Compare up to 3 paddles side by side
Specs, weight and swing weight, all 15 Paddle DNA™ traits, and price plus availability built only from the retailer offers we actually track — never estimated.
Specs & weight
| Spec | JOOLA Essentials 16 | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 |
|---|---|---|
| IQ score | 82.2/100 | 79.4/100 |
| MSRP | $89 | $105 |
| Best tracked price | $89 | Not tracked |
| Weight | 7.9 oz | 7.65 oz |
| Swing weightlower = faster hands | 108 | 93 |
| Twist weighthigher = more forgiving | 5.8 | 6.2 |
| Core | 16 mm | 12.7 mm |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Surface | Textured fiberglass | PT-700 Raw Carbon Fiber |
| Handle | 5 in | 5.25 in |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |
Price & availability
Sourced from stored retailer offers and their recorded price history. Paddles with no tracked offer show MSRP only.
JOOLA Essentials 16
- Tracked range
- $89 – $93
- Typical (median)
- $91
- All-time low
- $89
- Availability
- 2 / 2 in stock
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
No retailer offers tracked yet for this paddle, so we don't show a price range. MSRP is $105.
Paddle DNA™
- Power7476
- Control8985
- Spin7890
- Forgiveness9177
- Sweet spot9276
- Stability7974
- Maneuverability8498
- Pop7679
- Touch8285
- Consistency8679
- Swing weight4639
- Twist weight7168
- Launch angle6651
- Plow through6247
- Softness8882
Bars listed in the order JOOLA Essentials 16 · Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
Verdicts
JOOLA Essentials 16
The widest measured sweet spot in our sub-$100 test group. Mishits off the top third still clear the net, which is exactly what a new player needs while their contact point is inconsistent.
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7
At 7.65 oz this is the lightest paddle in the database, and the 12.7 mm core makes it faster still. It is a hands-speed specialist, not a power tool.