nico the lefty.Honest Pickleball Reviews

Gearbox Pressure X 8E Elongated+ 16mm vs Gearbox Pressure X 8M Elongated+ 16mm

Comparisons cover the paddles I've reviewed, so every score is mine. Pick any other paddle to request its review.

Gearbox Pressure X 8E Elongated+ 16mm

Gearbox

  • Best for Control
Power paddleGood control

Pressure X 8E Elongated+ 16mm

$251.99 w/ code · Elongated · 16mm

Gearbox Pressure X 8M Elongated+ 16mm

Gearbox

Power paddle

Pressure X 8M Elongated+ 16mm

$251.99 w/ code · Elongated · 16mm

No winner on this page on purpose. The numbers are below and the call is yours. Buying through my links or with code supports the testing at no extra cost to you. How this site makes money

Pressure X 8E Elongated+ 16mm

  • More control: +1.7

Pressure X 8M Elongated+ 16mm

No stat edge worth calling out. The build table has the details.

By the numbers.

Scores run 0 to 10. Measurement bars are relative to each other.

Pressure X 8E Elongated+ 16mm

Pressure X 8M Elongated+ 16mm

Spin

RPM, lab average

2,199RPM

lab avg · 2 sources

2,204RPM

lab avg · 2 sources

Power

drives and serves

9.0/10

9.1/10

Pop

speed off the face on short swings

8.9/10

9.2/10

Control

stability and a calm face

8.7/10

7.0/10

Swing weight

lower swings quicker

118.1

lab avg · 2 sourcesAmong the heaviest

117.0

lab avg · 2 sources

Twist weight

higher forgives mishits

6.08

lab avg · 2 sources

6.04

lab avg · 2 sources

Static weight

ounces on the scale

8.0oz

lab avg · 2 sources

8.0oz

lab avg · 2 sources

Power, Pop, Control and Grit durability are my scores on my 10-point scale. Every paddle starts from a default I compute from where its measurements land against the whole database, and I set the number myself once I've played the paddle. Power is drives and serves, Pop is speed off the face on short swings, Control is stability with a calm face, Grit durability is how long the bite lasts. Spin, swing weight, twist weight and static weight are raw measurements: “lab avg” averages the independent reviewer labs in my database (John Kew, Matt's Pickleball, Pickleball Studio, The Pickleball Blast), and “brand claims” is the manufacturer's published number. I don't own a bench rig, and I say so.

The build

Pressure X 8E Elongated+ 16mmPressure X 8M Elongated+ 16mm
ShapeElongatedElongated
Core16mm, Pressure X Core: SSTCore with Micro Cell EPP foam, SST 2.0 carbon fiber rib structure16mm, Pressure X Core: SSTCore with Micro Cell MPP foam, SST 2.0 carbon fiber rib structure
FaceUD tapered carbon fiber, SpinLock surfaceUD tapered carbon fiber, SpinLock surface
Length × width16.5 × 7.375 in16.5 × 7.375 in
Handle5.5 in5.5 in
CertificationUSA Pickleball (2026 spin rate test, claimed)USA Pickleball (2026 spin rate test, claimed)
MSRP$279.99$279.99
With code NICOTHELEFTY$251.99$251.99
Nico's score8.9 / 108.0 / 10

Still deciding?

I'll email you when either paddle's price moves. One email, then nothing.