CRBN 1X vs CRBN 2X Square?

The 1X is the elongated power build: more reach, more plow-through, less forgiveness. The 2X Square is the wider, more stable shape. Choose by whether your errors come from reach or from off-center contact.

Is the CRBN-1X too heavy?

At 124 swing weight it is the heaviest here. If you play a lot of fast doubles exchanges, expect to be beaten to the ball by lighter paddles.

Is it good for two-handed backhands?

Yes — the 5.5 in handle fits two hands comfortably, and the plow-through rewards a two-handed drive.

Is the CRBN-1X Power Series good for beginners?

Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 73/100 and the paddle is tuned for advanced/pro play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.

Is the CRBN-1X Power Series worth the price?

At $199 it sits in the 54th percentile of the database for cost and the 22nd for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at $99 is the value alternative we point people to.

How does the CRBN-1X Power Series compare to the Hyperion CFS 16?

They are close on DNA. The CRBN-1X Power Series reads power 90 / control 80 / spin 92 against 89 / 84 / 88 for the Hyperion CFS 16, at $199 versus $220. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.

Is the 14 mm better than the 16 mm version?

A 14 mm core returns energy faster, so drives and speed-ups come off harder with less effort. The 16 mm build gives up some of that pop for dwell time and softer hands. Pick 14 mm for pace, 16 mm for touch.

Is the CRBN-1X Power Series approved for tournament play?

Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. CRBN submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact CRBN-1X Power Series build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the CRBN-1X Power Series have good spin?

Spin scores 92/100 — the 83rd percentile of our database (strong, well above the database average) — off a Raw T700 carbon face. That is above the database average rather than class-leading; you will get shape on the ball without it being the paddle's selling point.

Is the CRBN-1X Power Series head heavy?

Swing weight is 124 kg·cm² and twist weight 6. That is on the heavy side of the database — you get plow-through and stability, and pay for it in hand speed at the net. Static weight is 8.5 oz.

Does the CRBN-1X Power Series benefit from lead tape?

It already swings at 124 kg·cm², so adding weight at 12 o'clock will make it sluggish. If you customise, keep it to a few grams at 3 and 9 o'clock for stability. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.

What is the best overgrip for the CRBN-1X Power Series?

The stock handle is 5.5 in long with a 4.25 in circumference. A thin tacky overgrip adds roughly 1/16 in of circumference and a few grams above the balance point — the cheapest way to fine-tune fit. If your hand is larger than the 4.25 in stock size, build up with an under-wrap first rather than stacking overgrips.

What should I replace the CRBN-1X Power Series with when it wears out?

Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another CRBN-1X Power Series; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 80) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 90).

Who is the CRBN-1X Power Series best for?

Power players with a reliable reset. Skill levels we would put on it: advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.5 in supports a two-handed backhand.

What shape and size is the CRBN-1X Power Series?

elongated shape, 16.5 in long by 7.5 in wide, 14 mm Power polymer core, Raw T700 carbon face, 8.5 oz. Released 2025.

CRBN-1X Power Series pickleball paddle, front face — elongated shape, Raw T700 carbon hitting surface — Front · Hitting face and graphics6/7 verified views

Reference price$199MSRP $219

Check price on Amazon$207

Buy links are affiliate links: we earn a commission from qualifying purchases through Amazon Associates and brand-direct programs. Prices and availability are checked periodically and can change.

CRBN

CRBN-1X Power Series

80Specs recorded June 2026 · Power players with a reliable reset

Reviewed by Alex ZubarevPickleball player since 2021Jacksonville, FLUpdated August 2026Research-based review

The CRBN-1X Power Series is a 14 mm elongated pickleball paddle weighing 8.5 oz, with a Raw T700 carbon face, listed around $199.

CRBN's spin formula bolted to a thin, hot core. Serves and drives leave the face quickly, and the paddle asks a lot of your reset technique in return.

From CRBN

Introducing the CRBN Pickleball X Series: the perfect tool for elite players looking for more power. This powerful performance pickleball paddle is crafted with the same durable, gritty carbon fiber face that you can expect from CRBN, with additional and unmatched power and pop. No expense was spared making this the best power-focused carbon fiber paddle on the market.

Official CRBN product page →

Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the CRBN-1X Power Series against the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 — see them side by side, or browse every CRBN paddle.

Core: 14 mm
Weight: 8.5 oz
Swing wt: 124
Twist wt: 6
Shape: elongated
Surface: Raw T700 carbon
Grip: 5.5 in
Released: 2025

Pros

Spin and power in the same paddle
Long handle for two-handers
Strong plow-through

Cons

Heaviest swing weight in our database
Unforgiving on off-center resets

Paddle DNA Verdict

Last updated: August 2026

Derived from our published scoring model and sourced paddle specifications.

Should you buy the CRBN-1X Power Series?

The CRBN-1X Power Series scores 79.9/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is plow through (91/100, 94th percentile of the database — elite — top-tier), backed by pop at 89 and spin at 92. The 14 mm Power polymer core and Raw T700 carbon face at 8.5 oz make it a pace-first paddle: you win points by ending them.

Where it gives ground is forgiveness (73) and maneuverability (69). With a 124 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5.5 in handle it suits advanced/pro players, two-handed backhands, baseline drives and counterpunching. Skip it if your weakest phase is speed-ups at the net; your contact point still moves around the face.

Closest paddles by DNA: JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 ($220), Legacy Pickleball Pro XS 16 ($230), Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power ($210). If budget matters, the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control lands within 4 IQ points for $99 less. Overall: a below-average overall score in the database — only worth it if its one standout trait is exactly what you need.

Best for: advanced/pro players, two-handed backhands, baseline drives and counterpunching
Playing style: pace-first — you win points by ending them
Avoid if: your weakest phase is speed-ups at the net; your contact point still moves around the face

In depth

CRBN-1X Power Series — the long answer

The CRBN-1X Power Series pairs CRBN's spin formula with a thin, hot 14 mm core. Spin 92 and power 90 in the same paddle is rare; the 124 swing weight and forgiveness 73 are what it costs.

The sections below are analysis of published specifications and Paddle DNA™ values, not a play-test write-up. Where we have hit with a paddle, those notes appear separately and are attributed.

Spin 92 and power 90 in one paddle

Most paddles trade these against each other because spin needs dwell and power needs a fast rebound. CRBN gets both by putting a grippy raw T700 face on a thin, stiff power core: the face supplies rotation at contact while the core returns energy quickly. Plow-through 91 sits in the top decile of the database.

124 swing weight is the heaviest here

Nothing else measures higher. On serves and drives that mass is free pace. At the kitchen it is a liability: maneuverability 69 with twist weight 72 means off-center contact both arrives slowly and rotates the face. That combination is why forgiveness lands at 73.

Your reset technique is the gating factor

Touch 76 and softness 64 mean a hard incoming ball rebounds unless you actively absorb it. Players with a reliable, practised reset get a paddle with no real ceiling. Players without one hand back free points and should look at the 2X Square instead.

Community consensus

What other players say about the CRBN-1X Power Series

Verbatim excerpts from public discussion and independent reviews, plus the themes they add up to. These are other people's opinions, not ours, and every quote links back to where it was written.

No sourced community excerpts are published for this paddle yet. We only quote text we can link back to.

CRBN-1X Power Series price range & availability

Built from the retailer offers we track for this paddle. In stock at all 2 tracked retailers. Prices last checked Jul 30, 2026.

Tracked price range

$199 – $207

$8 spread between retailers

Typical price

$203

Median of tracked offers

MSRP

$219

Best tracked offer is 9% under list

Recorded low / high

$199 / $207

2 price points since Jul 30, 2026

Cheapest tracked offer sits $4 below the typical price.

Who should buy the CRBN-1X Power Series?

Former tennis players and two-handed backhands
Singles players and drivers who end points with pace
Topspin-heavy players rolling and dipping every ball
Counterpunchers who want plow-through against pace

Brand-new beginners still finding a contact point
Players whose weakest phase is speed-ups and quick exchanges

AI paddle match

If you like the CRBN-1X Power Series, you'll probably like…

Each pick is the database's best answer to one specific question, ranked by how far it moves the needle versus the CRBN-1X Power Series.

Most compared with the CRBN-1X Power Series

The matchups people actually cross-shop, each with a full 15-trait breakdown.

More comparisons in this bracket

Other head-to-heads shoppers read alongside the CRBN-1X Power Series.

Browse all paddle comparisons →

Paddle DNA™ — all 15 traits

Every trait normalised 0-100 against the full database, so these numbers mean the same thing on any paddle page. How we score →

Key attributes

Power90

Control80

Spin92

Forgiveness73

Sweet spot74

Stability79

Maneuverability69

Pop89

Touch76

Consistency80

Swing weight84

Twist weight72

Launch angle59

Plow through91

Softness64

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the CRBN-1X Power Series

Our similarity engine ranks the whole database by average DNA deviation. Tighten or widen the band to see how far you have to travel to save money or gain a trait.

Paddle DNA™ match

Match tolerance

Only show cheaper paddles

CRBN-1X Power Series

IQ 79.9 · $199

8 paddles within 5% of the CRBN-1X Power Series

Ranked by DNA deviation

#1JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16$220 (+21) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match96.8%82
+8 twist weight+6 touch+6 softness+4 control
+8 twist weight · -4 spin · Higher IQ score (81.7 vs 79.9)
Compare Full DNA
#2Legacy Pickleball Pro XS 16$230 (+31) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match96.7%83
+16 twist weight+9 stability+6 sweet spot+5 forgiveness
+16 twist weight · Higher IQ score (82.8 vs 79.9)
Compare Full DNA
#3Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power$210 (+11) · 14 mm · elongatedDNA match96.5%80
-10 spin+10 twist weight+7 stability-7 launch angle
+10 twist weight · -10 spin · Higher IQ score (80.4 vs 79.9)
Compare Full DNA
#4Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14$180 (-19) · 14 mm · standardDNA match96.5%79
-10 swing weight-9 spin-8 softness-5 launch angle
Saves $19 versus the CRBN-1X Power Series · +4 maneuverability · -10 swing weight
Compare Full DNA
#5Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Elongated$180 (-19) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match96.4%81
+20 softness+5 sweet spot-4 spin+4 touch
Saves $19 versus the CRBN-1X Power Series · +20 softness · -4 spin · Higher IQ score (81.4 vs 79.9)
Compare Full DNA
#6CRBN 2X Power Series$220 (+21) · 14 mm · hybridDNA match96.1%84
+16 twist weight+8 stability+6 sweet spot-6 swing weight
+16 twist weight · -6 swing weight · Higher IQ score (84 vs 79.9)
Compare Full DNA
#7Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated$250 (+51) · 14 mm · elongatedDNA match96.1%83
+12 twist weight+8 stability-6 spin+6 sweet spot
+12 twist weight · -6 spin · Higher IQ score (83.4 vs 79.9)
Compare Full DNA
#811SIX24 Vantage Power 16$200 (+1) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match95.9%82
+9 forgiveness+8 sweet spot-8 swing weight+8 twist weight
+9 forgiveness · -8 swing weight · Higher IQ score (82.3 vs 79.9)
Compare Full DNA

Best alternatives to the CRBN-1X Power Series

Each pick beats the CRBN-1X Power Series on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

Similar paddles to the CRBN-1X Power Series

Closest matches by player level, hand weight and price — the paddles most players cross-shop against the CRBN-1X Power Series.

Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)

JOOLA Hyperion CFS 1616 mm · elongated · 8.4 oz · SW 122$22082

Legacy Pickleball Pro XS 1616 mm · elongated · 8.4 oz · SW 120$23083

Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power14 mm · elongated · 8.4 oz · SW 123$21080

Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 1414 mm · standard · 8.2 oz · SW 115$18079

Want a different matchup? Compare any two paddles or browse the full paddle database.

Ranked in

Best pickleball paddles for singles

More from CRBN

Raw carbon specialists whose square-shape paddles set the early benchmark for spin generation and twist-weight stability, and whose TruFoam Genesis line opened the full-foam Gen 4 era.

CRBN-1X Power Series — frequently asked questions

CRBN 1X vs CRBN 2X Square?: The 1X is the elongated power build: more reach, more plow-through, less forgiveness. The 2X Square is the wider, more stable shape. Choose by whether your errors come from reach or from off-center contact.
Is the CRBN-1X too heavy?: At 124 swing weight it is the heaviest here. If you play a lot of fast doubles exchanges, expect to be beaten to the ball by lighter paddles.
Is it good for two-handed backhands?: Yes — the 5.5 in handle fits two hands comfortably, and the plow-through rewards a two-handed drive.
Is the CRBN-1X Power Series good for beginners?: Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 73/100 and the paddle is tuned for advanced/pro play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.
Is the CRBN-1X Power Series worth the price?: At $199 it sits in the 54th percentile of the database for cost and the 22nd for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at $99 is the value alternative we point people to.
How does the CRBN-1X Power Series compare to the Hyperion CFS 16?: They are close on DNA. The CRBN-1X Power Series reads power 90 / control 80 / spin 92 against 89 / 84 / 88 for the Hyperion CFS 16, at $199 versus $220. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.
Is the 14 mm better than the 16 mm version?: A 14 mm core returns energy faster, so drives and speed-ups come off harder with less effort. The 16 mm build gives up some of that pop for dwell time and softer hands. Pick 14 mm for pace, 16 mm for touch.
Is the CRBN-1X Power Series approved for tournament play?: Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. CRBN submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact CRBN-1X Power Series build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
Does the CRBN-1X Power Series have good spin?: Spin scores 92/100 — the 83rd percentile of our database (strong, well above the database average) — off a Raw T700 carbon face. That is above the database average rather than class-leading; you will get shape on the ball without it being the paddle's selling point.
Is the CRBN-1X Power Series head heavy?: Swing weight is 124 kg·cm² and twist weight 6. That is on the heavy side of the database — you get plow-through and stability, and pay for it in hand speed at the net. Static weight is 8.5 oz.
Does the CRBN-1X Power Series benefit from lead tape?: It already swings at 124 kg·cm², so adding weight at 12 o'clock will make it sluggish. If you customise, keep it to a few grams at 3 and 9 o'clock for stability. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.
What is the best overgrip for the CRBN-1X Power Series?: The stock handle is 5.5 in long with a 4.25 in circumference. A thin tacky overgrip adds roughly 1/16 in of circumference and a few grams above the balance point — the cheapest way to fine-tune fit. If your hand is larger than the 4.25 in stock size, build up with an under-wrap first rather than stacking overgrips.
What should I replace the CRBN-1X Power Series with when it wears out?: Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another CRBN-1X Power Series; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 80) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 90).
Who is the CRBN-1X Power Series best for?: Power players with a reliable reset. Skill levels we would put on it: advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.5 in supports a two-handed backhand.
What shape and size is the CRBN-1X Power Series?: elongated shape, 16.5 in long by 7.5 in wide, 14 mm Power polymer core, Raw T700 carbon face, 8.5 oz. Released 2025.

CRBN-1X Power Series on video

PickleballLookup review — coming soon

Head-to-head comparison — coming soon

Manufacturer footage — coming soon

Evidence & sources — how we know this

Show

Every significant number on this page carries a source and a date. Where a figure comes from the manufacturer rather than our own measurement, we say so.

Price
$199
Amazon listing — checked July 30, 2026
Weight
8.5 oz
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Core thickness
14 mm
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Swing weight
124 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Twist weight
6 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Paddle DNA (15 traits)
IQ 79.9/100
Computed from the specs above by our published scoring model
USAP approval
Listed by the manufacturer as USA Pickleball approved
USA Pickleball equipment database — checked August 10, 2026
Alex's experience
Not personally tested
Analysis on this page is spec-derived, not play-tested

Spot an error? Send a correction — every fix is logged publicly. Full protocol on our methodology page.

Why trust this page?

We separate firsthand testing from research-based analysis. Specifications are sourced and dated, corrections are logged publicly, and affiliate relationships never affect Paddle IQ scores.

Reviewed by Alex Zubarev →Our methodology →Editorial policy →

Research-based review

Built from published specifications, independent measurements, manufacturer data and Paddle DNA™ analysis — not from personal play testing. We say so rather than implying court time we haven't put in. Editorial policy · Affiliate disclosure

Reviewed by

Alex Zubarev

Founder, PickleballLookup

Alex built the Paddle DNA™ database behind PickleballLookup — 15 normalized traits scored for every paddle in the catalog. Every page on this site is generated from that data and editorially reviewed before publication.

Paddle research
Equipment analysis
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Last updated August 2026 · How we score paddles