Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 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
- 90Control90
- 89Spin84
- 84Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot89
- 82Stability85
- 76Maneuverability84
- 76Pop84
- 88Touch88
- 86Consistency89
- 70Swing weight66
- 80Twist weight84
- 50Launch angle54
- 80Plow through74
- 80Softness86
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 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 | Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.4 | 86.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 7.7 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 113 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.9 — better |
| 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 carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Specialized polymer honeycomb | Bantam polymer core |
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 verdict
Engage's most balanced Pursuit yet. The Omni grit face holds spin longer into a paddle's life than most raw carbon, which matters more than peak-day RPM numbers.
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 76 for Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on power, sweet spot, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is $30 cheaper at $200.
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
Plow through
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
Softness
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
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 80. 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 (86.7 vs 85 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $30.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- 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 $30.
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 86 vs 80, forgiveness 88 vs 84, twist weight 84 vs 80. Its 14 mm Bantam polymer core core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+8), pop (+8), softness (+6). 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 Ultra MX 6.0
Take Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 if you want plow through (+6), spin (+5), swing weight (+4). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 84.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0. 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 Ultra MX 6.0?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 measures 85 on power against 82 for Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0. 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 90. 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?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 scores 89 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 5-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 6.5. 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 costs $200, $30 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 core with a Textured carbon face. Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0: 16 mm Specialized polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0, 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 Ultra MX 6.0 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 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on maneuverability by 8 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $200 vs $230, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a spin vs pop decision
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Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.