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
- 90Power90
- 81Control80
- 70Spin84
- 81Forgiveness78
- 80Sweet spot80
- 72Stability82
- 80Maneuverability84
- 81Pop92
- 84Touch74
- 78Consistency80
- 66Swing weight66
- 59Twist weight74
- 56Launch angle60
- 75Plow through78
- 80Softness62
Honolulu J6CR 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 | Honolulu J6CR | Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $195 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 77.9 | 81 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 6.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.48 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.52 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 6 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Multi density foam | Bantam Poly-Core |
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 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: Honolulu J6CR scores 80 against 62 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 — a 18-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, plow through, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($195 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
Honolulu J6CR leads by 18 points (80 vs 62).
Twist weight
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 15 points (74 vs 59).
Spin
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 11 points (92 vs 81).
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 a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 74 vs 59, stability 82 vs 72, consistency 80 vs 78. Twist weight 6.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.2 vs 81.7 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the J6CR, standard on the Bantam TKO-C 14.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 84 vs 70, plow through 78 vs 75, maneuverability 84 vs 80. Swing weight 105 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Honolulu J6CR
Honolulu J6CR is the clearer pick at this level — softness 80 vs 62, forgiveness 81 vs 78. Its 16 mm Multi density foam core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Honolulu J6CR
Take Honolulu J6CR if you want softness (+18), touch (+10). 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 twist weight (+15), spin (+14), pop (+11). Its swing weight of 105 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 (81 vs 77.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Honolulu J6CR leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Honolulu J6CR. 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?
- Honolulu J6CR measures 90 on power against 90 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. That comes from a 16 mm Multi density foam core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Honolulu J6CR at 81 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?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 scores 84 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 70 for the Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass face on Honolulu J6CR. In practice a 14-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 5.9. 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?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- 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 Poly-Core core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Honolulu J6CR, at 6 in of handle against 5.25 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. Honolulu J6CR 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 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 110) 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 18 points; everything else is within 15 points. At $195 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a touch vs pop decision
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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.