Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, which costs $275.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Spin
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm
94 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 89
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 86
Hand speed
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm
112 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$269.99 at IQ 87.2 vs $275 at IQ 86.8
Overall pick: RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm · $269.99 · IQ 87.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
Estimated scores: the RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm Paddle DNA is our estimate from published specs, not a sourced profile.
- 88Power90
- 89Control89
- 90Spin94
- 86Forgiveness86
- 88Sweet spot88
- 90Stability85
- 72Maneuverability78
- 83Pop86
- 86Touch88
- 88Consistency89
- 76Swing weight74
- 86Twist weight81
- 55Launch angle60
- 86Plow through84
- 80Softness82
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 | RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $275 | $269.99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.8 | 87.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 112 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.2 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture | Proprietary SICmatrix surface |
| Core material | SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam | MPP floating full-foam core with soft EVA surround |
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.
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm verdict
A spin- and touch-focused alternative to the Q2, not a universal upgrade. RPM lists a 112 swing weight and 6.2 twist weight. Our estimated DNA suggests a calmer soft game than the Q2, while the Q2 retains the stronger power/pop profile. Long-term SICmatrix grit retention has not been independently verified here.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm scores 78 against 72 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, power, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($275 vs $269.99) that it should not break the tie.
Maneuverability
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm leads by 6 points (78 vs 72).
Stability
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 5 points (90 vs 85).
Twist weight
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 5 points (86 vs 81).
Launch angle
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm leads by 5 points (60 vs 55).
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 (87.6 vs 86.2 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 8 oz on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, 7.8 oz on the Jade Elongated 16mm.
- Stability
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 78 vs 72, spin 94 vs 90, power 90 vs 88. At 112 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm is a narrow pick at this level — spin 94 vs 90, maneuverability 78 vs 72, power 90 vs 88. Swing weight 112 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.7 vs 82.9 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 8 oz on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, 7.8 oz on the Jade Elongated 16mm.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you want stability (+5), twist weight (+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 →RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm
Take RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm if you want maneuverability (+6), launch angle (+5), spin (+4). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm review →Where to Buy
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 or the RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm?
- RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.2 vs 86.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm, at 112 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 or the RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm?
- RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm scores 90 for power against 88 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. That comes from a 16 mm MPP floating full-foam core with soft EVA surround core swinging at 112 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 89 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm scores 94 for spin off its Proprietary SICmatrix surface, against 90 for the Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face on Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- 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 6.8 and 6.2.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $5.009999999999991 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and 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. RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm: 16 mm MPP floating full-foam core with soft EVA surround core with a Proprietary SICmatrix surface.
- 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?
- RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm at 7.8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (112 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 to the RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm leads on maneuverability by 6 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $275 vs $269.99, 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.
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Pro Power Elongated
- Jade Elongated 16mm vs Q2 Elongated 16mm
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs TruFoam Genesis 2
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs TruFoam Genesis X
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Scorpeus Pro IV 16
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Agassi Pro 16
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs OMNI 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.
- 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
- Jade Elongated 16mm vs J2CR
- Jade Elongated 16mm vs Coral Pro
- Jade Elongated 16mm vs Aura Pro Hybrid 16mm
- Jade Elongated 16mm vs Loco 2 Hybrid 16mm
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 Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 and RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 and RPM Pickleball Jade Elongated 16mm. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.