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1 / 4Image: Paddletek

Paddletek Bantam GTO-C Pickleball Paddle Review

See all Paddletek paddles

Paddletek's hybrid Bantam: 16.25 x 7.75 in with an aerodynamic taper, a PT-700 raw carbon face and the QRT core, in 12.7 or 14.3 mm. Paddletek calls it its most-tested shape and says it is cold-pressed in the USA.

$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

Power and spin with quick hands from an aerodynamic hybrid carbon paddle that buyers rate very highly.

Buy at Paddletek

Key Specifications

Brand
Paddletek
Weight
7.7–8.1 oz
Shape
Hybrid
Length
16.25 in
Width
7.75 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 113–122; twist weight 6.7–7.5 (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

  • Strong power (9) and spin (9) on our scale
  • Highly rated by buyers (4.8 out of 5, 40+ ratings)
  • Cold-pressed in the USA, per Paddletek
  • Both thicknesses on the USA Pickleball approved list

Cons

  • Thin 12.7 mm core rates lower for control (7.5)
  • Sweet-spot rating (8) trails the wide-body shapes
  • Costs more than the Tempest line
  • 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
Control7.5
Spin9
Sweet spot8

Scores by Player Type

Beginners8.1/10
Touch players8.1/10
Power hitters8.6/10Best fit
Spin players8.6/10Best 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 thin 12.7 mm core, the 16.25 in hybrid shape and the 7.9 oz weight add power. We score the 12.7 mm version; the 14.3 mm version would rate 8.5 power, 8.5 control and 8.5 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
7.7–8.1 oz
Shape
Hybrid
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

7.5/10

Why it scores 7.5 for control

The thin 12.7 mm core lowers control on our scale, but the raw carbon face and hybrid shape bring it to 7.5. Buyers mention control almost as often as power.

The specs behind the rating

Core thickness
12.7 mm or 14.3 mm (scored at 12.7 mm)
Weight
7.7–8.1 oz
Shape
Hybrid
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

9/10

Why it scores 9 for spin

Its PT-700 raw carbon face and hybrid shape give it a spin rating of 9.

The specs behind the rating

Face and texture
PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber (Toray 700)
Shape
Hybrid
Length
16.25 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 7.75 in face gives it a sweet-spot rating of 8; the thin core earns no sweet-spot points.

The specs behind the rating

Width
7.75 in
Core thickness
12.7 mm or 14.3 mm (scored at 12.7 mm)
Weight
7.7–8.1 oz
Length
16.25 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

Weight7.7–8.1 oz
BalanceSwing weight 113–122; twist weight 6.7–7.5

Paddletek publishes a swing weight of 113–122, and buyers describe it as quick at the net.

Handle & comfort

Paddletek lists a 5.5 in handle: long enough for most players who hit two-handed backhands. At about 7.9 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

Weight7.7–8.1 oz
Width7.75 in

A published twist weight of 6.7–7.5, helped by Paddletek's carbon steel twist-weight system.

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 4.8 out of 5 from 40+ buyer ratings. In the most recent reviews, buyers most often mention its power and control, followed by pop and its quickness at the net. As of October 2026, all but one rating were four or five stars, and a couple of buyers mention valuing that it is made in the USA. 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 GTO-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 GTO-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: 40+ 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 GTO-CResearch score 8.4/10 · Paddletek$199.99at Paddletek
$199.99at PaddletekBuy at Paddletek