Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, which costs $210.
Power
Too close to call
91 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
83 vs 82
Control
Too close to call
81 vs 79
Forgiveness
Too close to call
74 vs 72
Hand speed
115 vs 123 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$180 at IQ 78.6 vs $210 at IQ 80.4
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 · $180 · IQ 78.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power91
- 81Control79
- 82Spin83
- 74Forgiveness72
- 76Sweet spot74
- 86Stability80
- 68Maneuverability73
- 88Pop92
- 76Touch72
- 81Consistency78
- 82Swing weight74
- 82Twist weight71
- 52Launch angle54
- 89Plow through88
- 58Softness56
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power | Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $210 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.4 — better | 78.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 123 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 — better | 6 |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Solid-span carbon | Carbon fiber |
| Core material | Coreless carbon | Bantam power core |
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power verdict
A more livable Gearbox. It keeps most of the drive velocity of the Pro Power while adding enough stability to survive hands battles.
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 verdict
A pure pop paddle. Counters come off the face faster than almost anything in the database, and the trade-off is a firm, chatty feel on soft shots.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power scores 82 against 71 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 — an 11-point gap. They are effectively level on power, consistency, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 is $30 cheaper at $180.
Twist weight
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 11 points (82 vs 71).
Swing weight
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Stability
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 5 points (73 vs 68).
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
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 71, stability 86 vs 80, forgiveness 74 vs 72. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (78.3 vs 78.3 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 and keep the $30.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.9 vs 81.5 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 and keep the $30.
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 71, softness 58 vs 56, forgiveness 74 vs 72. Its 14 mm Coreless carbon core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+5), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 review →Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power
Take Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power if you want twist weight (+11), swing weight (+8), stability (+6). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power review →Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 or the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.4 vs 78.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads by 11 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 or the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 scores 91 for power against 88 for Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam power core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power at 81 versus 79. 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?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 scores 83 for spin off its Carbon fiber face, against 82 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, with the higher forgiveness score (74 vs 72). Its 6.5 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?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 costs $180, $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 TKO-C 14: 14 mm Bantam power core with a Carbon fiber face. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 74 and sweet spot 76 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 at 8.2 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 123) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 to the Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power leads on twist weight by 11 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $180 vs $210, 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.
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro Power Elongated
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Tempest Wave V3
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Bantam ALW-C 14
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Power Pro X 14
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Evoke Premier Pro
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Warrior Edge 14
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Mach 2 Forza 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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- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Hyperion CFS 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs Pro Integra Power 16
- CX14E Ultimate Power vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Power Pro X 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Vanguard Power Air
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
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 Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox CX14E Ultimate Power and Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.