CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Ronbus R4 Pulsar
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Ronbus R4 Pulsar, which costs $160.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 87
Spin
92 vs 88
Control
89 vs 82
Forgiveness
89 vs 82
Hand speed
Too close to call
113 vs 113 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$160 at IQ 83.5 vs $280 at IQ 87.9
Overall pick: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 · $280 · IQ 87.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power88
- 89Control82
- 92Spin88
- 89Forgiveness82
- 91Sweet spot84
- 90Stability86
- 74Maneuverability78
- 79Pop86
- 88Touch78
- 89Consistency84
- 78Swing weight76
- 91Twist weight80
- 58Launch angle56
- 82Plow through86
- 89Softness68
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Ronbus R4 Pulsar specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 | Ronbus R4 Pulsar |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $160 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 — better | 83.5 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 113 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | TruFoam full-foam core | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls |
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 verdict
The forgiving shape in the Genesis line. It trades the elongated model's reach for a wide face, the highest twist weight of the three, and a noticeably easier reset at the kitchen.
Ronbus R4 Pulsar verdict
Ronbus swings for pace with a 14 mm foam-walled build. Power 88 and pop 86 at $160 is the best price-to-punch ratio in the database this year.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 scores 89 against 68 for Ronbus R4 Pulsar — a 21-point gap. They are effectively level on swing weight, launch angle, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus R4 Pulsar is $120 cheaper at $160.
Softness
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 21 points (89 vs 68).
Twist weight
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 11 points (91 vs 80).
Touch
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 10 points (88 vs 78).
Control
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 7 points (89 vs 82).
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 TruFoam Genesis 2
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 91 vs 80, forgiveness 89 vs 82, sweet spot 91 vs 84. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 88 vs 78, control 89 vs 82, forgiveness 89 vs 82. At 113 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Touch
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 88 vs 78, control 89 vs 82, spin 92 vs 88. Swing weight 113 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 89 vs 68, twist weight 91 vs 80, forgiveness 89 vs 82. Its 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
Take CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 if you want softness (+21), twist weight (+11), touch (+10). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 review →Ronbus R4 Pulsar
Take Ronbus R4 Pulsar if you want pop (+7), maneuverability (+4), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus R4 Pulsar review →CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Ronbus R4 Pulsar FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 or the Ronbus R4 Pulsar?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 83.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 21 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 113 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 or the Ronbus R4 Pulsar?
- Ronbus R4 Pulsar scores 88 for power against 87 for CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2. That comes from a 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 at 89 versus 82. 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 2 scores 92 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 88 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Ronbus R4 Pulsar. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 82). 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?
- Ronbus R4 Pulsar costs $160, $120 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 TruFoam Genesis 2: 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Ronbus R4 Pulsar: 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Ronbus R4 Pulsar, 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 Ronbus R4 Pulsar avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Ronbus R4 Pulsar rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Ronbus R4 Pulsar at 8.1 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight is identical at 113 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Ronbus R4 Pulsar to the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads on softness by 21 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $280 vs $160, 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.
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- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Coral Pro
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Double Black Diamond Control
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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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- R4 Pulsar vs V7 Pro 16
- R4 Pulsar vs Black Diamond Power 16
- R4 Pulsar vs Series One Project Black
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 TruFoam Genesis 2 and Ronbus R4 Pulsar in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 and Ronbus R4 Pulsar. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.