JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 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
- 84Power85
- 95Control90
- 91Spin84
- 82Forgiveness88
- 84Sweet spot89
- 88Stability85
- 74Maneuverability84
- 79Pop84
- 93Touch88
- 92Consistency89
- 72Swing weight66
- 86Twist weight84
- 52Launch angle54
- 83Plow through74
- 78Softness86
Specs
| $240 | Price | $200 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 8.2 oz | Weight | 7.7 oz |
| 116 | Swing weight | 105 |
| 6.4 | Twist weight | 6.9 |
| hybrid | Shape | standard |
| Raw Toray T700 carbon | Surface | Textured carbon |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.25 in |
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 verdict
The most complete tournament paddle we have measured. Control numbers sit at the top of the field without giving up the drive speed you need to finish points.
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 verdict
The lightweight Bantam. At 7.7 oz it is one of the fastest paddles in the database through hands battles, and Paddletek's core keeps the feel soft rather than tinny.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 74 for JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, consistency, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is $40 cheaper at $200.
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Plow through
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads by 9 points (83 vs 74).
Softness
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Spin
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads by 7 points (91 vs 84).
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16
Take JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 if you want plow through (+9), spin (+7), swing weight (+6). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+10), softness (+8), forgiveness (+6). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for JOOLA Perseus CFS 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 measures 85 on power against 84 for JOOLA Perseus CFS 16. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam polymer core core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 at 95 versus 90. 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?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 scores 91 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 costs $200, $40 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?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16: 16 mm Propulsion polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16, 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 CFS 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 7.7 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 to the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on maneuverability by 10 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $240 vs $200, 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 CFS 16 vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- Perseus CFS 16 vs Magnus 3S 16
- Perseus CFS 16 vs Mach 1 Forza 16
- Perseus CFS 16 vs Nova R1
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Magnus 3S 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Loco 16mm Standard
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Mach 1 Forza 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.