Engage Encore Pro EX vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Engage Encore Pro EX 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
- 70Power76
- 88Control85
- 74Spin90
- 89Forgiveness77
- 90Sweet spot76
- 80Stability74
- 84Maneuverability98
- 66Pop79
- 86Touch85
- 85Consistency79
- 50Swing weight39
- 74Twist weight68
- 68Launch angle51
- 60Plow through47
- 90Softness82
Specs
| $130 | Price | $105 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 12.7 mm |
| 7.8 oz | Weight | 7.65 oz |
| 105 | Swing weight | 93 |
| 5.9 | Twist weight | 6.2 |
| standard | Shape | standard |
| Fiberglass composite | Surface | PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber |
| 5 in | Handle | 5.25 in |
Engage Encore Pro EX verdict
A soft, light, extremely forgiving paddle that has quietly become the default recommendation for players over 60.
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 verdict
At 7.65 oz this is the lightest paddle in the database, and the 12.7 mm core makes it faster still. It is a hands-speed specialist, not a power tool.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is launch angle: Engage Encore Pro EX scores 68 against 51 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 — a 17-point gap. They are effectively level on control, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is $25 cheaper at $105.
Launch angle
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 17 points (68 vs 51).
Spin
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 leads by 16 points (90 vs 74).
Sweet spot
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 14 points (90 vs 76).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 leads by 14 points (98 vs 84).
Which one should you buy?
Engage Encore Pro EX
Take Engage Encore Pro EX if you want launch angle (+17), sweet spot (+14), plow through (+13). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Encore Pro EX review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 if you want spin (+16), maneuverability (+14), pop (+13). Its swing weight of 93 kg·cm² and 12.7 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 review →Engage Encore Pro EX vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- Engage Encore Pro EX carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.9 vs 79.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 17 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, at 93 kg·cm² swing weight against 105 for Engage Encore Pro EX. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 measures 76 on power against 70 for Engage Encore Pro EX. That comes from a 12.7 mm Polymer Honeycomb core swinging at 93 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Engage Encore Pro EX at 88 versus 85. 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 scores 90 for spin off its PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face, against 74 for the Fiberglass composite face on Engage Encore Pro EX. In practice a 16-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, with 6.2 twist weight against 5.9. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Engage Encore Pro EX carries the higher forgiveness score (89) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 costs $105, $25 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?
- Engage Encore Pro EX: 16 mm Control core core with a Fiberglass composite face. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7: 12.7 mm Polymer Honeycomb core with a PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, at 5.25 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Engage Encore Pro EX is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 at 7.65 oz against 7.8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (93 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 to the Engage Encore Pro EX?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Encore Pro EX leads on launch angle by 17 points; everything else is within 16 points. At $130 vs $105, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
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- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Engage Encore Pro EX and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.