CRBN-3X Power Series vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
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 value on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, which costs $275.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 87
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Hand speed
Too close to call
114 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$170 at IQ 87.9 vs $275 at IQ 86.8
Overall pick: CRBN-3X Power Series · $170 · IQ 87.9
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
CRBN-3X Power Series 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-3X Power Series | Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $275 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 — better | 86.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 6.8 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges | SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam |
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 score within a few points of each other on every Paddle DNA trait. The decision comes down to handle length (5.25 in vs 5.5 in), core (16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges vs 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam), price ($170 vs $275).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (89 vs 87.6 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $105.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.9 vs 85.2 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $105.
- Spin
- Forgiveness
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 85.9 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $105.
- Spin
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 82.7 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $105.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN-3X Power Series if you prefer a 5.25 in handle and a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core — it gives up nothing measurable to Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
Read the CRBN-3X Power Series review →Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you prefer a 5.5 in handle and a 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core — it gives up nothing measurable to CRBN-3X Power Series.
Read the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 review →CRBN-3X Power Series vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- 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-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-3X Power Series or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 scores 88 for power against 87 for 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-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-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?
- CRBN-3X Power Series, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 86). Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.8 vs 6.6), but CRBN-3X Power Series makes it back on sweet spot (90) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- 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-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-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 less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8 oz, though swing weight differs (114 vs 116) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 to the CRBN-3X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. The two score 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.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs 2X Power Series
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Perseus CFS 16
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Double Black Diamond Control
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Luxx Control Air
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Pro Power Elongated
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Tenon
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
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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- 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.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-3X Power Series and Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: 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.