Same length, different priorities. The 3X gives you a bigger face and more forgiveness; the 1X gives you a 5.5 in handle and slightly higher spin. Two-handed backhands go 1X.

14 mm is quicker and poppier, 16 mm adds dwell time and reset control. Our figures describe the 16 mm.

Yes. Comparable raw-carbon builds with foam edges sit at $200 to $250.

Is the CRBN-3X Power Series good for beginners?

Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 89/100 and the paddle is tuned for intermediate/advanced/pro play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.

Is the CRBN-3X Power Series worth the price?

At $170 it sits in the 32nd percentile of the database for cost and the 94th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm at $109.99 is the value alternative we point people to.

How does the CRBN-3X Power Series compare to the Coral Pro?

They are close on DNA. The CRBN-3X Power Series reads power 87 / control 90 / spin 93 against 90 / 90 / 93 for the Coral Pro, at $170 versus $240. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.

Is the 16 mm better than the 14 mm version?

A 16 mm core has longer dwell time, which is what produces softer resets and more repeatable placement. The 14 mm build trades that dwell for a faster, poppier response off the face. Control players take 16 mm; players who want the ball gone quickly take 14 mm.

Is the CRBN-3X 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-3X Power Series build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the CRBN-3X Power Series have good spin?

Spin scores 93/100 — the 92nd percentile of our database (elite — top-tier) — off a Raw T700 carbon face. That is top-tier: enough bite for heavy topspin drives and rolls.

Is the CRBN-3X Power Series head heavy?

Swing weight is 114 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.6. That is mid-range: balanced enough that most players will not describe it as head heavy. Static weight is 8 oz.

Does the CRBN-3X Power Series benefit from lead tape?

It already swings at 114 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-3X Power Series?

The stock handle is 5.25 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-3X 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-3X Power Series; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 90) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 87).

Who is the CRBN-3X Power Series best for?

1X owners who want more forgiveness. Skill levels we would put on it: intermediate, advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.25 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.

CRBN-3X Power Series pickleball paddle, front face — elongated shape, Raw T700 carbon hitting surface — Front · Hitting face and graphics2/7 verified views

Reference price$170MSRP $170

Check price on Pickleball Central$170 Also on JustPaddlesCheck price Also on Amazon$177

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

CRBN

CRBN-3X Power Series

88Specs recorded July 2026 · 1X owners who want more forgiveness

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

The CRBN-3X Power Series is a 16 mm elongated pickleball paddle weighing 8 oz, with a Raw T700 carbon face, listed around $170.

The 3X keeps the 1X length but widens the face to 7.5 in and shortens the handle to 5.25 in, which buys a noticeably larger sweet spot at the cost of two-handed backhand room.

From CRBN

The CRBN-3X Power Series Pickleball Paddle features a textured carbon fiber surface with a compact handle and foam-injected edges, providing an expansive sweet spot for an excellent ball response. Its lightweight design ensures quick control and powerful swings, making it ideal for players seeking precision and spin. The paddle is reinforced for durability and showcases characteristics favored by both novice and expert players alike.

Official CRBN product page →

Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the CRBN-3X Power Series against the Six Zero Coral Pro — see them side by side, or browse every CRBN paddle.

Core: 16 mm
Weight: 8 oz
Swing wt: 114
Twist wt: 6.6
Shape: elongated
Surface: Raw T700 carbon
Grip: 5.25 in
Released: 2026

Pros

Bigger hitting surface than the 1X at the same length
Foam-injected edges push the sweet spot outward
$170 undercuts most raw-carbon flagships

Cons

5.25 in handle is short for two-handed backhands
Still an elongated swing weight

Paddle DNA Verdict

Last updated: August 2026

Derived from our published scoring model and sourced paddle specifications.

Should you buy the CRBN-3X Power Series?

The CRBN-3X Power Series scores 87.9/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is spin (93/100, 92nd percentile of the database — elite — top-tier), backed by forgiveness at 89 and sweet spot at 90. The 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core and Raw T700 carbon face at 8 oz make it an all-court paddle: comfortable driving and resetting in the same rally.

Where it gives ground is maneuverability (74) and power (87). With a 114 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5.25 in handle it suits intermediate/advanced/pro players, one-handed backhands, balanced doubles play. Skip it if you specifically want the opposite profile — maximum pop and minimum dwell time.

Closest paddles by DNA: Six Zero Coral Pro ($240), Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16 ($220), Honolulu J2CR ($230). If budget matters, the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm lands within 0 IQ points for $60.010000000000005 less. Overall: a genuine top-tier recommendation (top 10% of the database) for the profile above, and worth the money if that profile is yours.

Best for: intermediate/advanced/pro players, one-handed backhands, balanced doubles play
Playing style: all-court — comfortable driving and resetting in the same rally
Avoid if: you specifically want the opposite profile — maximum pop and minimum dwell time

In depth

CRBN-3X Power Series — the long answer

The CRBN-3X keeps the 1X's 16.5 in length but widens the face to 7.5 in and shortens the handle to 5.25 in. The result is a measurably larger sweet spot (90) at $170 — cheaper than most raw-carbon flagships.

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.

Face area versus handle length

Shortening the handle by a quarter inch and widening the head moves usable hitting surface up and out. Sweet spot 90 and forgiveness 89 are the payoff. The trade is direct: a 5.25 in handle leaves little room for a second hand, so committed two-handed backhand players should look at the 1X or the SLK Halo XL instead.

Foam-injected edge walls

CRBN injects foam into the perimeter rather than relying on the edge guard alone. That stiffens the frame near the tip and corners, which is what pushes twist weight to 6.6 and keeps mishits near the edge from losing pace — the classic failure of elongated shapes.

Community consensus

What other players say about the CRBN-3X 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.

Who should buy the CRBN-3X Power Series?

One-handed backhand players who want more face for the same length
Soft-game specialists who reset and dink their way through rallies
Singles players and drivers who end points with pace
Topspin-heavy players rolling and dipping every ball
Players still tightening up their contact point

Brand-new beginners still finding a contact point
Two-handed backhand players — the handle is short for it

AI paddle match

If you like the CRBN-3X 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-3X Power Series.

Most compared with the CRBN-3X 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-3X 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

Power87

Control90

Spin93

Forgiveness89

Sweet spot90

Stability88

Maneuverability74

Pop84

Touch88

Consistency89

Swing weight74

Twist weight88

Launch angle55

Plow through84

Softness78

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the CRBN-3X 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-3X Power Series

IQ 87.9 · $170

8 paddles within 5% of the CRBN-3X Power Series

Ranked by DNA deviation

#1Six Zero Coral Pro$240 (+70) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match99%89
+6 softness+3 power+2 swing weight+1 stability
+6 softness · Higher IQ score (88.5 vs 87.9)
Compare Full DNA
#2Six Zero Infinity Ruby 16$220 (+50) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match98.7%88
-4 maneuverability+2 stability-2 touch+2 swing weight
-4 maneuverability · Higher IQ score (88.2 vs 87.9)
Compare Full DNA
#3Honolulu J2CR$230 (+60) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match98.4%89
+5 power+4 maneuverability+4 softness+3 pop
+5 power · Higher IQ score (88.7 vs 87.9)
Compare Full DNA
#4CRBN-1X$220 (+50) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match98.3%88
+5 swing weight+4 plow through-3 forgiveness-3 maneuverability
+5 swing weight
Compare Full DNA
#5Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16$275 (+105) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match98.3%87
-3 spin-3 forgiveness-2 sweet spot+2 stability
Near-identical feel across all 15 traits
Compare Full DNA
#6Ronbus Tenon$180 (+10) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match98.1%88
+7 softness+4 maneuverability-3 spin-2 swing weight
+7 softness
Compare Full DNA
#7Selkirk OMNI 16$280 (+110) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match98%89
+8 softness-5 spin+2 power+2 control
+8 softness · -5 spin · Higher IQ score (88.7 vs 87.9)
Compare Full DNA
#8CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2$280 (+110) · 14 mm · standardDNA match97.8%88
+11 softness-5 pop+4 swing weight+3 twist weight
+11 softness · -5 pop
Compare Full DNA

Best alternatives to the CRBN-3X Power Series

Each pick beats the CRBN-3X Power Series on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

Similar paddles to the CRBN-3X Power Series

Closest matches by player level, hand weight and price — the paddles most players cross-shop against the CRBN-3X Power Series.

Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)

Six Zero Coral Pro16 mm · hybrid · 8.2 oz · SW 116$24089

Six Zero Infinity Ruby 1616 mm · hybrid · 8.2 oz · SW 116$22088

Honolulu J2CR16 mm · hybrid · 8 oz · SW 112$23089

CRBN-1X16 mm · elongated · 8.3 oz · SW 119$22088

Want a different matchup? Compare any two paddles or browse the full paddle database. Buying your first paddle? Read the beginner paddle guide.

Ranked in

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-3X Power Series — frequently asked questions

CRBN-3X or CRBN-1X?: Same length, different priorities. The 3X gives you a bigger face and more forgiveness; the 1X gives you a 5.5 in handle and slightly higher spin. Two-handed backhands go 1X.
14 mm or 16 mm?: 14 mm is quicker and poppier, 16 mm adds dwell time and reset control. Our figures describe the 16 mm.
Is $170 good value?: Yes. Comparable raw-carbon builds with foam edges sit at $200 to $250.
Is the CRBN-3X Power Series good for beginners?: Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 89/100 and the paddle is tuned for intermediate/advanced/pro play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.
Is the CRBN-3X Power Series worth the price?: At $170 it sits in the 32nd percentile of the database for cost and the 94th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm at $109.99 is the value alternative we point people to.
How does the CRBN-3X Power Series compare to the Coral Pro?: They are close on DNA. The CRBN-3X Power Series reads power 87 / control 90 / spin 93 against 90 / 90 / 93 for the Coral Pro, at $170 versus $240. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.
Is the 16 mm better than the 14 mm version?: A 16 mm core has longer dwell time, which is what produces softer resets and more repeatable placement. The 14 mm build trades that dwell for a faster, poppier response off the face. Control players take 16 mm; players who want the ball gone quickly take 14 mm.
Is the CRBN-3X 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-3X Power Series build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
Does the CRBN-3X Power Series have good spin?: Spin scores 93/100 — the 92nd percentile of our database (elite — top-tier) — off a Raw T700 carbon face. That is top-tier: enough bite for heavy topspin drives and rolls.
Is the CRBN-3X Power Series head heavy?: Swing weight is 114 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.6. That is mid-range: balanced enough that most players will not describe it as head heavy. Static weight is 8 oz.
Does the CRBN-3X Power Series benefit from lead tape?: It already swings at 114 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-3X Power Series?: The stock handle is 5.25 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-3X 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-3X Power Series; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 90) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 87).
Who is the CRBN-3X Power Series best for?: 1X owners who want more forgiveness. Skill levels we would put on it: intermediate, advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.25 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.
What shape and size is the CRBN-3X Power Series?: elongated shape, 16.5 in long by 7.5 in wide, 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core, Raw T700 carbon face, 8 oz. Released 2026.

CRBN-3X 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
$170
Amazon listing — checked August 10, 2026
Weight
8 oz
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Core thickness
16 mm
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Swing weight
114 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Twist weight
6.6 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Paddle DNA (15 traits)
IQ 87.9/100
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.

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Last updated August 2026 · How we score paddles