JOOLA Perseus 14 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the JOOLA Perseus 14, which costs $120.
Power
80 vs 76
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 85
Forgiveness
77 vs 72
Hand speed
93 vs 108 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$105 at IQ 79.4 vs $120 at IQ 76.8
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 · $105 · IQ 79.4
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 80Power76
- 86Control85
- 90Spin90
- 72Forgiveness77
- 70Sweet spot76
- 66Stability74
- 86Maneuverability98
- 76Pop79
- 88Touch85
- 75Consistency79
- 63Swing weight39
- 53Twist weight68
- 49Launch angle51
- 69Plow through47
- 85Softness82
JOOLA Perseus 14 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Perseus 14 | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $120 | $105 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 76.8 | 79.4 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.65 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 12.7 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 93 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.7 | 6.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 15.9375 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Carbon Fiber | PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber |
| Core material | Honeycomb Polypropylene Core | Polymer Honeycomb |
JOOLA Perseus 14 verdict
The 14 mm Perseus trades the 16 mm's plow-through for a firmer, faster response. It is the version to buy if you counter-attack rather than grind out drops.
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 verdict
At 7.65 oz this is the lightest paddle in the database, and the 12.7 mm core makes it faster still. It is a hands-speed specialist, not a power tool.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: JOOLA Perseus 14 scores 63 against 39 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 — a 24-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, touch, softness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is $15 cheaper at $105.
Swing weight
JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 24 points (63 vs 39).
Plow through
JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 22 points (69 vs 47).
Twist weight
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 leads by 15 points (68 vs 53).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 leads by 12 points (98 vs 86).
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 ALW-C 12.7
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 68 vs 53, sweet spot 76 vs 70, stability 74 vs 66. Twist weight 6.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 98 vs 86, forgiveness 77 vs 72, consistency 79 vs 75. At 93 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus 14
JOOLA Perseus 14 is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 69 vs 47, power 80 vs 76, touch 88 vs 85. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 68 vs 53, forgiveness 77 vs 72. Its 12.7 mm Polymer Honeycomb core at 7.65 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 if you want twist weight (+15), maneuverability (+12), stability (+8). Its swing weight of 93 kg·cm² and 12.7 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 review →JOOLA Perseus 14
Take JOOLA Perseus 14 if you want swing weight (+24), plow through (+22), power (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus 14 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs JOOLA Perseus 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 or the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (79.4 vs 76.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 24 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, at 93 kg·cm² swing weight against 108 for JOOLA Perseus 14. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 or the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 scores 80 for power against 76 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. That comes from a 14 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 at 86 versus 85. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, with the higher forgiveness score (77 vs 72). Its 6.2 twist weight against 5.7 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 costs $105, $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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7: 12.7 mm Polymer Honeycomb core with a PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face. JOOLA Perseus 14: 14 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core with a Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus 14, 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 JOOLA Perseus 14 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 77 and sweet spot 76 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 at 7.65 oz against 7.8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (93 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus 14 to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus 14 leads on swing weight by 24 points; everything else is within 22 points. At $105 vs $120, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a forgiveness vs power decision
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put JOOLA Perseus 14 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus 14 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.