CRBN-2X Square vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
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.
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Quick answer
CRBN-2X Square wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and value on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, which costs $275.
Power
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
88 vs 80
Spin
96 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 89
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Hand speed
Too close to call
116 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$229 at IQ 87.3 vs $275 at IQ 86.8
Overall pick: CRBN-2X Square · $229 · IQ 87.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 80Power88
- 89Control89
- 96Spin90
- 89Forgiveness86
- 92Sweet spot88
- 91Stability90
- 71Maneuverability72
- 74Pop83
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency88
- 76Swing weight76
- 94Twist weight86
- 55Launch angle55
- 78Plow through86
- 80Softness80
CRBN-2X Square vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-2X Square | Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $229 — better | $275 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.3 — better | 86.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.1 — better | 6.8 |
| Shape | widebody | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.75 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 4.75 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon peel-ply | Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture |
| Core material | Polypropylene | SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam |
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.
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 verdict
Gearbox's rib-suspended SSTCore feels unlike any honeycomb paddle: firmer through contact, quieter on resets, and unusually consistent shot to shot. You pay $275 for that engineering.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 scores 83 against 74 for CRBN-2X Square — a 9-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, stability, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN-2X Square is $46 cheaper at $229.
Pop
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 9 points (83 vs 74).
Power
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Twist weight
CRBN-2X Square leads by 8 points (94 vs 86).
Plow through
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
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 86, sweet spot 92 vs 88, forgiveness 89 vs 86. Twist weight 7.1 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.4 vs 85.2 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-2X Square and keep the $46.
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 85.9 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-2X Square and keep the $46.
- Power
- Plow through
- Maneuverability
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 86, forgiveness 89 vs 86. Its 16 mm Polypropylene core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-2X Square
Take CRBN-2X Square if you want twist weight (+8), spin (+6), sweet spot (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-2X Square review →Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you want pop (+9), power (+8), plow through (+8). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 review →CRBN-2X Square vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-2X Square or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- CRBN-2X Square carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.3 vs 86.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 9 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, at 116 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for CRBN-2X Square. 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 Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 scores 88 for power against 80 for CRBN-2X Square. That comes from a 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 89 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- CRBN-2X Square scores 96 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon peel-ply face, against 90 for the Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face on Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. In practice a 6-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 6.8 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN-2X Square costs $229, $46 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. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16: 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core with a Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, 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 Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 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. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 to the CRBN-2X Square?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads on pop by 9 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $229 vs $275, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-2X Square and Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-2X Square and Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.