Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro Review
Consensus score
Paddletek has been making the Tempest Wave Pro since before half the paddles on this site existed. The current Pro-C 14.3 is the raw-carbon version: PT-700 unidirectional face, 91/100 measured control, 2,286 RPM of spin, made in Michigan, and $149.99 on Paddletek's site right now. It's the control paddle that refuses to die, and the numbers say it shouldn't.
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 Oct 2026 from lab scores, scored reviews, and 661 owner ratings — how we rank.
The consensus verdict
Best for
Control-first all-court players, roughly 3.5 to 5.0, who win with placement instead of pace. Measured 91/100 control and 28/100 firepower tells you exactly what this paddle is.
Not for
Power players. Bottom-tercile measured power. Put-aways take work, and reviewers say drive-first players will be bored or frustrated.
Consensus 87/100 · Excellent
Weighted from Matt's Pickleball lab scores (control 91/100), a 2026 scored review at 8.8/10, and a 4.5-star Amazon rating across 661 owners. Docked for bottom-tercile measured power and the three-version lineup confusion. Note: scored sources mix the Pro-C and the original Wave Pro; this review is anchored on the current Pro-C 14.3.
Which version is this?
Three paddles share the "Tempest Wave Pro" name. This review covers the current Tempest Wave Pro-C 14.3 (PT-700 raw unidirectional carbon face). The original (textured graphite) is on clearance and the V3 (ICED carbon) is mostly out of stock. Verify the face construction before buying, especially used.
Specs
| MSRP | $209.99; now $149.99 at paddletek.com |
|---|---|
| Shape | Standard widebody. 16" × 8" |
| Thickness | 14.3mm (one option) |
| Face | PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber |
| Core | 14.3mm Tempest polymer honeycomb with Smart Response Technology |
| Weight | 7.8–8.2 oz |
| Handle | 5.25" · 4.25" grip |
| Measured (third-party) | Control 91/100; spin 2,286 RPM (73rd percentile); swing weight 112.2; twist weight 7.15 (89th percentile); firepower 28/100 |
| Approval | USAP approved |
| Included | Paddle only (no cover); limited lifetime warranty; made in the USA (Niles, Michigan) |
Specs from Paddletek and retailer listings; measured figures from independent lab data (unit-to-unit variance applies).
What reviewers agree on
Strengths
- Elite measured control. 91/100 in lab testing. Dinks, drops, and resets are its best trait according to owners and measurement outlets alike. The soft game is the whole point.
- Real spin. 2,286 RPM measured, 73rd percentile. The raw carbon face gives it genuine bite for the control class.
- Forgiving face. 89th-percentile twist weight. Off-center hits stay playable instead of dying. The widebody shape earns its keep here.
- Fast hands. 112.2 swingweight and a head-light balance make kitchen exchanges and hand battles easier than the raw numbers suggest.
- Build quality and warranty. Made in the USA, and Paddletek's limited lifetime warranty comes up constantly in owner reviews. "Durable over time" is a recurring theme across 661 ratings.
Weaknesses & caveats
- Not a power paddle. 28/100 firepower. Bottom-tercile serve and volley speed. This is the tradeoff, stated plainly: control this good doesn't come with pop.
- Runs heavy for the class. One measured unit came in at 8.26 oz. Weight-sensitive players and ultra-fast hand-battle specialists notice it.
- Version confusion. Three face constructions share the name across retailers and the used market. A cheap "Tempest Wave Pro" on Amazon might not be the paddle reviewed here.
- No cover included. Minor, but reviewers keep mentioning it. Budget a few bucks for protection.
Synthesized from measurement-focused outlets (Matt's Pickleball), scored reviews, and 661 Amazon owner ratings. How we rank →
Who it's for
Who it's for
- Control-first all-court players (3.5–5.0) who win with dinks, drops, resets, and placement
- Spin-heavy topspin drivers and slicers who want bite without giving up the soft game
- Players who want a forgiving widebody sweet spot with arm-comfortable feel and lifetime warranty backing
Who should skip it
- Power players who want put-away pop and drive speed off the paddle
- Two-handed backhand players who need a long handle — 5.25" is short by modern standards
- Anyone buying used without verifying which face construction they're getting
Pro usage
Dave "The Badger" Weinbach, verified. Team Paddletek pro, and Paddletek sells a Badger collaboration edition of the Wave Pro-C. Pro tracker →
Where to buy
$149.99 direct from the manufacturer right now (down from $209.99). Most third-party retailers still list $209.99. Buy direct.
← Best paddles $100–$200 · Raw carbon explained · 14mm vs 16mm guide
Tempest Wave Pro FAQs
Which version is current?
The Pro-C 14.3 with PT-700 raw carbon. The original (textured graphite) is clearance and the V3 (ICED) is mostly gone.
Tournament legal?
Yes, USAP approved. The mark is printed right on the face.
Cover and warranty?
No cover included. Limited lifetime warranty, but register within 14 days of purchase.