The Honolulu J2NF is one of the best pickleball paddles in 2025, but how does it compare to the CRBN TrueFoam? I played quite a bit with both paddles, so I want to chat with you about playability, cost considerations (and with discount code pickleballer20), and which paddle I ultimately chose.
Please note that I get a small commission if you use my discount code that I often use to purchase new paddles to review, but there are no expectations whatsoever to use my code.
J2NF’s Playability
Firstly, I love first impressions, and I appreciate how the J2NF paddle look.
I also appreciate the the paddle comes with a nice paddle cover as you can see below.
Let’s talk about what really set this paddle apart from the rest of the pack, and I’ll share one modification later.
Control
I play a lot of doubles, but I wanted to see how this paddle performed in singles matches.
In terms of control, the J2NF is incredible. I would rank this as an A+ in the control bracket. My dinks were insane, and I only missed one or two dinks in warm up, and that is quite different than my normal play.
In addition, I do not think I missed a drop today, and both my backhands and forehands were on point. It was really insane.
Power
Power is another place that the J2NF thrives, but what was impressive is that I didn’t lose the control. My opponent noted just how deep my serves and returned were going, and with another one of my main paddles, I would have had hit the ball with more effort to get that return.
In addition, I could feel the paddles power on both foerhands and backhands as it was effortless to
In a recent tournament, I ended up switching out of the Joola Ben Johns Pro IV to my Engage Pro1 Innovation because I had a difficult time controlling the ball. It felt like a wild stallion.
I did not have that with the J2NF. It still maintained incredible control while not discounting the power. Yes, I would say that the Joola Ben Johns still is overall more powerful, but it’s an incremental power for far less control in my opinion. I would rank A for power.
Spin
I thought that the J2NF also maintained incredible spin. Like I mentioned earlier, my opponent mentioned the amount of dwell time that he felt when using the J2NF and he mentioned just how incredible his top spin felt.
When I was playing again the J2NF, I would 100% agree that his top spin was on point. That said, this paddle also provide a fantastic spin on my knuckle serve, and the paddle also maintain great slice capability.
I would rank A for spin as well.
The J2NF is incredible, but how does it compare to the CRBN TrueFoam?
CRBN TrueFoam’s Playability
I really liked my first imrpression of the CRBN TrueFoam. I felt that the paddle had ample grip, and the paddle’s size and shape encouraged me that this paddle may have a massive sweet spot.
Reviewing a paddle, I discuss control, power, and spin.
Control
With an “elevated core”, I thought the CRBN TrueFoam paddle would have excellent control. Unfortunately, I could not get in the groove and see much control from this paddle.
In the first game, I practiced with this paddle and felt okay. Then I started the game, and I immediately went down 0-4. I switched back to my main paddle as I was playing singles.
In doubles, I won one game with the paddle 11-7, but then I lost the next game with the paddle 11-9.
Overall, I was competing this paddle against the Selkirk Invicta Luxx and Paddletek ALW paddle, and I thought this ranked 3rd even among those paddles.
Spin
This paddle had decent spin in terms of spin. I like to use a top spin on my serve, and the paddle was able to curve around the ball, and the grip was fine.
That said, I would expet more from a wide body paddle. In addition, this paddle is a very premium paddle, so I would expect more.
Power
Honestly, I felt that the CRBN 2 lacked overall paddle. I could just not get the power I would have liked to see or anything similar to the CRBN 1x. That said, I don’t think this paddles pitches itself as a power paddle.
When I weighed the paddle, it weighed 8.1 ounces, which is 1 ounce more than the best pickleball paddle for power.
Cost Considerations
The price of these paddles are surprisingly different.
The CRBN TrueFoam is currently under $280 on Amazon, but consider checking again if the price has changed.
You cannot purchase the Honolulu J2NF on Amazon, but I was elated that the paddle arrived in around the same time that Amazon Prime took to deliver.
After the Honolulu paddle discount code, you can get the J2NF for significantly less expensive.
Discount Code: Pickleballer20
Which Paddle Did I Choose?
After spending real time with both paddles, the choice for me was clear: I chose the J2NF.
The CRBN TrueFoam had moments of potential, but it never felt like I could truly rely on it. The control just wasn’t consistent, and while the paddle offered decent spin, the lack of power made it feel like I had to work harder to get the results I wanted. At its premium price point, I expected more, and it simply didn’t hold up against the other paddles in my lineup.
The J2NF, on the other hand, blew me away. Its control was off the charts, and I rarely missed a dink or drop, which is not typical for my usual play. The power came naturally without sacrificing precision, and my serves and returns consistently landed deep with ease. Add in the fantastic spin potential, and this paddle gave me everything I needed: confidence, consistency, and a real competitive edge.
So if you’re deciding between the two, my recommendation is simple: go with the J2NF. It’s the paddle I’ll be reaching for, not just because it’s solid in every category, but because it actually elevated my game.
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