CRBN 1X TruFoam Power vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN 1X TruFoam Power takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 84.6), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Control
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Forgiveness
88 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
115 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$200 at IQ 84.6 vs $230 at IQ 85.9
Overall pick: CRBN 1X TruFoam Power · $230 · IQ 85.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power88
- 84Control84
- 90Spin88
- 88Forgiveness84
- 90Sweet spot86
- 88Stability88
- 70Maneuverability76
- 88Pop84
- 78Touch80
- 86Consistency84
- 80Swing weight76
- 88Twist weight84
- 56Launch angle56
- 88Plow through88
- 74Softness70
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN 1X TruFoam Power | Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.9 — better | 84.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.2 — better | 6.9 |
| Shape | widebody | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | TruFoam single-piece core | Foam-injected thermoformed polymer |
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power verdict
CRBN put its foam core in the widebody 1X shape. Twist weight 88 and sweet spot 90 make it the most stable power paddle in the database on off-center contact.
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 verdict
Volair's second-gen Forza adds foam walls without adding swing weight past 115. Power 88 and stability 88 make it a genuine tournament option.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 scores 76 against 70 for CRBN 1X TruFoam Power — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 is $30 cheaper at $200.
Maneuverability
Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 6 points (76 vs 70).
Forgiveness
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
Sweet spot
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
Pop
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 84, sweet spot 90 vs 86, twist weight 88 vs 84. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.3 vs 83.3 on the weighted index). Take Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 and keep the $30.
- Forgiveness
- Spin
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 84.7 on the weighted index). Take Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 and keep the $30.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power is a narrow pick at this level — softness 74 vs 70, forgiveness 88 vs 84, twist weight 88 vs 84. Its 16 mm TruFoam single-piece core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
CRBN 1X TruFoam Power
Take CRBN 1X TruFoam Power if you want forgiveness (+4), sweet spot (+4), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN 1X TruFoam Power review →Volair Mach 2 Forza 16
Take Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 if you want maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 review →CRBN 1X TruFoam Power vs Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN 1X TruFoam Power or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 84.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for CRBN 1X TruFoam Power. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN 1X TruFoam Power or the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power scores 90 for power against 88 for Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. That comes from a 16 mm TruFoam single-piece core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power scores 90 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 88 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 84). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 costs $200, $30 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power: 16 mm TruFoam single-piece core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16: 16 mm Foam-injected thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Volair Mach 2 Forza 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN 1X TruFoam Power is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.3 oz, though swing weight differs (117 vs 115) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 to the CRBN 1X TruFoam Power?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 leads on maneuverability by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $230 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: CRBN 1X TruFoam Power and Volair Mach 2 Forza 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.