Head Radical Pro vs Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm

    Head Radical Pro 8.1oz 15mm pickleball paddle — Fiberglass face

    Head

    Radical Pro

    $99.95

    Shop on Amazon →
    Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm 7.6oz 12.7mm pickleball paddle — PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber face

    Paddletek

    Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm

    $199.99

    Shop on Amazon →

    Pickle's 5-axis score

    Spec-grounded, quartile-ranked across the 322-paddle catalog. Diff highlighted when one paddle leads by 0.5+ points.

    Head Radical ProPaddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm
    Power — Head +4.3
    6.0 vs 1.7
    Hand speed — Paddletek +5.3
    4.2 vs 9.5
    Forgiveness — Paddletek +5.1
    4.9 vs 10.0
    Touch — Head +3.3
    4.6 vs 1.3
    Spin — Paddletek +8.0
    1.7 vs 9.7

    The value vs. premium matchup

    The Head Radical Pro's 15mm core delivers a more forgiving sweet spot, while the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm's 12.7mm core trades a little plush feel for quicker ball speed. Head Radical Pro is the value pick at $99.95. Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm is the premium option at $199.99 — you're paying for the

    Side-by-side specs

    Weight

    8.1–8.1 oz7.6–7.9 oz

    Shape

    ElongatedWidebody

    Core thickness

    15mm12.7mm

    Core material

    Polypropylene honeycomb—

    Face material

    FiberglassPT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber

    Handle length

    5.3"5.5"

    Price

    $99.95$199.99

    What the spec differences mean

    • Weight. Head Radical Pro is listed at 8.1 oz; Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm at 7.6–7.9 oz. At the low end of each listed range, the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm is 0.5 oz lighter. How paddle weights compare across our catalog
    • Core thickness. Head Radical Pro has a 15mm core; Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm has a 12.7mm core, so the Head Radical Pro core is 2.3mm thicker. What core thickness changes
    • Length and width. Head Radical Pro measures 16" × 7.5"; Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm measures 16" × 8" (elongated vs widebody). Paddle shapes and the size rule
    • Handle length. Head Radical Pro has a 5.3" handle; Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm has a 5.5" handle, so the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm handle is 0.2" longer. What grip length changes
    • Face material. Head Radical Pro lists its face as Fiberglass; Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm lists PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber. Paddle face materials explained

    Who each paddle is for

    Head Radical Pro

    Best for intermediate players (3.5-4.5) looking for a balanced upgrade who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The elongated shape extends your reach at the kitchen line, the 15mm core balances pop and control, and the fiberglass face emphasizes pop over spin.

    Playing style: power

    Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm

    Best for advanced power players (4.0+) who can manage a hot face who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The widebody profile gives you a generous sweet spot, the 12.7mm core delivers high pop with a tighter touch window, and the raw carbon face bites on spin shots.

    Playing style: power

    Pickle's verdict

    Both are great. Pick by playstyle, not specs.

    Pick the Head Radical Pro if…

    • ✓you like reach at the kitchen line

    Pick the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm if…

    • ✓you want a quick, hands-first paddle
    • ✓you want a hot face for put-aways
    • ✓you want a generous sweet spot
    Shop on Amazon Radical Pro →Shop on Amazon Bantam ESQ-C 12.7mm →

    More matchups with the Head Radical Pro

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