CRBN Pickleball Paddles

Quick Answer

Key Takeaways

• A two-paddle decision: the only meaningful choices are core thickness, face width and handle length.
• 16 mm is the safer pick: the 3X absorbs more pace and is 7.5 in wide against 7.25 in on the 1X.
• 12 mm is the attacking pick: the 1X returns more energy and has a longer 5.5 in handle.
• Same face, same weight: both use raw T700 carbon and a polypropylene honeycomb core with foam injected edges.
• Value is the headline: both cost $60 less than the Selkirk and JOOLA carbon paddles we stock.

Quick Links

• Two CRBN paddles, one decision
• My blind 12mm vs 16mm test
• Is a CRBN paddle worth $159?
• How to choose your CRBN paddle
• CRBN pickleball paddles compared
• Where to buy
• FAQ

Two CRBN Pickleball Paddles, One Decision

I am Tomás Reyes, a padel coach who also runs pickleball sessions for crossover players in the US. You can read how I test equipment on my bio page. With CRBN, the grid above is short, and that makes the choice easier than with most brands.

The CRBN 1X Power Series 12mm

The CRBN 1X Power Series 12mm ($159) is 16.5 in long, 7.25 in wide, with a 5.5 in handle. The core is a 12 mm polypropylene honeycomb with foam injected edges, and the face is raw T700 carbon fiber. It is the livelier of the two, suited to players who attack.

The CRBN 3X Power Series 16mm

The CRBN 3X Power Series 16mm ($159) is 16.5 in long, 7.5 in wide, with a 5.25 in handle, and uses the same core material and face at 16 mm. It is calmer on dinks and a little more forgiving across the face.

What "Power Series" and "raw carbon" mean

Both paddles sit in CRBN's Power Series and both are elongated. "Raw" carbon means the face is left textured rather than painted smooth, which grips the ball for topspin and slice. Weight is the same on paper for both: 7.8 to 8.1 oz, averaging 8.0 oz.

People also search for CRBN glasses, backpacks and bags. We stock the two paddles only. If you need somewhere to carry one, our own Pickleball Paddle Bag in Black ($19.99) or a racket backpack from our bags collection will do the job. For my full brand review, read the CRBN pickleball paddle guide.

My Blind 12mm vs 16mm Test With CRBN Pickleball Paddles

Because the two paddles look almost identical, CRBN pickleball paddles are perfect for a blind test. I covered the model markings with tape and handed them out in my crossover group over three sessions. Same balls, same court, same drills. Players did not know which was which.

Drill 1: cross-court dinks

Ten dinks each, counting how many landed in the kitchen and stayed below net height on the bounce. Six of my eight players scored better with the 3X. The two who scored better with the 1X were both 4.0 players with very soft hands.

Drill 2: drives from the baseline

The 1X won clearly. Players described it as "hotter" and "snappier". The ball came off faster, and topspin drives from my former tennis players dipped hard thanks to the raw carbon face.

Drill 3: blocking hard drives at the kitchen

The 3X won again. The wider 7.5 in face and the thicker core made jammed blocks easier to control, and fewer balls popped up for the attackers.

What the padel players said

My padel-first players almost all guessed the 3X was the "softer" paddle before I revealed the labels. They compared it to a padel racket with a soft foam core. After 90 minutes nobody reported arm fatigue with either paddle. When I revealed the labels and asked who would buy which, five chose the 3X and three chose the 1X, which matches what I see across my students generally.

Is a CRBN Paddle Worth $159?

I think so, for the right player. What you are paying for is the face. A raw T700 carbon surface is what gives a paddle its bite on topspin drives and slice dinks, and at $159 CRBN puts that on the court for $60 less than the premium Selkirk and JOOLA paddles in our range. What you give up is choice. There are only two cores, no gritted surface option and no wide-body shape in our CRBN stock.

For a player moving up from a first fiberglass paddle, that trade is excellent value. For a player who already knows they want a very plush 20 mm feel or a signature paddle, it is not the right brand. The cover in the box is a genuine bonus, since it saves you buying one separately. And because both paddles clear the $99 threshold, free tracked shipping is included on either one, so there is no shipping charge to add to the comparison.

How to Choose Your CRBN Pickleball Paddle

1. Start from your weakest shot. If you pop up dinks or drops, pick the 3X 16mm. If your drives sit up and get attacked, pick the 1X 12mm.
2. Consider your reflexes at the kitchen. If you often get jammed, the 3X's wider 7.5 in face helps.
3. Check your backhand. Two-handed backhand players will like the 1X's 5.5 in handle.
4. Check your background. Tennis players tend to prefer the 1X, padel and table tennis players the 3X.
5. Set up the grip. Add a thin overgrip from accessories if the handle feels small, and replace it every few weeks of regular play.
6. Keep the cover on. The raw face keeps its bite longer when it is not rubbing against other gear.

CRBN Pickleball Paddles Compared With the Alternatives

Paddle	Shape	Weight	Core	Face	Price at Padelnox
CRBN 1X Power Series 12mm	Elongated	7.8 - 8.1 oz (8.0 oz average)	Polypropylene honeycomb, 12 mm	Raw T700 carbon fiber	$159
CRBN 3X Power Series 16mm	Elongated	7.8 - 8.1 oz (8.0 oz average)	Polypropylene honeycomb, 16 mm	Raw T700 carbon fiber	$159
Selkirk SLK Control XL	-	-	-	-	$129
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 20mm	Elongated (Invikta)	7.9 - 8.3 oz	X7 Thickset honeycomb, 20 mm	Florek carbon fiber	$219
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta 13mm	Elongated (Invikta)	7.7 - 8.1 oz	Polymer honeycomb, 13 mm	Fiberglass and carbon fiber hybrid	$219
JOOLA Simone Jardim Hyperion	Elongated	7.9 - 8.3 oz (8.1 oz average)	Honeycomb propulsion, hyper-foam edge wall	Textured carbon fiber	$219

If you want to spend less, the Selkirk SLK Control XL ($129) is the only branded paddle below CRBN in our range. If you want to step up in softness, the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 20mm in Red ($219) is calmer than the 3X. For more power than the 1X, try the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta 13mm in Grey ($219). For JOOLA spin, the JOOLA Simone Jardim Hyperion ($219) is the one I would try. My best pickleball paddle guide ranks them all.

Where to Buy CRBN Pickleball Paddles

Both CRBN paddles ship from Padelnox, a US-based online store with 221 frames and bags in stock. We sell genuine brand stock, never replicas. Every order is inspected before dispatch and shipped tracked, orders are processed in 1 to 3 business days, and we ship worldwide with delivery in 7 to 14 business days from dispatch.

At $159 each, both CRBN pickleball paddles ship free and tracked, since free shipping starts at $99. Under $99 it is $9.95 flat. Unused items in original packaging can be returned within 30 days, as our shipping and returns page sets out. Every racket over $150 ships with the free Court-Ready Kit: an overgrip 3-pack and a frame protector. Three or more accessories save 15% automatically, and the discount code page explains why there is no code to enter.

To compare brands, browse all pickleball paddles, the Selkirk collection and the JOOLA collection, and read my guides to Selkirk paddles and JOOLA paddles. If you play padel too, the padel vs pickleball guide explains the differences. Questions go to helppadelnox@outlook.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do CRBN pickleball paddles cost?

Both CRBN paddles we stock, the 1X Power Series 12mm and the 3X Power Series 16mm, are $159 at Padelnox, and each comes with a cover. That price qualifies for free tracked shipping, which starts at $99. It is $60 less than the Selkirk LUXX, Selkirk Vanguard and JOOLA signature paddles we carry, which is why I call CRBN the value route to a carbon face.

Is the CRBN 3X good for beginners?

Yes, for a beginner who plans to play regularly. The 16 mm core softens contact, so dinks and drops stay low while you learn, and the 7.5 in face is a little wider than the 1X. In my blind test, six of eight players controlled dinks better with the 3X. A beginner should avoid the 1X 12mm until their soft game is consistent.

Do CRBN paddles come with a cover?

Yes. Both CRBN listings in this collection are sold with a cover, as the product titles state. A cover protects the raw T700 carbon face from scratches and dust, which helps it keep its spin-friendly texture. If you carry more gear, a padded paddle bag or a racket backpack adds extra protection for the edge and keeps your paddle separate from shoes and keys.