Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
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 on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16, which costs $190.
Power
85 vs 76
Spin
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Hand speed
Too close to call
105 vs 107 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$190 at IQ 84.5 vs $200 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power76
- 90Control92
- 84Spin84
- 88Forgiveness86
- 89Sweet spot86
- 85Stability84
- 84Maneuverability80
- 84Pop72
- 88Touch92
- 89Consistency90
- 66Swing weight68
- 84Twist weight78
- 54Launch angle46
- 74Plow through74
- 86Softness88
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 | Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 84.5 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 107 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.4 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.375 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | Poly-Core II honeycomb |
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.
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 verdict
Paddletek's control benchmark. Control 92, touch 92 and softness 88 with a 107 swing weight is the classic soft-game recipe, updated with a raw carbon face for spin 84.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, control, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $190) that it should not break the tie.
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Power
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 9 points (85 vs 76).
Launch angle
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 8 points (54 vs 46).
Twist weight
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 6 points (84 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.5 vs 85.5 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.7 oz on the Bantam ALW-C 14, 7.9 oz on the Tempest Pro C 16.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 85.5 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.7 oz on the Bantam ALW-C 14, 7.9 oz on the Tempest Pro C 16.
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.7 oz on the Bantam ALW-C 14, 7.9 oz on the Tempest Pro C 16.
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.2 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 7.7 oz on the Bantam ALW-C 14, 7.9 oz on the Tempest Pro C 16.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want pop (+12), power (+9), launch angle (+8). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Take Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 if you want touch (+4). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 84.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 107 for Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 85 for power against 76 for Paddletek Tempest Pro C 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?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 at 92 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 86). Its 6.9 twist weight against 6.4 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core with a Textured carbon face. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16: 16 mm Poly-Core II honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber 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 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. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 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 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 107) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 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 12 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $200 vs $190, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Vision CGS 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Quartz Hybrid 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Black Ace LG
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Vision CGS 16
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.