JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, which costs $180.
Power
Too close to call
91 vs 90
Spin
93 vs 83
Control
93 vs 79
Forgiveness
85 vs 72
Hand speed
115 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$180 at IQ 78.6 vs $280 at IQ 88.3
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 · $280 · IQ 88.3
Watch: Paddletek Bantam TKO-C vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV
See how the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV compare in power, pop, control, spin, touch, forgiveness, stability, hand speed, handle length and overall value.
Quick takeaway: On our Paddle DNA data the Bantam TKO-C leads for pop (92 vs 85) and hand speed off a lighter 115 swing weight, with near-level power (91 vs 90). The Perseus Pro IV 16 leads for control (93 vs 79), spin (93 vs 83), touch (90 vs 72), forgiveness (85 vs 72), stability (90 vs 80) and adds a longer 5.5-inch handle. Prices shown on this page are the current tracked figures and can move, so check both before buying.
Scroll down to compare every Paddle DNA score and spec side-by-side ↓Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power91
- 93Control79
- 93Spin83
- 85Forgiveness72
- 87Sweet spot74
- 90Stability80
- 71Maneuverability73
- 85Pop92
- 90Touch72
- 92Consistency78
- 79Swing weight74
- 85Twist weight71
- 55Launch angle54
- 88Plow through88
- 84Softness56
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 | Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 88.3 — better | 78.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 — better | 6 |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Carbon fiber |
| Core material | Gen 4 foam-injected polymer | Bantam power core |
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 verdict
JOOLA's foam-era flagship. It keeps the Perseus hybrid footprint but adds perimeter foam, so drives leave hotter without the control numbers collapsing.
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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 84 against 56 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 — a 28-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, power, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 is $100 cheaper at $180.
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 28 points (84 vs 56).
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 18 points (90 vs 72).
Control
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 14 points (93 vs 79).
Consistency
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 14 points (92 vs 78).
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
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 85 vs 72, sweet spot 87 vs 74, twist weight 85 vs 71. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — control 93 vs 79, touch 90 vs 72, spin 93 vs 83. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — touch 90 vs 72, spin 93 vs 83, control 93 vs 79. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 84 vs 56, forgiveness 85 vs 72, twist weight 85 vs 71. Its 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want softness (+28), touch (+18), control (+14). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 review →Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 if you want pop (+7). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 or the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 78.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 28 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 or the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 scores 91 for power against 90 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam power core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 at 93 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?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 93 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 83 for the Carbon fiber face on Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, with the higher forgiveness score (85 vs 72). Its 6.5 twist weight against 6 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 TKO-C 14 costs $180, $100 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 Pro IV 16: 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14: 14 mm Bantam power core with a Carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 at 8.2 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on softness by 28 points; everything else is within 18 points. At $280 vs $180, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.