Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, which costs $150.
Power
76 vs 70
Spin
84 vs 74
Control
Too close to call
93 vs 92
Forgiveness
86 vs 82
Hand speed
100 vs 107 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 79.8 vs $190 at IQ 84.5
Overall pick: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 · $190 · IQ 84.5
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power70
- 92Control93
- 84Spin74
- 86Forgiveness82
- 86Sweet spot80
- 84Stability76
- 80Maneuverability88
- 72Pop64
- 92Touch92
- 90Consistency88
- 68Swing weight58
- 78Twist weight62
- 46Launch angle42
- 74Plow through66
- 88Softness90
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 | Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $190 | $150 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.5 — better | 79.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14.3 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 107 | 100 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 — better | 6 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 15.75 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Textured graphite |
| Core material | Poly-Core II honeycomb | Patented Poly Core II |
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 verdict
Paddletek's control benchmark. Control 92, touch 92 and softness 88 with a 107 swing weight is the classic soft-game recipe, updated with a raw carbon face for spin 84.
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro verdict
The paddle a generation of control players learned on, and still one of the quietest, most predictable graphite faces made. It will not out-hit a thermoformed paddle, but it will not surprise you either.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 scores 78 against 62 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, softness, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is $40 cheaper at $150.
Twist weight
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 16 points (78 vs 62).
Spin
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Swing weight
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 10 points (68 vs 58).
Stability
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 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 Tempest Pro C 16
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 78 vs 62, sweet spot 86 vs 80, stability 84 vs 76. Twist weight 6.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.5 vs 83.8 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro and keep the $40.
- Spin
- Power
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 84 vs 74, plow through 74 vs 66, power 76 vs 70. Swing weight 107 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 78 vs 62, forgiveness 86 vs 82. Its 16 mm Poly-Core II honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Take Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 if you want twist weight (+16), spin (+10), swing weight (+10). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 review →Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro if you want maneuverability (+8). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 14.3 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro review →Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.5 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 107 for Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 scores 76 for power against 70 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. That comes from a 16 mm Poly-Core II honeycomb core swinging at 107 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro at 93 versus 92. Its 14.3 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 Tempest Pro C 16 scores 84 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 74 for the Textured graphite face on Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 82). Its 6.4 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 Pro costs $150, $40 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 Tempest Pro C 16: 16 mm Poly-Core II honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro: 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core with a Textured graphite 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 Tempest Pro C 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 7.9 oz, though swing weight differs (107 vs 100) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro to the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads on twist weight by 16 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $190 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Tempest Wave Pro vs BALLR+ 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Obsidian 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Coral Hybrid 16
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Read the full reviews: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 and Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.