CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series 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
- 87Power88
- 90Control89
- 93Spin90
- 89Forgiveness86
- 90Sweet spot88
- 88Stability90
- 74Maneuverability72
- 84Pop83
- 88Touch86
- 89Consistency88
- 74Swing weight76
- 88Twist weight86
- 55Launch angle55
- 84Plow through86
- 78Softness80
Specs
| $170 | Price | $275 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 114 | Swing weight | 116 |
| 6.6 | Twist weight | 6.8 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Raw T700 carbon | Surface | Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture |
| 5.25 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
CRBN 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 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
These two measure within a few points of each other on every Paddle DNA trait. The decision comes down to shape (elongated vs elongated), handle length (5.25 in vs 5.5 in) and price ($170 vs $275).
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.25 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
Read the CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series review →Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series.
Read the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 review →CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 86.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On individual traits they are close to identical.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 measures 88 on power against 87 for CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series. 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?
- CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series at 90 versus 89. 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 CRBN-3X Power Series scores 93 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 90 for the Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face on Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series carries the higher forgiveness score (89) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series costs $170, $105 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 CRBN-3X Power Series: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core with a Raw T700 carbon 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 5.25 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 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 Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series at 8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 to the CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. The two measure within a few points on every trait, so this would be a lateral move. At $170 vs $275, 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.
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Coral Pro
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Infinity Ruby 16
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs J2CR
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs CRBN-1X
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs CRBN-1X
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Infinity Ruby 16
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Nova R1
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series and Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.