CRBN-2X Square vs Electrum Model E Max V3
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-2X Square takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
CRBN-2X Square edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (87.3 vs 84.7), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
82 vs 80
Spin
96 vs 86
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$200 at IQ 84.7 vs $229 at IQ 87.3
Overall pick: CRBN-2X Square · $229 · IQ 87.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 80Power82
- 89Control88
- 96Spin86
- 89Forgiveness86
- 92Sweet spot88
- 91Stability86
- 71Maneuverability72
- 74Pop74
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency88
- 76Swing weight78
- 94Twist weight84
- 55Launch angle50
- 78Plow through82
- 80Softness78
CRBN-2X Square vs Electrum Model E Max V3 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-2X Square | Electrum Model E Max V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $229 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.3 — better | 84.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.1 — better | 6.9 |
| Shape | widebody | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.75 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 4.75 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon peel-ply | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter |
CRBN-2X Square verdict
A spin specialist with unusually stable handling through fast exchanges at the kitchen. The square face produces the highest twist weight in our database.
Electrum Model E Max V3 verdict
The Max is the widest-body Electrum yet, and the numbers show it: sweet spot 88 and twist weight 84 are both top-quartile. It is a forgiving elongated paddle, which is not a common combination.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: CRBN-2X Square scores 96 against 86 for Electrum Model E Max V3 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, power, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Electrum Model E Max V3 is $29 cheaper at $200.
Spin
CRBN-2X Square leads by 10 points (96 vs 86).
Twist weight
CRBN-2X Square leads by 10 points (94 vs 84).
Stability
CRBN-2X Square leads by 5 points (91 vs 86).
Launch angle
CRBN-2X Square leads by 5 points (55 vs 50).
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-2X Square
CRBN-2X Square is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 94 vs 84, sweet spot 92 vs 88, stability 91 vs 86. Twist weight 7.1 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.4 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $29.
- Spin
- Forgiveness
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 83 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $29.
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN-2X Square
CRBN-2X Square is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 94 vs 84, softness 80 vs 78, forgiveness 89 vs 86. Its 16 mm Polypropylene core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-2X Square
Take CRBN-2X Square if you want spin (+10), twist weight (+10), stability (+5). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-2X Square review →Electrum Model E Max V3
Take Electrum Model E Max V3 if you want plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Electrum Model E Max V3 review →CRBN-2X Square vs Electrum Model E Max V3 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-2X Square or the Electrum Model E Max V3?
- CRBN-2X Square carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.3 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — CRBN-2X Square leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN-2X Square, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Electrum Model E Max V3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-2X Square or the Electrum Model E Max V3?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 scores 82 for power against 80 for CRBN-2X Square. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN-2X Square at 89 versus 88. 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-2X Square scores 96 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon peel-ply face, against 86 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Electrum Model E Max V3. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-2X Square, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 86). Its 7.1 twist weight against 6.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 costs $200, $29 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 Square: 16 mm Polypropylene core with a Raw T700 carbon peel-ply face. Electrum Model E Max V3: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Electrum Model E Max V3, at 5.5 in of handle against 4.75 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Electrum Model E Max V3 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN-2X Square is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Electrum Model E Max V3 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.3 oz, though swing weight differs (117 vs 118) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Electrum Model E Max V3 to the CRBN-2X Square?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN-2X Square leads on spin by 10 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $229 vs $200, 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.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- CRBN-2X Square vs Double Black Diamond Control
- CRBN-2X Square vs Infinity Ruby 16
- CRBN-2X Square vs TruFoam Genesis 2
- CRBN-2X Square vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Model E Max V3 vs Pursuit Pro EX 16
- Model E Max V3 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Model E Max V3 vs Mach 1 Forza 16
- Model E Max V3 vs Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-2X Square and Electrum Model E Max V3 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-2X Square and Electrum Model E Max V3. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.