Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG
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
- 76Power74
- 92Control88
- 84Spin82
- 86Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot86
- 84Stability82
- 80Maneuverability78
- 72Pop70
- 92Touch90
- 90Consistency88
- 68Swing weight70
- 78Twist weight78
- 46Launch angle48
- 74Plow through76
- 88Softness92
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG 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 | ProKennex Black Ace LG |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $190 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.5 — better | 83.1 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 107 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.4 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Poly-Core II honeycomb | Kinetic core with damping chambers |
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.
ProKennex Black Ace LG verdict
The most arm-friendly build in the database. Softness 92 comes from ProKennex's Kinetic damping, and it is the one paddle we recommend without hesitation for players managing tendon pain.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is control: Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 scores 92 against 88 for ProKennex Black Ace LG — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($190 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Control
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 4 points (92 vs 88).
Softness
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 4 points (92 vs 88).
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 85.1 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Tempest Pro C 16, elongated on the Black Ace LG.
- Stability
- Consistency
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.5 vs 83.7 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Tempest Pro C 16, elongated on the Black Ace LG.
- Control
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.5 vs 80.9 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Tempest Pro C 16, elongated on the Black Ace LG.
- Control
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — softness 92 vs 88, forgiveness 88 vs 86. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16
Take Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 if you want control (+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 →ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want softness (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 or the ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.5 vs 83.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — control — Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16, at 107 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. 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 ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 measures 76 on power against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. 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 88. 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 82 for the Textured carbon face on ProKennex Black Ace LG. In practice a 2-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 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and ProKennex Black Ace LG carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- 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. ProKennex Black Ace LG: 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, 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 ProKennex Black Ace LG avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 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 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (107 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Black Ace LG to the Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16 leads on control by 4 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $190 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.
- Black Ace LG vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Black Ace LG vs Atlas 16
- Black Ace LG vs Crush Control 16
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 ProKennex Black Ace LG. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.