CRBN TruFoam Genesis X vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
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
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and value on Paddle DNA against the CRBN TruFoam Genesis X, which costs $270.
Power
Too close to call
92 vs 91
Spin
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
94 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 119 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
$249.99 at IQ 86.3 vs $270 at IQ 87
Overall pick: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 · $249.99 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 91Power92
- 88Control86
- 90Spin94
- 86Forgiveness84
- 88Sweet spot86
- 90Stability88
- 70Maneuverability72
- 87Pop88
- 85Touch82
- 88Consistency86
- 82Swing weight80
- 87Twist weight86
- 58Launch angle60
- 89Plow through88
- 88Softness74
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN TruFoam Genesis X | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $270 | $249.99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87 — better | 86.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 119 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| Core material | Full TruFoam core | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring |
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.
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 verdict
The James Ignatowich signature build is an unapologetic attack paddle: 16.5 in of reach, a grippy CarbonBite face and a tri-density core that launches drives without giving up the sweet spot the first V2 lacked.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: CRBN TruFoam Genesis X scores 88 against 74 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on touch, control, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is $20.00999999999999 cheaper at $249.99.
Softness
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).
Spin
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 4 points (94 vs 90).
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 85.8 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $20.00999999999999.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 85 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $20.00999999999999.
- Touch
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.5 vs 86.8 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and keep the $20.00999999999999.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X is the clearer pick at this level — softness 88 vs 74, forgiveness 86 vs 84, 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
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
CRBN TruFoam Genesis X
Take CRBN TruFoam Genesis X if you want softness (+14). Its swing weight of 119 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN TruFoam Genesis X review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want spin (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 review →CRBN TruFoam Genesis X vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis X or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis X carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — CRBN TruFoam Genesis X leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, at 117 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 RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 92 for power against 91 for CRBN TruFoam Genesis X. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis X at 88 versus 86. 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 for spin off its CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face, against 90 for the Raw T700 carbon face on CRBN TruFoam Genesis X. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis X, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 84). Its 6.7 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 costs $249.99, $20.00999999999999 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 X: 16 mm Full TruFoam core with a Raw T700 carbon face. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup 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 TruFoam Genesis X is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 119) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 to the CRBN TruFoam Genesis X?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN TruFoam Genesis X leads on softness by 14 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $270 vs $249.99, 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 X vs TruFoam Genesis 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- TruFoam Genesis X vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- TruFoam Genesis X vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- TruFoam Genesis X vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- TruFoam Genesis X 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.
- TruFoam Genesis X vs TruFoam Genesis 3
- TruFoam Genesis X vs CRBN-1X
- TruFoam Genesis X vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- TruFoam Genesis X vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Agassi Pro 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
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 X and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN TruFoam Genesis X and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.