Paddletek Bantam TKO-C - pickleball paddle review

Do you want a high-performance all-court paddle with lots of power and spin that suits intermediates to advanced players? Maybe you're after an alternative to the JOOLA Gen 3 Series.

Since the JOOLA Gen 3 ban, there's a real buzz around the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C, a paddle designed with top pro Christian Alshon. I have to admit—I've tested many Paddletek paddles over the years and never been a fan. Read on to see why I think they've finally got it right with this one.

The Bantam TKO-C is designed for intermediate to advanced players wanting an all-court paddle, skewing toward power.

While it can hit like a rocket, it takes a few sessions to unlock that power. Once you do, you get great pop without sacrificing control. My short volley punches at the net are on point. You also get the best spin on any Paddletek paddle I've tried, right up there with some of the best spin paddles in the game.

I've heard this paddle described as the best alternative to recently banned Gen 3 paddles like the JOOLA Perseus 3. While I find the Bantam's power a touch below that level, I think this will help most rec players as they gain more control.

My main issue here is the heaviness that often comes with the elongated design. I wish it were faster at the net, especially when comparing it to the super-quick, hybrid-shaped Six Zero Infinity DBD.

The 12.7 mm model has a hollow feel because of the thin core. The 14.3 mm paddle is actually more plush than I expected because it's not thermoformed. If you're coming from a 16 mm paddle like the Vatic Pro Flash, be ready for an adjustment to a firmer, poppier feel.

I like the pricing on the TKO-C. It's not in the highest bracket like two of its competitors, the Gearbox Pro Power ($275) or the Proton Series One ($280). At $230, it's good value if you want an all-court paddle with high levels of power and spin but a softer feel than a thermoformed raw carbon paddle.

If you're a power player, I still think the Bread & Butter Filth ($140.25 with our discount) and the Six Zero DBD Control ($162 with our discount) offer more value for money. If you have the budget, though, I think you'll be happy with the TKO-C's performance.

Paddletek has a history of working with top pros when designing their paddles. Anna Leigh Waters uses the square-shaped ALW-C, while the new elongated TKO-C was made with Christian Alshon.

These newer Paddletek paddles have a more modern, sleek look and feel compared to their older ones. I always thought the originals felt clunky and a bit cheap, so this is exciting to see. Let's look at the TKO-C's features.

Paddletek is one of the only top brands that never joined the thermoforming craze. A year ago, that looked like an odd choice, but more and more it seems like a smart move as many paddle makers are moving beyond thermoformed paddles.

At first, I expected this to lead to less power. However, the TKO-C generates as much power as hard-hitting paddles like the Six Zero BD Power and the Franklin FS Tour Dynasty.

This is likely down to Paddletek's "high-grade polymer" core. It gives the paddle aggressive power without that overly stiff, crisp thermoformed feel. It goes to show you don't need thermoforming anymore to make a paddle powerful.

Paddletek again decided not to put foam in the walls of the TKO-C. I usually prefer foam-injected paddles as they boost the sweet spot for more forgiveness.

I expected the TKO-C to have a small sweet spot, but I was surprised to find it's medium-sized. This is perfectly normal for an elongated paddle. I thought I'd have way more mishits but I have hardly any.

Paddletek didn't use raw carbon fiber in their paddles for a long time. Ever since they were acquired by ProXR (makers of the Zane Navratil "Standard"), paddles like the ALW-C and TKO-C have been made with PT-700 carbon.

This material has a unidirectional weave that grips the ball well. Spin gets a big boost with this paddle, meaning Paddletek finally makes it into my list of the best spin paddles alongside the Bread & Butter Shogun and Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S.

I've heard a lot of people recommending this paddle as an alternative to the banned JOOLA Gen 3 paddles. However, I think it's a tad less powerful than the elongated JOOLA Perseus 3 as I didn't feel the same raw power straight out of the box.

However, the more I played with the TKO-C, the more powerful it felt. On drives, it feels like a classic thermoformed power paddle like the Bread & Butter Filth—impressive considering it's not thermoformed.

I feel this mostly on overhead putaways. I even had one overhead that was easily the most powerful shot I've ever hit.

Everyone talks up this paddle's power, so I was surprised by how good control is. I can routinely land third-shot drops and don't find the pop too difficult to manage. The 14.3 mm model is naturally better on control as it has less pop but the 12.7 is close behind.

Compared to the JOOLA Gen 3s, this paddle is miles better on control with a more predictable pop. While power players may miss the JOOLA's trampoline pop, most rec players will win more games with the TKO-C's balance of power and control.

We're finally getting a Paddletek paddle with enough spin to play competitively. I always wanted them to match raw carbon paddles like the Ronbus R3 NOVA and the PIKKL Hurricane Pro for spin and they've done it with the TKO-C.

I can load up big topspin on serves, drives, and even dinks. Topspin is the biggest part of my game and I have all I need to work with here.

While forgiveness is the TKO-C's weakest of the top four attributes, I didn't find it much of an issue and mishits were rare. It's got a medium sweet spot, which I'd expect from an elongated performance paddle.

It has a moderate twist weight and feels stable at the kitchen. If you're an intermediate power player, the Gearbox Pro Power is a good comparison. Forgiveness is much better on the TKO-C, so I think this will suit you more than the Gearbox.

Considering the average static weight of 8 oz, this paddle has an impressive amount of power. The slight downside is there's a moderate swing weight (116-117) that makes the paddle a touch head-heavy at the kitchen. As a result, players who like low swing weight paddles (like me) might find less flexibility to customize with lead tape.

In the past, Paddletek's grips haven't been great, so I'm happy to see an upgrade here. It's still not a 9 or 10 but at least they're offering longer handles (5.25" vs 5"). This will appeal to higher-level players who like to hit two-handed backhands. Personally, I chose to add an overgrip for durability and comfort.

Raw carbon always boosts durability as it's a long-lasting material. The edge guard also helps to protect the paddle against knocks compared to an edgeless design.

Sadly, the gritty face may wear down over time like almost all textured surfaces. Also, the fact it's not thermoformed means it could be prone to snapping at the throat like the original JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16. I haven't seen any reports of that, though.

With this paddle's classic elongated shape and moderate swing weight, you can't expect any aerodynamic qualities here. If you want a speedy paddle with power, I recommend the Six Zero Infinity DBD.

Priced at $229.99, the Bantam TKO-C sits nicely in the premium range—higher than a Bread & Butter or Six Zero ($160-190) but $50 less than the Proton Series One and the banned JOOLA Gen 3 Series.

The price tag is worth it if you're a competitive player who prioritizes power and spin. This is especially true if you're looking for a softer, more controlled alternative to stiff thermoformed paddles, or unforgiving power paddles like the Gearbox Pro Power that are often more one-dimensional.

If you're an intermediate to advanced player, this is worth considering. It's similar to the Proton Series One Type A but slightly cheaper. Both are all-court paddles skewing on the power side but you'll save $50 going with Paddletek.

While not as powerful as the JOOLA Gen 3 paddles, this is a solid (and more affordable) replacement—especially if you've played with the elongated Perseus or Magnus. Take a look at the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 too.

Lower-level players might be overwhelmed by the pop. If that's you, try the square-shaped Bantam ALW-C instead.

If you don't think the TKO-C suits your game, here are some other paddle recommendations:

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