CRBN 2X Power Series vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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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 measured 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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, 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 — 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 measures 92 on 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?
- CRBN 2X Power Series, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- 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. 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 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.
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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- 2X Power Series vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- 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
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
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.