The short answer
The Bantam EXL-C 12.7 mm is a raw-carbon widebody with the core Paddletek pitches for power, the Bantam TKO-C 14.3 mm is an elongated Paddletek paddle Pickleheads tested in this core, and the Phoenix Genesis Carbon is the lower-priced pick, though we found no USA Pickleball list entry for it.
Our Top Picks
Paddletek lists 27 paddles in its paddles collection. Four are picks here, each sold new by Paddletek on Amazon at or below Paddletek’s regular price on November 9, 2026. Two are the Bantam EXL-C in its two core thicknesses, which Paddletek sells as separate options with separate USA Pickleball entries. Many other current Paddletek paddles are already picks on our other guides.
Related guide: 3 Best Engage Pickleball Paddles: Pursuit Pro1 and Encore
Related guide: Best Gen 4 Pickleball Paddles (2026) and What the Label Means
Find the Paddletek paddle for how you play
Pick how you play and what you want to spend. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the four paddles below, not a test result.
Compare the 4 Paddletek paddles
Paddletek’s figures for the linked version. USA Pickleball approval: the approved-list entry and date added, checked November 9, 2026.
Bantam EXL-C 12.7 mmWidebody, 12.7 mm CorePower, widebody12.7 mm Bantam polymer7.6-8.0 oz$199.00
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Bantam EXL-C 14.3 mmSame Series, 14.3 mm CoreControl, widebody14.3 mm Bantam polymer7.6-8.0 oz$199.00
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Bantam TKO-C 14.3 mmElongated Raw CarbonPower, elongated14.3 mm Bantam polymer7.7-8.1 oz$199.99
Evidence: Pickleheads, this exact model
Phoenix Genesis CarbonLower-Priced WidebodyAll-around, widebody14 mm polypropylene honeycomb7.9 ± 0.2 oz$69.99
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Paddletek’s Series, Cores and Warranty
Paddletek’s about page says: “We’ve been changing the game since 2010, when we first introduced our advanced honeycomb core.” Its paddle guide tags each paddle line’s models by shape and play style: the EXL-C “Widebody Power”, the TKO-C “Elongated Power”, the Genesis Carbon “Widebody All-Around”.
Face material and cores. Three picks pair what Paddletek calls PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber with its Bantam polymer core (polymer honeycomb, in Paddletek’s Amazon titles) and an edge guard Paddletek says “reduces vibration” (more: our vibration guide); the Genesis Carbon has a polypropylene honeycomb core.
12.7 or 14.3 mm. Paddletek’s core-thickness guide says: “Paddletek offers precision paddles in two performance core thicknesses: 12.7 mm for explosive power and speed and 14.3 mm for ultimate control and consistency.” It adds: “Generally speaking, the 14.3 mm is easier to dial in, but the 12.7 mm can be more rewarding if you’re up for the challenge.” More on thin cores: our 12mm paddle guide.
New foam lines and eligibility. Paddletek’s store now lists the Bantam Jolt and Tempest Veyra, 16 mm foam paddles (more on foam: are foam paddles worth it). Of the 14 mm Honeyfoam ESQ and TKO-X, Paddletek writes: “Approved for professional and amateur UPA competition, it exceeded the power threshold required for USAP-sanctioned events.” Those two are not picks.
Warranty. Paddletek’s warranty page offers “a limited lifetime performance guarantee that protects against manufacturer defects” on every paddle. You must register within 14 days of purchase at paddletek.com; it applies only to the original owner and only to paddles bought by customers in the United States and Canada.
Not picks. Paddletek’s other current Tempest, Bantam, Phoenix and Honeyfoam 16 mm paddles (the Tempest Wave Pro-C, also sold as a Badger Edition, is in our wide-body guide) are, or are about to be, picks on our other guides, except the Jolt, the Veyra and the Trae Young Wave Pro-C (no Amazon listing found) and the sold-out Reserve. Other brands by budget: paddles under $100 and under $150, and our budget paddle roundup.
How We Chose These Four Paddletek Paddles
How this guide was built
from Paddletek’s pages and Amazon listings, the USA Pickleball approved list (November 9, 2026), Pickleheads’ TKO-C review and Matt’s Pickleball’s measured figures; we have not tested these products ourselves.
What each paddle had to show
- Paddletek’s spec block for the core we link, and no Paddletek statement that it is no longer eligible.
- A USA Pickleball list check (no entry found for the Genesis Carbon, stated in its review).
Sources and their ties
Sources and their ties
All four were sold by Paddletek on Amazon on November 9. Pickleheads earns affiliate commissions but does not sell the paddle; Racquet Point sells Paddletek. Three reviews rest on Paddletek’s specs, one on Pickleheads’ test.
Detailed Reviews
Paddletek Bantam EXL-C 12.7 mm, Widebody, 12.7 mm Core
12.7 mm, Amethyst Purple · 12.7 mm Bantam polymer
Players who want a raw-carbon Paddletek widebody with the 12.7 mm core Paddletek pitches for power.
$199.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 00:56 UTCVerdict
A raw-carbon Bantam widebody with the 12.7 mm core Paddletek pitches for power.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Paddletek.
Paddletek says the Bantam EXL-C “provides a combination of forgiveness, power, spin, and flexibility” and that its “light/medium weight makes the EXL-C a versatile paddle for performance-minded players.” Paddletek’s Amazon listing gives 15.9 x 7.9 in and 7.8-7.9 oz and calls it “lightweight”; we use paddletek.com’s figures. Paddletek’s discontinued Bantam ALW-C page says “the EXL-C is here and ready to carry it forward”; Matt’s Pickleball says it has not measured the EXL-C. The 14.3 mm core is #2.
Specs (Paddletek Bantam EXL-C, 12.7 mm)
- Weight: 7.6-8.0 oz, “light/medium weight” (Paddletek); Amazon listing: 7.8-7.9 oz
- Core: 12.7 mm Bantam QRT polymer (Paddletek)
- Face: PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Paddletek)
- Size: 15.625 x 7.75 in (Amazon listing: 15.9 x 7.9 in); handle 5.25 in; grip circumference not published (Paddletek)
- Warranty: limited lifetime, register within 14 days (Paddletek)
- Approval: “EXL-C 12.7”, added 2026-04-17
Pros
- PT-700 raw carbon face on a 15.625 x 7.75 in widebody with a 12.7 mm Bantam polymer core
Cons
- No independent test of the EXL-C yet; Amazon’s size and weight differ from Paddletek’s
Who should buy it
Players who want a raw-carbon Paddletek widebody with the 12.7 mm core Paddletek pitches for power.
Paddletek Bantam EXL-C 14.3 mm, Same Series, 14.3 mm Core
14.3 mm, Amethyst Purple · 14.3 mm Bantam polymer
Players who want the EXL-C widebody with the 14.3 mm core Paddletek pitches for control.
$199.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 00:56 UTCVerdict
Same series as #1, with the 14.3 mm core Paddletek pitches for control.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Paddletek.
This is the same EXL-C with the other core option: same shape, handle and weight range, with a swing weight of 107.9 and a twist weight of 6.76 (12.7 mm: 103.4 and 6.51). Paddletek’s core guide says: “The 14.3 mm core is all about smooth drop shots, soft dinks, and unattackable resets.”
Specs (Paddletek Bantam EXL-C, 14.3 mm)
- Weight: 7.6-8.0 oz, “light/medium weight” (Paddletek); Amazon listing: 7.8-7.9 oz
- Core: 14.3 mm Bantam QRT polymer (Paddletek)
- Face: PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Paddletek)
- Size: 15.625 x 7.75 in (Amazon listing: 15.9 x 7.9 in); handle 5.25 in; grip circumference not published (Paddletek)
- Warranty: limited lifetime, register within 14 days (Paddletek)
- Approval: “EXL-C 14.3”, added 2026-04-17
Pros
- The EXL-C widebody with the 14.3 mm core Paddletek pitches for control
Cons
- Same series as #1, same shape and weight range; no independent test yet
Who should buy it
Players who want the EXL-C widebody with the 14.3 mm core Paddletek pitches for control.
Paddletek Bantam TKO-C 14.3 mm, Elongated Raw Carbon
14.3 mm, Aurora · 14.3 mm Bantam polymer
Players who want an elongated 16.5 in raw-carbon paddle for reach and accept the slightly head-heavy feel Pickleheads describes.
$199.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 00:56 UTCVerdict
An elongated raw-carbon Bantam, and the one pick here with an independent test.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. Pickleheads: 12.7 mm and 14.3 mm.
Paddletek says the Bantam TKO-C “was designed in conjunction with top pickleball pro, Christian Alshon, to provide a combination of power, spin, and reach.” Pickleheads tested both cores in a review published in July 2024 and wrote: “The 14.3 mm paddle is actually more plush than I expected because it’s not thermoformed.” It calls the TKO-C “slightly head-heavy”. Matt’s Pickleball lists a measured 8.3 oz for its 14.3 mm sample, above Paddletek’s 7.7-8.1 oz. Paddletek’s Amazon listing gives a 5.75 in handle in one bullet (Paddletek: 5.25 in) and pitches the 14.3 mm core at “players who prioritize power”, where Paddletek’s guide pitches 14.3 mm for control. More elongated paddles: our elongated guide and our picks for tennis players.
Related guide: Best Pink Pickleball Paddles (2026): 6 Picks in Pink, Rose and Coral
Specs (Paddletek Bantam TKO-C, 14.3 mm)
- Weight: 7.7-8.1 oz (Paddletek); Matt’s Pickleball measured 8.3 oz
- Core: 14.3 mm Bantam QRT polymer (Paddletek)
- Face: PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Paddletek)
- Size: 16.5 x 7.5 in; handle 5.25 in; grip circumference not published by Paddletek (Pickleheads: 4.25 in)
- Warranty: limited lifetime, register within 14 days (Paddletek)
- Approval: “Bantam TKO-C 14.3mm”, added 2024-02-15
Pros
- Elongated 16.5 x 7.5 in raw-carbon paddle, independently tested in this 14.3 mm core
Cons
- Pickleheads finds it “a bit sluggish in hand battles at the net”
Who should buy it
Players who want an elongated 16.5 in raw-carbon paddle for reach and accept the slightly head-heavy feel Pickleheads describes.
Paddletek Phoenix Genesis Carbon, Lower-Priced Widebody
14 mm, Aurora · 14 mm polypropylene honeycomb
Recreational players who want a carbon-faced 16 x 8 in Paddletek paddle at the lower tier and do not need a USA Pickleball list entry.
$69.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 00:56 UTCVerdict
The lower-priced pick, a 16 x 8 in carbon-faced Phoenix paddle; we found no USA Pickleball list entry for it.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Paddletek.
Paddletek says the Phoenix Genesis Carbon “provides a combination of spin, control, and forgiveness” and names “PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber”; its technology list says only “Carbon Fiber”. Paddletek’s Amazon listing calls it “a confidence-building entry-level paddle that meets official USAPA standards, making it tournament-ready” and puts “USAPA Approved” in its title. We searched USA Pickleball’s list for Genesis Carbon, Genesis, Phoenix and Carbon on November 9 and found no entry; the “Phoenix Genesis 2” entry lists a fiberglass face.
Specs (Paddletek Phoenix Genesis Carbon, 14 mm)
- Weight: 7.9 ± 0.2 oz, “balanced weight” (Paddletek)
- Core: 14 mm polypropylene honeycomb (Paddletek)
- Face: carbon fiber (Paddletek; its description says PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon)
- Size: 16 x 8 in (“Widebody” in Paddletek’s spec block, “Standard Shape” in its technology list); handle 5.25 in; grip circumference not published by Paddletek (its Amazon listing: 4.25 in)
- Warranty: limited lifetime, register within 14 days (Paddletek)
- Approval: no entry found on November 9, 2026 (the Amazon listing says “USAPA Approved”)
Pros
- Carbon fiber face and 14 mm polypropylene honeycomb core on a 16 x 8 in widebody, at the lower price tier
Cons
- No USA Pickleball list entry found, though the Amazon listing says USAPA Approved
Who should buy it
Recreational players who want a carbon-faced 16 x 8 in Paddletek paddle at the lower tier and do not need a USA Pickleball list entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which Paddletek paddle is considered the best?
Sources differ. Pickleheads wrote in July 2024, before the EXL-C launched: “The Bantam TKO-C is by far the best paddle ever made by Paddletek.” Matt’s Pickleball‘s ranked top five, each listed with its camera-measured spin, starts with the Bantam ESQ-C 12.7, a pick on our other guides. Racquet Point, a retailer, matches series to styles: Tempest control, Bantam power, Phoenix all-around.
Q. What is the #1 rated pickleball paddle?
Ratings vary by reviewer; our roundup of the best pickleball paddles compares picks from many makers by playing style.
Q. Is Paddletek better than Selkirk?
No source we read tests the two brands against each other, so we do not rank them. Our paddle brands roundup sets one paddle from each of seven makers side by side.
Q. What Paddletek paddle did Anna Leigh Waters use?
Pickleheads wrote in July 2024: “Anna Leigh Waters uses the square-shaped ALW-C, while the new elongated TKO-C was made with Christian Alshon.” Paddletek’s ALW-C page now reads “Bantam ALW-C – Discontinued” and points to the EXL-C. We have no source on her current paddle.
Q. Which Paddletek paddle suits beginners?
Paddletek’s Amazon listing calls the Genesis Carbon “a confidence-building entry-level paddle”. On its own site, Paddletek writes: “Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, the Phoenix Genesis II offers a powerful, balanced performance.” The Genesis II is a pick on our other guides. Other brands: our beginner paddle guide.
Final Verdict
The four differ in shape, core and price tier; the two EXL-Cs differ in core. Use the finder above, or see our hub for pickleball paddles.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
