Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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
- 93Power92
- 83Control86
- 86Spin94
- 78Forgiveness84
- 80Sweet spot86
- 87Stability88
- 70Maneuverability72
- 89Pop88
- 80Touch82
- 84Consistency86
- 82Swing weight80
- 84Twist weight86
- 60Launch angle60
- 91Plow through88
- 68Softness74
Specs
| $250 | Price | $250 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.4 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 123 | Swing weight | 117 |
| 6.3 | Twist weight | 6.5 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Textured carbon | Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated verdict
Gearbox's solid-span construction with a genuine power tune. It feels unlike any honeycomb paddle — firmer, more direct — and rewards players who already hit clean.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 against 86 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on control, plow through, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($250 vs $250) that it should not break the tie.
Spin
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 8 points (94 vs 86).
Forgiveness
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Sweet spot
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Softness
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 6 points (74 vs 68).
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Take Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want spin (+8), forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+6). 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 →Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 83.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated or the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated measures 93 on power against 92 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. That comes from a 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core swinging at 123 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 86 versus 83. 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 86 for the Textured carbon face on Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. In practice a 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, with 6.5 twist weight against 6.3. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated: 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core with a Textured carbon face. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated, 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 Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 8 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated to the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads on spin by 8 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $250 vs $250, 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.
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- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X
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Read the full reviews: Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated 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.