Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Babolat BALLR+ 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 75Power70
- 94Control93
- 90Spin74
- 76Forgiveness82
- 75Sweet spot80
- 77Stability76
- 86Maneuverability88
- 70Pop64
- 92Touch92
- 82Consistency88
- 58Swing weight58
- 65Twist weight62
- 46Launch angle42
- 70Plow through66
- 90Softness90
Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Babolat BALLR+ 16 | Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $120 — better | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 — better | 79.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14.3 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 100 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 — better | 6 |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.2 | 15.75 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Biaxial 3K Woven Carbon Fiber w/RPM Max Grit | Textured graphite |
| Core material | X5™ Polypropylene Honeycomb | Patented Poly Core II |
Babolat BALLR+ 16 verdict
Babolat brings its RPM tennis grit to pickleball on a 16 mm hybrid. The face texture is the story — it spins like a raw carbon paddle without the chalky wear pattern.
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro verdict
The paddle a generation of control players learned on, and still one of the quietest, most predictable graphite faces made. It will not out-hit a thermoformed paddle, but it will not surprise you either.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: Babolat BALLR+ 16 scores 90 against 74 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on twist weight, maneuverability, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Babolat BALLR+ 16 is $30 cheaper at $120.
Spin
Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 16 points (90 vs 74).
Forgiveness
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
Pop
Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 6 points (70 vs 64).
Consistency
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 82 vs 76, sweet spot 80 vs 75, consistency 88 vs 82. Twist weight 6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Babolat BALLR+ 16
Babolat BALLR+ 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 90 vs 74, power 75 vs 70, control 94 vs 93. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Power
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Babolat BALLR+ 16
Babolat BALLR+ 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 90 vs 74, power 75 vs 70, plow through 70 vs 66. Swing weight 105 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.6 vs 82.7 on the weighted index). Take Babolat BALLR+ 16 and keep the $30.
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Babolat BALLR+ 16
Take Babolat BALLR+ 16 if you want spin (+16), pop (+6), power (+5). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Babolat BALLR+ 16 review →Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro if you want forgiveness (+6), consistency (+6), sweet spot (+5). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 14.3 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro review →Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro FAQ
- Which is better, the Babolat BALLR+ 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.9 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 105 for Babolat BALLR+ 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Babolat BALLR+ 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 measures 75 on power against 70 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. That comes from a 16 mm X5™ Polypropylene Honeycomb core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 at 94 versus 93. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 scores 90 for spin off its Biaxial 3K Woven Carbon Fiber w/RPM Max Grit face, against 74 for the Textured graphite face on Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. In practice a 16-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16, with 6.1 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro carries the higher forgiveness score (82) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 costs $120, $30 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16: 16 mm X5™ Polypropylene Honeycomb core with a Biaxial 3K Woven Carbon Fiber w/RPM Max Grit face. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro: 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core with a Textured graphite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Babolat BALLR+ 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 80 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Babolat BALLR+ 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (100 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro to the Babolat BALLR+ 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads on spin by 16 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $120 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- BALLR+ 16 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- BALLR+ 16 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- BALLR+ 16 vs GX2 Integra XL
- BALLR+ 16 vs Coral Hybrid 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Coral Hybrid 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Tempest Wave V3
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Babolat BALLR+ 16 and Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.