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1 / 4Image: Paddletek

Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C Pickleball Paddle Review

See all Paddletek paddles

Paddletek's wide Bantam, designed with pro Andrea Koop: 16 x 8 in with a 5.5 in handle, a PT-700 raw carbon face and the QRT core, in 12.7 or 14.3 mm. At 7.5–7.8 oz it is one of the lightest paddles we've reviewed.

$199.99Checked October 16, 2026. Prices change often; the checkout price is final.
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Edited by DanPublished Updated How we research

Quick Verdict

A light, forgiving standard-shape carbon paddle with pop and the best buyer rating in Paddletek's range.

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Key Specifications

Brand
Paddletek
Weight
7.5–7.8 oz
Shape
Standard (wide-body)
Length
16 in
Width
8 in
Core thickness
12.7 mm or 14.3 mm (scored at 12.7 mm)
Grip length
5.5 in
Grip circumference
Not published by Paddletek
Core material
Bantam QRT (Quick Response Technology) polymer core
Surface material
PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Toray 700)
Balance
Swing weight 100–108; twist weight 6.8–7.2 (per Paddletek)
USA Pickleball status
Approved: both the 12.7 mm and 14.3 mm versions are on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-02).

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Highest buyer rating of the Paddletek paddles we review (4.9 out of 5, 20+ ratings)
  • One of the lightest paddles we've reviewed (7.5–7.8 oz)
  • Best sweet-spot rating in the Bantam line (9)
  • Both thicknesses on the USA Pickleball approved list

Cons

  • Thin core rates lower for control (8) than thicker paddles
  • Light weight gives less plow-through
  • Less reach than elongated shapes
  • 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

Power8.5
Control8
Spin8.5
Sweet spot9

Scores by Player Type

Beginners8.5/10Best fit
Touch players8.4/10
Power hitters8.5/10Best fit
Spin players8.5/10Best fit

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

Power

8.5/10

Why it scores 8.5 for power

On our spec-based scale it rates 8.5 for power: the thin 12.7 mm core adds power, while the standard 16 in shape and light 7.5–7.8 oz weight add none. We score the 12.7 mm version; the 14.3 mm version would rate 7.5 power, 8.5 control and 9.5 sweet spot on our scale at the same weight.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
12.7 mm or 14.3 mm (scored at 12.7 mm)
Core type
Bantam QRT (Quick Response Technology) polymer core
Weight
7.5–7.8 oz
Shape
Standard (wide-body)
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

The thin 12.7 mm core lowers control on our scale, but the raw carbon face and standard shape bring it to 8.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
12.7 mm or 14.3 mm (scored at 12.7 mm)
Weight
7.5–7.8 oz
Shape
Standard (wide-body)
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

8.5/10

Why it scores 8.5 for spin

Its PT-700 raw carbon face gives it a spin rating of 8.5; the standard shape earns no extra spin points.

The specs behind the rating

Face and texture
PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Toray 700)
Shape
Standard (wide-body)
Length
16 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

9/10

Why it scores 9 for sweet spot

An 8 in face gives it a sweet-spot rating of 9, the best of the Bantam paddles we review.

The specs behind the rating

Width
8 in
Core thickness
12.7 mm or 14.3 mm (scored at 12.7 mm)
Weight
7.5–7.8 oz
Length
16 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

Weight7.5–7.8 oz
BalanceSwing weight 100–108; twist weight 6.8–7.2

Paddletek publishes a swing weight of 100–108, among the lowest it lists, and at 7.5–7.8 oz it is light and quick.

Handle & comfort

Paddletek lists a 5.5 in handle: long enough for most players who hit two-handed backhands. At about 7.65 oz, it is lighter than average, so it is easier on the arm and quicker in hand battles, with less stability on off-center hits. Comfort is personal: grip size, handle length and weight are the published specs that affect it most.

Stability

Manufacturer data

Weight7.5–7.8 oz
Width8 in

A published twist weight of 6.8–7.2, helped by Paddletek's carbon steel twist-weight system and the wide face.

Build quality

Manufacturer information

The Bantam C line pairs a PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber face (Toray 700) with a PT-07 Matrix Stabilization Layer and Paddletek's Bantam Quick Response Technology (QRT) polymer core, which Paddletek calls its most powerful core. A carbon steel twist-weight and balance system is designed to steady off-center shots, and a Shot Protection edge guard 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 describes the QRT core as its most powerful, activating reliably and progressively with swing energy. As of October 2026, Paddletek.com shows an average of 4.9 out of 5 from 20+ buyer ratings. In the most recent reviews, buyers most often mention its power and pop, followed by control and spin. As of October 2026, every rating was four or five stars; one buyer notes having to take care not to hit forehand drives long. 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.

Should I choose 12.7 mm or 14.3 mm?

The 12.7 mm core is livelier and more powerful; the 14.3 mm core is softer and more controlled. Both are on the USA Pickleball approved list. Our review scores the 12.7 mm version shown first on Paddletek's specs.

Is the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C tournament legal?

Approved: both the 12.7 mm and 14.3 mm versions are on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list (checked 2026-10-02).

Where to Buy

Ready to Play with More Power?

See today’s price and availability for the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-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.

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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 Bantam ESQ-CResearch score 8.5/10 · Paddletek$199.99at Paddletek
$199.99at PaddletekBuy at Paddletek