Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 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
- 82Power85
- 88Control90
- 86Spin84
- 86Forgiveness88
- 88Sweet spot89
- 86Stability85
- 72Maneuverability84
- 74Pop84
- 86Touch88
- 88Consistency89
- 78Swing weight66
- 84Twist weight84
- 50Launch angle54
- 82Plow through74
- 78Softness86
Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Electrum Model E Max V3 | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.7 | 86.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.7 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 | 6.9 |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.375 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter | Bantam polymer core |
Electrum Model E Max V3 verdict
The Max is the widest-body Electrum yet, and the numbers show it: sweet spot 88 and twist weight 84 are both top-quartile. It is a forgiving elongated paddle, which is not a common combination.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 72 for Electrum Model E Max V3 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Swing weight
Electrum Model E Max V3 leads by 12 points (78 vs 66).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Plow through
Electrum Model E Max V3 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.5 vs 86.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Bantam ALW-C 14, elongated on the Model E Max V3.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 84 vs 72, power 85 vs 82, control 90 vs 88. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 83 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Bantam ALW-C 14, elongated on the Model E Max V3.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 78, forgiveness 88 vs 86. Its 14 mm Bantam polymer core core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+12), pop (+10), softness (+8). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →Electrum Model E Max V3
Take Electrum Model E Max V3 if you want swing weight (+12), plow through (+8). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Electrum Model E Max V3 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Electrum Model E Max V3 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Electrum Model E Max V3?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Electrum Model E Max V3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Electrum Model E Max V3?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 measures 85 on power against 82 for Electrum Model E Max V3. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam polymer core core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 90 versus 88. 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?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 scores 86 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.9. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core core with a Textured carbon face. Electrum Model E Max V3: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Electrum Model E Max V3, 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 Electrum Model E Max V3 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. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable 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 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Electrum Model E Max V3 to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on maneuverability by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $200 vs $200, 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.
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- Model E Max V3 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Model E Max V3 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Tenon
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Magnus 3S 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Electrum Model E Max V3 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.