Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Franklin Signature Carbon STR wins this matchup for most players: it takes power and value on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, which costs $150.
Power
76 vs 72
Spin
Too close to call
80 vs 80
Control
92 vs 83
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 85
Hand speed
Too close to call
110 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$110 at IQ 79.8 vs $150 at IQ 82.9
Overall pick: Franklin Signature Carbon STR · $110 · IQ 79.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power72
- 83Control92
- 80Spin80
- 85Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot87
- 78Stability82
- 82Maneuverability81
- 76Pop68
- 79Touch91
- 81Consistency89
- 54Swing weight56
- 72Twist weight76
- 63Launch angle58
- 64Plow through66
- 82Softness88
Franklin Signature Carbon STR 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 | Franklin Signature Carbon STR | Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 — better | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 82.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6.1 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Tempest control core |
Franklin Signature Carbon STR verdict
Franklin's most credible performance paddle to date. It will not win a spin shootout, but the balance and build quality are honest for the money.
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 touch: Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 scores 91 against 79 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on swing weight, plow through, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature Carbon STR is $40 cheaper at $110.
Touch
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 12 points (91 vs 79).
Control
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 9 points (92 vs 83).
Pop
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 8 points (76 vs 68).
Consistency
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 8 points (89 vs 81).
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 Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is a narrow pick at this level — consistency 89 vs 81, control 92 vs 83, stability 82 vs 78. Twist weight 6.1 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Consistency
- Control
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is a narrow pick at this level — control 92 vs 83, touch 91 vs 79, consistency 89 vs 81. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 91 vs 79, control 92 vs 83, plow through 66 vs 64. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Control
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 88 vs 82, twist weight 76 vs 72, forgiveness 86 vs 85. Its 16 mm Tempest control core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want pop (+8), launch angle (+5), power (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want touch (+12), control (+9), consistency (+8). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.9 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — touch — Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 110 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 76 for power against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. That comes from a 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 at 92 versus 83. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 80 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 85). Its 6.1 twist weight against 6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR costs $110, $40 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?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3: 16 mm Tempest control core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, 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?
- 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. Franklin Signature Carbon STR rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight is identical at 110 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature Carbon STR to the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads on touch by 12 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $110 vs $150, 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.
- Signature Carbon STR vs Ben Johns Signature Pro
- Signature Carbon STR vs BALLR+ 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Signature 16 Composite
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Tempest Wave Pro
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Signature Carbon STR vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Signature Carbon STR vs Prism Flash
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Radical Tour Ultra 16
- Tempest Wave V3 vs SLK Halo Control
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Black Ace LG
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 Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.