CRBN 2X Power Series vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 84), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Spin
Too close to call
94 vs 93
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Forgiveness
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
84 vs 78
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$220 at IQ 84 vs $249.99 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 · $249.99 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power92
- 84Control86
- 93Spin94
- 78Forgiveness84
- 80Sweet spot86
- 87Stability88
- 70Maneuverability72
- 88Pop88
- 80Touch82
- 82Consistency86
- 78Swing weight80
- 88Twist weight86
- 58Launch angle60
- 90Plow through88
- 62Softness74
CRBN 2X Power Series 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 2X Power Series | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 — better | $249.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84 | 86.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.7 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon fiber | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring |
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.
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 softness: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 74 against 62 for CRBN 2X Power Series — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN 2X Power Series is $29.99000000000001 cheaper at $220.
Softness
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 12 points (74 vs 62).
Forgiveness
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Sweet spot
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Consistency
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 4 points (86 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
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 78, sweet spot 86 vs 80, consistency 86 vs 82. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 78, control 86 vs 84, maneuverability 72 vs 70. At 117 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.7 vs 86.8 on the weighted index). Take CRBN 2X Power Series and keep the $29.99000000000001.
- Power
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 74 vs 62, forgiveness 84 vs 78. Its 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN 2X Power Series
Take CRBN 2X Power Series if you prefer a hybrid face and a 5.25 in handle and a 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges core — it gives up nothing measurable to RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2.
Read the CRBN 2X Power Series review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want softness (+12), forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+6). 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 2X Power Series vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN 2X Power Series or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 84), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for CRBN 2X Power Series. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN 2X Power Series or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 92 for power against 90 for CRBN 2X Power Series. 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 86 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 for spin off its CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 78). CRBN 2X Power Series actually carries the higher twist weight (6.9 vs 6.5), but RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 makes it back on sweet spot (86) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN 2X Power Series 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 2X Power Series: 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, 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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN 2X Power Series 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 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN 2X Power Series to the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads on softness by 12 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $220 vs $249.99, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
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- 11SIX24 Ultré Power 2 vs RPM Friction Pro Elongated V2
- 2X Power Series vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- 2X Power Series vs Perseus Pro V 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- 2X Power Series vs 1X TruFoam Power
- 2X Power Series vs Ultré Power 2
- 2X Power Series vs CRBN-1X
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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 1X TruFoam Power
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Agassi Pro 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN 2X Power Series and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN 2X Power Series 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.