Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Ronbus Tenon
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Ronbus Tenon 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
- 85Power88
- 90Control91
- 84Spin90
- 88Forgiveness88
- 89Sweet spot89
- 85Stability88
- 84Maneuverability78
- 84Pop83
- 88Touch89
- 89Consistency90
- 66Swing weight72
- 84Twist weight86
- 54Launch angle54
- 74Plow through82
- 86Softness85
Specs
| $200 | Price | $180 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 7.7 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 105 | Swing weight | 110 |
| 6.9 | Twist weight | 6.7 |
| standard | Shape | hybrid |
| Textured carbon | Surface | Raw T700 carbon |
| 5.25 in | Handle | 5.5 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.
Ronbus Tenon verdict
Ronbus doing what Ronbus does: a flagship-tier build at a mid-tier price. The Tenon lands closest to the premium all-court paddles on measured traits while costing about $100 less.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is plow through: Ronbus Tenon scores 82 against 74 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on power, stability, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus Tenon is $20 cheaper at $180.
Plow through
Ronbus Tenon leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Spin
Ronbus Tenon leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Swing weight
Ronbus Tenon leads by 6 points (72 vs 66).
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want 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 →Ronbus Tenon
Take Ronbus Tenon if you want plow through (+8), spin (+6), swing weight (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus Tenon review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Ronbus Tenon FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Ronbus Tenon?
- Ronbus Tenon carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.8 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Ronbus Tenon leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Ronbus Tenon. 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 Ronbus Tenon?
- Ronbus Tenon measures 88 on power against 85 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Ronbus Tenon at 91 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?
- Ronbus Tenon scores 90 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Ronbus Tenon costs $180, $20 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 core with a Textured carbon face. Ronbus Tenon: 16 mm Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Ronbus Tenon, 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 Ronbus Tenon 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. Ronbus Tenon rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable 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 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 to the Ronbus Tenon?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Ronbus Tenon leads on plow through by 8 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $200 vs $180, 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 Magnus 3S 16
- Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Loco 16mm Standard
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 Ronbus Tenon. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.