At a $280 list price, the TruFoam Waves lands squarely in premium territory, and plays like it. To put it simply: This thing smashes.
We loved CRBN’s most recent release, the Genesis, and the Waves is a clear step up in power.
I put 20+ hours on the CRBN TruFoam Waves across 5.0-level play, mostly indoors with some humidity.
When you strike the ball cleanly, the Waves delivers power at the top of the market — surprisingly close to Selkirk's Boomstik.
But the lineup’s forgiveness is tight, and that’s the catch. The paddle comes in four different shapes, but I can only really recommend one. Only the square shape (referred to as #2) felt truly usable for me. It balances quicker swing weight with a more accessible sweet spot; the hybrid and elongated shapes were far less forgiving under pace.
If you loved prior TruFoam models and want even more pace, the Waves #2 is squarely in your lane. If you value a big, plush sweet spot at this price, you may not love it.
✅ What stands out
Explosive power
When you hit the sweet spot, the Waves absolutely unloads. Put‑aways require less backswing and counters jump off the face on a straight line, which is why I racked up body‑bags in hands battles. It’s a clear step up from the Genesis line in raw pop.
Spin that kicks
The gritty face lets you grab and shape the ball without feeling slippy. My serves kicked up hard, forehand topspin drops dipped at opponents’ feet, and speed‑ups held a heavy, diving trajectory. I consistently earned free points off the serve because of the extra jump.
Hand speed
The square shape swings lighter and whippier, so you’re on time more often at the kitchen. That quicker head also seems to open the most usable sweet spot in the lineup, reducing face twist on slight mishits and turning blocks into counters more reliably.
❌ What to consider
Tight sweet spot
The Waves lineup feels demanding at a high-level pace. Off‑center contact tends to twist the face and spray the ball all over the place, which makes blocking heavy drives and defending speed‑ups tougher than with more forgiving paddles.
I could mitigate some of this with added weight, but the hybrid and elongated shapes still punished slight mishits more than I’d like for tournament play. The square shape performed adequately.
Value versus its peers
The Waves absolutely brings the heat, but several competitors in this price band trade a touch of peak power for meaningfully better dwell and sweet‑spot size. If you prize consistency on resets and blocks, paddles like JOOLA’s Perseus Pro IV or Gearbox’s GX2 Power may feel easier right away — even if they don’t quite match the Waves on a perfectly struck ball.
Shape-dependent experience
Realistically, this release feels like a one‑shape recommendation. The #2 swings quicker, balances better, and offers the most accessible sweet spot. The other shapes felt more cumbersome and less forgiving, which narrows the target player even within the Waves line.
How the CRBN TruFoam Waves plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 9.5/10 | Thunderous when centered; just a hair under the Boomstick. |
| Control | 8/10 | Touch and dwell trail key competitors at this price. You can land shape-driven shots with discipline, but it’s not naturally plush on blocks or resets. |
| Spin | 9.5/10 | Serves kick hard and topspin drops bite; I was frequently forcing errors with heavy, dipping trajectories. Surface lets you “grab” the ball confidently. |
| Forgiveness | 7/10 | The sweet spot feels small on most shapes; mishits twist the face. The #2 opens the window meaningfully and is the clear choice for consistency. |
| Weighting | 7.5/10 | The #2 balances quick and maneuverable in hand battles. Other shapes feel more cumbersome, dragging the overall score down. |
| Grip | 8/10 | Tacky and comfortable out of the box, but the NFT wrap can damage the handle if left on—remove immediately or risk grip tear. |
| Durability | 8/10 | After ~20 hours, the edge guard and core still felt solid. Main concern is the grip surface if the NFT protector isn’t removed promptly. |
| Aerodynamics | 8/10 | The #2 (and possibly #3) cut through the air well; I could whip speed-ups and counters without feeling late at the kitchen. |
Features that matter
- Construction: A 100% TruFoam core with a newly engineered "Waves" internal design that's tuned for maximum power. The result is easy pace and top-end spin when you square it up.
- Four shapes: All shapes share the same tech, but the experience isn’t equal. The square shape swings quickest, feels most connected in hands battles, and offers the most accessible sweet spot.
- NFT wrap: The stock grip is tacky and comfortable, but the clear protector over the NFT authenticity tag can pull up grip material if left on. However, we think the verification the NFT offers is a nice touch.
Who the CRBN TruFoam Waves is for
The Waves is a good option for advanced players (4.0–5.0) who want near-Boomstick power with legit spin and who can live with a smaller sweet spot. If you thrived with Genesis/TruFoam and want more pace, grab the Waves in the square shape. If you’re a developing player or you prioritize plush feel and forgiveness at $280, look elsewhere.
The TruFoam Waves is a rocket—serve, speed-up, and counter artists will feast. But the narrow sweet spot (especially outside the square shape) and price mean it won’t be for everyone. If your timing is clean, you’ll love the payoff; if you crave plush control, look elsewhere.Today's best deals
