Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro 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 12.7 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, which costs $150.
Power
76 vs 70
Spin
90 vs 74
Control
93 vs 85
Forgiveness
82 vs 77
Hand speed
93 vs 100 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$105 at IQ 79.4 vs $150 at IQ 79.8
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 · $105 · IQ 79.4
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power70
- 85Control93
- 90Spin74
- 77Forgiveness82
- 76Sweet spot80
- 74Stability76
- 98Maneuverability88
- 79Pop64
- 85Touch92
- 79Consistency88
- 39Swing weight58
- 68Twist weight62
- 51Launch angle42
- 47Plow through66
- 82Softness90
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 | Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $105 — better | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.4 | 79.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.65 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 12.7 | 14.3 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 93 | 100 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 — better | 6 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9375 | 15.75 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber | Textured graphite |
| Core material | Polymer Honeycomb | Patented Poly Core II |
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.
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro verdict
The paddle a generation of control players learned on, and still one of the quietest, most predictable graphite faces made. It will not out-hit a thermoformed paddle, but it will not surprise you either.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro scores 58 against 39 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 — a 19-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is $45 cheaper at $105.
Swing weight
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro leads by 19 points (58 vs 39).
Plow through
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro leads by 19 points (66 vs 47).
Spin
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 leads by 16 points (90 vs 74).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 leads by 15 points (79 vs 64).
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 Tempest Wave Pro
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is a narrow pick at this level — consistency 88 vs 79, forgiveness 82 vs 77, sweet spot 80 vs 76. Twist weight 6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Consistency
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.4 vs 83.8 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 and keep the $45.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (79.5 vs 79 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 and keep the $45.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is a narrow pick at this level — softness 90 vs 82, forgiveness 82 vs 77. Its 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 if you want spin (+16), pop (+15), maneuverability (+10). 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 →Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro if you want swing weight (+19), plow through (+19), consistency (+9). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 14.3 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (79.8 vs 79.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro leads by 19 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, at 93 kg·cm² swing weight against 100 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. 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 Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 scores 76 for power against 70 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. That comes from a 12.7 mm Polymer Honeycomb core swinging at 93 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro at 93 versus 85. Its 14.3 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 74 for the Textured graphite face on Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. In practice a 16-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, with the higher forgiveness score (82 vs 77). Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.2 vs 6), but Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro makes it back on sweet spot (80) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 costs $105, $45 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. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro: 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core with a Textured graphite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.25 in handle.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 80 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 at 7.65 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (93 vs 100) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 to the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro leads on swing weight by 19 points; everything else is within 19 points. At $105 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 and Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 and Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.