ONIX Evoke Premier Pro vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power85
- 82Control90
- 84Spin84
- 80Forgiveness88
- 82Sweet spot89
- 80Stability85
- 74Maneuverability84
- 84Pop84
- 78Touch88
- 80Consistency89
- 72Swing weight66
- 74Twist weight84
- 56Launch angle54
- 84Plow through74
- 70Softness86
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | ONIX Evoke Premier Pro | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.6 | 86.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 7.7 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 112 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.9 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.375 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber with Atomic 13 grit | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene | Bantam polymer core |
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro verdict
Onix finally thermoformed the Evoke. It hits noticeably harder than the standard Premier while keeping the wide standard shape that made the original forgiving.
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 softness: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 86 against 70 for ONIX Evoke Premier Pro — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, power, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ONIX Evoke Premier Pro is $20 cheaper at $180.
Softness
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 16 points (86 vs 70).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Touch
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (88 vs 78).
Twist weight
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
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 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 80, sweet spot 89 vs 82, twist weight 84 vs 74. Twist weight 6.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the clearer pick at this level — maneuverability 84 vs 74, control 90 vs 82, touch 88 vs 78. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 88 vs 78, maneuverability 84 vs 74, control 90 vs 82. Swing weight 105 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Maneuverability
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 86 vs 70, forgiveness 88 vs 80, twist weight 84 vs 74. Its 14 mm Bantam polymer core core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro
Take ONIX Evoke Premier Pro if you want plow through (+10), swing weight (+6). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Evoke Premier Pro review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want softness (+16), maneuverability (+10), touch (+10). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →ONIX Evoke Premier Pro vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the ONIX Evoke Premier Pro or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 80.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 112 for ONIX Evoke Premier Pro. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ONIX Evoke Premier Pro or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- ONIX Evoke Premier Pro measures 85 on power against 85 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene core swinging at 112 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 90 versus 82. 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?
- ONIX Evoke Premier Pro scores 84 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber with Atomic 13 grit face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 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 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?
- ONIX Evoke Premier Pro costs $180, $20 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?
- ONIX Evoke Premier Pro: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene core with a Raw carbon fiber with Atomic 13 grit 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?
- 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?
- 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. ONIX Evoke Premier Pro 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 112) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ONIX Evoke Premier Pro to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on softness by 16 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $180 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.
- Evoke Premier Pro vs Ruby
- Evoke Premier Pro vs Series One Project Black
- Evoke Premier Pro vs Evoke Premier
- Evoke Premier Pro vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Tenon
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Magnus 3S 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: ONIX Evoke Premier Pro and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.