Franklin C45 Paddle Review: Dynasty & Tempo Shapes

Franklin is expanding their paddle lineup with two new shape variants for their C45 line—the elongated Dynasty and the widebody Tempo. With this expansion, the C45 now comes in three distinct shapes, and you’ll find virtually every Franklin-sponsored pro swinging one. That includes JW and Jorja Johnson, Hayden Patriquin, Pariss Todd, and more.

But the question remains: are these pros using the C45 just because they’re under contract, or is this paddle line truly a standout in the current market?

Let’s dig into the specs, performance metrics, and on-court impressions to find out what makes these paddles tick—and whether they deserve a spot in your bag.

Quick Disclaimer

Franklin sent me these paddles to test, but there were no strings attached—no payment, no content review, and no influence on this article. If you choose to purchase using my affiliate code, I do earn a small commission at no additional cost to you, which helps support my reviews.

Paddle Specs and Technology Overview

The C45 Dynasty and Tempo retail for $230, but you can use code JOHNKEW at checkout on Franklin’s website to knock 10% off. The same discount is available at Pickleball Central via this affiliate link.

Let’s start with the differences between these two new shapes:

  • Dynasty: Elongated paddle with a longer handle, designed for reach and power.

  • Tempo: Widebody paddle with a shorter handle, built for control and fast hands.

Surprisingly, the 16mm versions are actually lighter than the 14mm ones I received, which flips the usual script. All versions are dual-certified by both USAP and UPA-A, including passing the newer break-in testing that’s part of UPA-A certification.

*Note that these are our own measurements, and don’t necessarily reflect the official Franklin dimensions.

What’s Inside: Construction & Materials

Franklin has taken a methodical approach to construction. If you’re familiar with the hybrid C45 shape, which I reviewed previously, the same tech is in play here.

Dual-Foam Edge Wall

X-rays of the paddle show a dual-foam edge wall along the top and sides:

  • Outer Foam: Firmer expanding yellow foam that runs around the entire edge, including into the handle.

  • Inner Foam: Softer white EVA foam that lives between the edge foam and the polypropylene core—only along the top and sides.

X-ray of Dynasty on left and Tempo on right.

Annotated x-rays. Orange = expanding edge foam, and white = EVA perimeter foam.

This structure adds perimeter weighting, increases stability, and helps reduce twisting on off-center hits.

In contrast to other paddles like JOOLA’s MOD series, the Franklin C45 maintains the octagonal shape of the honeycomb cells—a good sign for long-term durability. The cell walls stay upright instead of crumpling or bowing, which suggests no compression.

Thermoforming Process

Franklin uses a two-step thermoforming process:

  1. They start with a full slab of materials and lightly heat it.

  2. Then they cut out the paddle shapes, machine out foam cavities, insert the foam, and mold the final paddle under higher heat and pressure.

45-Degree Carbon Fiber Layup

Here’s one of the things that sets the C45 apart: instead of a traditional 0-90-0 carbon fiber orientation, Franklin went with a 45-0-45 layup. This contributes to the softer, more flexible feel at contact—and is the inspiration behind the “C45” name.

Dissected paddle showing 45-degree angle layup of carbon fiber.

Performance Metrics: Power, Pop, Spin, and Control

Let’s break down how these paddles perform in the lab and on the court.

Dynasty 14mm

  • Power & Pop: Above average. Not a pure power paddle, but plenty of pop.

  • Spin: 2,115 RPM—respectable, though not market-leading.

  • Twist Weight: Average for an elongated paddle.

  • Swing Weight: Lighter than expected, good for maneuverability.

This version offers a solid mix of power and control. You get fast hand speed and a balanced feel.

Dynasty 16mm

  • Power & Pop: Slightly reduced compared to the 14mm.

  • Twist Weight: Lower than expected—suggests a smaller sweet spot.

  • Note: The 16mm is lighter, which may explain the reduced power.

Usually, thicker paddles bring more forgiveness, but this one flips that expectation.

Tempo 14mm

  • Power: Lower than the Dynasty, but still respectable.

  • Pop: Excellent—quick rebound off the face.

  • Swing Weight: Ultra-low, making this paddle feel incredibly fast in hand.

Tempo 16mm

  • Very similar to the 14mm, just slightly softer on impact.

The takeaway: Dynasty paddles lean toward power, while Tempo paddles are built for control and speed. The 14mm models offer more pop and offense, while the 16mms feel a little softer and more forgiving.

KewCOR: Quantifying Paddle Power

I used my custom paddle testing rig (a.k.a. a ball cannon) to calculate a metric I call KewCOR, which measures energy return—similar to PBCOR or PEF used by governing bodies.

Here are the results:

These numbers back up what the radar and spin data showed:

  • The Dynasty 14mm lands on the power spectrum, at the low end of this category.

  • The others fall into the All-Court category—balanced with solid energy return.

If you’re a data nerd like me, you can dive deeper into interactive dashboards linked in the full review.

On-Court Impressions: Real-World Playability

Before getting sidelined with an injury, I spent several sessions hitting with both paddle shapes. I also had my hitting partner, Eddie, test them out. He’s been using the C45 Dynasty 14mm as his main paddle lately.

Overall Feel

Both shapes felt much more playable out of the box than the original hybrid C45, which required added lead tape for weight and stability. These new versions are solid even without modification (although I still recommend modding them).

Favorite Pick: Dynasty 14mm

This paddle has:

  • Good offensive potential.

  • Surprisingly large sweet spot (larger than the twist weight suggests).

  • Power level close to my usual paddle, the 11Six24 Vapor Power.

Dynasty 16mm

  • Softer feel.

  • Slightly reduced pop.

  • Slightly smaller sweet spot—unexpected for a thicker paddle.

Tempo 14mm & 16mm

  • Emphasize control and quick hands.

  • A bit underpowered for aggressive players.

  • My main complaint is the short handle (5”), which isn’t ideal for two-handed shots.

  • The dimensions don’t take full advantage of the Rule of 24, so they’re leaving some room on the table. Adding some width would increase the sweet spot.

Touch & Sound

  • Impact feel is crisp—but enough dwell for control without being mushy.

  • Sound profile is deep and smooth—very Gen-3-esque.

Customization: Modding Tips

One of the highlights of these new C45 shapes is their mod-ability. You don’t need to add lead or tungsten tape to make them playable—but if you want to fine-tune performance, here’s what I recommend:

For the Dynasty

  • Add weight lower on the paddle—start at the throat and go up to about the middle of the paddle face.

  • This reduces head-heaviness while boosting stability.

For the Tempo

  • Add weight wider at 9 and 3 o’clock.

  • Helps increase twist weight while maintaining fast hand speed.

Both models are light enough stock that you’ve got plenty of flexibility for experimentation.

Final Verdict: Who Are These Paddles For?

Franklin’s C45 series hits a sweet spot between performance and playability. Whether you're looking for an all-court or a control-focused paddle, there's something here for you.

What We Loved

  • Solid balance of power and control.

  • Generous sweet spots.

  • Playable right out of the box—minimal tinkering required.

  • Crisp feel and consistent feedback on all shot types.

  • Thermoforming and foam tech that supports long-term durability.

Areas for Improvement

  • More aggressive surface texture would be welcome—spin is decent, but more grit could unlock higher RPMs.

  • Handle length on the Tempo limits two-handed versatility.

  • Edge guard finish can wear off—consider using protective tape (like clear automotive vinyl).

Price and Warranty

  • MSRP: $229

  • With code JOHNKEW: $207

  • One-year warranty—double the industry standard.

Final Thoughts

The Dynasty 14mm is likely to be the most popular in the C45 lineup. It blends power and control in a package that feels modern, reliable, and fun to play. If you're coming from a control-focused paddle, you’ll need to adjust to the added pop, but once you’re dialed in, these paddles are dependable in every aspect of the game.

If Franklin’s goal was to create a well-rounded, tournament-ready paddle line that suits a variety of player styles, they’ve done exactly that.