Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Diadem Vice V2 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Diadem Vice V2 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (84.2 vs 82.9), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
84 vs 72
Spin
92 vs 80
Control
92 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
108 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 82.9 vs $170 at IQ 84.2
Overall pick: Diadem Vice V2 16 · $170 · IQ 84.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 84Power72
- 86Control92
- 92Spin80
- 84Forgiveness86
- 84Sweet spot87
- 82Stability82
- 82Maneuverability81
- 80Pop68
- 84Touch91
- 86Consistency89
- 66Swing weight56
- 78Twist weight76
- 50Launch angle58
- 78Plow through66
- 78Softness88
Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Diadem Vice V2 16 | Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 | $150 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.2 — better | 82.9 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 — better | 6.1 |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | 18K gritted carbon | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb | Tempest control core |
Diadem Vice V2 16 verdict
Diadem's 18K weave is the grippiest face under $200. Spin 92 with a 108 swing weight is a rare pairing — you can rip topspin and still win hands battles.
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 verdict
The reference control paddle for players who do not want the weight of a 20 mm build. Touch scores trail only the Luxx.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is power: Diadem Vice V2 16 scores 84 against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, consistency, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is $20 cheaper at $150.
Power
Diadem Vice V2 16 leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Spin
Diadem Vice V2 16 leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
Pop
Diadem Vice V2 16 leads by 12 points (80 vs 68).
Plow through
Diadem Vice V2 16 leads by 12 points (78 vs 66).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.2 vs 85 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and keep the $20.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.6 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and keep the $20.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Diadem Vice V2 16
Diadem Vice V2 16 is the clearer pick at this level — power 84 vs 72, spin 92 vs 80, plow through 78 vs 66. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 88 vs 78, forgiveness 86 vs 84. Its 16 mm Tempest control core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Diadem Vice V2 16
Take Diadem Vice V2 16 if you want power (+12), spin (+12), pop (+12). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Diadem Vice V2 16 review →Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want softness (+10), launch angle (+8), touch (+7). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 review →Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 FAQ
- Which is better, the Diadem Vice V2 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.2 vs 82.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Diadem Vice V2 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Diadem Vice V2 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Diadem Vice V2 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 scores 84 for power against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 at 92 versus 86. 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?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 scores 92 for spin off its 18K gritted carbon face, against 80 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. In practice a 12-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 84). Diadem Vice V2 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.5 vs 6.1), but Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 makes it back on sweet spot (87) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 costs $150, $20 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?
- Diadem Vice V2 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with an 18K gritted carbon face. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3: 16 mm Tempest control core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Diadem Vice V2 16, at 5.4 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Diadem Vice V2 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 7.9 oz, though swing weight differs (108 vs 110) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 to the Diadem Vice V2 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Diadem Vice V2 16 leads on power by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $170 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Diadem Vice V2 16 and Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.