Matt Khoury
Tested by Matt Khoury
4.5 player · 2 yrs testing paddles · 630+ reviewed
Reviewed
APRIL 2025
Updated OCTOBER 2026

Franklin C45 Tempo 14mm Pickleball Paddle Review

MATT'S VERDICT

The Tempo 14mm is one of the lightest paddles in the C45 line, and the swing weight is well below the median. Out of the box it's twitchy, fast in hand to the point where serve timing felt inconsistent and block attempts floated.

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Retail Price
$229.00
Promo Code
10% off at checkout
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All measurements
Serve speed
59.8 mph
Serve speed percentile
34.2%
Serve speed z-score
-0.029
Punch volley speed
38.7 mph
Punch volley speed percentile
44.1%
Punch volley speed z-score
0.272
Spin
2233 rpm
Spin percentile
39.7%
Spin z-score
-0.053
Swing weight
102.05
Swing weight percentile
1.6%
Swing weight z-score
-2.260
Twist weight
6.25
Twist weight percentile
34.3%
Twist weight z-score
-0.395
Static weight
7.63 oz
Static weight percentile
2.9%
Static weight z-score
-1.849
Balance point
23.4 cm
Balance point percentile
7.2%
Balance point z-score
-1.435
Firepower
39/100
Control score
72/100
Power rating
2/5
Control rating
4/5
Spin rating
2/5
Pop rating
3/5
Forgiveness rating
4/5
Shot resetting rating
3/5
Touch shots rating
3/5
Feel rating
3/5
Matt's star rating
4/5
Balance offset from center
+3.4 cm
Core thickness
14 mm
Shape
Widebody
Length
15.75 in
Width
7.875 in
Handle length
5.25 in
Handle circumference
4.25 in
Surface material
T700 Carbon Fiber
Core material
Polypropylene + Foam Enhanced
Surface texture
Peel Ply (Coarse)
Manufacturing process
Thermoformed
Classification
Gen 3
Approval body
USAP & UPA-A
Punch volley rank
#268 of 522 measured paddles
Market comparison
518 measured paddles across 9 metrics