Paddletek
Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C
Players who want a light, forgiving paddle with pop
$199.99at Paddletek
Paddletek
Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ
Doubles players who want stability and a big sweet spot in fast exchanges
$199.99at Paddletek
Ratings Head to Head
Paddletek Bantam ESQ-CPaddletek Honeyfoam ESQ
Power8.58.5
Control89.5
Spin8.58.5
Sweet spot910
Research score8.59.1
Which Suits Your Game?
| Player type | Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C | Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | 8.5 | 9.5 |
| Touch players | 8.4 | 9.3 |
| Power hitters | 8.5 | 9.0 |
| Spin players | 8.5 | 8.9 |
Weighted from the four ratings. How these are weighted
Key Differences
- The biggest gap is control: the Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ rates 9.5 to the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C’s 8.
- The Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ also leads on sweet spot, 10 to 9.
- They tie on power (8.5) and spin (8.5).
- Core thickness: 12.7 mm or 14.3 mm (scored at 12.7 mm) for the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C against 16 mm (14 mm version not USA Pickleball approved) for the Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ. The thinner Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C should give more pop; thicker cores lean toward control.
- Weight: the Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ is the heavier of the two, by about 0.3 oz on average.
The Verdict
Pick the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C if you want a lighter feel.
Choose the Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ if you want more control, a bigger sweet spot and more weight behind the ball, especially if you’re a beginner or a touch player.
Specs Side by Side
| Spec | Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C | Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 7.5–7.8 oz | 7.8–8.2 oz (8.0 ± 0.2 oz) |
| Shape | Standard (wide-body) | Standard (wide-body) |
| Length | 16 in | 16 in |
| Width | 8 in | 8 in |
| Core thickness | 12.7 mm or 14.3 mm (scored at 12.7 mm) | 16 mm (14 mm version not USA Pickleball approved) |
| Core | Bantam QRT (Quick Response Technology) polymer core | Honeyfoam multi-foam: EPP foam core, EVA foam wrap and perimeter foam ring |
| Face | PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Toray 700) | PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Toray 700) |
| Handle length | 5.5 in | 5.5 in |
| Grip size | Not published by Paddletek | Not published by Paddletek |
| Price | $199.99 | $199.99 (list $249.99) |
| USA Pickleball approved | Yes | Yes |
Specs as published by each manufacturer. Prices are checked daily on each brand’s own store; the checkout price is final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C or the Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ?
On our spec-based scale the Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ scores higher (9.1 vs 8.5). By player type, the Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ suits beginners, touch players, power hitters and spin players better.
Which has more power, the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C or the Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ?
They rate the same for power on our scale (8.5).
Which is better for beginners, the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C or the Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ?
The Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ scores higher for beginners (9.5 vs 8.5), mainly from its sweet spot and control ratings.
Are the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C and Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ approved for tournament play?
Yes. Both are on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list.
More Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C vs Bread & Butter Loco Standard
- Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C vs Selkirk OMNI Widebody
- Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C vs HEAD Radical TOUR15
- Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro-C
- Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C vs Paddletek Bantam EXL-C
- Paddletek Honeyfoam ESQ vs Bread & Butter Loco Standard
Next Step
Compare More Paddles
Line up to four paddles side by side on the same research scale.