Engage Encore Pro EX vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Engage Encore Pro EX takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power70
- 88Control93
- 74Spin74
- 89Forgiveness82
- 90Sweet spot80
- 80Stability76
- 84Maneuverability88
- 66Pop64
- 86Touch92
- 85Consistency88
- 50Swing weight58
- 74Twist weight62
- 68Launch angle42
- 60Plow through66
- 90Softness90
Engage Encore Pro EX vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Engage Encore Pro EX | Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $130 — better | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 — better | 79.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14.3 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 100 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 6 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 15.75 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Fiberglass composite | Textured graphite |
| Core material | Control core | Patented Poly Core II |
Engage Encore Pro EX verdict
A soft, light, extremely forgiving paddle that has quietly become the default recommendation for players over 60.
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro verdict
The paddle a generation of control players learned on, and still one of the quietest, most predictable graphite faces made. It will not out-hit a thermoformed paddle, but it will not surprise you either.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is launch angle: Engage Encore Pro EX scores 68 against 42 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro — a 26-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, pop, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Engage Encore Pro EX is $20 cheaper at $130.
Launch angle
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 26 points (68 vs 42).
Twist weight
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 12 points (74 vs 62).
Sweet spot
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 10 points (90 vs 80).
Swing weight
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro leads by 8 points (58 vs 50).
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
Engage Encore Pro EX
Engage Encore Pro EX is the clearer pick at this level — sweet spot 90 vs 80, twist weight 74 vs 62, forgiveness 89 vs 82. Twist weight 5.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.1 vs 83.8 on the weighted index). Take Engage Encore Pro EX and keep the $20.
- Control
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 66 vs 60, touch 92 vs 86, control 93 vs 88. Swing weight 100 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Engage Encore Pro EX
Engage Encore Pro EX is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 74 vs 62, forgiveness 89 vs 82. Its 16 mm Control core core at 7.8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Engage Encore Pro EX
Take Engage Encore Pro EX if you want launch angle (+26), twist weight (+12), sweet spot (+10). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Encore Pro EX review →Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro if you want swing weight (+8), touch (+6), plow through (+6). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 14.3 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro review →Engage Encore Pro EX vs Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- Engage Encore Pro EX carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.9 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 26 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 105 for Engage Encore Pro EX. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro?
- Engage Encore Pro EX measures 70 on power against 70 for Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. That comes from a 16 mm Control core core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro at 93 versus 88. Its 14.3 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?
- Engage Encore Pro EX scores 74 for spin off its Fiberglass composite face, against 74 for the Textured graphite face on Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, with 6 twist weight against 5.9. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Engage Encore Pro EX carries the higher forgiveness score (89) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Engage Encore Pro EX costs $130, $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 Encore Pro EX: 16 mm Control core core with a Fiberglass composite face. Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro: 14.3 mm Patented Poly Core II core with a Textured graphite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro, at 5.25 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Engage Encore Pro EX is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Engage Encore Pro EX rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Engage Encore Pro EX at 7.8 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 100) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro to the Engage Encore Pro EX?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Encore Pro EX leads on launch angle by 26 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $130 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Encore Pro EX vs Essentials 16
- Encore Pro EX vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Encore Pro EX vs Prism Flash
- Encore Pro EX vs Tempest Wave V3
- Tempest Wave Pro vs BALLR+ 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Coral Hybrid 16
- Tempest Wave Pro vs Tempest Wave V3
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Engage Encore Pro EX and Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.