Is the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro good for beginners?

Yes. Forgiveness scores 82/100 and the sweet spot 80/100, both high enough that off-centre contact still produces a playable ball. At $150 it is more paddle than most beginners need, but it will not hold you back.

Is the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro worth the price?

At $150 it sits in the 25th percentile of the database for cost and the 19th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at $99 is the value alternative we point people to.

How does the Tempest Wave Pro compare to the BALLR+ 16?

They are close on DNA. The Tempest Wave Pro reads power 70 / control 93 / spin 74 against 75 / 94 / 90 for the BALLR+ 16, at $150 versus $120. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.

Is the 14.3 mm better than the 16 mm version?

A 14 mm core returns energy faster, so drives and speed-ups come off harder with less effort. The 16 mm build gives up some of that pop for dwell time and softer hands. Pick 14 mm for pace, 16 mm for touch.

Is the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro approved for tournament play?

Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. Paddletek submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Tempest Wave Pro build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the Tempest Wave Pro have good spin?

Spin scores 74/100 — the 6th percentile of our database (among the lower values in the database) — off a Textured graphite face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.

Is the Tempest Wave Pro head heavy?

Swing weight is 100 kg·cm² and twist weight 6. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 7.9 oz.

Does the Tempest Wave Pro benefit from lead tape?

Yes — at 100 kg·cm² there is room to add. Tape at 3 and 9 o'clock raises twist weight and stability with the smallest hit to hand speed; tape at 12 adds power and plow-through but slows the paddle noticeably. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.

What is the best overgrip for the Tempest Wave Pro?

The stock handle is 5.25 in long with a 4.25 in circumference. A thin tacky overgrip adds roughly 1/16 in of circumference and a few grams above the balance point — the cheapest way to fine-tune fit. If your hand is larger than the 4.25 in stock size, build up with an under-wrap first rather than stacking overgrips.

What should I replace the Tempest Wave Pro with when it wears out?

Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Tempest Wave Pro; if you want to change something, look at a higher-control build and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 70).

Who is the Tempest Wave Pro best for?

Control players who value predictability over power. Skill levels we would put on it: beginner, intermediate, advanced. Handle length of 5.25 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.

What shape and size is the Tempest Wave Pro?

standard shape, 15.75 in long by 8 in wide, 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core, Textured graphite face, 7.9 oz. Released 2024.

Is the Tempest Wave Pro good for two-handed backhands?

Less so. At 5.25 in your top hand will sit partly on the throat. Two-handers should look for 5.3 in or longer.

Tempest Wave Pro or Bantam ALW-C 14?

Both are Paddletek. The Tempest Wave Pro reads IQ 79.8 at $150; the Bantam ALW-C 14 reads IQ 86.3 at $200. The clearest split is power (70 vs 85).

How does PickleballLookup score the Tempest Wave Pro?

The IQ score of 79.8 is a weighted composite of the 15 Paddle DNA traits, normalized across every paddle in the database so the number means the same thing on any page. Performance traits carry the most weight; descriptive traits like swing weight carry none. Full methodology is published.

Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro pickleball paddle, front face — standard shape, Textured graphite hitting surface — Front · Hitting face and graphics2/7 verified views

Reference price$150MSRP $180

Check price on Amazon$156

Buy links are affiliate links: we earn a commission from qualifying purchases through Amazon Associates and brand-direct programs. Prices and availability are checked periodically and can change.

Paddletek

Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro

80Specs recorded August 2026 · Control players who value predictability over power

Reviewed by Alex ZubarevPickleball player since 2021Jacksonville, FLUpdated August 2026Research-based review

The Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is a 14.3 mm standard pickleball paddle weighing 7.9 oz, with a Textured graphite face, listed around $150.

The paddle a generation of control players learned on, and still one of the quietest, most predictable graphite faces made. It will not out-hit a thermoformed paddle, but it will not surprise you either.

From Paddletek

Our best-selling paddle series is now even more formidable. The new Tempest Wave Pro-C provides a combination of spin, control, and forgiveness. PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber is combined with our more forgiving Tempest core to give serious players both control and max spin capability. The legendary Smart Response Technology and a large, consistent sweet spot add finesse to every shot, while the balanced weight increases speed and maneuverability for even better play.

Official Paddletek product page →

Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the Tempest Wave Pro against the Babolat BALLR+ 16 — see them side by side, or browse every Paddletek paddle.

Core: 14.3 mm
Weight: 7.9 oz
Swing wt: 100
Twist wt: 6
Shape: standard
Surface: Textured graphite
Grip: 5.25 in
Released: 2024

Pros

Extremely consistent, quiet graphite face
Light swing weight for fast hands
Paddletek lifetime warranty

Cons

Graphite face spins well below raw carbon
Low power ceiling against modern builds

Paddle DNA Verdict

Last updated: August 2026

Derived from our published scoring model and sourced paddle specifications.

Should you buy the Tempest Wave Pro?

The Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro scores 79.8/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is control (93/100, 91st percentile of the database — elite — top-tier), backed by maneuverability at 88 and touch at 92. The 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core and Textured graphite face at 7.9 oz make it a placement-first paddle: you win points by out-positioning people.

Where it gives ground is pop (64) and power (70). With a 100 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5.25 in handle it suits beginner/intermediate/advanced players, one-handed backhands, hands battles at the kitchen. Skip it if you rely on raw put-away pace.

Closest paddles by DNA: Babolat BALLR+ 16 ($120), GAMMA Obsidian 16 ($150), Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid ($110). If budget matters, the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control lands within 4 IQ points for $50 less. Overall: a below-average overall score in the database — only worth it if its one standout trait is exactly what you need.

Best for: beginner/intermediate/advanced players, one-handed backhands, hands battles at the kitchen
Playing style: placement-first — you win points by out-positioning people
Avoid if: you rely on raw put-away pace

Community consensus

What other players say about the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro

Verbatim excerpts from public discussion and independent reviews, plus the themes they add up to. These are other people's opinions, not ours, and every quote links back to where it was written.

No sourced community excerpts are published for this paddle yet. We only quote text we can link back to.

Who should buy the Tempest Wave Pro?

One-handed backhand players who want more face for the same length
Soft-game specialists who reset and dink their way through rallies
Players who live in hands battles at the kitchen line
Newer players wanting one paddle to grow into

Power-first players who win points on raw put-away pace
Two-handed backhand players — the handle is short for it

AI paddle match

If you like the Tempest Wave Pro, you'll probably like…

Each pick is the database's best answer to one specific question, ranked by how far it moves the needle versus the Tempest Wave Pro.

Most compared with the Tempest Wave Pro

The matchups people actually cross-shop, each with a full 15-trait breakdown.

More comparisons in this bracket

Other head-to-heads shoppers read alongside the Tempest Wave Pro.

Browse all paddle comparisons →

Paddle DNA™ — all 15 traits

Every trait normalised 0-100 against the full database, so these numbers mean the same thing on any paddle page. How we score →

Key attributes

Power70

Control93

Spin74

Forgiveness82

Sweet spot80

Stability76

Maneuverability88

Pop64

Touch92

Consistency88

Swing weight58

Twist weight62

Launch angle42

Plow through66

Softness90

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Tempest Wave Pro

Our similarity engine ranks the whole database by average DNA deviation. Tighten or widen the band to see how far you have to travel to save money or gain a trait.

Paddle DNA™ match

Match tolerance

Only show cheaper paddles

Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro

IQ 79.8 · $150

5 paddles within 5% of the Tempest Wave Pro

Ranked by DNA deviation

#1Babolat BALLR+ 16$120 (-30) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match96.1%81
+16 spin-6 forgiveness+6 pop-6 consistency
Saves $30 versus the Tempest Wave Pro · +16 spin · -6 forgiveness · Higher IQ score (80.9 vs 79.8)
Compare Full DNA
#2GAMMA Obsidian 16$150 · 16 mm · standardDNA match95.7%80
+10 twist weight-7 control+6 forgiveness+6 sweet spot
+10 twist weight · -7 control · Higher IQ score (80.3 vs 79.8)
Compare Full DNA
#3Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid$110 (-40) · 15.2 mm · hybridDNA match95.5%81
+16 spin+8 pop-7 consistency+5 power
Saves $40 versus the Tempest Wave Pro · +16 spin · -7 consistency · Higher IQ score (80.6 vs 79.8)
Compare Full DNA
#4Six Zero Coral Hybrid 16$200 (+50) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match95.3%83
+18 spin+13 power+11 pop+8 launch angle
+18 spin · -6 softness · Higher IQ score (82.7 vs 79.8)
Compare Full DNA
#5Paddletek Tempest Wave V3$150 · 16 mm · standardDNA match95.1%83
+16 launch angle+14 twist weight+7 sweet spot-7 maneuverability
+16 launch angle · -7 maneuverability · Higher IQ score (82.9 vs 79.8)
Compare Full DNA

Best alternatives to the Tempest Wave Pro

Each pick beats the Tempest Wave Pro on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

Similar paddles to the Tempest Wave Pro

Closest matches by player level, hand weight and price — the paddles most players cross-shop against the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro.

Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)

Babolat BALLR+ 1616 mm · hybrid · 8.3 oz · SW 105$12081

GAMMA Obsidian 1616 mm · standard · 7.7 oz · SW 102$15080

Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid15.2 mm · hybrid · 8 oz · SW 103$11081

Six Zero Coral Hybrid 1616 mm · hybrid · 8.15 oz · SW 105$20083

Want a different matchup? Compare any two paddles or browse the full paddle database. Buying your first paddle? Read the beginner paddle guide.

Ranked in

More from Paddletek

One of the original US manufacturers, best known for the Bantam and Tempest lines and their proprietary polymer cores.

Tempest Wave Pro — frequently asked questions

Is the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro good for beginners?: Yes. Forgiveness scores 82/100 and the sweet spot 80/100, both high enough that off-centre contact still produces a playable ball. At $150 it is more paddle than most beginners need, but it will not hold you back.
Is the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro worth the price?: At $150 it sits in the 25th percentile of the database for cost and the 19th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at $99 is the value alternative we point people to.
How does the Tempest Wave Pro compare to the BALLR+ 16?: They are close on DNA. The Tempest Wave Pro reads power 70 / control 93 / spin 74 against 75 / 94 / 90 for the BALLR+ 16, at $150 versus $120. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.
Is the 14.3 mm better than the 16 mm version?: A 14 mm core returns energy faster, so drives and speed-ups come off harder with less effort. The 16 mm build gives up some of that pop for dwell time and softer hands. Pick 14 mm for pace, 16 mm for touch.
Is the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro approved for tournament play?: Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. Paddletek submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Tempest Wave Pro build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
Does the Tempest Wave Pro have good spin?: Spin scores 74/100 — the 6th percentile of our database (among the lower values in the database) — off a Textured graphite face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.
Is the Tempest Wave Pro head heavy?: Swing weight is 100 kg·cm² and twist weight 6. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 7.9 oz.
Does the Tempest Wave Pro benefit from lead tape?: Yes — at 100 kg·cm² there is room to add. Tape at 3 and 9 o'clock raises twist weight and stability with the smallest hit to hand speed; tape at 12 adds power and plow-through but slows the paddle noticeably. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.
What is the best overgrip for the Tempest Wave Pro?: The stock handle is 5.25 in long with a 4.25 in circumference. A thin tacky overgrip adds roughly 1/16 in of circumference and a few grams above the balance point — the cheapest way to fine-tune fit. If your hand is larger than the 4.25 in stock size, build up with an under-wrap first rather than stacking overgrips.
What should I replace the Tempest Wave Pro with when it wears out?: Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Tempest Wave Pro; if you want to change something, look at a higher-control build and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 70).
Who is the Tempest Wave Pro best for?: Control players who value predictability over power. Skill levels we would put on it: beginner, intermediate, advanced. Handle length of 5.25 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.
What shape and size is the Tempest Wave Pro?: standard shape, 15.75 in long by 8 in wide, 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core, Textured graphite face, 7.9 oz. Released 2024.
Is the Tempest Wave Pro good for two-handed backhands?: Less so. At 5.25 in your top hand will sit partly on the throat. Two-handers should look for 5.3 in or longer.
Tempest Wave Pro or Bantam ALW-C 14?: Both are Paddletek. The Tempest Wave Pro reads IQ 79.8 at $150; the Bantam ALW-C 14 reads IQ 86.3 at $200. The clearest split is power (70 vs 85).
How does PickleballLookup score the Tempest Wave Pro?: The IQ score of 79.8 is a weighted composite of the 15 Paddle DNA traits, normalized across every paddle in the database so the number means the same thing on any page. Performance traits carry the most weight; descriptive traits like swing weight carry none. Full methodology is published.

Tempest Wave Pro on video

PickleballLookup review — coming soon

Head-to-head comparison — coming soon

Manufacturer footage — coming soon

Evidence & sources — how we know this

Show

Every significant number on this page carries a source and a date. Where a figure comes from the manufacturer rather than our own measurement, we say so.

Price
$150
Amazon listing — checked August 10, 2026
Weight
7.9 oz
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Core thickness
14.3 mm
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Swing weight
100 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Twist weight
6 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Paddle DNA (15 traits)
IQ 79.8/100
Computed from the specs above by our published scoring model
USAP approval
Listed by the manufacturer as USA Pickleball approved
USA Pickleball equipment database — checked August 10, 2026
Alex's experience
Not personally tested
Analysis on this page is spec-derived, not play-tested

Spot an error? Send a correction — every fix is logged publicly. Full protocol on our methodology page.

Why trust this page?

We separate firsthand testing from research-based analysis. Specifications are sourced and dated, corrections are logged publicly, and affiliate relationships never affect Paddle IQ scores.

Reviewed by Alex Zubarev →Our methodology →Editorial policy →

Research-based review

Built from published specifications, independent measurements, manufacturer data and Paddle DNA™ analysis — not from personal play testing. We say so rather than implying court time we haven't put in. Editorial policy · Affiliate disclosure

Reviewed by

Alex Zubarev

Founder, PickleballLookup

Alex built the Paddle DNA™ database behind PickleballLookup — 15 normalized traits scored for every paddle in the catalog. Every page on this site is generated from that data and editorially reviewed before publication.

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Last updated August 2026 · How we score paddles