Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power72
- 90Control90
- 84Spin86
- 88Forgiveness88
- 89Sweet spot88
- 85Stability78
- 84Maneuverability92
- 84Pop74
- 88Touch90
- 89Consistency86
- 66Swing weight52
- 84Twist weight74
- 54Launch angle60
- 74Plow through64
- 86Softness90
Specs
| $200 | Price | $200 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 7.7 oz | Weight | 7.5 oz |
| 105 | Swing weight | 103 |
| 6.9 | Twist weight | 6 |
| standard | Shape | standard |
| Textured carbon | Surface | Carbon with Diamond Frost texture |
| 5.25 in | Handle | 5 in |
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 Kinetic Pro Flight verdict
The arm-comfort paddle. ProKennex's Kinetic mass system and the light 7.5 oz build make this the paddle we point players toward when elbow or shoulder pain is the limiting factor, not skill.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 scores 66 against 52 for ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, spin, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($200 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Swing weight
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 14 points (66 vs 52).
Power
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 13 points (85 vs 72).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Twist weight
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Which one should you buy?
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
Take ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight if you want maneuverability (+8), launch angle (+6), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 103 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want swing weight (+14), power (+13), pop (+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 →ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight vs Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 83.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight, at 103 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 ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight or the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 measures 85 on power against 72 for ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam polymer core core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight at 90 versus 90. 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?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight scores 86 for spin off its Carbon with Diamond Frost texture face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with 6.9 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight: 14 mm Cloud Cell poly honeycomb with Kinetic mass system core with a Carbon with Diamond Frost texture face. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 5.25 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight at 7.5 oz against 7.7 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (103 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads on swing weight by 14 points; everything else is within 13 points. At $200 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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 14 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Tenon
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Magnus 3S 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Tempest Wave V3
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Essentials 16
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Encore Pro EX
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Prism Flash
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.