CRBN-1X vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-1X takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN-1X wins this matchup for most players: it takes value on Paddle DNA against the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, which costs $249.99.
Power
Too close to call
92 vs 89
Spin
Too close to call
94 vs 94
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 119 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$220 at IQ 87.5 vs $249.99 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: CRBN-1X · $220 · IQ 87.5
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 89Power92
- 89Control86
- 94Spin94
- 86Forgiveness84
- 88Sweet spot86
- 89Stability88
- 71Maneuverability72
- 83Pop88
- 87Touch82
- 89Consistency86
- 79Swing weight80
- 88Twist weight86
- 57Launch angle60
- 88Plow through88
- 78Softness74
CRBN-1X vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-1X | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 — better | $249.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.5 — better | 86.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 119 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| Core material | Foam-injected edge-wall polymer | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring |
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.
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 verdict
The James Ignatowich signature build is an unapologetic attack paddle: 16.5 in of reach, a grippy CarbonBite face and a tri-density core that launches drives without giving up the sweet spot the first V2 lacked.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 88 against 83 for CRBN-1X — a 5-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN-1X is $29.99000000000001 cheaper at $220.
Pop
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 5 points (88 vs 83).
Touch
CRBN-1X leads by 5 points (87 vs 82).
Softness
CRBN-1X leads by 4 points (78 vs 74).
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
CRBN-1X is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 84, sweet spot 88 vs 86, consistency 89 vs 86. 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.1 vs 85 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-1X and keep the $29.99000000000001.
- Touch
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.3 vs 86.8 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-1X and keep the $29.99000000000001.
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN-1X
CRBN-1X is a narrow pick at this level — softness 78 vs 74, forgiveness 86 vs 84, twist weight 88 vs 86. Its 16 mm Foam-injected edge-wall polymer 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
Take CRBN-1X if you want touch (+5), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 119 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-1X review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want pop (+5). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 review →CRBN-1X vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-1X or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- CRBN-1X carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.5 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 5 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 119 for CRBN-1X. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-1X or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 92 for power against 89 for CRBN-1X. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN-1X at 89 versus 86. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 94 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-1X, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 84). Its 6.6 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN-1X costs $220, $29.99000000000001 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: 16 mm Foam-injected edge-wall polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN-1X is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 119) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 to the CRBN-1X?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads on pop by 5 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $220 vs $249.99, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: CRBN-1X and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.