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1 / 2Image: CRBN

CRBN¹ X Series Pickleball Paddle Review

See all CRBN paddles

CRBN's long-running X Series (formerly the Power Series) in its elongated 1X shape: 16.5 x 7.25 in with a unibody build, reinforced edge walls and a gritty T700 Toray carbon face, in 14 or 16 mm.

$149.99List price $229.99 · 34% offChecked October 16, 2026. Prices change often; the checkout price is final.
Buy at CRBN

Edited by DanPublished Updated How we research

Quick Verdict

Strong power and spin, unibody construction and the best buyer rating in the CRBN range at the lowest price.

Buy at CRBN

Key Specifications

Brand
CRBN
Weight
7.8–8.1 oz
Shape
Elongated
Length
16.5 in
Width
7.25 in
Core thickness
14 mm or 16 mm (scored at 14 mm)
Grip length
5.5 in
Grip circumference
4.125 in
Core material
Upgraded durable core with a foam-reinforced perimeter (CRBN doesn’t name the core material)
Surface material
Gritty T700 Toray carbon fiber
Balance
Not published by CRBN
USA Pickleball status
Approved: the 14 mm and 16 mm versions are on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-01).

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Highest buyer rating in CRBN's lineup (4.9 out of 5, 850+ verified buyers)
  • Strong power (9.5) and spin (9.5) on our scale
  • On the USA Pickleball approved list in 14 and 16 mm
  • CRBN's lowest-priced line

Cons

  • Narrowest face (7.25 in) of the CRBN paddles we review
  • CRBN doesn't name the core material
  • No published swing or twist weight
  • CRBN says its TruFoam Genesis hits harder

Performance Review

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

Power9.5
Control8
Spin9.5
Sweet spot8

Scores by Player Type

Beginners8.4/10
Touch players8.5/10
Power hitters9.0/10
Spin players9.1/10Best fit

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

Power

9.5/10

Why it scores 9.5 for power

On our spec-based scale it rates 9.5 for power: a 14 mm core, a 7.8–8.1 oz weight, a 16.5 in elongated shape and unibody construction add power on our scale. We score the 14 mm version. The 16 mm version would rate 9 for power and 9 for control on our scale, with a larger sweet spot..

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
14 mm or 16 mm (scored at 14 mm)
Core type
Upgraded durable core with a foam-reinforced perimeter (CRBN doesn’t name the core material)
Weight
7.8–8.1 oz
Shape
Elongated
Face
Gritty T700 Toray carbon fiber

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 carbon face give it a control rating of 8; the elongated shape trades some control for reach.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
14 mm or 16 mm (scored at 14 mm)
Weight
7.8–8.1 oz
Shape
Elongated
Face
Gritty T700 Toray carbon fiber

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

9.5/10

Why it scores 9.5 for spin

Its gritty T700 carbon face and elongated shape give it a spin rating of 9.5.

The specs behind the rating

Face and texture
Gritty T700 Toray carbon fiber
Shape
Elongated
Length
16.5 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

8/10

Why it scores 8 for sweet spot

A 7.25 in face and 14 mm core give it a sweet-spot rating of 8, helped by the unibody build. CRBN says the reinforced edge walls expand the sweet spot.

The specs behind the rating

Width
7.25 in
Core thickness
14 mm or 16 mm (scored at 14 mm)
Weight
7.8–8.1 oz
Length
16.5 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

Weight7.8–8.1 oz
BalanceNot published by CRBN

At 7.8–8.1 oz, it's one of CRBN's lighter paddles. CRBN doesn't publish swing weight for the X Series.

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 7.95 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

Weight7.8–8.1 oz
Width7.25 in

CRBN credits the unibody build and reinforced edges with stability and less vibration. It doesn't publish twist weight for the X Series.

Build quality

Manufacturer information

The X Series uses a unibody build, with carbon fiber running from the face through the handle, and reinforced edge walls that CRBN says add stability and expand the sweet spot, behind a gritty T700 Toray carbon fiber face. CRBN doesn't name the core material; its TruFoam pages contrast the newer foam cores with honeycomb. 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 stiff, responsive unibody feel with less vibration from the reinforced edges. As of October 2026, CRBN's site shows an average of 4.9 out of 5 from 850+ verified-buyer reviews. In the most recent reviews, buyers most often mention its power, followed by control and spin. Low ratings are rare and mostly older: one buyer reported a cracked handle after two weeks, one found a defect in the face, and a few wanted more power, especially from the 16 mm version. These reports don't add up to a consistent pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which X Series shape should I choose?

The 1X is elongated with a long handle (16.5 x 7.25 in, 5.5 in handle), the 3X is elongated with a wider face (16.5 x 7.5 in, 5.25 in handle) and the 2X is a square shape (15.75 x 8 in). Each comes in 14 mm or 16 mm. A 12 mm 1X is sold as Thomas Wilson's signature paddle.

Is the CRBN¹ X Series tournament legal?

Approved: the 14 mm and 16 mm versions are on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-01).

Should I choose the 14 mm or 16 mm version?

Thinner cores generally add pop and thicker cores add control and a softer feel. On our scale the 14 mm version rates higher for power and the 16 mm version higher for control and sweet spot. A few buyers found the 16 mm short on power.

Where to Buy

Ready to Play with More Power?

See today’s price and availability for the CRBN¹ X Series 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: 850+ 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.
CRBN¹ X SeriesResearch score 8.8/10 · CRBN$149.99at CRBN
$149.99at CRBNBuy at CRBN