Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Quartz Control takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
Six Zero Quartz Control edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 79.4), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
78 vs 76
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Control
93 vs 85
Forgiveness
91 vs 77
Hand speed
93 vs 108 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$105 at IQ 79.4 vs $190 at IQ 88
Overall pick: Six Zero Quartz Control · $190 · IQ 88
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power78
- 85Control93
- 90Spin90
- 77Forgiveness91
- 76Sweet spot92
- 74Stability90
- 98Maneuverability82
- 79Pop72
- 85Touch92
- 79Consistency91
- 39Swing weight68
- 68Twist weight90
- 51Launch angle50
- 47Plow through72
- 82Softness89
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Six Zero Quartz Control 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 | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $105 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.4 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.65 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 12.7 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 93 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9375 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Polymer Honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
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.
Six Zero Quartz Control verdict
A control build in the Double Black Diamond tradition, only lighter and quicker. Twist weight and sweet spot are the standouts; power is deliberately mid-pack.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 68 against 39 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 — a 29-point gap. They are effectively level on power, launch angle, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 is $85 cheaper at $105.
Swing weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 29 points (68 vs 39).
Plow through
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 25 points (72 vs 47).
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 16 points (92 vs 76).
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
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — sweet spot 92 vs 76, twist weight 90 vs 68, forgiveness 91 vs 77. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 77, control 93 vs 85, consistency 91 vs 79. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Control
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 72 vs 47, touch 92 vs 85, control 93 vs 85. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 90 vs 68, softness 89 vs 82, forgiveness 91 vs 77. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 if you want maneuverability (+16), pop (+7). 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 →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want swing weight (+29), plow through (+25), twist weight (+22). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 79.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 29 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7, at 93 kg·cm² swing weight against 108 for Six Zero Quartz Control. 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 Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control scores 78 for power against 76 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 versus 85. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 77). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.2 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 ALW-C 12.7 costs $105, $85 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. Six Zero Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 91 and sweet spot 92 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 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 to the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on swing weight by 29 points; everything else is within 25 points. At $105 vs $190, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Scorpeus 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Bantam ALW-C 12.7 vs CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage
- Quartz Control vs Radius CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Vision CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Tempest Pro C 16
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 Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 and Six Zero Quartz Control in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.