There are two sides to the Gearbox CX14E paddle: either you’ll adore it or you’ll find it a little difficult. Your playing style and the amount of time you spend changing to it will decide how it affects your game.

I was excited to put it to the test on the courts because of its strong reputation. Continue reading to get my opinions and an overview.

Buy or Pass?

Buy if:
✅ You want a long-lasting paddle:The CX14E’s durability means you won’t need frequent replacements.

✅ You want to improve your control game:This paddle excels in soft play, offering great control and spin—especially on drives and backhands.

✅ You like spin:Rated 9/10 for spin, this paddle delivers excellent performance for spin-oriented players.

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Pass if:
❌ You’re an aggressive player:The CX14E lacks the power needed for a heavily offensive play style.

❌ You want a plush paddle:With its stiff and solid feel, this paddle may not satisfy those seeking a softer touch.

❌ You need something forgiving:Its smaller sweet spot and lack of forgiveness might make it challenging for some players.

Paddle Specifications Gearbox CX14E

Feature	Details
Paddle Weight	8 oz
Paddle Length	16 ⅝”
Paddle Width	7 ⅜”
Handle Length	5 ⅝”
Grip Circumference	3 ⅝” or 3 ¹⁵⁄₁₆”
Paddle Face Material	3K woven carbon fiber ribbed
Core Material	Toray T-700 carbon fiber
Core Thickness	14 mm (0.55″)
Sweet Spot	Small

Review Summary Gearbox CX14E

The Gearbox CX14E thickest paddle to date, at 14 mm. The company is famous for creating paddles with streamlined, carbon fiber designs. The name’s ‘E’ designates the elongated model, which provides remarkable two-handed shooting performance and a longer reach.

It did take me a while to get used to this paddle. Gearbox paddles feel stiff and poppy compared to others I’ve used. This might be a hit with some players, but I struggled at first. Almost every shot felt awkward in my first session, except for serving.

Playing aggressively was difficult, and I had trouble hitting against hard drives. Defensive resets occurred frequently, and my attacks lacked power, giving my opponent easy opportunities to counter. The force I’m used to with other paddles, such as the Selkirk Vanguard Force Air Invikta or the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion, wasn’t there in overhead smashes.

The sweet spot felt smaller than expected, with noticeable dead zones. Initially, I hit the net a lot with dinks, and my backhand strokes often went long. Despite these challenges, the CX14E shined in one area: serving.

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The Gearbox CX14E was excellent at serving from the start. The poppy face provided the perfect balance of power, spin, and control, allowing me to consistently hit deep serves with accuracy. Drop shots were another strong point, offering controlled topspin drops that frequently forced errors from opponents.

Drop shots were another noteworthy feature in addition to serving. From the baseline or transition zone, I could perform controlled topspin drops that went low and often induced mistakes from my opponents. These drop shots sometimes won points outright or set up strong fifth shots from the kitchen line.

My drives got a lot better as I got more comfortable with the paddle. I discovered the paddle’s remarkable capacity to control speed when necessary, and I learned to activate the spin by flicking my wrist. The Gearbox CX14E finally verified to be a high-performing paddle with distinctive features that reward players who take the time to adjust, despite the steep learning curve.

Pros

Cons

Amazing on the serve—deep and consistent with lots of spin, control, and power

This paddle really takes getting used to

Excellent for drop shots—catches opponents out repeatedly

Lacking in power—requires generating your own

Well-built paddle with top-notch durability

Surprisingly poppy on dinks and drives

Features Overview Gearbox CX14E

Gearbox has built a reputation as an unique paddle manufacturer with a feel that sets it apart from competitors. Part of what makes Gearbox attractive to players who want to try something new is the intense feelings their paddles evoke you either love them or you dislike them.

As an update to the CX11 series, the CX14E is the longer variant in their 14 mm paddle portfolio. The CX14E is Gearbox’s thickest paddle to date, despite the company’s reputation for thin paddles. Let’s examine this paddle’s technology and observe how it functions on the court..

Solid Span Technology (SST)

One of Gearbox’s most notable inventions is their unique Solid Span Technology. The objective of this design is to balance power and control, even though the specifications include a solid carbon core that goes throughout the paddle (at least from what I understand).

The SST core allowed for deep, forceful serves and provided outstanding control on drop shots throughout my testing. But the paddle’s unique feel, which takes some getting used to and could account for players’ differing impressions, appears to be caused by the same technology. It’s a characteristic that produces a singular, either-or experience.

Hyper-Bite Spin Technology

The SST core, a 3K woven carbon fiber paddle face, and a unique finish and texture are all combined in this Gearbox innovation. It’s interesting to note that the paddle face produces remarkable spin despite being smooth. Gearbox shows that heavy spin may be produced without a rough surface.

In my experience, despite the smoother surface, this technology allowed for a surprisingly high amount of spin on serves and drop shots.

Enhanced Sweet Spot

According to Gearbox, the CX14E repositions the carbon fiber to improve upon the sweet spot of their CX11 and GBX paddles. But this feature wasn’t as useful as it seemed to me. I had more mishits than I anticipated during my first session because the paddle felt harsh. The paddle didn’t provide much forgiveness on off-center strokes, and the sweet spot was smaller than I had expected.

Performance Ratings Gearbox CX14E

Attribute	Rating
Power	6/10
Control	8/10
Spin	9/10
Forgiveness	6/10
Weighting	9/10
Grip	8/10
Durability	9/10
Aerodynamics	7/10

Performance Breakdown

Power: 6/10

This is not a power-focused paddle. While you can generate power by swinging hard, it requires significant effort and adjustment. The paddle’s spin and control features help compensate for this, allowing confident, aggressive swings, but many players may struggle to get the power they’re looking for.

Control: 8/10

The CX14E excels in control-oriented shots. It softens incoming ball speed effectively, allowing for shallow volley drops that are difficult to return. Accurate drop shots are also a strong point. However, dinks essential in a control game were unexpectedly inconsistent during my initial testing. They often went too long, too short, or into the net, which isn’t typical for me. This inconsistency led me to dock a couple of points.

Spin: 9/10

Spin is where this paddle shines. Despite its smooth face, the Gearbox CX14E generates impressive backspin, side spin, and topspin. Hard topspin serves and spin-heavy shots felt exceptional and were one of the paddle’s standout qualities during my practice sessions.

Forgiveness: 6/10

This was one of the weaker aspects of the Gearbox CX14E. The paddle has a smaller sweet spot, and dead zones near the handle and edges cause frequent mishits. While its edgeless design helps to some degree, precision is essential to get consistent results. Off-center hits often led to popped-up balls or poor accuracy.

Weighting: 9/10

At 8 oz, the paddle feels well-balanced and precise. Its carbon fiber build ensures a solid, lightweight feel without being head-heavy like some other performance paddles (e.g., JOOLA Hyperion or CRBN-1X Power Series). The midweight design also allows for easy customization to suit individual preferences.

Grip: 8/10

The grip feels premium and comfortable. With a 5 ⅝” handle, it’s particularly well-suited for two-handed shots and backhands. The length and texture provide a secure, ergonomic feel, making it a strong feature of the CX14E.

Durability: 9/10

Built entirely out of carbon fiber, this paddle feels exceptionally durable. While polymer paddles often show wear or break within 6 to 12 months, the CX14E is built to last. It feels stable and solid, and other players have confirmed its long-term durability.

Aerodynamics: 7/10

The CX14E offers decent aerodynamics—it doesn’t drag but also doesn’t feel particularly quick or zippy. If you’re seeking a paddle with faster movement through the air, models like the JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus CFS or Selkirk Power Air Invikta might be better options.

Pricing and Value

Price:

At $200, the Gearbox CX14E is marginally more costly than several high-end paddles available on the market. It is still less expensive than the more recent Gearbox CX14 Ultimate Power line, though. The main query is whether this paddle improves performance enough to warrant the cost.

Feature Comparison: Gearbox CX14E vs. Competitors

Feature	Gearbox CX14E	Selkirk Vanguard	JOOLA Ben Johns
Power	6/10	8/10	9/10
Spin	9/10	8/10	9/10
Control	8/10	7/10	7/10
Forgiveness	6/10	7/10	8/10
Best For	Spin & Control Players	Balanced Play	Power Hitters
Price	$200	$220	$250

Value for Money:

In terms of construction, the CX14E is worth the price. It is a durable paddle that is well worth the cost due to its carbon fiber construction, cutting-edge technology, and longevity. In the long term, this one might save you money if you replace paddles frequently.

But it’s important to try before you buy. Not everyone like the unique sensation of gearbox paddles. This paddle has the potential to be a game-changer if you find the distinctive features appealing. It’s easy to understand why so many elite gamers and pros vouch for Gearbox.

Alternatives:

• For Beginners: If you’re newer to the sport or looking for a more forgiving paddle, consider the PCKL Launch Series, which comes at a significantly lower cost.
• For Advanced Players Seeking Power: For those who prioritize power, the CRBN-2X Power Series is a strong alternative. It’s a high-performance paddle tailored to experienced players.

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Professional Use

Who Uses the Gearbox CX14E?

Many of the top pickleball players in the world prefer the Gearbox CX14E. Gearbox paddles are used by Frank Anthony Davis, who is now ranked #6 in the world, and Joey Farias, a former professional tennis player who is now a top-ranked pickleball pro. They recently switched to the CX14E Ultimate Power, which weighs 8.5 ounces and provides a heftier alternative for gamers who want more power.

Bottom Line

The Gearbox CX14E is a paddle that needs some tweaking, yet many elite players love it because of its special qualities. Even though it didn’t appeal to me right away, players who value its feel have taken to it in droves, and its unique combination of spin and control has earned that reputation.

You could find it lacking in power if you’re a hard-hitting offensive player like me. Additionally, its tiny sweet spot and poppy nature can be difficult for beginners and intermediates to adjust to. For players who are used to other paddle styles, the paddle’s unique feel may be a little difficult to get used to.

The CX14E’s design is obviously of the highest caliber, despite this. Gearbox has produced an incredibly strong and stunning paddle, which could be a good choice for gamers that use paddles frequently. To be sure, before committing, try it out to see whether it fits your preferences and style of play.