CRBN has become a household name in pickleball alongside others like Selkirk and Joola. Their original CRBN 1 and 2 models are very popular and for good reason. They offer excellent control and spin capabilities.
The one downside to CRBN’s popular 16mm paddles is that they are very control oriented and don’t have as much power and offensive options as some would like to have. In an effort to fill this need, CRBN made thinner 14mm and 13mm options of their original series but they didn’t do the trick for most people. Yes, they gave you more pop, but with too much sacrifice in forgiveness and stability.
Their new Power X series is different, though. The 16mm CRBN 1X and 2X give you the same forgiveness and stability of the originals but with that extra pop many were craving. A lot of people are going to like these. Although I’m a fan of them, they aren’t perfect and do have some drawbacks that I’ll get into.
CRBN offers their new Power X series in an elongated and standard shape with two thicknesses, 16mm and 14mm. For this review, I played with the CRBN 1X and CRBN 2X 16mm versions.
Table of Contents
Performance Summary
CRBN 1X 16mm
- Average Weight: 7.8-8.2 oz
- Swingweight: 124 (high)
- Twistweight: 6.18 (average)
- Length: 16.5″
- Width: 7.5″
- Face: Raw Carbon Fiber
- Grip Circumference: 4.25″ (octagonal)
- Handle Length: 5.5″
- Core: Polymer
- Price: $229.99
(Get 10% off with the discount code 10EFFECT)
CRBN 2X 16mm
- Average Weight: 7.8-8.2 oz
- Swingweight: 112 (moderately low)
- Twistweight: 7.75 (high)
- Length: 15.75″
- Width: 8″
- Face: Raw Carbon Fiber
- Grip Circumference: 4.25″
- Handle Length: 4.75″
- Core: Polymer
- Price: $229.99
(Get 10% off with the discount code 10EFFECT)
Performance Details
Shared Characteristics
1. Increased stability and reduced vibrations
These paddles felt more stable and had less vibrations out of the box as if you had added lead tape. This is one of my favorite benefits of Unibody tech.
CRBN 1X 16mm Performance Details
The CRBN 1X 16mm definitely hits harder than the original CRBN 1 16mm and it’s more forgiving. I always thought the sweet spot on the original CRBN 1 was on the smaller side so it was nice to see that it improved. Although it hits harder, I wouldn’t consider it a power paddle, it fits squarely in the middle of the all-court category with a really nice blend of power and control.
When you combine the extra power with the big spin, it grants you more offensive options compared to the original series. The biggest difference being with counters and finishing the ball when the other team is in the transition zone. I was more of a threat when countering speed ups and earned more pop ups and points than I could get with the original series. Then when I was given a slightly higher ball and my opponents were in the transition zone or on the backline I could overpower them in that position and didn’t have to rely as much on ball placement like I did with the original series.
One downside offensively with this paddle is that it has a higher swing weight so it’s not quite as quick at the net in hand battles and it’s a little harder to swing through backhand volleys.
The X series has a much different feel compared to the original series. The original series has a very soft, pleasant feel to them that is easy to connect with and absorbs pace off the ball well. However, the X series feels stiffer and not as plush. It’s a unique feel that takes some getting used to. There is certainly an adjustment period if you’re coming from a traditional, soft raw carbon paddle. I shared the paddle with several friends and none of them picked up the soft game immediately like they would with a non Unibody carbon paddle. However, they are forgiving and they aren’t too poppy off the face. After a week or two I was controlling the paddle well. If you’re a higher level player then you will be able to control this just as well as anything else once you get used to it. However, if you’re a lower level player then you’ll find yourself popping the ball up more than you would with a control focused paddle.
I’ll finish by talking a little more about its weight. The paddle has an average weight in the low 8 oz range but it does have a higher swing weight which makes it feel heavier. It’s not as head heavy as the Joola Hyperion CFS 16 which is notorious for feeling heavier, but it’s up there. If you don’t like high swing weight paddles then you won’t like it, but if you don’t mind a little extra weight then there is a lot to like about this paddle.
Bottom line: The CRBN 1X 16mm is a great all-court paddle with a lot to like about it. It’s on the heavier side though and it takes time to get used to its stiffer feel.
(Get 10% off with the discount code 10EFFECT)
CRBN 2X 16mm Performance Details
The CRBN 2X 16mm plays similar to the CRBN 1X 16mm but with some subtle differences that I think will appeal to more people. The 2X also falls squarely in the middle of the all-court category. It hits harder than your non unibody raw carbon paddles too but offers less power compared to the 1X. Like the 1X, this extra power and its bigger spin rating opened up some doors offensively, particularly with counters and finishing points. However, the big difference is that the 2X has a lighter swing weight which makes it easier to maneuver and manage on the court. I liked it more that way.
With the shape of the 2X being shorter and wider, it had a bigger sweet spot than the 1X. When you combine the bigger sweet spot with how stable it was, it made it better defensively than the 1X. This combo made the paddle really strong when blocking or countering drives and speed ups. I felt like a wall that couldn’t get passed.
The 2X has a slightly softer feel compared to the 1X but they are very similar and both take more time to adjust to because of their unique, stiffer feel. Like the 1X, I didn’t take to it immediately. If you have a weaker soft game then these paddles won’t enhance it for you and you’ll pop the ball up more often. However, if you’re a higher level player, then once you get used to the feel then you can control it just as well as the original series. The more you play with it the softer it seems to get, but when you compare it side by side with a typical raw carbon paddle it’s not the same.
The paddle has a shorter, wider design and you can tell when you’re drinking that it’s shorter than the 1X. You can’t reach in and attack as many balls as you could with the 1X, but you get the benefits of added forgiveness and a bigger paddle head. It’s a trade off between the two paddles.
Personally, I preferred the 2X over the 1X because I liked the better weight balance and the added forgiveness.
Bottom line: I’m willing to bet the CRBN 2X 16mm is going to be a really popular paddle. It has a great combination of power, spin, stability, and forgiveness. It is on the shorter side though and the feel takes some getting used to.
(Get 10% off with the discount code 10EFFECT)
Is the CRBN 1X the Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 Killer?
The Joola Ben John’s Hyperion CFS 16 has been dubbed as one of the best paddles available but with a couple of fatal flaws. It’s very head heavy and the handle is known to break for big hitters. The CRBN 1X 16mm has similar performance capabilities as the Hyperion CFS 16 like a nice balance of power and control, stability and a good sized sweet spot. However, the 1X is not as head heavy and it has a stronger handle that won’t break. Seemingly, this would make the 1X 16mm better than the Hyperion CFS 16. I don’t see it as cut and dry like that.
The one thing the Hyperion CFS 16 still has over the 1X 16mm is its softer feel. The Hyperion CFS 16 has a much more plush, softer feel to it that is easier to connect with and control while still maintaining good power. This makes it better in the control category. I think most players would be more accurate and consistent with the Hyperion CFS 16 over the 1X 16mm. If you’re deciding between the two, then here are my thoughts.
Pick the CRBN 1X 16mm over the Hyperion CFS 16 if:
- You like the idea of the Hyperion CFS 16 but it’s just too head heavy for you
- You’ve played with the Hyperion CFS 16 and the handle keeps breaking on you because you swing big
Pick the Hyperion CFS 16 over the CRBN 1X 16MM if:
- You want a strong all-court paddle with a softer, easier to control feel and don’t mind the extra weight
Both are great paddles but I don’t think the CRBN 1X 16mm makes the Hyperion CFS 16 irrelevant. They both have their place.
Other Player Comments
My Recommendation
I liked these paddles and think they will end up in a lot of people’s hands though they aren’t right for everyone. This Unibody technology is legit and we’ll see a lot of brands making similar paddles to these this year.
If you’re currently playing with a 16 mm raw carbon paddle without the Unibody Tech and are looking for a little more power, then the CRBN X 16mm paddles are a good option. It has the ability to be controlled nearly as well but will add some power to your game to finish points more often. Plus, the extra spin potential doesn’t hurt.
If you’re someone who needs more help with their soft game and often pops the ball up, then I’d recommend CRBN’s original series over the X series. The original series has a softer feel and absorbs pace off the ball better.
Both paddles have an unfamiliar feel to them at first that takes some getting used to. Something about the Unibody tech makes them feel different. If you do decide to pick one up, you’ll want to drill with it and play a couple of sessions before you decide if it’s the right one for you. I liked the feel of them the more I played, but that may not be the case for everyone.
Is this the right paddle for you?
If you think CRBN may have the right paddle for you. Pick one up directly from their website for 10% off using the discount code 10EFFECT.
Shop CRBN Power SeriesBraydon competes at the 5.0 level and plays in 5-10 tournaments a year. He plays/drills 3 to 4 times a week and would play more if time allowed it.
