CRBN-3X Power Series vs Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-3X Power Series takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN-3X Power Series wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control, forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated, which costs $250.
Power
93 vs 87
Spin
93 vs 86
Control
90 vs 83
Forgiveness
89 vs 78
Hand speed
114 vs 123 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$170 at IQ 87.9 vs $250 at IQ 83.4
Overall pick: CRBN-3X Power Series · $170 · IQ 87.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power93
- 90Control83
- 93Spin86
- 89Forgiveness78
- 90Sweet spot80
- 88Stability87
- 74Maneuverability70
- 84Pop89
- 88Touch80
- 89Consistency84
- 74Swing weight82
- 88Twist weight84
- 55Launch angle60
- 84Plow through91
- 78Softness68
CRBN-3X Power Series vs Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-3X Power Series | Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 — better | 83.4 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 123 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 — better | 6.3 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.6 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.3 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges | Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) |
CRBN-3X Power Series verdict
The 3X keeps the 1X length but widens the face to 7.5 in and shortens the handle to 5.25 in, which buys a noticeably larger sweet spot at the cost of two-handed backhand room.
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated verdict
Gearbox's solid-span construction with a genuine power tune. It feels unlike any honeycomb paddle — firmer, more direct — and rewards players who already hit clean.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is forgiveness: CRBN-3X Power Series scores 89 against 78 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated — an 11-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN-3X Power Series is $80 cheaper at $170.
Forgiveness
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 11 points (89 vs 78).
Sweet spot
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 10 points (90 vs 80).
Softness
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 10 points (78 vs 68).
Touch
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
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-3X Power Series
CRBN-3X Power Series is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 89 vs 78, sweet spot 90 vs 80, consistency 89 vs 84. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
CRBN-3X Power Series
CRBN-3X Power Series is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 89 vs 78, control 90 vs 83, spin 93 vs 86. At 114 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 84.9 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $80.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN-3X Power Series
CRBN-3X Power Series is the clearer pick at this level — softness 78 vs 68, forgiveness 89 vs 78, twist weight 88 vs 84. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN-3X Power Series if you want forgiveness (+11), sweet spot (+10), softness (+10). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-3X Power Series review →Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Take Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated if you want swing weight (+8), plow through (+7), power (+6). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated review →CRBN-3X Power Series vs Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated?
- CRBN-3X Power Series carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 83.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 11 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN-3X Power Series, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated scores 93 for power against 87 for CRBN-3X Power Series. That comes from a 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core swinging at 123 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN-3X Power Series at 90 versus 83. 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-3X Power Series scores 93 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 86 for the Textured carbon face on Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-3X Power Series, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 78). Its 6.6 twist weight against 6.3 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN-3X Power Series costs $170, $80 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-3X Power Series: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated: 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated, 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 Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN-3X Power Series is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN-3X Power Series at 8 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated to the CRBN-3X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN-3X Power Series leads on forgiveness by 11 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $170 vs $250, 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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- GX2 Power Elongated vs GX2 Integra XL
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Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-3X Power Series and Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-3X Power Series and Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.