CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 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 forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3, which costs $280.
Power
90 vs 85
Spin
93 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 87
Forgiveness
88 vs 84
Hand speed
105 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$200 at IQ 86.3 vs $280 at IQ 85.9
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power85
- 87Control90
- 93Spin84
- 84Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot89
- 87Stability85
- 70Maneuverability84
- 81Pop84
- 86Touch88
- 88Consistency89
- 83Swing weight66
- 82Twist weight84
- 57Launch angle54
- 88Plow through74
- 88Softness86
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 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 3 | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.9 | 86.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.7 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.9 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 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 3 verdict
The hybrid sits between the other two Genesis shapes on every scored axis. If you cannot decide between reach and forgiveness, this is the shape that refuses to make you choose.
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 3 scores 83 against 66 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 — a 17-point gap. They are effectively level on control, sweet spot, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is $80 cheaper at $200.
Swing weight
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 17 points (83 vs 66).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
Plow through
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).
Spin
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 9 points (93 vs 84).
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 Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 84, sweet spot 89 vs 86, twist weight 84 vs 82. Twist weight 6.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 86.7 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $80.
- Maneuverability
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 88 vs 74, spin 93 vs 84, power 90 vs 85. Swing weight 116 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Spin
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.8 vs 86.2 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $80.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3
Take CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 if you want swing weight (+17), plow through (+14), spin (+9). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+14), forgiveness (+4). 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 3 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 85.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads by 17 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 scores 90 for power against 85 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. That comes from a 14 mm TruFoam full-foam core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 90 versus 87. 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 3 scores 93 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 9-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 84). Its 6.9 twist weight against 6.5 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 3: 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?
- CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3, 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 CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 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 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 leads on swing weight by 17 points; everything else is within 14 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.
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 3 vs TruFoam Genesis X
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs Nova R1
- TruFoam Genesis 3 vs CRBN-1X
- 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 3 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 3 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.