Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power88
- 88Control89
- 86Spin90
- 86Forgiveness86
- 88Sweet spot88
- 86Stability90
- 72Maneuverability72
- 74Pop83
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency88
- 78Swing weight76
- 84Twist weight86
- 50Launch angle55
- 82Plow through86
- 78Softness80
Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Electrum Model E Max V3 | Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $275 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.7 | 86.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.8 |
| 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 Toray T700 carbon | Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter | SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam |
Electrum Model E Max V3 verdict
The Max is the widest-body Electrum yet, and the numbers show it: sweet spot 88 and twist weight 84 are both top-quartile. It is a forgiving elongated paddle, which is not a common combination.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is pop: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 scores 83 against 74 for Electrum Model E Max V3 — a 9-point gap. They are effectively level on swing weight, twist weight, softness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Electrum Model E Max V3 is $75 cheaper at $200.
Pop
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 9 points (83 vs 74).
Power
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Launch angle
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 5 points (55 vs 50).
Spin
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.6 vs 87.6 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $75.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 85.2 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $75.
- Power
- Spin
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 88 vs 82, spin 90 vs 86, plow through 86 vs 82. Swing weight 116 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.3 vs 82.7 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $75.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Electrum Model E Max V3
Take Electrum Model E Max V3 if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16.
Read the Electrum Model E Max V3 review →Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you want pop (+9), power (+6), launch angle (+5). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 review →Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Electrum Model E Max V3 or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.8 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 9 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, at 116 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Electrum Model E Max V3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Electrum Model E Max V3 or the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 measures 88 on power against 82 for Electrum Model E Max V3. That comes from a 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core swinging at 116 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?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 scores 90 for spin off its Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face, against 86 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Electrum Model E Max V3. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Electrum Model E Max V3, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.8. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Electrum Model E Max V3 carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 costs $200, $75 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?
- Electrum Model E Max V3: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter core with a Raw Toray 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?
- Electrum Model E Max V3, 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 Electrum Model E Max V3 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- 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 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Electrum Model E Max V3 to the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads on pop by 9 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $200 vs $275, 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.
- Model E Max V3 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Model E Max V3 vs Mach 1 Forza 16
- Model E Max V3 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- 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
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Electrum Model E Max V3 and Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.