CRBN CRBN-1X vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
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
- 89Power92
- 89Control86
- 94Spin94
- 86Forgiveness84
- 88Sweet spot86
- 89Stability88
- 71Maneuverability72
- 83Pop88
- 87Touch82
- 89Consistency86
- 79Swing weight80
- 88Twist weight86
- 57Launch angle60
- 88Plow through88
- 78Softness74
Specs
| $220 | Price | $250 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.3 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 119 | Swing weight | 117 |
| 6.6 | Twist weight | 6.5 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Raw Toray T700 carbon | Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
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.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is pop: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 88 against 83 for CRBN CRBN-1X — a 5-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN CRBN-1X is $30 cheaper at $220.
Pop
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 5 points (88 vs 83).
Touch
CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 5 points (87 vs 82).
Softness
CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 4 points (78 vs 74).
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN-1X
Take CRBN 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 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 CRBN-1X vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-1X or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- CRBN 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 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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 measures 92 on power against 89 for CRBN CRBN-1X. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density 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 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?
- CRBN CRBN-1X scores 94 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 94 for the CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face on RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN CRBN-1X, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.5. 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?
- CRBN CRBN-1X costs $220, $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 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 core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- CRBN CRBN-1X, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 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. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 8 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 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 $250, 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.
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- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Pegasus Gen 3
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: CRBN 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.