JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 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 14 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the JOOLA Radius CGS 16, which costs $230.
Power
85 vs 79
Spin
88 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
91 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Hand speed
105 vs 108 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$200 at IQ 86.3 vs $230 at IQ 86.1
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 79Power85
- 91Control90
- 88Spin84
- 90Forgiveness88
- 92Sweet spot89
- 86Stability85
- 78Maneuverability84
- 74Pop84
- 89Touch88
- 88Consistency89
- 68Swing weight66
- 82Twist weight84
- 50Launch angle54
- 78Plow through74
- 82Softness86
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Radius CGS 16 | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.1 | 86.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 7.7 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 | 6.9 — better |
| Shape | widebody | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.375 |
| Surface | Charged Surface Technology carbon | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Reactive Polymer Core | Bantam polymer core |
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 verdict
JOOLA's widebody answer to the elongated arms race. The extra face width buys one of the largest sweet-spot scores in the lineup, and the twist weight is high enough that mishits still come back deep.
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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 74 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, forgiveness, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is $30 cheaper at $200.
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Power
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 6 points (85 vs 79).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Spin
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (88.4 vs 87.5 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $30.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86 vs 86.7 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $30.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.8 vs 84 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and keep the $30.
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 82, twist weight 84 vs 82. Its 14 mm Bantam polymer core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Take JOOLA Radius CGS 16 if you want spin (+4), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want pop (+10), power (+6), maneuverability (+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 Radius CGS 16 vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 86.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — 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 108 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 85 for power against 79 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam polymer core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 at 91 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 Radius CGS 16 scores 88 for spin off its Charged Surface Technology carbon face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 88). Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.9 vs 6.8), but JOOLA Radius CGS 16 makes it back on sweet spot (92) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 costs $200, $30 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 Radius CGS 16: 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core with a Charged Surface Technology carbon face. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 5.25 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 7.7 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on pop by 10 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $230 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Tenon
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Vision CGS 16
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put JOOLA Radius CGS 16 and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Radius CGS 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.