Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek's two Tempest control builds, separated by feel rather than shape. Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power72
- 92Control92
- 84Spin80
- 86Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot87
- 84Stability82
- 80Maneuverability81
- 72Pop68
- 92Touch91
- 90Consistency89
- 68Swing weight56
- 78Twist weight76
- 46Launch angle58
- 74Plow through66
- 88Softness88
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 specs
Every measured 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 V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $190 | $150 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.5 — better | 82.9 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 107 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 — better | 6.1 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Poly-Core II honeycomb | Tempest control core |
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 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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 scores 68 against 56 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, twist weight, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is $40 cheaper at $150.
Swing weight
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 12 points (68 vs 56).
Launch angle
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 12 points (58 vs 46).
Plow through
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 8 points (74 vs 66).
Power
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 4 points (76 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.5 vs 85 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and keep the $40.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.5 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and keep the $40.
- Spin
- Power
- Touch
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 — plow through 74 vs 66, power 76 vs 72, spin 84 vs 80. Swing weight 107 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.6 vs 85.3 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and keep the $40.
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Take Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 if you want swing weight (+12), plow through (+8), power (+4). 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 V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want launch angle (+12). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 review →Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.5 vs 82.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16, at 107 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. 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 V3?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 measures 76 on power against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. 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 Pro C 16 at 92 versus 92. 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 Tempest Pro C 16 scores 84 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 80 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16, with 6.4 twist weight against 6.1. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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 V3: 16 mm Tempest control core core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16, at 5.25 in of handle against 5.25 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 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 Pro C 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 at 7.9 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (107 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 to the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads on swing weight by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $190 vs $150, 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.
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Black Ace LG
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs Atlas 16
- Tempest Pro C 16 vs R1 Pulsar
- Tempest Wave V3 vs SLK Halo Control
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Black Ace LG
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 and Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.