CRBN TruFoam Genesis X vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN TruFoam Genesis X takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed on Paddle DNA against the CRBN TruFoam Genesis X, which costs $270.
Power
Too close to call
91 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 86
Hand speed
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
116 vs 119 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$270 at IQ 87 vs $275 at IQ 86.8
Overall pick: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 · $275 · IQ 86.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 91Power88
- 88Control89
- 90Spin90
- 86Forgiveness86
- 88Sweet spot88
- 90Stability90
- 70Maneuverability72
- 87Pop83
- 85Touch86
- 88Consistency88
- 82Swing weight76
- 87Twist weight86
- 58Launch angle55
- 89Plow through86
- 88Softness80
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN TruFoam Genesis X | Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $270 — better | $275 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87 — better | 86.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 119 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 | 6.8 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture |
| Core material | Full TruFoam core | SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam |
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X verdict
The elongated end of the TruFoam family. Full-foam construction keeps resets soft while the extra length adds the reach the Genesis 1 gives up.
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 verdict
Gearbox's rib-suspended SSTCore feels unlike any honeycomb paddle: firmer through contact, quieter on resets, and unusually consistent shot to shot. You pay $275 for that engineering.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: CRBN TruFoam Genesis X scores 88 against 80 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on power, launch angle, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($270 vs $275) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Swing weight
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
Pop
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X leads by 4 points (87 vs 83).
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 (87.7 vs 87.6 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 8.3 oz on the TruFoam Genesis X, 8 oz on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 85.2 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 8.3 oz on the TruFoam Genesis X, 8 oz on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
- Maneuverability
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.5 vs 85.9 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 8.3 oz on the TruFoam Genesis X, 8 oz on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X is a narrow pick at this level — softness 88 vs 80, twist weight 87 vs 86. Its 16 mm Full TruFoam core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X
Take CRBN TruFoam Genesis X if you want softness (+8), swing weight (+6), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 119 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN TruFoam Genesis X review →Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you prefer a 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core — it gives up nothing measurable to CRBN TruFoam Genesis X.
Read the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 review →CRBN TruFoam Genesis X vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis X or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis X carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87 vs 86.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — CRBN TruFoam Genesis X leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, at 116 kg·cm² swing weight against 119 for CRBN TruFoam Genesis X. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis X or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis X scores 91 for power against 88 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. That comes from a 16 mm Full TruFoam core swinging at 119 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 at 89 versus 88. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 86 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.7 and 6.8.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis X: 16 mm Full TruFoam core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16: 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core with a Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (86) and sweet spot (88) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 119) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 to the CRBN TruFoam Genesis X?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN TruFoam Genesis X leads on softness by 8 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $270 vs $275, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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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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- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs CRBN-1X
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Infinity Ruby 16
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Nova R1
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: CRBN TruFoam Genesis X and Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.