How to Choose a Paddletek Paddle: Tempest, Bantam, Phoenix and Honeyfoam

When you start looking into Paddletek paddles, you're met with a row of series names (Tempest, Bantam, Phoenix, Honeyfoam), and after those a string of model codes: TKO-C, EXL-C, EX-L, TS-5 and so on. Many of the models have similar names, so it's a brand where it's easy to lose track of where to even begin.

I'm Coach Yoshi. This article is a catalog-style guide focused purely on choosing a Paddletek model. I read through and compared Paddletek's official site as of October 2026 (the series descriptions, the specs on each product page and the official blog), and laid out how to choose a Paddletek paddle in the order "series → shape → core thickness". Unless I say otherwise, every description and quote below comes from Paddletek's official site. If you'd like to know how the brand came about and where its weaknesses lie, reading my other article, What Kind of Brand Is Paddletek?, first should make this one easier to take in.

Paddletek is an American brand that has been making paddles since 2010, and on its official site it introduces itself as the "Inventors of the polymer honeycomb core". It also flies the "Made in USA" banner, and its official blog says its paddles are "designed and manufactured in the USA". That said, about the only product page that clearly states the country of manufacture is the one for the Bantam GTO-C (cold-pressed in the USA).

How to Choose a Paddletek Paddle: Start With Each Series' Character

Paddletek may have a lot of models, but the way in is simple. The official site sums it up as "Tempest for control, Bantam for power, or Phoenix for all-around play". Add Honeyfoam, a new line with a foam core, and you have the lineup as of October 2026.

• Tempest: control-oriented. Its tagline is "Place the ball exactly where you want it with unmatched control and accuracy." It's for people who care most about the fine shots at the net, such as dinks and resets.
• Bantam: power-oriented. The key phrase is "maximum pop". It's for people who want to put speed on the ball with drives and put-aways.
• Phoenix: balanced. What it stands for is "a balance between power and control" and "forgiveness". This series is also home to a model billed as entry-level.
• Honeyfoam: the new foam-core line. The official site positions it as "Paddletek's first Generation 4 collection".

If you "want to attack and finish points", go Bantam; if you "want to use touch to break opponents down", go Tempest; if you "can't decide yet, or it's your first paddle", go Phoenix. Start from there and you won't go far wrong. I've laid out the thinking behind power and control itself in control-focused vs. power-focused.

💡 Coach Yoshi's tip There's a range even within each series. Look at the tags on the product pages and you'll find Bantam's EX-L, EX-L Pro, TS-5 and TS-5 Pro labeled "Control" and every Tempest model labeled "All-Around", so the series name alone won't settle it. That's where the "Performance Specs" on each product page come in. For many models, they show on a five-step scale how far the paddle leans toward power or control (Power Level) and how big the sweet spot is (Control Level); they aren't shown for the Tempest Wave Pro-C or the Tempest TKO-C. The official "Paddle Guide" lets you line up as many as three paddles side by side, so my recommendation is to settle the broad direction with the series, then fine-tune with these scales.

Series Guide: The Three Series and Honeyfoam

The tables below cover the 23 current models listed on the official site as of October 21, 2026 (I've left out The Reserve Honeyfoam, which is shown as sold out). The "Category" column gives each product page's tag (Power / Control / All-Around) exactly as it appears. Model codes do get swapped out, so check the official site for the latest.

Tempest — The Control Series, for Placing the Ball Where You Aim

The flagship of the Tempest line is the Tempest Wave, which Paddletek calls its "best-selling paddle series", and the current model is the Tempest Wave Pro-C. The face is PT-700 raw carbon (a unidirectional raw carbon made with Toray 700 carbon), and the core is Paddletek's proprietary Smart Response Technology (SRT) polymer core. The pitch for SRT is "touch and control for soft shots and power assistance on drives and put-aways". There's also the Tempest TKO-C, which takes the same technology into an elongated shape, for people who want more reach. Control is the series' calling card, but on the product pages all four models are categorized "All-Around".

• Who it suits: people who want to break opponents down with the soft game at the net. In tennis terms, it's the player who likes to build points by keeping the rally going and placing the ball. I cover the dinking basics in 5 Basics for Winning the Dink Battle.

Bantam — The Power Series That Pushes With Pop

Bantam is the power series that Paddletek calls "legendary". Of its nine models, the five with "-C" in the model code (EXL-C, ESQ-C, GTO-C, TKO-C and TKO-CX) have a carbon face (PT-700). Their core is the Quick Response Technology (QRT) polymer core, which Paddletek describes as its "most powerful core tech", and they also carry a weighting system (the Carbon Steel Twist Weight & Balance System) that adds stability on off-center hits and expands the sweet spot. These five models come in a choice of two core thicknesses, 12.7mm and 14.3mm.

• EXL-C and ESQ-C: standard shape. The ESQ-C has a longer 5.5-inch (about 14 cm) handle, and Paddletek itself says it accommodates two-handed backhands.
• GTO-C: Bantam's new hybrid shape. It sits between standard and elongated.
• TKO-C and TKO-CX: elongated. The TKO-CX stretches the handle to 5.75 inches (about 14.6 cm), and Paddletek describes it as built for two-handed backhands. Both were developed together with pro player Christian Alshon.

The other group is the models without the "-C": the EX-L, EX-L Pro, TS-5 and TS-5 Pro. On the product pages all four are categorized "Control", so by category they're the control-leaning group within Bantam. For the face, the EX-L Pro uses polycarbonate and the TS-5 Pro uses fiberglass. Paddletek describes the TS-5 as a lighter version of the EX-L. And note: the EXL-C and the EX-L have nearly identical names, but they're different models.

• Who it suits: intermediate to advanced players who want to overpower opponents with drives and smashes and take charge of the point with pace. If you're interested in power but don't want to give up ease of handling, the "Control"-category EX-L and TS-5 models are worth a look too.

Phoenix — Balanced, and Good for a First Paddle Too

Phoenix is the series Paddletek describes as "a balance of power and control". The Talon, with its raw carbon face, is the model Paddletek introduces as "entry-level". Alongside it are the Genesis Carbon, also in the standard shape, and the elongated Firestorm and Sabre Carbon. On top of being elongated, the Firestorm has a longer 5.5-inch handle, and Paddletek says it's for players with a two-handed backhand. There are also the Genesis, Genesis Pro, Genesis II and G6, which are categorized "Control" on their product pages.

• Who it suits: people just starting out, people who want an all-around paddle, and people looking for a paddle to share with family or friends.

Honeyfoam — A New Line Built on a Foam Core

Honeyfoam is a line that uses foam, not honeycomb, for the core. As Paddletek explains it, the construction combines "three advanced foam types": a low-density EPP foam core, high-performance EVA foam wrapping the 4 o'clock to 8 o'clock zone (as on a clock face), and a ring of foam around the perimeter. It appeared first in The Reserve, a limited-production release, then joined the regular lineup as Paddletek's first Generation 4 collection. Paddletek also calls it "the most powerful paddle we've ever created". The Reserve Honeyfoam is also listed on the official site, but it was shown as sold out as of October 21, 2026, so I've left it out of the table below.

• Who it suits: people who want both a soft feel and power. If you plan to play in tournaments, though, read the note on certification further down first. My article What Is a Foam Core? explains how foam cores work.

Narrowing It Down Further: Shape, Core Thickness and Warranty

Shape (Standard / Hybrid / Elongated)

Paddletek has three shapes. Summarized from the explanation on its official blog, they are as follows.

• Standard, mostly 16 × 8 inches (about 40.6 × 20.3 cm): the widest face, with a generous sweet spot. For people who want to cut down on mistakes, or who put stability first in doubles.
• Elongated, 16.5 × 7.5 inches (about 41.9 × 19.1 cm): more reach and leverage, and a shape that lends itself to a longer handle. The trade-off is a narrower face, so it takes more precision to find the sweet spot. The TKO models, the Firestorm and the Sabre Carbon have this shape.
• Hybrid, 16.25 × 7.75 inches (about 41.3 × 19.7 cm): halfway between standard and elongated. As of October 2026, the Bantam GTO-C is the only one. What "hybrid" refers to differs from brand to brand, so check the dimensions when you compare with other brands.

For all three, length plus width comes to 24 inches. The rules of USA Pickleball (USAP), the sport's governing body in the US, cap a paddle's combined length and width at 24 inches, so the longer a paddle gets, the narrower it has to be. I go into the differences between shapes in detail in my Paddle Shape Guide.

Core Thickness

Paddletek's basic thicknesses are 12.7mm and 14.3mm. They look like odd numbers, but according to Paddletek that's because they're designed in inches: they work out to 1/2 inch and 9/16 inch respectively. Paddletek pitches 12.7mm for "explosive power and speed" and 14.3mm for "ultimate control and consistency". It's the same idea as the general rule of "thicker = more control, thinner = more power".

One thing worth remembering is that Paddletek writes, "A 14.3 mm Bantam will hit harder than a 14.3 mm Tempest, because our Bantam core is built for power, while the Tempest core prioritizes forgiveness and touch." The trick is not to compare on thickness alone, but to look at it together with each series' character. Note that newer models such as the Phoenix Talon are 14mm, and Honeyfoam comes in 14mm and 16mm. I also explain the differences in thickness in 14mm vs. 16mm Core Thickness.

Warranty

Paddletek's official warranty is a limited lifetime performance guarantee covering manufacturing defects. It comes with conditions, though: you have to register on the official site within 14 days of purchase, it covers the original purchaser only, and it is limited to purchasers in the United States and Canada. On top of that, the official page states plainly that "Any paddles purchased, shipped to, or used outside of these regions are not eligible for warranty coverage."

In other words, going by the conditions on the official page, a paddle bought and used in Japan isn't covered by this manufacturer's warranty. For peace of mind, check before you buy whether the seller offers a warranty of its own.

💡 Coach Yoshi's tip For anyone thinking of using their paddle in tournaments: a paddle's certification status (USAP or UPA-A) differs from model to model and from thickness to thickness. For example, the official product page for the 14mm Honeyfoam carries a note saying it is "Approved for professional and amateur UPA competition, it exceeded the power threshold required for USAP-sanctioned events." The 14mm TKO-X comes with the explanation that it ships with a "UPA Approved" sticker applied over its original USAP marking. Paddletek itself says on its official blog to "Check the list, not the sticker on the paddle" (meaning the USAP approved list), so check the list before you buy, and again before a tournament. I explain the difference between the two certifications in USAP vs. UPA-A Certification, and What Is a USAP-Approved Paddle? covers how to look a paddle up on the approved list.

How to Think It Through by Level and Type

Here's everything so far, summed up by level and by type.

• If you're just starting out: begin with a standard-shape Phoenix. That means the Talon, which Paddletek introduces as entry-level, or one of the Genesis models. Put ease of use first and go for a forgiving paddle.
• Intermediate players who want to sharpen their control: the Tempest Wave Pro-C. Once your soft game gets more precise, the way you win points changes.
• Intermediate to advanced players who want to push with power: the "-C" models in Bantam. If you're unsure, the standard-shape ESQ-C or EXL-C; if you want reach, the TKO-C; and for something in between, the hybrid GTO-C.
• Players with a two-handed backhand: models with a long handle. The ones Paddletek specifically mentions for two-handed backhands are the Bantam TKO-CX (5.75 inches), the ESQ-C and GTO-C (5.5 inches) and the Phoenix Firestorm (5.5 inches). Going by handle length alone, the Honeyfoam TKO-X (5.75 inches) and the Honeyfoam ESQ and Phoenix Sabre Carbon (5.5 inches) are also on the long side.
• Players who want a soft feel with power too: Honeyfoam. If you'll be playing in tournaments, check the thickness and certification first.
• One paddle for all-around play: the Phoenix Talon or Genesis Carbon, or the Tempest Wave Pro-C. All of them are categorized "All-Around" on their product pages.

If you're unsure, narrow it down in the order "series (character) → shape (standard, hybrid, elongated) → core thickness", and your list of candidates shrinks fast. The models that let you choose between 12.7mm and 14.3mm are mainly Bantam's "-C" models; the newer Phoenix models are 14mm, and Honeyfoam is 14mm or 16mm. I've put the underlying principles together in The Complete Pickleball Paddle Buyer's Guide.

Summary: Choosing a Paddletek Paddle in Three Steps

Paddletek may have a lot of model codes, but the way in is "Tempest for control, Bantam for power, Phoenix for balance", with the foam-core Honeyfoam added on top. Remember that much and you're set. After that, it's just a matter of narrowing down by shape and core thickness. The scales on the product pages and the official Paddle Guide let you line up even the fine differences side by side, so once you understand how it all fits together, I think it's actually an easy brand to compare.

What I think matters most is deciding up front: "Am I a control player or a power player?" Once that's settled, you can choose a paddle from any brand, not just Paddletek, with the same steps. To compare Paddletek with other brands, see the complete comparison of the major brands, and when you want to compare paddles from other brands such as Engage, Selkirk and Six Zero, have a look at the paddle collection too.

Related Articles

• What Kind of Brand Is Paddletek? — Its origins, where it stands and its weaknesses, told honestly
• Control-focused vs. power-focused — The axis that separates Tempest and Bantam
• Paddle Shape Guide — The differences between standard, elongated and wide
• 14mm vs. 16mm Core Thickness — How thickness changes the feel
• What Is a Foam Core? — The difference between honeycomb and foam
• USAP vs. UPA-A Certification — Before you play in a tournament
• What Is a USAP-Approved Paddle? — How to look a paddle up on the approved list
• The Complete Pickleball Paddle Buyer's Guide — Five factors that keep you from going wrong
• The complete comparison of the major brands — Line it up against other brands all at once
• 5 Basics for Winning the Dink Battle — Technique that gets the most out of a control paddle

References

1. Paddletek official — Pickleball Paddles (Tempest = control / Bantam = power / Phoenix = all-around)
2. Paddletek official — Tempest Series (control and precision)
3. Paddletek official — Bantam Series (maximum pop)
4. Paddletek official — Phoenix Series (a balance of power and control)
5. Paddletek official — Paddle Guide (model comparison tool: shape, handle length, Power Level, Control Level, core thickness, weight)
6. Paddletek official — Honeyfoam (the Generation 4 collection built with three types of foam)
7. Paddletek official blog — How to Choose the Perfect Pickleball Paddle Core Thickness (12.7mm / 14.3mm)
8. Paddletek official blog — Paddle Shape and Size: Elongated vs. Standard (standard / elongated / hybrid)
9. Paddletek official blog — How Pickleball Paddles Are Tested and Approved by USA Pickleball
10. Paddletek official — About Us (the honeycomb core in 2010, Smart Response Technology)
11. Paddletek official — Home page (Inventors of the polymer honeycomb core)
12. Paddletek official — Paddle Warranty & Registration (warranty conditions and eligible regions)
13. USA Pickleball — Approved Paddle List (the official list of approved paddles)