Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, which costs $150.
Power
84 vs 72
Spin
89 vs 80
Control
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
87 vs 86
Hand speed
107 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$99 at IQ 85.8 vs $150 at IQ 82.9
Overall pick: Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 · $99 · IQ 85.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power84
- 92Control90
- 80Spin89
- 86Forgiveness87
- 87Sweet spot87
- 82Stability84
- 81Maneuverability80
- 68Pop80
- 91Touch88
- 89Consistency88
- 56Swing weight68
- 76Twist weight82
- 58Launch angle55
- 66Plow through76
- 88Softness84
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 | Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 | $99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.9 | 85.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 107 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 6.5 — better |
| Shape | standard | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Tempest control core | Thermoformed polymer |
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.
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 verdict
The $99 paddle that keeps embarrassing $200 ones. The V-Sol Pro will not out-drive the foam flagships, but on control, spin and consistency it is genuinely competitive.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is power: Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 scores 84 against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on touch, launch angle, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is $51 cheaper at $99.
Power
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Pop
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 12 points (80 vs 68).
Swing weight
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 12 points (68 vs 56).
Plow through
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 10 points (76 vs 66).
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 86.2 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 and keep the $51.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 89 vs 80, power 84 vs 72, forgiveness 87 vs 86. At 107 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Power
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is the clearer pick at this level — power 84 vs 72, spin 89 vs 80, plow through 76 vs 66. Swing weight 107 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.3 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 and keep the $51.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want softness (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 review →Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 if you want power (+12), pop (+12), swing weight (+12). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 review →Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 or the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.8 vs 82.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — power — Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 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 Wave V3 or the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 scores 84 for power against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 107 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 at 92 versus 90. 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?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 scores 89 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 80 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. In practice a 9-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, with the higher forgiveness score (87 vs 86). Its 6.5 twist weight against 6.1 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 costs $99, $51 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 with a Textured carbon face. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, at 5.3 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?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 87 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 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 (110 vs 107) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 to the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads on power by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $150 vs $99, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 and Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.