feels softer and more controlled. There’s still enough power available to finish points, but it doesn’t constantly encourage you to swing harder.
For many players, that’s actually a positive.
The Omni feels more balanced and easier to manage during long rallies, while the Boomstick feels more dangerous when you’re looking to put pressure on opponents.
For power:
- Selkirk Boomstick
- Selkirk Omni
If your game revolves around aggressive drives, attacking third shots, and putting opponents on their heels, the Boomstick gets the edge.
Cost Considerations
Let’s be honest.
Neither of these paddles is inexpensive.
The Boomstick currently sits at $333, and it has a nice 1776 design to celebrate the US’s 250 year anniversary. Using the best Selkirk discount code I have INF-PBALLER will get you approximately $40 in Selkirk Bonus Bucks back on the purchase.
As always, the code helps support my site, but absolutely no pressure to use it.
The Omni comes in around $300. Using INF-PBALLER will get you approximately $30 in Selkirk Bonus Bucks.
When comparing value, I think it’s also worth mentioning Selkirk’s warranty and customer support.
Over the years, I’ve heard plenty of positive experiences from players who needed help with warranty claims, and that’s something that adds real value when you’re spending this much on a paddle.
Once you factor in the Bonus Bucks program, the pricing gap between the two paddles isn’t huge.
The real decision comes down to performance and which style fits your game better.
Summing It All Up
After spending time with both paddles, I think the decision is actually pretty straightforward.
Choose the Selkirk Boomstick if you want the most power, the most offensive pressure, and arguably the best combination of spin and explosiveness that Selkirk currently offers. It’s the paddle that makes me want to attack more often.
Choose the Selkirk Omni if you value control, consistency, and all-court versatility. It feels softer, more forgiving, and easier to manage throughout an entire match. That said, these are not cheap paddles.
If I had to rank them today, my personal order would be:
- Selkirk Omni
- Selkirk Boomstick
And honestly, that surprised me.
The Boomstick remains one of the most enjoyable power paddles I’ve played with. But the Omni’s combination of control, forgiveness, spin, and overall versatility makes it a paddle I could see a much wider range of players enjoying.
The Boomstick may still have the higher ceiling for aggressive players.
But if I could only pick one for doubles tomorrow, I’d probably reach for the Omni.
That’s about as strong of an endorsement as I can give it.
