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CRBN 1X Power for advanced spin-led players; Onix Graphite Z5 for intermediates who prioritise touch and a big sweet spot.
Two well-regarded paddles from very different design philosophies. The CRBN 1X Power Series at £130 is a modern carbon-faced paddle aimed at players who want spin and put-away power. The Onix Graphite Z5 at £60-80 is a 220-235g widebody classic with a Nomex honeycomb core, graphite face and 14mm thickness — a paddle that's been a top seller across the Atlantic for years for good reason. Buy the CRBN 1X Power Series if you're a 4.0+ player who's played enough to know you favour spin-led drives and you want a paddle that will out-perform older graphite designs on third-shot drops. Buy the Onix Graphite Z5 if you're an intermediate who values touch and a genuinely large sweet spot from the widebody shape over outright power. The Nomex core gives a louder, livelier ball strike than polymer alternatives, and the £50-70 saving compared with the CRBN frees up budget for proper court shoes — far more important than a paddle upgrade for most UK players.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Advanced | Intermediate |
| Weight | — | 220-235g |
| Shape | Elongated | Widebody |
| Core | Polymer honeycomb | Nomex honeycomb |
| Surface | T700 Raw Carbon | Graphite |
| Grip Size | — | 4 1/4" |
| Core Thickness | — | 14mm |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Shape: CRBN 1X has Elongated vs Widebody. Core: CRBN 1X has Polymer honeycomb vs Nomex honeycomb. Surface: CRBN 1X has T700 Raw Carbon vs Graphite. Overall, the CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle is best for advanced players while the Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle suits intermediate players.
Neither is specifically designed for beginners — the CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players and the Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle suits intermediate players. Beginners may find both challenging.
The CRBN 1X Power Series Pickleball Paddle (£130) costs more than the Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle (£60-80). 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.