Paddletek
Paddletek Bantam EX-L
The classic tennis-convert paddle. Heavier, fiberglass-faced, generous sweet spot. Older tech but it suits the tennis player who wants a familiar swing weight and isn't chasing 2026 spin specs.
Overall score
Research reviewSpecs
- Weight
- 8.3 oz
- Shape
- Standard
- Core
- Polymer honeycomb
- Thickness
- 13 mm
- Surface
- Composite fiberglass
- Grip size
- 4 3/8"
Score breakdown
v4 · 6 axes- Control9/10
- Value9/10
- Comfort8/10
- Spin7/10
- Power7/10
- Durability8/10
What we like
- Larger grip size accommodates tennis-trained hands
- Heavier swing weight feels familiar to ex-tennis players
- Paddletek's durability and warranty network is excellent
Where it falls short
- Fiberglass face means less spin than modern raw-carbon paddles
- Heavy by 2026 standards, wrist fatigue on long sessions
- Looks dated on a court of thermoformed paddles
Full review
What it is
The Paddletek Bantam EX-L is the classic tennis-convert paddle. 13mm polymer honeycomb core, composite fiberglass face, standard shape, 8.3 oz, 4 3/8" grip, that grip size alone tells you who the paddle is for. This is 2018-era tech sold in 2026, but it's been sold continuously for that long because there's still a real audience: ex-tennis players who want a familiar swing weight and aren't chasing the latest spin specs.
How it plays
The EX-L's calling card is heft. At 8.3 oz with a chunky 4 3/8" grip, it swings like a worn-in tennis racquet, owners with tennis backgrounds consistently describe it as the most natural transition paddle they've tried. The 13mm core delivers real pop on drives, and the standard shape gives you a forgiving face for off-center contact. Control is rated 9 in the corpus, which matches what owners report: surprisingly good touch around the kitchen for a paddle with this much pop.
The trade-off is everywhere modern paddles have moved on. Fiberglass face means noticeably less spin than any raw-carbon competitor at the same price. The 8.3 oz weight will fatigue your wrist faster than a 7.9 oz alternative on long sessions. And at a court full of thermoformed Gen 3 paddles, the EX-L looks dated, which doesn't affect how it plays, but the optics matter to some.
The acid test is whether you came from tennis. If yes, the EX-L's swing weight and grip size will feel right immediately and the paddle will outperform anything modern for your specific muscle memory. If no, you'll find it heavy and underspun within 10 sessions.
Build and specs
Paddletek's durability and warranty network is genuinely excellent, one of the longest track records in the sport, and warranty replacement claims process cleanly. The polymer core is dense and resists crush. Edge guard is generous. Real owners report 18+ months of heavy play before needing replacement.
Where it fits
Niche. The score of 81 is high partly because the paddle is genuinely good for its audience, but the audience is specifically tennis converts who want familiarity, not players chasing 2026 performance numbers. If you played tennis competitively and want one paddle that feels right, this is it. Anyone else is better served by a modern thermoformed alternative.
HK reality
Amazon ships to HK in 2-3 weeks. No HK retail stockists. HK availability scored 5, which reflects the import-only reality. At HK$1,200-1,400 landed it's mid-priced, cheaper than premium flagships, more expensive than current-gen value picks like the Vatic V-Sol Pro.
Bottom line
The specific paddle for tennis converts who want to skip the modernization journey. If you don't fit that audience, the Vatic V-Sol Pro or 11SIX24 Vapor Power outperform on every measurable axis at the same or lower price. If you do fit, the EX-L still has years of life left as a daily driver.
What players are saying
Player feedback curated from active pickleball communities, ranked by how many other players agreed. No cherry-picking.
After buying a Gearbox paddle, I 100% think the open throat design will be a passing gimmick. And the edge guard on this looks obnoxiously large. My Gearbox CX11 that is heavier than my Bantam EX-L feels noticeably lighter to swing.
Bantam EX-L is a good all around paddle. If you can swing a few more dollars you can get the tempest wave 2 which has more control.
Good deal for those wanting new paddles -- the Bantam EX-L would just be $80. The element is just $60, and Leigh Waters is a prominent player who uses that over the more expensive ones.
My main paddle is a Bantam EX-L. I love the power I get with it, and for my playstyle it has the touch I wasn't getting when trying other paddle lines that were marketed for touch.
4.5-5.0 level player, I play with he Bantam Ex-L. Not a ton of reasons why, mainly like the feeling off the face and the sound, even on off center hits. It also has a lot of power, and runs a little heavier which I like. It really all just comes down to preference.
Buying it in Hong Kong
Imports to Hong Kong via Amazon. Expect 1–3 weeks shipping. Total landed cost usually HK$1,200–1,400 including duty.
Check current price at Amazon →Final verdict
Score: 81/100 · Recommended
The classic tennis-convert paddle. Heavier, fiberglass-faced, generous sweet spot. Older tech but it suits the tennis player who wants a familiar swing weight and isn't chasing 2026 spin specs.
If this isn't quite right
Try one of these instead.
Cheaper alternative
Selkirk
$$Selkirk SLK Halo Control
The cheapest carbon-face paddle that actually feels like a real paddle. If you want one paddle that takes you from session 1 to session 100, this is it.
More power
JOOLA
$$JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16
The JOOLA paddle that built the brand's reputation before the Perseus took over. Still excellent, better value than the flagship, similar feel, slightly less power. The pick if you want JOOLA at not-quite-flagship money.
Some links on DinkStart are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our picks or rankings. Read the full disclosure.