CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. CRBN 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 →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power93
- 86Control83
- 90Spin86
- 88Forgiveness78
- 90Sweet spot80
- 90Stability87
- 74Maneuverability70
- 86Pop89
- 82Touch80
- 86Consistency84
- 76Swing weight82
- 88Twist weight84
- 56Launch angle60
- 88Plow through91
- 70Softness68
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid | Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $270 | $250 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.9 — better | 83.4 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 115 | 123 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.3 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.6 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.3 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Full TruFoam injected core | Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) |
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid verdict
The widest sweet spot we have measured 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.
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated verdict
Gearbox's solid-span construction with a genuine power tune. It feels unlike any honeycomb paddle — firmer, more direct — and rewards players who already hit clean.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is forgiveness: CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid scores 88 against 78 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated is $20 cheaper at $250.
Forgiveness
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 10 points (88 vs 78).
Sweet spot
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 10 points (90 vs 80).
Swing weight
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
Spin
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
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 CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 78, sweet spot 90 vs 80, twist weight 88 vs 84. 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
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 78, spin 90 vs 86, maneuverability 74 vs 70. At 115 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 84.9 on the weighted index). Take Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated and keep the $20.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 78, softness 70 vs 68, twist weight 88 vs 84. Its 14 mm Full TruFoam injected core core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
Take CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid if you want forgiveness (+10), sweet spot (+10), spin (+4). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid review →Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Take Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated if you want swing weight (+6), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated review →CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid or the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.9 vs 83.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid or the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated measures 93 on power against 90 for CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid. That comes from a 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core swinging at 123 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid at 86 versus 83. 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 CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid scores 90 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 86 for the Textured carbon face on Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, with 7 twist weight against 6.3. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated costs $250, $20 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-5 TruFoam Hybrid: 14 mm Full TruFoam injected core core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated: 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN 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. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid at 8.3 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated to the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid leads on forgiveness by 10 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $270 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.
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Ultré Power 2
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs J2CR
- GX2 Power Elongated vs 2X Power Series
- GX2 Power Elongated vs Labs Project 006
- GX2 Power Elongated vs Pro XS 16
- GX2 Power Elongated vs Hyperion CFS 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid and Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.