Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
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 hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, which costs $150.
Power
85 vs 72
Spin
84 vs 80
Control
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Hand speed
105 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 82.9 vs $200 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power72
- 90Control92
- 84Spin80
- 88Forgiveness86
- 89Sweet spot87
- 85Stability82
- 84Maneuverability81
- 84Pop68
- 88Touch91
- 89Consistency89
- 66Swing weight56
- 84Twist weight76
- 54Launch angle58
- 74Plow through66
- 86Softness88
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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 V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $150 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 82.9 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.1 |
| 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 | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | Tempest control core |
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 V3 verdict
The reference control paddle for players who do not want the weight of a 20 mm build. Touch scores trail only the Luxx.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 68 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, maneuverability, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is $50 cheaper at $150.
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 16 points (84 vs 68).
Power
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 13 points (85 vs 72).
Swing weight
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (66 vs 56).
Twist weight
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 8 points (84 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
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 84 vs 76, forgiveness 88 vs 86, sweet spot 89 vs 87. Twist weight 6.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
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 72, spin 84 vs 80, maneuverability 84 vs 81. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Power
- Spin
- Maneuverability
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 — power 85 vs 72, plow through 74 vs 66, spin 84 vs 80. Swing weight 105 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.2 vs 85.3 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and keep the $50.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want pop (+16), power (+13), swing weight (+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 →Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 82.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — 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 110 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. 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 V3?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 85 for power against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. 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 V3 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 for spin off its Textured carbon face, against 80 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- 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 6.1 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 V3 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 V3: 16 mm Tempest control core with a Textured carbon 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 V3 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 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on pop by 16 points; everything else is within 13 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 V3 vs SLK Halo Control
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Black Ace LG
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.