Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated 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
- 93Power91
- 83Control79
- 86Spin83
- 78Forgiveness72
- 80Sweet spot74
- 87Stability80
- 70Maneuverability73
- 89Pop92
- 80Touch72
- 84Consistency78
- 82Swing weight74
- 84Twist weight71
- 60Launch angle54
- 91Plow through88
- 68Softness56
Specs
| $250 | Price | $180 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 8.4 oz | Weight | 8.2 oz |
| 123 | Swing weight | 115 |
| 6.3 | Twist weight | 6 |
| elongated | Shape | standard |
| Textured carbon | Surface | Carbon fiber |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5 in |
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated verdict
Gearbox's solid-span construction with a genuine power tune. It feels unlike any honeycomb paddle — firmer, more direct — and rewards players who already hit clean.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated scores 84 against 71 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 — a 13-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, maneuverability, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 is $70 cheaper at $180.
Twist weight
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 13 points (84 vs 71).
Softness
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 12 points (68 vs 56).
Touch
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
Swing weight
Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 if you prefer a standard face and a 5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated.
Read the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 review →Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated
Take Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated if you want twist weight (+13), softness (+12), touch (+8). Its swing weight of 123 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated review →Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 or the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.4 vs 78.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads by 13 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 123 for Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated. 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 GX2 Power Elongated?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated measures 93 on power against 91 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. That comes from a 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core swinging at 123 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated at 83 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?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated scores 86 for spin off its Textured carbon face, against 83 for the Carbon fiber face on Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated, with 6.3 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated carries the higher forgiveness score (78) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 costs $180, $70 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 core with a Carbon fiber face. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated: 14 mm Solid-span carbon (no honeycomb) core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated, 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 GX2 Power Elongated avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 78 and sweet spot 80 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable 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 GX2 Power Elongated?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated leads on twist weight by 13 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $180 vs $250, 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.
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- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Vanguard Power Air
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Hyperion CFS 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 Power Elongated and Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.