Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Diadem Vice V2 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0, which costs $230.
Power
Too close to call
84 vs 82
Spin
Too close to call
92 vs 89
Control
90 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Hand speed
108 vs 113 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$170 at IQ 84.2 vs $230 at IQ 84.4
Overall pick: Diadem Vice V2 16 · $170 · IQ 84.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 84Power82
- 86Control90
- 92Spin89
- 84Forgiveness84
- 84Sweet spot86
- 82Stability82
- 82Maneuverability76
- 80Pop76
- 84Touch88
- 86Consistency86
- 66Swing weight70
- 78Twist weight80
- 50Launch angle50
- 78Plow through80
- 78Softness80
Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Diadem Vice V2 16 | Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $230 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.2 | 84.4 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | 18K gritted carbon | Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb | Specialized polymer honeycomb |
Diadem Vice V2 16 verdict
Diadem's 18K weave is the grippiest face under $200. Spin 92 with a 108 swing weight is a rare pairing — you can rip topspin and still win hands battles.
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 verdict
Engage's most balanced Pursuit yet. The Omni grit face holds spin longer into a paddle's life than most raw carbon, which matters more than peak-day RPM numbers.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Diadem Vice V2 16 scores 82 against 76 for Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, power, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Diadem Vice V2 16 is $60 cheaper at $170.
Maneuverability
Diadem Vice V2 16 leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
Control
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
Pop
Diadem Vice V2 16 leads by 4 points (80 vs 76).
Touch
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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 (83.2 vs 84.3 on the weighted index). Take Diadem Vice V2 16 and keep the $60.
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.6 vs 85 on the weighted index). Take Diadem Vice V2 16 and keep the $60.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.7 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Diadem Vice V2 16 and keep the $60.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (79.6 vs 81.1 on the weighted index). Take Diadem Vice V2 16 and keep the $60.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Diadem Vice V2 16
Take Diadem Vice V2 16 if you want maneuverability (+6), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Diadem Vice V2 16 review →Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
Take Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 if you want control (+4), touch (+4), swing weight (+4). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 review →Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 FAQ
- Which is better, the Diadem Vice V2 16 or the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.4 vs 84.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Diadem Vice V2 16 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Diadem Vice V2 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Diadem Vice V2 16 or the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 scores 84 for power against 82 for Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 at 90 versus 86. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 scores 92 for spin off its 18K gritted carbon face, against 89 for the Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit face on Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 on forgiveness, off the same 6.5 twist weight.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 costs $170, $60 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?
- Diadem Vice V2 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with an 18K gritted carbon face. Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0: 16 mm Specialized polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.4 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 at 7.9 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Diadem Vice V2 16 to the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Diadem Vice V2 16 leads on maneuverability by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $170 vs $230, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: Diadem Vice V2 16 and Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.