Gearbox GX2 Integra XL vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Paddletek Bantam TKO-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
- 73Power90
- 94Control80
- 90Spin84
- 73Forgiveness78
- 71Sweet spot80
- 68Stability82
- 89Maneuverability84
- 70Pop92
- 92Touch74
- 78Consistency80
- 58Swing weight66
- 53Twist weight74
- 46Launch angle60
- 67Plow through78
- 90Softness62
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox GX2 Integra XL | Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 78 | 81 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.7 | 6.2 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.375 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | 140 FAW-Toray T-700 Mid Modulus Carbon Fiber | Bantam Poly-Core |
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL verdict
Gearbox's solid-span construction removes the traditional honeycomb core, which is why the GX2 feels dense and quiet where thermoformed rivals feel hollow and loud.
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 verdict
A 14 mm hands-battle paddle. Pop 92 and maneuverability 84 make it the fastest counter-punching option Paddletek builds, at the cost of a small margin for error.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Gearbox GX2 Integra XL scores 90 against 62 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 — a 28-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Gearbox GX2 Integra XL is $30 cheaper at $170.
Softness
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL leads by 28 points (90 vs 62).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 22 points (92 vs 70).
Twist weight
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 21 points (74 vs 53).
Touch
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL leads by 18 points (92 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
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 74 vs 53, stability 82 vs 68, sweet spot 80 vs 71. Twist weight 6.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL is a narrow pick at this level — control 94 vs 80, touch 92 vs 74, spin 90 vs 84. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.3 vs 82.1 on the weighted index). Take Gearbox GX2 Integra XL and keep the $30.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL is the clearer pick at this level — softness 90 vs 62. Its 16 mm 140 FAW-Toray T-700 Mid Modulus Carbon Fiber core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL
Take Gearbox GX2 Integra XL if you want softness (+28), touch (+18), control (+14). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL review →Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 if you want pop (+22), twist weight (+21), power (+17). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 review →Gearbox GX2 Integra XL vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL or the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (81 vs 78), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Gearbox GX2 Integra XL leads by 28 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 105 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL or the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 measures 90 on power against 73 for Gearbox GX2 Integra XL. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam Poly-Core core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL at 94 versus 80. 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?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL scores 90 for spin off its TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) face, against 84 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, with 6.2 twist weight against 5.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 carries the higher forgiveness score (78) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL costs $170, $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?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL: 16 mm 140 FAW-Toray T-700 Mid Modulus Carbon Fiber core with a TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) face. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14: 14 mm Bantam Poly-Core core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL, 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 Gearbox GX2 Integra XL avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 78 and sweet spot 80 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL to the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Gearbox GX2 Integra XL leads on softness by 28 points; everything else is within 22 points. At $170 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- GX2 Integra XL vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- GX2 Integra XL vs BALLR+ 16
- GX2 Integra XL vs Perseus 14
- GX2 Integra XL vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Perseus Pro V 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Warrior Edge 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Power Pro X 14
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Black Diamond Power 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox GX2 Integra XL and Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.