Honolulu J6CR 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
- 90Power91
- 81Control79
- 70Spin83
- 81Forgiveness72
- 80Sweet spot74
- 72Stability80
- 80Maneuverability73
- 81Pop92
- 84Touch72
- 78Consistency78
- 66Swing weight74
- 59Twist weight71
- 56Launch angle54
- 75Plow through88
- 80Softness56
Specs
| $195 | Price | $180 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 8.1 oz | Weight | 8.2 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 115 |
| 5.9 | Twist weight | 6 |
| elongated | Shape | standard |
| Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass | Surface | Carbon fiber |
| 6 in | Handle | 5 in |
Honolulu J6CR verdict
Honolulu's multi-density all-foam core paired with a carbon and fiberglass face — the fiberglass adds free pop that the all-carbon J2CR does not give you.
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 softness: Honolulu J6CR scores 80 against 56 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 — a 24-point gap. They are effectively level on control, launch angle, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 is $15 cheaper at $180.
Softness
Honolulu J6CR leads by 24 points (80 vs 56).
Spin
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 13 points (83 vs 70).
Plow through
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 13 points (88 vs 75).
Touch
Honolulu J6CR leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Which one should you buy?
Honolulu J6CR
Take Honolulu J6CR if you want softness (+24), touch (+12), forgiveness (+9). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Honolulu J6CR review →Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 if you want spin (+13), plow through (+13), twist weight (+12). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 review →Honolulu J6CR vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Honolulu J6CR or the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (78.6 vs 77.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Honolulu J6CR leads by 24 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Honolulu J6CR, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 115 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 Honolulu J6CR or the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 measures 91 on power against 90 for Honolulu J6CR. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam power core core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Honolulu J6CR at 81 versus 79. 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 Bantam TKO-C 14 scores 83 for spin off its Carbon fiber face, against 70 for the Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass face on Honolulu J6CR. In practice a 13-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, with 6 twist weight against 5.9. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Honolulu J6CR carries the higher forgiveness score (81) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 costs $180, $15 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?
- Honolulu J6CR: 16 mm Multi density foam core with a Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass face. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14: 14 mm Bantam power core core with a Carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Honolulu J6CR, at 6 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Honolulu J6CR avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Honolulu J6CR is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 81 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?
- Honolulu J6CR at 8.1 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 115) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Honolulu J6CR to the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Honolulu J6CR leads on softness by 24 points; everything else is within 13 points. At $195 vs $180, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
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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
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Read the full reviews: Honolulu J6CR and Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.