Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG
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 and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the ProKennex Black Ace LG, which costs $200.
Power
85 vs 74
Spin
Too close to call
84 vs 82
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Hand speed
105 vs 109 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$200 at IQ 86.3 vs $200 at IQ 83.1
Overall pick: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 · $200 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power74
- 90Control88
- 84Spin82
- 88Forgiveness88
- 89Sweet spot86
- 85Stability82
- 84Maneuverability78
- 84Pop70
- 88Touch90
- 89Consistency88
- 66Swing weight70
- 84Twist weight78
- 54Launch angle48
- 74Plow through76
- 86Softness92
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG 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 | ProKennex Black Ace LG |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 83.1 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.4 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.375 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | Kinetic core with damping chambers |
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.
ProKennex Black Ace LG verdict
The most arm-friendly build in the database. Softness 92 comes from ProKennex's Kinetic damping, and it is the one paddle we recommend without hesitation for players managing tendon pain.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 84 against 70 for ProKennex Black Ace LG — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, stability, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $200, so price cannot break the tie.
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
Power
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 11 points (85 vs 74).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
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
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 84 vs 78, sweet spot 89 vs 86, stability 85 vs 82. Twist weight 6.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Stability
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 74, maneuverability 84 vs 78, control 90 vs 88. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Control
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 74, maneuverability 84 vs 78, spin 84 vs 82. Swing weight 105 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — softness 92 vs 86. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want pop (+14), power (+11), maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want softness (+6), swing weight (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 83.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. 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 ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 85 for power against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. 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 Bantam ALW-C 14 at 90 versus 88. Its 14 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 82 for the Textured carbon face on ProKennex Black Ace LG. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.9 and 6.4.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $200. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core with a Textured carbon face. ProKennex Black Ace LG: 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which ProKennex Black Ace LG avoids.
- 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. ProKennex Black Ace LG 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 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Black Ace LG to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on pop by 14 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $200 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and ProKennex Black Ace LG. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.