Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 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.
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Quick answer
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, which costs $220.
Power
Too close to call
85 vs 82
Spin
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Hand speed
105 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$200 at IQ 86.3 vs $220 at IQ 85.9
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power85
- 90Control90
- 86Spin84
- 88Forgiveness88
- 88Sweet spot89
- 86Stability85
- 76Maneuverability84
- 74Pop84
- 90Touch88
- 90Consistency89
- 72Swing weight66
- 84Twist weight84
- 46Launch angle54
- 82Plow through74
- 86Softness86
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 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 | Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.9 | 86.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.7 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 | 6.9 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.375 |
| Surface | Textured graphite | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Control Pro Black core | Bantam polymer core |
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 verdict
Engage's soft-core philosophy taken to its logical end. Launch angle 46 is the lowest in the database — the ball simply does not pop up off resets.
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 pop: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 74 for Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is $20 cheaper at $200.
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
Launch angle
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 8 points (54 vs 46).
Plow through
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 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 87.5 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $20.
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $20.
- Plow through
- Spin
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.2 vs 86.2 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $20.
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want pop (+10), maneuverability (+8), launch angle (+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 →Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 if you want plow through (+8), swing weight (+6). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- 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 — pop — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. 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 Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 85 for power against 82 for Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam polymer core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 scores 86 for spin off its Textured graphite 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.9 and 6.8.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 costs $200, $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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core with a Textured carbon face. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16: 16 mm Control Pro Black core with a Textured graphite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, 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 Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 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. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 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 114) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on pop by 10 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $200 vs $220, 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.
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Bantam ALW-C 12.7
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Model E Max V3
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Quartz Hybrid 16
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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- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs LUXX Control Air Invikta
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs 2X TruFoam Genesis
- 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 Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.