CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3, which costs $280.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
87 vs 86
Forgiveness
88 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
115 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$270 at IQ 86.9 vs $280 at IQ 85.9
Overall pick: CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid · $270 · IQ 86.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power90
- 86Control87
- 90Spin93
- 88Forgiveness84
- 90Sweet spot86
- 90Stability87
- 74Maneuverability70
- 86Pop81
- 82Touch86
- 86Consistency88
- 76Swing weight83
- 88Twist weight82
- 56Launch angle57
- 88Plow through88
- 70Softness88
CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid | CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $270 — better | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.9 — better | 85.9 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 115 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Full TruFoam injected core | TruFoam full-foam core |
CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid verdict
The widest sweet-spot score in the TruFoam line. Twist weight 88 with sweet spot 90 means off-center contact barely changes the ball, which is why foam paddles keep winning tournaments.
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 verdict
The hybrid sits between the other two Genesis shapes on every scored axis. If you cannot decide between reach and forgiveness, this is the shape that refuses to make you choose.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 scores 88 against 70 for CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid — an 18-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, stability, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($270 vs $280) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 18 points (88 vs 70).
Swing weight
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 7 points (83 vs 76).
Twist weight
CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Pop
CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 5 points (86 vs 81).
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-5 TruFoam Hybrid
CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 84, sweet spot 90 vs 86, twist weight 88 vs 82. Twist weight 7 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 (84.9 vs 85 on the weighted index). Neither has an advantage here — buy on availability, colourway or whichever grip feels better in hand.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 86.8 on the weighted index). Neither has an advantage here — buy on availability, colourway or whichever grip feels better in hand.
- Touch
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 88 vs 70. Its 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
Take CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid if you want twist weight (+6), pop (+5), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid review →CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3
Take CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 if you want softness (+18), swing weight (+7), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 review →CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid or the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3?
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.9 vs 85.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid or the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 at 87 versus 86. Its 14 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 TruFoam Genesis 3 scores 93 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 90 for the Raw T700 carbon face on CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 84). Its 7 twist weight against 6.5 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 $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid: 14 mm Full TruFoam injected core with a Raw T700 carbon face. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3: 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 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 8.3 oz, though swing weight differs (115 vs 116) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 to the CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads on softness by 18 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $270 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a spin vs pop decision
Browse every head-to-head that splits on the same trade-off:
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Mod TA-15 3S 16
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Coral Pro
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs TruFoam Genesis 2
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs TruFoam Genesis X
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Coral Pro
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs TruFoam Genesis X
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Agassi Pro 16
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs 1X TruFoam Power
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Labs 008 Project 16
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Agassi Pro 16
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs TruFoam Genesis X
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Nova R1
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs CRBN-1X
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-5 TruFoam Hybrid and CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid and CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.