CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2, which costs $280.
Power
Too close to call
87 vs 85
Spin
92 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Hand speed
105 vs 113 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$200 at IQ 86.3 vs $280 at IQ 87.9
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power85
- 89Control90
- 92Spin84
- 89Forgiveness88
- 91Sweet spot89
- 90Stability85
- 74Maneuverability84
- 79Pop84
- 88Touch88
- 89Consistency89
- 78Swing weight66
- 91Twist weight84
- 58Launch angle54
- 82Plow through74
- 89Softness86
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 — better | 86.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.7 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 113 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.9 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.375 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Textured carbon |
| Core material | TruFoam full-foam core | Bantam polymer core |
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 verdict
The forgiving shape in the Genesis line. It trades the elongated model's reach for a wide face, the highest twist weight of the three, and a noticeably easier reset at the kitchen.
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 verdict
The lightweight Bantam. At 7.7 oz it is one of the fastest paddles in the database through hands battles, and Paddletek's core keeps the feel soft rather than tinny.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 scores 78 against 66 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on softness, power, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is $80 cheaper at $200.
Swing weight
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 12 points (78 vs 66).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Spin
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).
Plow through
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
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
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 91 vs 84, stability 90 vs 85, sweet spot 91 vs 89. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.5 vs 86.7 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $80.
- Maneuverability
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 92 vs 84, plow through 82 vs 74, power 87 vs 85. Swing weight 113 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 89 vs 86, twist weight 91 vs 84, forgiveness 89 vs 88. Its 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2
Take CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 if you want swing weight (+12), spin (+8), plow through (+8). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+10), pop (+5). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 scores 87 for power against 85 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. That comes from a 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 90 versus 89. Its 14 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?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 scores 92 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice an 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 88). Its 7 twist weight against 6.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 costs $200, $80 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?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2: 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.25 in handle.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 7.7 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 to the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 leads on swing weight by 12 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $280 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Honolulu J2CR
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs TruFoam Genesis 1
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs TruFoam Genesis 3
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Coral Pro
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Double Black Diamond Control
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Coral Pro
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs OMNI 16
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- TruFoam Genesis 2 vs Infinity Ruby 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Tenon
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Vision CGS 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.