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CRBN 1X is for serious competitors; Franklin X-40 is the right buy for the social UK player.
These two paddles are barely in the same conversation. The CRBN 1X Power Series at £130 is a 16mm thermoformed, T700 raw-carbon-faced paddle with foam-injected edges and the kind of swingweight that competitive players reach for when they're playing serious tournament pickleball. The Franklin X-40 Performance at £35 is a fibreglass-faced, polymer-cored, lightweight paddle built around Franklin's X-40 outdoor ball ecosystem and aimed squarely at recreational play. Buy the CRBN 1X if you're playing competitive UK pickleball, you train rather than just play, and you want the spin window thermoforming gives on third-shot drives. Otherwise the Franklin X-40 is the honest buy for now. Most UK pickleball still lives in leisure-centre sessions and weekend outdoor play - the X-40 is genuinely sufficient for that, and the CRBN's tournament-grade build is wasted on dink rallies that don't yet exist in your game. Premium pickleball gear pays off above 3.5 DUPR; below that, it's just a heavier wallet.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Advanced | Beginner |
| Weight | — | — |
| Shape | Elongated | Standard |
| Core | Polymer honeycomb | Polymer honeycomb |
| Surface | T700 Raw Carbon | Fibreglass |
| Grip Size | — | — |
| Core Thickness | — | — |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Shape: CRBN 1X has Elongated vs Standard. Surface: CRBN 1X has T700 Raw Carbon vs Fibreglass. Overall, the CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle is best for advanced players while the Franklin X-40 Performance Pickleball Paddle suits beginners.
The Franklin X-40 Performance Pickleball Paddle is the better choice for beginners thanks to its forgiving design and accessible price point. The CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle is aimed at advanced players and may be more demanding to use effectively.
The CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle (£130) costs more than the Franklin X-40 Performance Pickleball Paddle (£35). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are advanced players, the extra investment in the CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle can pay off.