Paddletek Bantam ALW-C Review
Consensus score
The most famous paddle Anna Leigh Waters does not play anymore. She spent seven years with Paddletek, signed with Franklin in January 2026, and now swings her Franklin C45 signature paddle. What she left behind is the Bantam ALW-C: a light, quick, raw-carbon paddle with her name still printed on the face. The consensus from reviewers: a 105 swing weight that makes it genuinely fast in hand battles, real spin (Pickleheads 9.5/10, lab-measured 2,020 to 2,098 RPM), and a soft game that takes a few sessions to dial in. The price collapsed with the sponsorship: $149.99 at Pickleball Central, down from $249.99.
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. Our rankings are never influenced by commissions or brand partnerships. Consensus score 87/100 (Excellent) — aggregated Nov 2026 from editorial reviews, lab measurements, and owner reviews — how we rank.
The consensus verdict
Best for
Offensive-minded intermediates who want light, fast hands and real spin without paying $250. Doubles players who counter and roll more than they drive.
Not for
Power-first players (the sibling TKO-C hits harder), anyone who needs the paddle a pro actually plays today, and foam-core loyalists. This is honeycomb, full stop.
Consensus 87/100 · Excellent
Weighted from Pickleheads 4.5/5 (spin 9.5/10, swing weight 105 measured), BestReviews.guide 9.2/10, Pickleball Studio lab spin of 2,020 to 2,098 RPM, and JustPaddles owner reviews. Speed and spin are the consensus strengths; the polymer honeycomb core is dated next to modern foam.
Specs
| Price | $149.99 at Pickleball Central · $179.99 at JustPaddles (was $249.99) |
|---|---|
| Shape | Standard · 15 5/8" × 7 3/4" |
| Thickness | 12.7mm and 14.3mm versions |
| Face | PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber with fiberglass layer, peel-ply texture |
| Core | Bantam polymer honeycomb with Quick Response technology |
| Weight | 7.5–7.8 oz, avg 7.7 oz (12.7mm) · 7.8–7.9 oz (14.3mm) |
| Handle | 5.25" |
| Grip | 4.25" cushion |
| Measured (third-party) | Swing weight 105 (Pickleheads); spin 2,020–2,098 RPM (Pickleball Studio) |
| Approval | USAP approved |
| Built / warranty | Made in USA · lifetime warranty per Paddletek |
Specs from Paddletek and retailer listings; measured figures from Pickleball Studio and Pickleheads (unit-to-unit variance applies). Handle length is 5.25 in per the print on the paddle face; some retailer listings say 5.0 in.
What reviewers agree on
Strengths
- Hand speed for days. A 105 swing weight at 7.7 oz is legitimately quick. Pickleheads called it super-light and fast, and kitchen exchanges are where it earns that.
- Real spin. Pickleheads scored it 9.5/10, a big jump from the 8/10 of the original ALW-C, and Pickleball Studio measured 2,020 to 2,098 RPM in the lab.
- Forgiving for a speed paddle. Big sweet spot for a standard-shape paddle, and the 14.3mm version adds even more margin on off-center contact.
- US-made with a lifetime warranty. Paddletek builds these in the USA and backs them for life, which is rare air at this price.
- Clearance pricing. $149.99 for a raw-carbon paddle with this pedigree is the kind of deal that makes the Franklin split your good fortune.
Weaknesses & caveats
- The signature is history. Waters left for Franklin in January 2026, so the name on the face has zero tour relevance. It still plays the same, but know what you are buying.
- Dated core. The polymer honeycomb is a Gen 2-era build. It is well executed, but it cannot match the dwell and consistency of modern thermoformed foam.
- Soft game takes work. Pickleheads and owners both say the touch game needs a few sessions before the control shows up. The pop that makes it fun is the same pop that sails dinks long at first.
- Not the hardest hitter in the family. The sibling TKO-C outguns it. If your game runs on baseline drives, that is the Bantam you want.
- Raw carbon grit wears. No durability coating here, so the spin you buy in month one is not the spin you have in month six.
Synthesized from scored reviews (Pickleheads, BestReviews.guide), lab-measured data (Pickleball Studio), and owner reviews on JustPaddles. How we rank →
Who it's for
Who it's for
- You play doubles and win with quick hands and spin
- You want a light paddle that does not feel like a toy
- You like buying last season's flagship at clearance prices
Who should skip it
- Power-first players. The Bantam TKO-C hits harder
- Anyone who needs the paddle a pro actually plays today
- Foam-core loyalists. See the rest of the $200+ tier for modern foam builds
Where to buy
Check price at Pickleball Central →
Buying through this link supports our work at no extra cost to you.
← Best paddles $200 & up · Bantam TKO-C review · Grit & spin explained · Paddle shapes explained
ALW-C FAQs
Does Anna Leigh Waters still play the Bantam ALW-C?
No. She played Paddletek from 2019 through 2025, then signed with Franklin in January 2026 and now plays her Franklin C45 signature paddle. The ALW-C is the paddle she won with, not the paddle she plays.
12.7mm or 14.3mm?
The 12.7mm is the attacker: more pop, quicker response, 7.5 to 7.8 oz. The 14.3mm is the controller: more forgiveness and shock absorption. Billy Madison voice: 12.7 is better. No, 14.3 is better.
Is it worth it at the clearance price?
At $249.99 it was a hard sell against modern foam. At $149.99 it is a light, US-made raw-carbon paddle with 9.5/10 spin from Pickleheads. The math works if you want hand speed on a budget.