The Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C is designed to be a quick and lightweight paddle. It features an 8-inch-wide paddle surface for enhanced forgiveness, a long 5.5-inch handle for two-handed shots, and a raw carbon face to generate power and spin.

At Paddles Guide, we’ve been consistently impressed with Paddletek’s Bantam series. Both Anna Leigh Waters’ Bantam ALW-C and the Bantam TKO-C performed exceptionally in our tests. Now, we put the ESQ-C through extensive playtesting to see how it compares.

Buy or pass?

Buy if:

✅ You love to hit topspin shots: This paddle generates elite levels of spin, making it easy to apply heavy topspin on groundstrokes and serves.
✅ You want a long handle: With a 5.5-inch handle, this paddle is perfect for two-handed backhand players.
✅ You like fast hands at the kitchen: The Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C is lightweight and highly maneuverable, making it a top-tier choice for quick reactions in hand battles.

Pass if:

❌ You want a soft paddle: Dinking and touch shots require more finesse. For better absorption, consider the Ronbus R2 Pulsar FX or PIKKL Hurricane Pro.
❌ You want a longer paddle face: At 15.87 inches, the ESQ-C is slightly shorter than standard paddles. If you need more reach, check out the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C.
❌ You’re on a budget: Priced at $250, this is a premium paddle. Budget-friendly alternatives include the Six Zero DBD Control ($180) and Bread & Butter Filth ($160).

Attribute	Specification
Paddle Weight	7.6–7.9 oz
Paddle Length	15.875″
Paddle Width	8″
Handle Length	5.5″
Grip Circumference	4.25″
Paddle Face Material	PT-700 raw carbon fiber
Core Material	Polymer honeycomb core
Core Thickness	12.7 mm (0.5″) or 14.3 mm (0.56″)
Sweet Spot	Large

Review Summary Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C

The Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C is an excellent choice for players looking for a lightweight, fast paddle with exceptional spin and power. The long handle provides added leverage for two-handed backhands, and the wide face offers good forgiveness.

Spin is the standout feature. Paddletek’s Bantam series consistently ranks among the highest for topspin generation, and the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C is no exception. Aggressive topspin drives dip sharply, forcing errors from opponents and setting up easy putaways

Power players will also appreciate this paddle. Its lightweight design allows for quick acceleration, making it easy to win hand battles and attack from all areas of the court. It’s particularly effective in countering speed-ups and putting away high balls.

While the paddle delivers impressive speed and pop, softer touch shots require more precision. It tends to pop the ball up more than control-focused paddles like the Six Zero DBD or Selkirk LUXX Control. We found it took a few sessions to adjust to the pop on dinks and drops, making it more suitable for experienced players.

The Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C features a large sweet spot, reducing mishits. However, the shorter overall length slightly decreases the hitting surface, making shots near the throat less forgiving. This is a consideration for players who rely on extended reach.

Pros	Cons
Very fast in your hands due to its lightweight design.	Pop can make touch shots more challenging.
Durable construction with premium carbon fiber.	Limited reach—shorter than standard square paddles.
Long handle is ideal for two-handed use.	Shorter length reduces surface area, potentially leading to mishits.

Features

The Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C, like the TKO-C and ALW-C, is constructed from Paddletek’s PT-700 unidirectional RAW carbon fiber, which improves spin by providing a very good grip on the ball. Paddletek’s exclusive Bantam core, which produces a forceful yet responsive feel, is responsible for the paddle’s growing pop.

The Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C has an 8-inch-wide face with a conventional (square) form. Its length, which is 15.87 inches rather than the standard 16 inches, is rather less than normal.

Core Thickness Options

Unlike the typical 14 mm or 16 mm core thickness found in most paddles, the Bantam series offers two options: 12.7 mm and 14.3 mm. While the 14.3 mm variant offers a little more control, the narrower 12.7 mm version offers a little more pop. I didn’t see a significant difference between the two ESQ-C models, though, in contrast to the ALW-C, where the difference is more noticeable.

Extended Handle for Two-Handed Backhands

The majority of paddles with a typical shape have a 5-inch handle, however the ESQ-C has a 5.5-inch grip, following the trend of longer handles. For two-handed backhand players, this additional length is especially helpful because it increases power and spin when hitting forcefully..

Lightweight and Fast

The ESQ-C is lighter than many other high-performance paddles, weighing only 7.8 oz. Because of this, it is incredibly agile, enabling prompt responses in brief interactions. This paddle’s strong core makes it an effective kitchen tool that enables players to reach more balls and put strokes away more easily.

How the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C plays

Attribute

Rating

Power

8.5/10

Control

8.5/10

Spin

9.5/10

Forgiveness

8.5/10

Weighting

8.5/10

Grip

8/10

Durability

9/10

Aerodynamics

9.5/10

Power – 8.5/10

The Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C ranks among the most powerful square paddles available, alongside the Bantam ALW-C and CRBN-2X Power. It makes putting away pop-ups effortless, even against skilled defenders. Executing the shake-and-bake strategy is a breeze, whether I’m driving the third shot to set up my partner or finishing the point with an aggressive putaway. It excels in countering speed-ups, attacking high balls, dominating hand battles at the kitchen, and delivering powerful serves.

Control – 8.5/10

Among all Bantam paddles, the ESQ-C offers the best control. Its wider face provides more stability and finesse, resulting in smoother, more consistent drops. Dinking feels more precise compared to the TKO-C or ALW-C. However, managing its power takes skill. It took me a few drilling sessions to get comfortable keeping the ball from popping up, making it a better fit for advanced players. While soft shots can still be executed accurately, they require more focus and effort due to the paddle’s natural pop even in the 14.3 mm version.

Spin – 9.5/10

This paddle generates elite levels of spin, just shy of a perfect score. The only drawback is its pop, which makes soft sliced shots, like backhand dinks, slightly harder to control—similar to the ALW-C. However, topspin shots are phenomenal. Drives dip aggressively, catching opponents off guard and often forcing errors or pop-ups that set up easy winners. Deep topspin serves are especially effective, producing high-bouncing returns that I can capitalize on with a powerful drive.

Forgiveness – 8.5/10

With a large sweet spot, the ESQ-C is very forgiving. However, its pop can be tricky. If the paddle angle isn’t just right, the ball can bounce off with more pace than expected. Soft touch shots into the kitchen may be challenging for beginners, but for experienced players, the forgiveness is solid.

Weighting – 8.5/10

The Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C is lightweight with a well-balanced feel. Some brands add weight toward the head to enhance power, but this can make the paddle feel top-heavy. Paddletek avoided that issue, maintaining strong power while keeping the weight distribution even for better maneuverability.

Grip – 8/10

The 5.5-inch handle is slightly longer than most paddles, making it ideal for two-handed backhands. The grip feels comfortable, doesn’t get overly sweaty after long sessions, and isn’t too bulky. That said, it is slightly thicker than grips from Bread & Butter or JOOLA. While I like Paddletek grips, not everyone agrees Brandon finds them bulky.

Durability – 9/10

The raw carbon fiber face remains effective after more than 10 hours of play, retaining its high spin potential. The build quality is solid, and I expect it to last. My Bantam TKO-C has shown no signs of core delamination or crushing, so I’m confident the ESQ-C will hold up just as well.

Aerodynamics – 9.5/10

This paddle is one of the fastest premium paddles available. It’s even quicker than the Six Zero DBD, making it easy to reach any shot on the court. The lightweight design allows for effortless swings, providing a huge advantage in hand battles without adding stress to my shoulders or elbows.

Is the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C Worth It?

The ESQ-C is reasonably priced for a high-end paddle at $250. Although it offers a special combination of control, power, and speed for a fast-paced game, it is still less expensive than high-end versions like the Gearbox Pro Power, JOOLA Perseus Mod TA-15, and Proton Series One.

A more forgiving paddle, such as the Paddletek Bantam TS-5 or Six Zero Quartz, is a better option for novices because the pop may be challenging to control. The Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S or PIKKL Hurricane Pro are better options for intermediate players who want a gentler feel.

However, the ESQ-C is a good option if you’re a high-level or advanced player with a decent touch game who wants to increase the power and aggression of your playstyle choice. It’s perfect for players who are prepared to invest in their performance because, at $250, it’s one of the priciest paddles.