CRBN 1X Power Series.

The Gavler Review.

CRBN 1X Power Series Review: A 'Power Paddle' That Plays Like a Control Frame

The CRBN 1X Power Series sits at number five on our Best Pickleball Paddles list with a 9.1, and the first thing worth knowing about it is that the name undersells the paddle. Buy it if you want a spin-forward, elongated paddle with genuine control underneath the aggression — reviewers consistently note that despite the "Power Series" branding, this plays closer to a control frame than an outright banger. The trade-off is one of positioning, not performance: if you actually want maximum raw power, look elsewhere in CRBN's lineup or at the flagships above it on this list.

What it actually is

The 1X is the elongated member of CRBN's Power Series, built around the raw carbon face that made the brand a spin favorite in the first place. With no paint layer to wear off over time, the T700-class carbon grips the ball hard from the very first session — a durability advantage over painted faces that lose grit as the coating wears down.

The construction detail that sets CRBN apart is unibody manufacturing: carbon fiber runs from the face straight through the handle in one continuous piece, rather than a separate handle glued on afterward. That produces a stiffer, more responsive, more durable frame than glued-handle designs, and it's a meaningful reason reviewers rank the 1X near the top of the mid-premium bracket. Underneath the face sits a 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core (a 14mm option exists for players who want more pop) with a foam-injected perimeter, which is the real source of the paddle's control-leaning character. It's USAPA-approved for sanctioned play.

In use

Pickleball Superstore's testing zeroes in on the paddle's clearest strength: "A top quality of the CRBN Power Series is spin — these paddles do not disappoint in that area." That tracks with the raw-carbon face doing exactly what raw carbon is known for — aggressive, repeatable grip on the ball for topspin drives and biting dinks.

But the more interesting finding in that same testing is about positioning, not performance: "Called the 'Power Series,' but still mostly control-oriented — they strike a better balance on the power-vs-control scale." That's a notable admission from a reviewer testing a paddle explicitly marketed around power. In practice, that means the 1X rewards players who want to place shots precisely as much as it rewards players trying to hit through opponents — the foam-injected perimeter and thicker 16mm core give a large, stable sweet spot rather than a twitchy, power-first face.

Where it shines

• Paintless raw-carbon spin. No paint layer means maximum grit and bite from the first hit, with grip that holds up over time rather than degrading as a coating wears off.
• Unibody stiffness and durability. Carbon running continuously from face to handle produces a more connected, responsive feel and fewer failure points than a glued-handle build.
• A large, stable sweet spot. The 16mm core plus foam-injected perimeter walls give real forgiveness on off-center contact, which is unusual for an elongated, spin-focused frame.

The trade-offs — who should skip it

• You actually want the "power" the name promises. Independent testing is fairly consistent that this paddle plays more like a control frame than a pure power paddle — the name can set the wrong expectation. Players chasing maximum raw pace should look elsewhere in the lineup.
• You want a wider, more forgiving shape. The 1X's elongated 16.5-by-7.5-inch shape favors reach over the bigger face and quicker hands of CRBN's standard-shape 2X, which uses the same face and core technology in a different frame.
• You want the lightest possible swing. At roughly 8.0 ounces with a 16mm core, the 1X sits in the middle of the pack — not the heaviest paddle on this list, but not built for players chasing the fastest possible hand speed either.

How it compares

One rank up on the list, the Engage Pursuit Pro MX shares the same elongated shape, raw-carbon construction, and $199 price point, but runs a thinner 13mm core for a livelier, more responsive pop rather than the 1X's control-leaning stability. The choice between the two comes down almost entirely to how much dwell time you want on contact. One rank down, the Franklin Ben Johns Signature takes a completely different approach — a fiberglass face at a fraction of the price, built for beginners and budget-conscious all-court players rather than advancing competitors chasing spin.

The 1X's case is that it delivers CRBN's signature spin without asking you to give up the stability of a control paddle — a combination that's rarer than the "Power Series" name suggests.

The Gavler verdict

A 9.1, reflecting a paddle reviewers consistently rank near the top of the mid-premium field despite — or maybe because of — a name that undersells what it actually does well. The CRBN 1X delivers genuine, tested spin off a paintless raw-carbon face, backed by unibody construction that holds up better than glued-handle designs, all wrapped in a sweet spot big enough to forgive off-center contact. It's held just below the category flagships because its balance leans control over the outright power its branding implies. For an advancing player chasing spin with real control underneath it, the 1X is one of the safest picks in its price bracket — see where it ranks on our Best Pickleball Paddles list.

Common Questions

Is the CRBN 1X Power Series worth it in 2026?

For players chasing spin with real control underneath it, yes. It ranks fifth on Gavler's Best Pickleball Paddles list with a 9.1, built around a paintless raw-carbon face and a unibody frame that reviewers rate near the top of the mid-premium field. Despite the 'Power Series' name, testers agree it plays closer to a control paddle — a plus for advancing players, a mild misdirection for anyone shopping by name alone.

Should I buy the CRBN 1X or the CRBN 2X?

They share the same raw-carbon face, unibody construction, and 16mm core — the difference is shape. The 1X reviewed here is elongated (16.5 x 7.5 inches), built for reach and spin. The 2X is CRBN's standard-shape version with a wider face, built for players who want a bigger sweet spot and quicker hands over the 1X's extra reach.

CRBN 1X or Engage Pursuit Pro MX?

Both are elongated, $199, raw-carbon paddles that sit back-to-back on Gavler's list, and the choice comes down to core thickness. The 1X runs a thicker 16mm core (with a 14mm option) for a bigger, more stable sweet spot that leans toward control. The Pursuit Pro MX runs a thinner 13mm core for a livelier, more responsive pop. Prioritize stability and forgiveness with the 1X; prioritize a faster-feeling paddle with the MX.

Is 'Power Series' a misleading name for the CRBN 1X?

A little. Independent testers, including Pickleball Superstore, note the Power Series name undersells how control-oriented these paddles actually play — the 16mm core and foam-injected perimeter favor a big, stable sweet spot over pure pop. Spin remains the paddle's clearest strength; raw power off the face is not its headline trait despite the branding.