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1 / 3Image: Paddletek

Paddletek Tempest TKO-C Pickleball Paddle Review

See all Paddletek paddles

The elongated Tempest: 16.5 x 7.5 in with a PT-700 raw carbon face and the SRT polymer core at 14.3 mm, combining the TKO shape's reach with the Tempest line's control.

$149.99Checked October 16, 2026. Prices change often; the checkout price is final.
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Edited by DanPublished Updated How we research

Quick Verdict

Elongated reach and strong spin from an approved carbon paddle at a mid-range price.

Buy at Paddletek

Key Specifications

Brand
Paddletek
Weight
7.8–8.2 oz
Shape
Elongated
Length
16.5 in
Width
7.5 in
Core thickness
14.3 mm
Grip length
5.25 in
Grip circumference
Not published by Paddletek
Core material
SRT (Smart Response Technology) polymer core
Surface material
PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Toray 700)
Balance
Not published by Paddletek
USA Pickleball status
Approved: on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-02).

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Strong spin (9.5) and balanced power and control on our scale
  • On the USA Pickleball approved list at $149.99
  • Raw carbon face over the SRT core
  • Elongated reach for less than Paddletek's Bantam

Cons

  • Lowest buyer rating of the Paddletek paddles we review (4.5 out of 5)
  • One buyer found it hard on the wrist
  • No published swing or twist weight
  • Grip circumference isn't published

Performance Review

Our 1–10 ratings, built from the maker’s published specs and scored the same way for every brand. How we score

Power9
Control8
Spin9.5
Sweet spot8

Scores by Player Type

Beginners8.3/10
Touch players8.4/10
Power hitters8.8/10
Spin players9.0/10Best fit

Calculated from our four ratings, weighted for each kind of player. How these are weighted

Power

9/10

Why it scores 9 for power

On our spec-based scale it rates 9 for power: the 14.3 mm core, 8.0 oz weight and 16.5 in elongated shape add power.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
14.3 mm
Core type
SRT (Smart Response Technology) polymer core
Weight
7.8–8.2 oz
Shape
Elongated
Face
PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Toray 700)

How our power rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • Core 13 mm or thinner+1.5
  • Core 14–15 mm+0.75
  • Core 17 mm or thicker−1
  • Weighs 8.3 oz or more+0.75
  • Weighs 7.9–8.2 oz+0.25
  • Weighs under 7.5 oz−0.5
  • Elongated shape+1
  • Hybrid shape+0.5
  • Fiberglass face+0.75
  • Hybrid (mixed) face+0.5
  • Foam core+1.5
  • Heat-sealed or one-piece build+0.75
See the full rating scale

Control

8/10

Why it scores 8 for control

A 14.3 mm core and raw carbon face give it a control rating of 8; the elongated shape trades some control for reach. Buyers mention control most often.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
14.3 mm
Weight
7.8–8.2 oz
Shape
Elongated
Face
PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Toray 700)

How our control rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • Core 17 mm or thicker+1.5
  • Core 16 mm+1
  • Core 14–15 mm+0.25
  • Core 13 mm or thinner−0.5
  • Weighs 7.5–8.2 oz+0.25
  • Standard shape+0.5
  • Hybrid shape+0.25
  • Carbon face+0.75
  • Hybrid (mixed) face+0.25
  • Fiberglass face−0.25
See the full rating scale

Spin

9.5/10

Why it scores 9.5 for spin

Its PT-700 raw carbon face and elongated shape give it a spin rating of 9.5.

The specs behind the rating

Face and texture
PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Toray 700)
Shape
Elongated
Length
16.5 in

How our spin rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • Carbon face+1
  • Hybrid (mixed) face+0.75
  • Fiberglass face+0.25
  • Long-lasting grippy texture (grit coating or peel-ply)+1.5
  • Basic texture+0.75
  • Elongated shape+0.75
  • Hybrid shape+0.5
See the full rating scale

Sweet Spot

8/10

Why it scores 8 for sweet spot

A 7.5 in face and 14.3 mm core give it a sweet-spot rating of 8.

The specs behind the rating

Width
7.5 in
Core thickness
14.3 mm
Weight
7.8–8.2 oz
Length
16.5 in

How our sweet spot rating works

Every paddle starts at 7. Points are added or taken away for each feature it has, using the maker’s published specs. Ratings never go above 10 or below 1.

  • 8.0 in wide or wider+2
  • 7.75–7.99 in wide+1.25
  • 7.5–7.74 in wide+0.5
  • Core 16 mm or thicker+1
  • Core 14–15 mm+0.5
  • Heat-sealed, one-piece or extra edge weight+0.75
  • Weighs 8.0 oz or more+0.25
See the full rating scale

In-Depth Review

Each section is our analysis of the manufacturer’s published specs unless it says otherwise.

Maneuverability

Manufacturer data

Weight7.8–8.2 oz
BalanceNot published by Paddletek

Paddletek doesn't publish a swing weight for the Tempest line; the elongated shape will swing heavier than the Wave Pro-C.

Handle & comfort

Paddletek lists a 5.25 in handle: a mid-length handle that suits one-handed play and leaves a little room for a second hand. At about 8 oz, it is in the mid-weight range most paddles fall into. Comfort is personal: grip size, handle length and weight are the published specs that affect it most.

Stability

Manufacturer data

Weight7.8–8.2 oz
Width7.5 in

Paddletek doesn't publish twist weight for the Tempest line.

Build quality

Manufacturer information

The Tempest line pairs a PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber face (Toray 700) with a PT-07 Matrix Stabilization Layer and Paddletek's Smart Response Technology (SRT) polymer core, which Paddletek says gives touch on soft shots and power assistance on drives, plus a Shot Protection edge guard that reduces vibration. Paddletek covers its paddles with a limited lifetime performance guarantee against manufacturer defects when you register within 14 days (US and Canada only), and accepts paddle returns or exchanges within 30 days, with return shipping paid by the buyer.

Feel

Manufacturer description and buyer feedback

Paddletek says the SRT core gives touch and control on soft shots, with power assistance on drives and put-aways. As of October 2026, Paddletek.com shows an average of 4.5 out of 5 from 20+ buyer ratings. In the most recent reviews, buyers most often mention its control, followed by power. One buyer found it hard on their wrist and stopped using it, while others describe it as easy on the wrist and elbow; another wanted more power than their previous Tempest. These reports don't add up to a consistent pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Paddletek line should I choose?

Paddletek sells three performance lines. Honeyfoam, usually the priciest, is its newest, with a three-foam core. Bantam uses a polymer core Paddletek calls its most powerful, in 12.7 or 14.3 mm. Tempest, usually the least expensive, uses an SRT polymer core that Paddletek describes as more forgiving, pitched at touch and control.

Is the Paddletek Tempest TKO-C tournament legal?

Approved: on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-02).

Where to Buy

Ready to Play with More Spin?

See today’s price and availability for the Paddletek Tempest TKO-C at Paddletek. We link to Paddletek, the brand's own store, so you buy new and the manufacturer's warranty and return policy apply. It is on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list.

Buy at Paddletek

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Sources and How We Researched This Review

  • Specifications and product details: the manufacturer's published information, labelled "Manufacturer data" in the review.
  • Ratings: calculated from those specifications on our published rating scale, the same for every brand, and labelled "Our analysis".
  • Buyer feedback: 20+ buyer ratings on Paddletek.com, summarized in the Feel section and labelled "buyer feedback".
  • Hands-on testing: we haven't play-tested this paddle. Everything here comes from the sources listed and our analysis of them.
Paddletek Tempest TKO-CResearch score 8.6/10 · Paddletek$149.99at Paddletek
$149.99at PaddletekBuy at Paddletek