CRBN-3X Power Series vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
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 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 85.6), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
87 vs 85
Spin
Too close to call
95 vs 93
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Forgiveness
89 vs 82
Hand speed
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
110 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$170 at IQ 87.9 vs $175 at IQ 85.6
Overall pick: CRBN-3X Power Series · $170 · IQ 87.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power85
- 90Control88
- 93Spin95
- 89Forgiveness82
- 90Sweet spot84
- 88Stability83
- 74Maneuverability84
- 84Pop82
- 88Touch86
- 89Consistency88
- 74Swing weight68
- 88Twist weight82
- 55Launch angle57
- 84Plow through78
- 78Softness80
CRBN-3X Power Series vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-3X Power Series | Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $175 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 — better | 85.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 15 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 — better | 6.3 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.375 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges | Nomex and polypropylene hybrid 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.
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) verdict
The exposed Kevlar weave is the story: it grips the ball like a fresh grit face but, unlike sprayed textures, it is the material itself, so the spin number does not decay over a season.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 84 against 74 for CRBN-3X Power Series — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($175 vs $170) that it should not break the tie.
Maneuverability
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Forgiveness
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 7 points (89 vs 82).
Sweet spot
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
Swing weight
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 6 points (74 vs 68).
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 82, sweet spot 90 vs 84, twist weight 88 vs 82. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- 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 (87.1 vs 86.9 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.375 in on the Series Four (Project Roadrunner), 5.25 in on the CRBN-3X Power Series.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.3 vs 86.7 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.375 in on the Series Four (Project Roadrunner), 5.25 in on the CRBN-3X Power Series.
- Plow through
- Power
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.9 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5.375 in on the Series Four (Project Roadrunner), 5.25 in on the CRBN-3X Power Series.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want maneuverability (+10). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 15 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) review →CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN-3X Power Series if you want forgiveness (+7), sweet spot (+6), swing weight (+6). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-3X Power Series review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs CRBN-3X Power Series FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the CRBN-3X Power Series?
- CRBN-3X Power Series carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 110 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 Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) or the CRBN-3X Power Series?
- CRBN-3X Power Series scores 87 for power against 85 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN-3X Power Series at 90 versus 88. 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 93 for the Raw T700 carbon face on CRBN-3X Power Series. In practice a 2-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 82). 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?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with an Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face. CRBN-3X Power Series: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 5.375 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- 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. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 114) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the CRBN-3X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on maneuverability by 10 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $175 vs $170, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series One Project Black
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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 Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-3X Power Series and Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.