Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek's power build against its control build for players staying inside the brand. Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14, which costs $180.
Power
91 vs 72
Spin
Too close to call
83 vs 80
Control
92 vs 79
Forgiveness
86 vs 72
Hand speed
110 vs 115 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 82.9 vs $180 at IQ 78.6
Overall pick: Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 · $150 · IQ 82.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 91Power72
- 79Control92
- 83Spin80
- 72Forgiveness86
- 74Sweet spot87
- 80Stability82
- 73Maneuverability81
- 92Pop68
- 72Touch91
- 78Consistency89
- 74Swing weight56
- 71Twist weight76
- 54Launch angle58
- 88Plow through66
- 56Softness88
Paddletek Bantam TKO-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 TKO-C 14 | Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 | $150 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 78.6 | 82.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 115 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6.1 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Carbon fiber | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Bantam power core | Tempest control core |
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 verdict
A pure pop paddle. Counters come off the face faster than almost anything in the database, and the trade-off is a firm, chatty feel on soft shots.
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 softness: Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 scores 88 against 56 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 — a 32-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is $30 cheaper at $150.
Softness
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 32 points (88 vs 56).
Pop
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 24 points (92 vs 68).
Plow through
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 22 points (88 vs 66).
Power
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 leads by 19 points (91 vs 72).
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 Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 72, sweet spot 87 vs 74, consistency 89 vs 78. Twist weight 6.1 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is the clearer pick at this level — touch 91 vs 72, control 92 vs 79, forgiveness 86 vs 72. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Touch
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — power 91 vs 72, plow through 88 vs 66, spin 83 vs 80. Swing weight 115 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 88 vs 56, forgiveness 86 vs 72, twist weight 76 vs 71. Its 16 mm Tempest control core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 if you want pop (+24), plow through (+22), power (+19). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 review →Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want softness (+32), touch (+19), forgiveness (+14). 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 TKO-C 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.9 vs 78.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 32 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 115 for Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 scores 91 for power against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. That comes from a 14 mm Bantam power core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 at 92 versus 79. 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 TKO-C 14 scores 83 for spin off its Carbon fiber face, against 80 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 72). Its 6.1 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 V3 costs $150, $30 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 TKO-C 14: 14 mm Bantam power core with a Carbon fiber face. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3: 16 mm Tempest control core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, 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?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 at 7.9 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 115) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14 to the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads on softness by 32 points; everything else is within 24 points. At $180 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a control vs power decision
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Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam TKO-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.