CRBN-3X Power Series vs Honolulu J2CR
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Honolulu J2CR takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Honolulu J2CR edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (88.7 vs 87.9), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
92 vs 87
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 93
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Forgiveness
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Hand speed
Too close to call
112 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$170 at IQ 87.9 vs $230 at IQ 88.7
Overall pick: Honolulu J2CR · $230 · IQ 88.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power92
- 90Control89
- 93Spin93
- 89Forgiveness90
- 90Sweet spot90
- 88Stability89
- 74Maneuverability78
- 84Pop87
- 88Touch86
- 89Consistency89
- 74Swing weight74
- 88Twist weight88
- 55Launch angle56
- 84Plow through86
- 78Softness82
CRBN-3X Power Series vs Honolulu J2CR specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-3X Power Series | Honolulu J2CR |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $230 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 | 88.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 112 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 6.8 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Blue Grit textured carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges | Full foam core |
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.
Honolulu J2CR verdict
The foam paddle with no obvious hole. Elite power and forgiveness in a hybrid shape that still moves at the kitchen, on a Blue Grit face that holds its spin numbers far longer than most textured surfaces.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is power: Honolulu J2CR scores 92 against 87 for CRBN-3X Power Series — a 5-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, touch, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN-3X Power Series is $60 cheaper at $170.
Power
Honolulu J2CR leads by 5 points (92 vs 87).
Maneuverability
Honolulu J2CR leads by 4 points (78 vs 74).
Softness
Honolulu J2CR leads by 4 points (82 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (89 vs 89.3 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $60.
- Forgiveness
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.9 vs 87.9 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $60.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 88.1 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $60.
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Honolulu J2CR
Honolulu J2CR is a narrow pick at this level — softness 82 vs 78, forgiveness 90 vs 89. Its 16 mm Full foam core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN-3X Power Series if you prefer an elongated face and a 5.25 in handle and a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core — it gives up nothing measurable to Honolulu J2CR.
Read the CRBN-3X Power Series review →Honolulu J2CR
Take Honolulu J2CR if you want power (+5), maneuverability (+4), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Honolulu J2CR review →CRBN-3X Power Series vs Honolulu J2CR FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Honolulu J2CR?
- Honolulu J2CR carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.7 vs 87.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Honolulu J2CR leads by 5 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Honolulu J2CR, at 112 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for CRBN-3X Power Series. 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 Honolulu J2CR?
- Honolulu J2CR scores 92 for power against 87 for CRBN-3X Power Series. That comes from a 16 mm Full foam core swinging at 112 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 93 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Honolulu J2CR, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 89). Its 6.8 twist weight against 6.6 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, $60 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. Honolulu J2CR: 16 mm Full foam core with a Blue Grit textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Honolulu J2CR, 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 Honolulu J2CR avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Honolulu J2CR is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN-3X Power Series 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 112) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN-3X Power Series to the Honolulu J2CR?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Honolulu J2CR leads on power by 5 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $170 vs $230, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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