CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series vs Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power90
- 80Control76
- 92Spin82
- 73Forgiveness74
- 74Sweet spot76
- 79Stability78
- 69Maneuverability82
- 89Pop90
- 76Touch70
- 80Consistency76
- 84Swing weight70
- 72Twist weight72
- 59Launch angle60
- 91Plow through80
- 64Softness54
CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series vs Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series | Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $199 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.9 — better | 78.1 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.5 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 124 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6.3 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.375 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Power polymer | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb |
CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series verdict
CRBN's spin formula bolted to a thin, hot core. Serves and drives leave the face quickly, and the paddle asks a lot of your reset technique in return.
Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 verdict
Holbrook's power build is a conventional 14 mm thermoformed hybrid with the pop numbers to match. You are paying partly for the cosmetics, but the construction is honest.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series scores 84 against 70 for Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, forgiveness, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $199) that it should not break the tie.
Swing weight
CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
Maneuverability
Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 leads by 13 points (82 vs 69).
Plow through
CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series leads by 11 points (91 vs 80).
Spin
CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (75.2 vs 75.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Power Pro X 14, elongated on the CRBN-1X Power Series.
- Consistency
- Control
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (78.9 vs 80 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the Power Pro X 14, elongated on the CRBN-1X Power Series.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series
CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series is a narrow pick at this level — spin 92 vs 82, plow through 91 vs 80, touch 76 vs 70. Swing weight 124 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series
CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series is the clearer pick at this level — softness 64 vs 54. Its 14 mm Power polymer core at 8.5 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14
Take Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 if you want maneuverability (+13). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 review →CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series
Take CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series if you want swing weight (+14), plow through (+11), spin (+10). Its swing weight of 124 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series review →Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 vs CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series FAQ
- Which is better, the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 or the CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series?
- CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (79.9 vs 78.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 124 for CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 or the CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 measures 90 on power against 90 for CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series. That comes from a 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series at 80 versus 76. Its 14 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series scores 92 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 82 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14, with 6.3 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 carries the higher forgiveness score (74) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $1 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14: 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber face. CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series: 14 mm Power polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.375 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 74 and sweet spot 76 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 at 8 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 124) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 to the CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series leads on swing weight by 14 points; everything else is within 13 points. At $200 vs $199, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs Hyperion CFS 16
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs Pro XS 16
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- Power Pro X 14 vs Warrior Edge 14
- Power Pro X 14 vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Power Pro X 14 vs Perseus Pro V 14
- Power Pro X 14 vs Bantam TKO-C 14
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series and Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.