Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (80.4 vs 78.1), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
82 vs 82
Control
81 vs 76
Forgiveness
Too close to call
74 vs 74
Hand speed
Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14
110 vs 123 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$200 at IQ 78.1 vs $210 at IQ 80.4
Overall pick: Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power · $210 · IQ 80.4
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power90
- 81Control76
- 82Spin82
- 74Forgiveness74
- 76Sweet spot76
- 86Stability78
- 68Maneuverability82
- 88Pop90
- 76Touch70
- 81Consistency76
- 82Swing weight70
- 82Twist weight72
- 52Launch angle60
- 89Plow through80
- 58Softness54
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power | Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $210 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.4 — better | 78.1 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 123 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 — better | 6.3 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.375 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Coreless carbon | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb |
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power verdict
A more livable Gearbox. It keeps most of the drive velocity of the Pro Power while adding enough stability to survive hands battles.
Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 verdict
Holbrook's power build is a conventional 14 mm thermoformed hybrid with the pop numbers to match. You are paying partly for the cosmetics, but the construction is honest.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 scores 82 against 68 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on power, pop, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($210 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Maneuverability
Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 leads by 14 points (82 vs 68).
Swing weight
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 12 points (82 vs 70).
Twist weight
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 10 points (82 vs 72).
Plow through
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 9 points (89 vs 80).
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
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 72, stability 86 vs 78, consistency 81 vs 76. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (78.3 vs 78.9 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the CX14E Ultimate Power, hybrid on the Power Pro X 14.
- Maneuverability
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.5 vs 80.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the CX14E Ultimate Power, hybrid on the Power Pro X 14.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power is a narrow pick at this level — softness 58 vs 54, twist weight 82 vs 72. Its 14 mm Coreless carbon core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power if you want swing weight (+12), twist weight (+10), plow through (+9). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power review →Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14
Take Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 if you want maneuverability (+14), launch angle (+8). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 review →Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.4 vs 78.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power or the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 scores 90 for power against 88 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. That comes from a 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power at 81 versus 76. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 82 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 74 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.5 and 6.3.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face. Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14: 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.375 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (74) and sweet spot (76) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 at 8 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 to the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 leads on maneuverability by 14 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $210 vs $200, 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.
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro Power Elongated
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Power Pro X 14 vs Warrior Edge 14
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Evoke Premier Pro
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Warrior Edge 14
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Black Diamond Power 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Bantam TKO-C 14
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro XS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Hyperion CFS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro Integra Power 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Power Pro X 14 vs Warrior Edge 14
- Power Pro X 14 vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Power Pro X 14 vs Perseus Pro V 14
- Power Pro X 14 vs Bantam TKO-C 14
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 Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Holbrook Pickleball Power Pro X 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.