CRBN-3X Power Series vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 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 Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16, which costs $220.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 87
Spin
Too close to call
94 vs 93
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Forgiveness
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Hand speed
Too close to call
114 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$170 at IQ 87.9 vs $220 at IQ 88.2
Overall pick: CRBN-3X Power Series · $170 · IQ 87.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power88
- 90Control89
- 93Spin94
- 89Forgiveness90
- 90Sweet spot91
- 88Stability90
- 74Maneuverability70
- 84Pop84
- 88Touch86
- 89Consistency89
- 74Swing weight76
- 88Twist weight90
- 55Launch angle54
- 84Plow through86
- 78Softness78
CRBN-3X Power Series vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 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 | Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $220 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 | 88.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.7 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Aramid fiber |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges | Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls |
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.
Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 verdict
The edgeless Ruby. Removing the edge guard adds face area and twist weight (7.0) to a paddle that already had one of the most durable spin surfaces in the sport.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: CRBN-3X Power Series scores 74 against 70 for Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, touch, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN-3X Power Series is $50 cheaper at $170.
Maneuverability
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 4 points (74 vs 70).
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 90 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $50.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.9 vs 86.2 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $50.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 86.5 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $50.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $50.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN-3X Power Series if you want maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-3X Power Series review →Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16
Take Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 if you prefer a hybrid face and a 5.5 in handle and a 16 mm Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls core — it gives up nothing measurable to CRBN-3X Power Series.
Read the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 review →CRBN-3X Power Series vs Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.2 vs 87.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN-3X Power Series, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Six Zero Infinity Ruby 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 Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 scores 88 for power against 87 for CRBN-3X Power Series. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls 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?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 scores 94 for spin off its Aramid fiber face, against 93 for the Raw T700 carbon face on 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?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 89). Its 7 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, $50 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. Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16: 16 mm Thermoformed honeycomb polymer with foam edgewalls core with an Aramid fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 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 Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 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?
- CRBN-3X Power Series at 8 oz against 8.2 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 CRBN-3X Power Series to the Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN-3X Power Series leads on maneuverability by 4 points; everything else is within 2 points. At $170 vs $220, 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
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Ruby
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs J2CR
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Coral Pro
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs CRBN-1X
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Infinity Ruby 16 vs Coral Pro
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 Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-3X Power Series and Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.