Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
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, spin and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, which costs $150.
Power
85 vs 70
Spin
84 vs 74
Control
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Forgiveness
88 vs 82
Hand speed
100 vs 105 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 79.8 vs $200 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power70
- 90Control93
- 84Spin74
- 88Forgiveness82
- 89Sweet spot80
- 85Stability76
- 84Maneuverability88
- 84Pop64
- 88Touch92
- 89Consistency88
- 66Swing weight58
- 84Twist weight62
- 54Launch angle42
- 74Plow through66
- 86Softness90
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 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 14 | Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $150 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 79.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14.3 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 100 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 15.75 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.375 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Textured graphite |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | Patented Poly Core II |
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 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 twist weight: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 62 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on control, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is $50 cheaper at $150.
Twist weight
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 22 points (84 vs 62).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 20 points (84 vs 64).
Power
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 15 points (85 vs 70).
Launch angle
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 12 points (54 vs 42).
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 — twist weight 84 vs 62, sweet spot 89 vs 80, forgiveness 88 vs 82. Twist weight 6.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — power 85 vs 70, spin 84 vs 74, forgiveness 88 vs 82. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Power
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the clearer pick at this level — power 85 vs 70, spin 84 vs 74, plow through 74 vs 66. Swing weight 105 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
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 — twist weight 84 vs 62, forgiveness 88 vs 82. Its 14 mm Bantam polymer core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want twist weight (+22), pop (+20), power (+15). 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 Wave Pro
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro if you want maneuverability (+4), touch (+4), softness (+4). 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 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 105 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. 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 Wave Pro?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 85 for power against 70 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. 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 Wave Pro at 93 versus 90. 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 14 scores 84 for spin off its Textured carbon face, against 74 for the Textured graphite face on Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 82). Its 6.9 twist weight against 6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro costs $150, $50 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 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core with a Textured carbon 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 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 Wave Pro 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 100) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on twist weight by 22 points; everything else is within 20 points. At $200 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Tenon
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Vision CGS 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs BALLR+ 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Obsidian 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Coral Hybrid 16
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.