Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. ProKennex Black Ace LG 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
- 72Power74
- 92Control88
- 80Spin82
- 86Forgiveness88
- 87Sweet spot86
- 82Stability82
- 81Maneuverability78
- 68Pop70
- 91Touch90
- 89Consistency88
- 56Swing weight70
- 76Twist weight78
- 58Launch angle48
- 66Plow through76
- 88Softness92
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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 Wave V3 | ProKennex Black Ace LG |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.9 | 83.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 6.4 — better |
| 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 | Textured carbon | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Tempest control core | Kinetic core with damping chambers |
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.
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 swing weight: ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 70 against 56 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, power, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is $50 cheaper at $150.
Swing weight
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 14 points (70 vs 56).
Launch angle
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 10 points (58 vs 48).
Plow through
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 10 points (76 vs 66).
Control
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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 vs 85.1 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and keep the $50.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.2 vs 83.7 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and keep the $50.
- Control
- Maneuverability
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (79.5 vs 80.9 on the weighted index). Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and keep the $50.
- Plow through
- 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, twist weight 78 vs 76. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want launch angle (+10), control (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 review →ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want swing weight (+14), plow through (+10), 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 Wave V3 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 or the ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.1 vs 82.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, at 109 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 Wave V3 or the ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG measures 74 on power against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. That comes from a 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core swinging at 109 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 82 for spin off its Textured carbon face, against 80 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, with 6.4 twist weight against 6.1. 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?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 costs $150, $50 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 Wave V3: 16 mm Tempest control core core with a Textured carbon 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. ProKennex Black Ace LG rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 to the ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProKennex Black Ace LG leads on swing weight by 14 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $150 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.
- Tempest Wave V3 vs SLK Halo Control
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Tempest Wave V3 vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Black Ace LG vs Tempest Pro C 16
- 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 Wave V3 and ProKennex Black Ace LG. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.