CRBN CRBN-1X vs CRBN 2X Power Series
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. CRBN CRBN-1X 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
- 89Power90
- 89Control84
- 94Spin93
- 86Forgiveness78
- 88Sweet spot80
- 89Stability87
- 71Maneuverability70
- 83Pop88
- 87Touch80
- 89Consistency82
- 79Swing weight78
- 88Twist weight88
- 57Launch angle58
- 88Plow through90
- 78Softness62
CRBN CRBN-1X vs CRBN 2X Power Series specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN CRBN-1X | CRBN 2X Power Series |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 | $220 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.5 — better | 84 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 119 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 6.9 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.7 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Raw T700 carbon fiber |
| Core material | Foam-injected edge-wall polymer | Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges |
CRBN CRBN-1X verdict
The spin-first elongated build for players who care about how a paddle is made. Foam-injected edge walls widen the sweet spot on a shape that usually punishes off-center contact.
CRBN 2X Power Series verdict
CRBN's hybrid power build. The foam-filled perimeter pushes twist weight near the top of the field, so you get put-away power without the face twisting on off-center drives.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: CRBN CRBN-1X scores 78 against 62 for CRBN 2X Power Series — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, plow through, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($220 vs $220) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 16 points (78 vs 62).
Forgiveness
CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Sweet spot
CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Touch
CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 7 points (87 vs 80).
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 CRBN-1X
CRBN CRBN-1X is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 78, sweet spot 88 vs 80, consistency 89 vs 82. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
CRBN CRBN-1X
CRBN CRBN-1X is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 78, touch 87 vs 80, control 89 vs 84. At 119 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.3 vs 85.7 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the CRBN-1X, hybrid on the 2X Power Series.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN CRBN-1X
CRBN CRBN-1X is the clearer pick at this level — softness 78 vs 62, forgiveness 86 vs 78. Its 16 mm Foam-injected edge-wall polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN-1X
Take CRBN CRBN-1X if you want softness (+16), forgiveness (+8), sweet spot (+8). Its swing weight of 119 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN CRBN-1X review →CRBN 2X Power Series
Take CRBN 2X Power Series if you want pop (+5). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN 2X Power Series review →CRBN CRBN-1X vs CRBN 2X Power Series FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-1X or the CRBN 2X Power Series?
- CRBN CRBN-1X carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.5 vs 84), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN 2X Power Series, at 118 kg·cm² swing weight against 119 for CRBN CRBN-1X. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN CRBN-1X or the CRBN 2X Power Series?
- CRBN 2X Power Series measures 90 on power against 89 for CRBN CRBN-1X. That comes from a 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN CRBN-1X at 89 versus 84. Its 16 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 scores 94 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 93 for the Raw T700 carbon fiber face on CRBN 2X Power Series. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN 2X Power Series, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and CRBN CRBN-1X carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN CRBN-1X: 16 mm Foam-injected edge-wall polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. CRBN 2X Power Series: 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- CRBN CRBN-1X, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which CRBN CRBN-1X avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN CRBN-1X is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN 2X Power Series rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN CRBN-1X at 8.3 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (119 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN 2X Power Series to the CRBN CRBN-1X?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN CRBN-1X leads on softness by 16 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $220 vs $220, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a touch vs pop decision
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