Quick Answer: The CRBN¹ X Series (also sold as the “1X Power Series”) is CRBN’s elongated power paddle — a 16.5in x 7.25in unibody carbon-fiber build with a T700 Toray raw-carbon face, available in 14mm or 16mm core thickness. It’s USA Pickleball approved, weighs 7.8–8.1oz, and currently sells for $149.99 direct from CRBN (list $229.99). Independent testing rates it a top spin and power performer, but flags a real trade-off: it’s noticeably head-heavy and less forgiving than CRBN’s wider 2X shape, so mis-hits punish you more.
CRBN’s X Series — the brand’s carbon-fiber power line, formerly branded the “Power Series” — shows up throughout this site’s CRBN coverage as the elongated power pick alongside the foam-core TruFoam Genesis flagship, but it hasn’t had its own dedicated review until now. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s 2026 Single Sport Report, pickleball reached roughly 24.3 million U.S. players in 2025, up from 4.2 million in 2020, and CRBN has grown alongside that boom into one of the most-recommended mid-tier brands on the market. We pulled the 1X’s real specs from CRBN’s own product listing and checked what independent reviewers (Pickleheads, PickleballEffect) found after actually playing with it.
CRBN 1X Power Series specs at a glance
| Spec | CRBN¹ X Series (1X Power Series) |
|---|---|
| Face material | T700 Toray raw carbon fiber |
| Core | 14mm or 16mm polypropylene honeycomb, foam-injected edges |
| Build | Unibody (thermoformed) construction |
| Weight | 7.8–8.1 oz |
| Dimensions | 16.5in long x 7.25in wide (elongated) |
| Grip | 5.5in handle length, 4.125in circumference |
| USA Pickleball approved | Yes — USAP certified |
| Price | $149.99 (list $229.99) |
| Rating | ★★★★½ |
What we liked
CRBN 1X Power Series
- The T700 Toray raw-carbon face delivers exceptional spin — Pickleheads rated it a perfect 10/10 for spin generation in independent testing.
- Real power to go with the spin: reviewers describe the ball "just flying off it," backed by a 9/10 power score.
- The unibody thermoformed build with foam-injected edges genuinely expands the sweet spot and cuts vibration compared to CRBN's older glued-edge-guard construction.
- At 16.5in long, the elongated shape gives real extra reach on drives and at the net, especially useful in singles.
- CRBN's own store reports 892 reviews at a 96% positive rate (855 five-star), an unusually strong track record for a mid-tier direct-to-consumer paddle brand.
Stringing together back-to-back drives with this much pop takes real reps — if you’re driving to the courts to break it in, try a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial for fast free shipping on grip tape and overgrips while you dial the paddle in. For the full current CRBN lineup, see our best CRBN pickleball paddle roundup.
What holds it back
- Head-heavy feel. Independent testing at Pickleheads flagged the 1X as noticeably head-heavy, which can slow reset speed and blocking at the net compared to a lighter, more balanced paddle.
- Can be too poppy for beginners. The same review warns new users to “expect some fliers in the beginning” — the power and spin that advanced players love takes real technique adjustment to control.
- Less forgiving than the 2X. The elongated shape trades sweet-spot size for reach; CRBN’s own wider 2X Power Series shape is rated more forgiving on off-center contact.
- Price swings. CRBN runs frequent promotions, and the 1X has been seen anywhere from $149.99 to $230 depending on the sale — always check the current price before comparing it against competitors.
CRBN 1X vs. 2X Power Series: elongated reach vs. forgiving width
| CRBN¹ X Series | CRBN² X Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Elongated | Square/all-court |
| Dimensions | 16.5in x 7.25in | Wider, shorter handle |
| Best for | Reach, singles, net play | Forgiveness, all-court |
| Sweet spot | Tighter | Larger, more forgiving |
| Price | $149.99 (list $229.99) | $229.99 list, often $169.99 |
| USA Pickleball approved | Yes | Yes |
Both share the same unibody carbon-fiber build and 14mm/16mm core options — the shape is the whole decision. See our full best CRBN pickleball paddle roundup for how the 1X, 2X and 3X shapes and the foam-core TruFoam Genesis line all compare, or our CRBN vs. Selkirk and JOOLA vs. CRBN comparisons for how CRBN stacks up against the rest of the field.
Who should buy the CRBN 1X Power Series
- Intermediate-to-advanced power players who want elite spin and real pace, especially singles players who benefit from the extra 16.5in reach.
- Players upgrading from a beginner fiberglass paddle who are ready for a stiffer, more aggressive carbon-fiber feel — see our best pickleball paddle for power guide for how it ranks against the field.
- Skip it if: you’re a beginner or prefer a forgiving, control-first feel — the CRBN² X Series’ wider shape or CRBN’s own TruFoam Genesis line (see the best CRBN pickleball paddle roundup) are better fits, and our best pickleball paddle for control roundup covers the full control-first field.
The bottom line
The CRBN 1X Power Series delivers exactly what its raw-carbon face and elongated unibody build promise: elite spin, real power, and extra reach for players who want to hit through opponents. At its current $149.99 price — well under the $229.99 list — it’s a genuinely strong value in CRBN’s lineup, though the head-heavy feel and tighter sweet spot mean it rewards players who already have solid technique more than true beginners. See how it ranks against the full field in our best pickleball paddle for power guide, or against the rest of CRBN’s lineup in our best CRBN pickleball paddle roundup.