CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
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
- 87Power92
- 90Control86
- 93Spin94
- 89Forgiveness84
- 90Sweet spot86
- 88Stability88
- 74Maneuverability72
- 84Pop88
- 88Touch82
- 89Consistency86
- 74Swing weight80
- 88Twist weight86
- 55Launch angle60
- 84Plow through88
- 78Softness74
Specs
| $170 | Price | $250 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 114 | Swing weight | 117 |
| 6.6 | Twist weight | 6.5 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Raw T700 carbon | Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| 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.
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 verdict
The James Ignatowich signature build is an unapologetic attack paddle: 16.5 in of reach, a grippy CarbonBite face and a tri-density core that launches drives without giving up the sweet spot the first V2 lacked.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is touch: CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series scores 88 against 82 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, maneuverability, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series is $80 cheaper at $170.
Touch
CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Swing weight
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
Power
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 5 points (92 vs 87).
Forgiveness
CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 5 points (89 vs 84).
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series if you want touch (+6), forgiveness (+5), control (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want swing weight (+6), power (+5), launch angle (+5). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 review →CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — touch — CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. 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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 measures 92 on power against 87 for CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density core with EVA foam ring core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series at 90 versus 86. 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 for spin off its CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face, against 93 for the Raw T700 carbon face on CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.5. 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, $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 CRBN-3X Power Series: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core with a Raw T700 carbon face. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, 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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 to the CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series leads on touch by 6 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $170 vs $250, 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.
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- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X
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Read the full reviews: CRBN CRBN-3X Power Series and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.