HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and control on Paddle DNA against the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16, which costs $160.
Power
Too close to call
76 vs 74
Spin
84 vs 72
Control
92 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 86
Hand speed
Too close to call
105 vs 107 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$160 at IQ 79.8 vs $190 at IQ 84.5
Overall pick: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 · $190 · IQ 84.5
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 74Power76
- 84Control92
- 72Spin84
- 86Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot86
- 80Stability84
- 82Maneuverability80
- 70Pop72
- 82Touch92
- 84Consistency90
- 66Swing weight68
- 74Twist weight78
- 48Launch angle46
- 70Plow through74
- 82Softness88
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 | Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $160 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 84.5 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 107 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.4 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured fiberglass composite | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Poly-Core II honeycomb |
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 verdict
A conservative, durable standard-shape paddle. Spin 72 is well behind raw carbon, but forgiveness 86 and a 105 swing weight make it one of the easier paddles here to play well immediately.
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 verdict
Paddletek's control benchmark. Control 92, touch 92 and softness 88 with a 107 swing weight is the classic soft-game recipe, updated with a raw carbon face for spin 84.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 scores 84 against 72 for HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on power, maneuverability, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 is $30 cheaper at $160.
Spin
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Touch
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
Control
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).
Consistency
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
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 Pro C 16
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 is a narrow pick at this level — consistency 90 vs 84, stability 84 vs 80, twist weight 78 vs 74. Twist weight 6.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Consistency
- Stability
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 84 vs 72, control 92 vs 84, touch 92 vs 82. At 107 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 84 vs 72, touch 92 vs 82, control 92 vs 84. Swing weight 107 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 88 vs 82, twist weight 78 vs 74. Its 16 mm Poly-Core II honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16
Take HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 if you prefer a 5 in handle and a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core — it gives up nothing measurable to Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16.
Read the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 review →Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Take Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 if you want spin (+12), touch (+10), control (+8). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 review →HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.5 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 107 for Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 scores 76 for power against 74 for HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. That comes from a 16 mm Poly-Core II honeycomb core swinging at 107 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 at 92 versus 84. 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?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 scores 84 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 72 for the Textured fiberglass composite face on HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. In practice a 12-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 86 on forgiveness, off the same 6.4 twist weight.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 costs $160, $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?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass composite face. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16: 16 mm Poly-Core II honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16, 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (86) and sweet spot (86) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 at 7.8 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 107) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 to the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads on spin by 12 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $160 vs $190, 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.
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Obsidian 16
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Blaze Pro 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Tempest Wave V3
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Encore Pro EX
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Signature Carbon STR
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Tempest Wave Pro
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Evoke Premier
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Obsidian 16
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs R1 Pulsar
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Blaze Pro 16
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Atlas 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Quartz Hybrid 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Black Ace LG
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Vision CGS 16
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 HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 and Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 and Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.