CRBN-3X Power Series vs Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-3X Power Series takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN-3X Power Series wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and value on Paddle DNA against the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, which costs $220.
Power
87 vs 82
Spin
93 vs 86
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Hand speed
Too close to call
114 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$170 at IQ 87.9 vs $220 at IQ 85.9
Overall pick: CRBN-3X Power Series · $170 · IQ 87.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power82
- 90Control90
- 93Spin86
- 89Forgiveness88
- 90Sweet spot88
- 88Stability86
- 74Maneuverability76
- 84Pop74
- 88Touch90
- 89Consistency90
- 74Swing weight72
- 88Twist weight84
- 55Launch angle46
- 84Plow through82
- 78Softness86
CRBN-3X Power Series vs Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-3X Power Series | Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $220 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 — better | 85.9 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 6.8 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Textured graphite |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges | Control Pro Black core |
CRBN-3X Power Series verdict
The 3X keeps the 1X length but widens the face to 7.5 in and shortens the handle to 5.25 in, which buys a noticeably larger sweet spot at the cost of two-handed backhand room.
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 verdict
Engage's soft-core philosophy taken to its logical end. Launch angle 46 is the lowest in the database — the ball simply does not pop up off resets.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: CRBN-3X Power Series scores 84 against 74 for Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, stability, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN-3X Power Series is $50 cheaper at $170.
Pop
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Launch angle
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 9 points (55 vs 46).
Softness
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Spin
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 7 points (93 vs 86).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (89 vs 87.5 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $50.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.9 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-3X Power Series and keep the $50.
- Spin
- Power
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
CRBN-3X Power Series
CRBN-3X Power Series is a narrow pick at this level — spin 93 vs 86, power 87 vs 82, plow through 84 vs 82. Swing weight 114 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 78. Its 16 mm Control Pro Black core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN-3X Power Series if you want pop (+10), launch angle (+9), spin (+7). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-3X Power Series review →Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 if you want softness (+8). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 review →CRBN-3X Power Series vs Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- CRBN-3X Power Series carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 85.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 114 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- CRBN-3X Power Series scores 87 for power against 82 for Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- CRBN-3X Power Series scores 93 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 86 for the Textured graphite face on Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-3X Power Series, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 88). Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.8 vs 6.6), but CRBN-3X Power Series makes it back on sweet spot (90) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN-3X Power Series costs $170, $50 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN-3X Power Series: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16: 16 mm Control Pro Black core with a Textured graphite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN-3X Power Series is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN-3X Power Series at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight is identical at 114 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 to the CRBN-3X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN-3X Power Series leads on pop by 10 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $170 vs $220, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
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- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control
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Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-3X Power Series and Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-3X Power Series and Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.