Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 84.7), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
82 vs 82
Spin
Too close to call
86 vs 86
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Hand speed
114 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$200 at IQ 84.7 vs $220 at IQ 85.9
Overall pick: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 · $220 · IQ 85.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power82
- 88Control90
- 86Spin86
- 86Forgiveness88
- 88Sweet spot88
- 86Stability86
- 72Maneuverability76
- 74Pop74
- 86Touch90
- 88Consistency90
- 78Swing weight72
- 84Twist weight84
- 50Launch angle46
- 82Plow through82
- 78Softness86
Electrum Model E Max V3 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 | Electrum Model E Max V3 | Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $220 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.7 | 85.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.8 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Textured graphite |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter | Control Pro Black core |
Electrum Model E Max V3 verdict
The Max is the widest-body Electrum yet, and the numbers show it: sweet spot 88 and twist weight 84 are both top-quartile. It is a forgiving elongated paddle, which is not a common combination.
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 softness: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 scores 86 against 78 for Electrum Model E Max V3 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on control, forgiveness, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Electrum Model E Max V3 is $20 cheaper at $200.
Softness
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Swing weight
Electrum Model E Max V3 leads by 6 points (78 vs 72).
Maneuverability
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (76 vs 72).
Touch
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (90 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 (87.5 vs 86.6 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $20.
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 76 vs 72, touch 90 vs 86, control 90 vs 88. At 114 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 83 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $20.
- Touch
- Maneuverability
- Control
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, forgiveness 88 vs 86. Its 16 mm Control Pro Black core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 if you want softness (+8), maneuverability (+4), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 review →Electrum Model E Max V3
Take Electrum Model E Max V3 if you want swing weight (+6), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Electrum Model E Max V3 review →Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Electrum Model E Max V3 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 or the Electrum Model E Max V3?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, at 114 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Electrum Model E Max V3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 or the Electrum Model E Max V3?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 82 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 at 90 versus 88. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 86 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 86). Electrum Model E Max V3 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.9 vs 6.8), but Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 makes it back on sweet spot (88) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 costs $200, $20 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?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16: 16 mm Control Pro Black core with a Textured graphite face. Electrum Model E Max V3: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Electrum Model E Max V3 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.3 oz, though swing weight differs (114 vs 118) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Electrum Model E Max V3 to the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads on softness by 8 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $220 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Electrum Model E Max V3 and Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.