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1 / 2Image: CRBN

CRBN⁴ TruFoam Waves (Hybrid, AeroCurve) Pickleball Paddle Review

See all CRBN paddles

The hybrid AeroCurve shape of CRBN's TruFoam Waves: 16.2 x 7.8 in, with CRBN's most powerful 100% foam core and a T700 raw carbon face over fiberglass.

$199.99List price $279.99 · 28% offChecked October 16, 2026. Prices change often; the checkout price is final.
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Edited by DanPublished Updated How we research

Quick Verdict

Top-of-scale power, a 9 sweet-spot rating and quick hands from a hybrid foam paddle.

Buy at CRBN

Key Specifications

Brand
CRBN
Weight
7.8–8.2 oz (8.0 oz average)
Shape
Hybrid (AeroCurve)
Length
16.2 in
Width
7.8 in
Core thickness
14 mm
Grip length
5.5 in
Grip circumference
4.125 in
Core material
100% TruFoam Gen-4 foam core
Surface material
T700 raw carbon fiber with fiberglass layer
Balance
Swing weight 111–113; twist weight 6.68; balance point 237 mm (per CRBN)
USA Pickleball status
Approved: on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-01).

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Top power rating (10) on our scale
  • CRBN's most powerful TruFoam core in a quicker hybrid shape
  • On the USA Pickleball approved list
  • 4.9 out of 5 from 150+ verified buyers on CRBN's site

Cons

  • Control rating (8) trails the Barrage
  • Less reach than the elongated shapes
  • A few buyers wanted more control or grit
  • Spin relies on the core rather than a gritty face

Performance Review

Our 1–10 ratings, built from the maker’s published specs and scored the same way for every brand. How we score

Power10
Control8
Spin9
Sweet spot9

Scores by Player Type

Beginners8.8/10
Touch players8.6/10
Power hitters9.3/10Best fit
Spin players9.1/10

Calculated from our four ratings, weighted for each kind of player. How these are weighted

Power

10/10

Why it scores 10 for power

On our spec-based scale it rates 10 for power: a 100% foam core, a 14 mm core, an 8.0 oz average weight, a carbon-fiberglass face and a 16.2 in hybrid shape add up to the top of our scale. Our scale scores core material, not CRBN's three TruFoam core designs, so a Genesis and a Waves in the same shape get the same ratings. CRBN positions Waves as its most powerful TruFoam paddle, Barrage for pop and fast counters, and Genesis as its all-court paddle.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
14 mm
Core type
100% TruFoam Gen-4 foam core
Weight
7.8–8.2 oz (8.0 oz average)
Shape
Hybrid (AeroCurve)
Face
T700 raw carbon fiber with fiberglass layer

How our power rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • Core 13 mm or thinner+1.5
  • Core 14–15 mm+0.75
  • Core 17 mm or thicker−1
  • Weighs 8.3 oz or more+0.75
  • Weighs 7.9–8.2 oz+0.25
  • Weighs under 7.5 oz−0.5
  • Elongated shape+1
  • Hybrid shape+0.5
  • Fiberglass face+0.75
  • Hybrid (mixed) face+0.5
  • Foam core+1.5
  • Heat-sealed or one-piece build+0.75
See the full rating scale

Control

8/10

Why it scores 8 for control

A 14 mm core and hybrid shape give it a control rating of 8, a step up from the elongated Waves.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
14 mm
Weight
7.8–8.2 oz (8.0 oz average)
Shape
Hybrid (AeroCurve)
Face
T700 raw carbon fiber with fiberglass layer

How our control rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • Core 17 mm or thicker+1.5
  • Core 16 mm+1
  • Core 14–15 mm+0.25
  • Core 13 mm or thinner−0.5
  • Weighs 7.5–8.2 oz+0.25
  • Standard shape+0.5
  • Hybrid shape+0.25
  • Carbon face+0.75
  • Hybrid (mixed) face+0.25
  • Fiberglass face−0.25
See the full rating scale

Spin

9/10

Why it scores 9 for spin

Its raw carbon face and hybrid shape give it a spin rating of 9. CRBN says Waves uses the foam's longer dwell time for spin rather than surface grit.

The specs behind the rating

Face and texture
T700 raw carbon fiber with fiberglass layer
Shape
Hybrid (AeroCurve)
Length
16.2 in

How our spin rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • Carbon face+1
  • Hybrid (mixed) face+0.75
  • Fiberglass face+0.25
  • Long-lasting grippy texture (grit coating or peel-ply)+1.5
  • Basic texture+0.75
  • Elongated shape+0.75
  • Hybrid shape+0.5
See the full rating scale

Sweet Spot

9/10

Why it scores 9 for sweet spot

A 7.8 in face and 14 mm core give it a sweet-spot rating of 9.

The specs behind the rating

Width
7.8 in
Core thickness
14 mm
Weight
7.8–8.2 oz (8.0 oz average)
Length
16.2 in

How our sweet spot rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • 8.0 in wide or wider+2
  • 7.75–7.99 in wide+1.25
  • 7.5–7.74 in wide+0.5
  • Core 16 mm or thicker+1
  • Core 14–15 mm+0.5
  • Heat-sealed, one-piece or extra edge weight+0.75
  • Weighs 8.0 oz or more+0.25
See the full rating scale

In-Depth Review

Each section is our analysis of the manufacturer’s published specs unless it says otherwise.

Maneuverability

Manufacturer data

Weight7.8–8.2 oz

CRBN publishes a swing weight of 111–113, lower than the elongated Waves, for quicker hands at the kitchen.

Handle & comfort

CRBN lists a 5.5 in handle: long enough for most players who hit two-handed backhands. The grip circumference is 4.125 in, the most common size; players with larger hands often add an overgrip. At about 8 oz, it is in the mid-weight range most paddles fall into. Comfort is personal: grip size, handle length and weight are the published specs that affect it most.

Stability

Manufacturer data

Weight7.8–8.2 oz
Width7.8 in

A published twist weight of 6.68, the highest of the Waves shapes we review, with a 237 mm balance point.

Build quality

Manufacturer information

Waves uses CRBN's 100% TruFoam Gen-4 foam core, which CRBN calls the most powerful core in its TruFoam lineup, behind a T700 raw carbon face with an added fiberglass layer. It ships with a neoprene paddle cover. CRBN covers registered paddles bought in the US or Canada for one year against manufacturing defects, and every paddle comes with a 30-day trial with free return shipping.

Feel

Manufacturer description and buyer feedback

CRBN describes a plush, controlled feel on soft shots that releases stored energy, like tennis strings, when you accelerate. CRBN says it may feel different at first. As of October 2026, CRBN's site shows an average of 4.9 out of 5 from 150+ verified-buyer reviews. In the most recent reviews, buyers most often mention its power, control and spin. One buyer found too little control and a small sweet spot, another felt it didn't live up to the hype, and one expected more grit and spin than their older CRBN paddle. These reports don't add up to a consistent pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which CRBN shape should I choose?

CRBN makes its TruFoam paddles in four shapes: ¹ Elongated with a long handle (16.5 x 7.35 in, 5.75 in handle), which CRBN recommends for reach and offense; ² Standard (16 x 7.85 in) for defense and resets; ³ Elongated (16.5 x 7.5 in) for consistency and forgiveness; and ⁴ Hybrid AeroCurve (16.2 x 7.8 in) for hand speed and attacks.

Is the CRBN⁴ TruFoam Waves (Hybrid, AeroCurve) tournament legal?

Approved: on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-01).

Where to Buy

Ready to Play with More Power?

See today’s price and availability for the CRBN⁴ TruFoam Waves (Hybrid, AeroCurve) at CRBN. We link to CRBN, the brand's own store, so you buy new and the manufacturer's warranty and return policy apply. It is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list.

Buy at CRBN

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Sources and How We Researched This Review

  • Specifications and product details: the manufacturer's published information, labelled "Manufacturer data" in the review.
  • Ratings: calculated from those specifications on our published rating scale, the same for every brand, and labelled "Our analysis".
  • Buyer feedback: 150+ buyer ratings on CRBN, summarized in the Feel section and labelled "buyer feedback".
  • Hands-on testing: we haven't play-tested this paddle. Everything here comes from the sources listed and our analysis of them.
CRBN⁴ TruFoam Waves (Hybrid, AeroCurve)Research score 9.0/10 · CRBN$199.99at CRBN
$199.99at CRBNBuy at CRBN