Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm vs RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated

    Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm 7.6oz 14.3mm pickleball paddle — PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber face

    Paddletek

    Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm

    $199.99

    Shop on Amazon →
    RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated 7.8oz 16mm pickleball paddle — Carbon fiber face

    RPM Pickleball

    Q2 16mm Elongated

    $249.99

    Shop RPM Pickleball →

    Pickle's 5-axis score

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

    Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mmRPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated
    Power — RPM Pickleball +4.7
    1.7 vs 6.4
    Hand speed — Paddletek +1.1
    9.5 vs 8.4
    Forgiveness — Paddletek +5.1
    10.0 vs 4.9
    Touch — RPM Pickleball +5.4
    4.5 vs 9.9
    Spin — Paddletek +5.3
    9.7 vs 4.4

    Reach vs. maneuverability

    RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated trades a touch of maneuverability for more reach at the line; Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm is easier to whip around in hand fights.

    Side-by-side specs

    Weight

    7.6–7.9 oz7.8–8 oz

    Shape

    WidebodyElongated

    Core thickness

    14.3mm16mm

    Core material

    —Honeycomb with foam perimeter

    Face material

    PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiberCarbon fiber

    Handle length

    5.5"5.5"

    Price

    $199.99$249.99

    What the spec differences mean

    • Weight. Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm is listed at 7.6–7.9 oz; RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated at 7.8–8 oz. At the low end of each listed range, the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm is 0.2 oz lighter. How paddle weights compare across our catalog
    • Core thickness. Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm has a 14.3mm core; RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated has a 16mm core, so the RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated core is 1.7mm thicker. What core thickness changes
    • Length and width. Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm measures 16" × 8"; RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated measures 16.5" × 7.5" (widebody vs elongated). The RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated is 0.5" longer. Paddle shapes and the size rule
    • Face material. Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm lists its face as PT-700 unidirectional raw carbon fiber; RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated lists Carbon fiber. Paddle face materials explained

    Who each paddle is for

    Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm

    Best for intermediate players (3.5-4.5) looking for a balanced upgrade who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The widebody profile gives you a generous sweet spot, the 14.3mm core balances pop and control, and the raw carbon face bites on spin shots.

    Playing style: all-court

    RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated

    Best for 3.0+ players who want a forgiving control feel who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The elongated shape extends your reach at the kitchen line, the 16mm core gives you a soft touch window, and the face surface keeps spin honest without overdoing it.

    Playing style: balanced

    Pickle's verdict

    Both are great. Pick by playstyle, not specs.

    Pick the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm if…

    • ✓you want a quick, hands-first paddle
    • ✓you want a generous sweet spot

    Pick the RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated if…

    • ✓you prize control on resets and dinks
    • ✓you like reach at the kitchen line
    Shop on Amazon Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm →Shop RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated →

    More matchups with the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C 14.3mm

    More matchups with the RPM Pickleball Q2 16mm Elongated

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