JOOLA Perseus 14 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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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
Specs
| $120 | Price | $105 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 12.7 mm |
| 7.8 oz | Weight | 7.65 oz |
| 108 | Swing weight | 93 |
| 5.7 | Twist weight | 6.2 |
| elongated | Shape | standard |
| Carbon Fiber | Surface | PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.25 in |
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, 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 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 measures 80 on power against 76 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. That comes from a 14 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 scores 90 for spin off its PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber face, against 90 for the Carbon Fiber face on JOOLA Perseus 14. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, with 6.2 twist weight against 5.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 carries the higher forgiveness score (77) as a result.
- 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 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 unstable 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.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Perseus 14 vs Perseus Pro IV 14
- Perseus 14 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- Perseus 14 vs GX2 Integra XL
- Perseus 14 vs Signature 13
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Scorpeus 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
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.