Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro

Who should buy the Tempest Wave Pro?

Tempest Wave Pro head-to-head comparisons

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

• Tempest Wave Pro vs Encore Pro EXCross-shopped at the same price
• Tempest Wave Pro vs Tempest Wave V3Same brand, more power
• Tempest Wave Pro vs SLK Halo Control$31 cheaper
• Tempest Wave Pro vs Essentials 16$61 cheaper
• Tempest Wave Pro vs Luxx Control AirPremium step up
• Tempest Wave Pro vs Kinetic Pro FlightPremium step up

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

±3%±5%±8%±12%

Only show cheaper paddles

Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro

IQ 79.8 · $150

4 paddles within 5% of the Tempest Wave Pro

Ranked by DNA deviation

1. #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)

   CompareFull DNA
2. #2Engage 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)

   CompareFull DNA
3. #3Six 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)

   CompareFull DNA
4. #4Paddletek 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)

   CompareFull DNA

Best alternatives to the Tempest Wave Pro

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

• Tempest Wave Pro vs V-Sol Pro 16
• Tempest Wave Pro vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
• Tempest Wave Pro vs Quartz Control

Tempest Wave Pro — frequently asked questions

Is the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro good for beginners?

Yes. Forgiveness measures 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 32th percentile of the database for cost and the 24th 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 measures 74/100 — the 8th percentile of our database — off a Textured graphite face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band measure 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.