CRBN Pickleball Paddles Reviewed: 1X 12mm vs 3X 16mm

By Tomás Reyes, FIP-Certified Padel Coach
Published 2026-06-11 · Last updated September 2026

Quick Answer

Key Takeaways

• The core is the only big difference: 12 mm on the 1X, 16 mm on the 3X, with the same face material and the same weight range.
• The 3X is slightly wider: 7.5 in against 7.25 in, which gives a touch more sweet spot across the face.
• The 1X has the longer handle: 5.5 in against 5.25 in, useful for two-handed backhands.
• Raw T700 carbon means bite: both faces grab the ball for topspin drives and slice dinks.
• $159 with a cover: CRBN undercuts the $219 Selkirk and JOOLA paddles we stock while keeping a carbon face.

Quick Links

• The CRBN range explained
• Eight weeks with both CRBN paddles
• Serving with a CRBN paddle
• How to choose between the 1X and 3X
• CRBN vs the alternatives
• Where to buy
• FAQ

The CRBN Pickleball Paddle Range Explained

CRBN is a pickleball brand built around one idea: a carbon face on every paddle. The name is the element with the vowels taken out, and the design brief is just as blunt. You get raw carbon, a honeycomb core and very little decoration.

We stock two CRBN paddles, both from the Power Series, both at $159 and both shipped with a cover.

CRBN 1X Power Series 12mm

The CRBN 1X Power Series 12mm ($159) is the thinner, livelier paddle. It lists an elongated shape at 16.5 in by 7.25 in, a 5.5 in handle, a raw T700 carbon fiber face and a polypropylene honeycomb core with foam injected edges. A 12 mm core is thin by modern standards, so the ball leaves the face quickly.

CRBN 3X Power Series 16mm

The CRBN 3X Power Series 16mm ($159) uses the same face and core material at 16 mm thick. It is also a quarter inch wider at 7.5 in, with a slightly shorter 5.25 in handle. That extra core depth softens the response and makes it easier to keep the ball low.

People searching for CRBN also ask about the brand's glasses, backpacks and other models. We carry the two paddles above and not the rest of the CRBN catalog, so this review sticks to what I have played with and what you can order.

Eight Weeks With Both CRBN Paddles

I ran the two CRBN paddles through the same routine I use for padel rackets: at least six sessions each, the same balls, the same drilling partner, and a short set of notes right after every session. I also lent them to four students in my crossover group.

Weeks 1 and 2: the 3X first

I started with the 3X because I expected it to be the easier paddle. It was. The 16 mm core gives a muted, solid contact and the raw carbon face grabs the ball on slice dinks. I could feel the ball sit on the face for a split second longer than on my usual fiberglass demo paddle. Resets from the transition zone landed short more often than with thinner paddles I have used, which is exactly what you want.

Weeks 3 and 4: switching to the 1X

The 1X felt like a different sport for the first hour. Drives came off noticeably hotter and my first few drops sailed. By the second session I had shortened my swing on soft shots and it settled down. On put-aways the 1X was the better paddle. Overheads finished points the 3X would have left alive. The narrower 7.25 in face made off-center blocks a little less forgiving.

Weeks 5 to 8: student feedback

Two of my students were former tennis players. Both picked the 1X, and both loved how it rewarded a full topspin drive. The other two were padel-first players, and both preferred the 3X. Their explanation was the same: the 16 mm core felt closer to the controlled, cushioned feel of a padel foam core. After 90-minute sessions nobody reported arm soreness with either paddle, and both faces still had good grit at the end of eight weeks of regular use.

What I would change

No paddle is perfect, and CRBN is no exception. The raw carbon look is plain, which I like, but a few students wanted more color. The bigger point is range. With only two thicknesses in our stock, there is nothing between the fast 12 mm and the calmer 16 mm, and nothing as plush as a 20 mm control paddle. If you want that very soft, quiet feel, a thick-core Selkirk is the better match. I also found the edge on both paddles picks up scuffs quickly when you scrape low balls, so keep the supplied cover on and pair it with a couple of overgrips from our accessories range so you can refresh the handle every few weeks.

Serving With a CRBN Paddle: A Quick Beginner Guide

A lot of people who search for CRBN paddles are new to the sport, so here is the serve routine I teach in the first lesson. It works with either CRBN paddle.

Stand behind the baseline and serve diagonally into the opposite service box, beyond the kitchen line. The serve is underhand, with contact below your waist and an upward swing path. Drop the ball from your hand or hit it out of the air, and keep your feet behind the line until you make contact.

With the 1X, aim for depth rather than speed, because its thin core already adds pace. With the 3X, you can swing a little more freely and let the carbon face add topspin. Either way, a deep, boring serve that lands in wins more points at club level than a fast one that clips the tape.

How to Choose Between the CRBN 1X and 3X

1. Look at where your errors come from. If you pop up dinks and drops, choose the 3X 16mm. If you lose points because your drives lack punch, choose the 1X 12mm.
2. Think about your background. Tennis players usually adapt to the 1X faster. Padel and table tennis players tend to prefer the softer 3X.
3. Check face width against your reflexes. The 3X is 7.5 in wide and the 1X 7.25 in. If you get jammed often at the kitchen line, the wider face is kinder.
4. Check the handle. Two-handed backhand players will appreciate the 5.5 in handle on the 1X.
5. Set it up properly. Add a thin overgrip if the handle feels small, keep the supplied cover on between sessions, and wipe the raw carbon face with a damp cloth so dust does not dull the grit.
6. Carry it safely. A padded bag such as the Pickleball Paddle Bag in Black ($19.99) keeps the face away from keys and shoes.

CRBN Pickleball Paddle vs the Alternatives

The table lines both CRBN paddles up against the paddles CRBN buyers most often cross-shop in our store. All figures come from the published specs we hold.

Model	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 Vanguard Power Air Invikta	Elongated (Invikta)	7.7 - 8.1 oz	Polymer honeycomb, 13 mm	Fiberglass and carbon fiber hybrid	$219
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 20mm	Elongated (Invikta)	7.9 - 8.3 oz	X7 Thickset honeycomb, 20 mm	Florek carbon fiber	$219
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus	Elongated	7.9 - 8.3 oz (8.1 oz average)	Honeycomb propulsion, hyper-foam edge wall	Textured carbon fiber	$219
Selkirk SLK Control XL	-	-	-	-	$129

What the table tells me: a CRBN pickleball paddle gives you a carbon face and a mainstream weight for $60 less than the Selkirk and JOOLA options. The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta in Red/White ($219) is the closest rival to the 1X for power. The LUXX Control Air Invikta 20mm in Red ($219) is a softer step up from the 3X. The JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus ($219) is the spin alternative with a signature name. If you want the lowest spend on a branded paddle, the Selkirk SLK Control XL ($129) sits below CRBN.

Where to Buy a CRBN Pickleball Paddle

Both paddles are in our CRBN paddles collection. What arrives is genuine CRBN stock, never a replica, and someone checks each order by hand before it leaves and it travels with tracking. We are a US-based online store with 221 frames and bags in stock, shipping worldwide, with orders processed in 1 to 3 business days.

Shipping is free and tracked over $99 and a flat $9.95 below that, so a single CRBN paddle ships free. Unused items in original packaging can be returned within 30 days, as set out on our shipping and returns page. Rackets priced above $150 also come with our free Court-Ready Kit of three overgrips and a frame protector. Buy three or more accessories and 15% comes off automatically. The Padelnox discount code page lists every standing offer.

Before you decide, compare the Selkirk paddles and JOOLA paddles, or browse every pickleball paddle we carry. My Selkirk paddle guide, JOOLA paddle guide, Selkirk vs JOOLA comparison and best pickleball paddles of 2026 cover the other brands. If you are deciding between sports, start with the padel vs pickleball guide. Questions go to helppadelnox@outlook.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a CRBN pickleball paddle good for beginners?

The CRBN 3X Power Series 16mm is a reasonable first carbon paddle for a committed beginner. Its thicker core softens contact and helps keep dinks and drops low, and the 7.5 in face is a little more forgiving. I would steer a true beginner away from the 1X 12mm, because the thin core adds pace that makes soft shots harder to control during the first months.

What is the difference between the CRBN 1X and 3X?

Both are elongated Power Series paddles with a raw T700 carbon face, a polypropylene honeycomb core and a 7.8 to 8.1 oz weight range. The 1X has a 12 mm core, a 7.25 in width and a 5.5 in handle. The 3X has a 16 mm core, a 7.5 in width and a 5.25 in handle. In practice the 1X hits harder and the 3X feels calmer.

How much does a CRBN pickleball paddle cost at Padelnox?

Both CRBN paddles we stock, the 1X Power Series 12mm and the 3X Power Series 16mm, are $159 each and come with a cover. That price clears the $99 free tracked shipping threshold. There is no coupon code to find, because our standing offers apply automatically at checkout. Accessories added to the same order are 15% off when you buy three or more.