You've done the research. You've watched the reviews. You've narrowed it down to two elongated carbon fiber paddles under $200: the Eleven Zero EZ Power Carbon 16mm and the CRBN 1X.

Good taste. Both are serious paddles built with T700 carbon fiber faces and polypropylene honeycomb cores. Both are USAP certified. Both show up in tournament play. But they're not the same paddle, and one of them costs $71 less than the other.

Let's break down what actually matters so you can pick the right one and get on the court.

The Price Gap Is Real

Let's address this first because it's the reason most people land on this comparison.

• EZ Power Carbon 16mm: $98.95
• CRBN 1X: $169.99

That's a 42% difference. You could buy the EZ Power Carbon and have $71 left over for a paddle bag, a sleeve of outdoor balls, and lunch after your next session.

The question is whether the CRBN 1X gives you $71 more paddle. Spoiler: not really. But the answer depends on what kind of player you are, so keep reading.

Face Material: Same Carbon, Different Finish

Both paddles use Toray T700 carbon fiber on the face. This is the same raw material. T700 is an aerospace-grade carbon that's become the standard for high-end pickleball paddles because it delivers excellent spin, durability, and a crisp feel on contact.

The difference is in execution. The EZ Power Carbon uses three layers of T700 with a frosted texture finish. That frosted surface grabs the ball and generates consistent spin without being overly gritty. The CRBN 1X uses a raw T700 face, which also generates good spin but can feel slightly different on touch shots.

In practice, both faces perform well for spin. The three-layer construction on the EZ Power Carbon adds durability and a slightly more uniform response across the face. If spin is your priority, you're covered either way.

Core Construction: Both 16mm, But Built Differently

Both paddles run a 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core in their standard configuration. (CRBN also offers a 13mm version for players who want a thinner, poppier feel. Eleven Zero doesn't offer a 13mm in this model.)

The 16mm thickness on both paddles gives you a bigger sweet spot, better control, and more forgiveness on off-center hits compared to thinner cores. If you're playing doubles and spending time at the kitchen line, 16mm is where you want to be.

Where the paddles diverge is build method. The EZ Power Carbon uses thermoformed unibody construction, meaning the entire paddle is molded as a single piece under heat and pressure. This eliminates the seams and joints where traditional paddles can develop dead spots or delaminate over time. The result is a more consistent feel across the entire face and better long-term durability.

CRBN doesn't specify thermoformed construction on their listing. That doesn't mean it's a bad paddle. It means the EZ Power Carbon has a structural advantage that shows up over hundreds of hours of play.

Weight and Balance: This Is Where They Split

Here's where you need to be honest with yourself about your game.

• EZ Power Carbon: 8.5 oz (± 0.2 oz)
• CRBN 1X: ~8.0 oz

Half an ounce might not sound like much, but you feel it on every swing. The EZ Power Carbon is the heavier paddle, and that weight is intentional. It comes with 8 grams of internal endcap weighting already installed. That extra mass in the head gives you more stability on blocks, more drive-through power on groundstrokes, and a more planted feel during dinking exchanges.

Our co-founder Camila Zilveti plays with a weighted setup for exactly this reason. At the PPA level, she wants a paddle that doesn't twist on hard incoming drives and delivers consistent power without having to muscle the ball. The EZ Power Carbon is built around that philosophy.

The CRBN 1X at 8.0 oz is lighter and quicker through the air. That means faster hand speed at the net, easier maneuverability on reaction volleys, and less fatigue during long sessions. For players who rely on fast hands and finesse over raw power, that lighter weight is a real advantage.

Neither weight is "better." But they serve different styles. More on that below.

Out-of-Box Readiness

This one matters more than people think.

The EZ Power Carbon ships pre-weighted with 8 grams of internal endcap weighting, a 5.5" faux leather grip, and it's tournament-ready the moment you unwrap it. No lead tape. No aftermarket grip swaps. No YouTube tutorials about where to add weight. You open the box and play.

The CRBN 1X ships at 8.0 oz and includes a neoprene cover (a nice touch). But many players who buy the CRBN end up adding lead or tungsten tape to the head for more stability and power. That's extra cost, extra time, and trial-and-error to get the balance right. If you read through the Amazon reviews, you'll see players talking about their tape setups.

If you enjoy customizing your paddle, that's fine. Some players treat it like tuning a car. But if you want to buy a paddle and compete with it immediately, the EZ Power Carbon is ready to go.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Who Should Buy the CRBN 1X

Let's be straight about this. The CRBN 1X is a good paddle. It earned that 4.6-star rating on Amazon for a reason. If you're a player who prioritizes hand speed and prefers a lighter paddle that you can customize with your own weight setup, the CRBN is a solid choice. It also offers the 13mm option if you want a thinner core for more pop on drives.

If you've already played with CRBN paddles and love the feel, there's no reason to switch just to save money. Play what works for your game.

Who Should Buy the EZ Power Carbon

If any of these describe you, the EZ Power Carbon is the better buy:

• You want a tournament-ready paddle without having to add tape or modify anything
• You value stability and power over pure hand speed
• You want thermoformed unibody construction for long-term consistency
• You don't want to spend $170 on a paddle when you can get the same core materials for $99
• You're buying your first serious paddle and want to invest the savings in lessons, drills, or court time

The EZ Power Carbon gives you the same T700 carbon fiber face, the same polypropylene honeycomb core, a more advanced build method, and a pre-optimized weight setup. For $71 less.

The Bottom Line

For most players reading this comparison, the EZ Power Carbon 16mm is the better purchase. Not because the CRBN 1X is bad. It's because the EZ Power Carbon delivers comparable or better performance at a price point that doesn't make you wince.

You're getting T700 carbon, 16mm poly core, thermoformed unibody construction, and a pre-weighted setup that's ready for tournament play. The only thing you're giving up compared to the CRBN is half an ounce of weight (which many CRBN players add back with tape anyway) and a neoprene cover.

Save the $71. Spend it on court time. That's what actually makes you a better player.

Shop the EZ Power Carbon 16mm →