Engage Encore Pro EX vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (82.9 vs 80.9), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
72 vs 70
Spin
80 vs 74
Control
92 vs 88
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Hand speed
105 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$130 at IQ 80.9 vs $150 at IQ 82.9
Overall pick: Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 · $150 · IQ 82.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power72
- 88Control92
- 74Spin80
- 89Forgiveness86
- 90Sweet spot87
- 80Stability82
- 84Maneuverability81
- 66Pop68
- 86Touch91
- 85Consistency89
- 50Swing weight56
- 74Twist weight76
- 68Launch angle58
- 60Plow through66
- 90Softness88
Engage Encore Pro EX vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 specs
Every 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 V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $130 — better | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 | 82.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 6.1 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Fiberglass composite | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Control core | Tempest control core |
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 V3 verdict
The reference control paddle for players who do not want the weight of a 20 mm build. Touch scores trail only the Luxx.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is launch angle: Engage Encore Pro EX scores 68 against 58 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, maneuverability, 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 10 points (68 vs 58).
Spin
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
Swing weight
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 6 points (56 vs 50).
Plow through
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 6 points (66 vs 60).
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 (84.8 vs 85 on the weighted index). Take Engage Encore Pro EX and keep the $20.
- Consistency
- Stability
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 80 vs 74, control 92 vs 88, touch 91 vs 86. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 80 vs 74, plow through 66 vs 60, touch 91 vs 86. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.8 vs 85.3 on the weighted index). Take Engage Encore Pro EX and keep the $20.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Engage Encore Pro EX
Take Engage Encore Pro EX if you want launch angle (+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 V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want spin (+6), swing weight (+6), plow through (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 review →Engage Encore Pro EX vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.9 vs 80.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. 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 V3?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 scores 72 for power against 70 for Engage Encore Pro EX. That comes from a 16 mm Tempest control core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 at 92 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?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 scores 80 for spin off its Textured carbon face, against 74 for the Fiberglass composite face on Engage Encore Pro EX. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 86). Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.1 vs 5.9), but Engage Encore Pro EX makes it back on sweet spot (90) and overall face stability.
- 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 with a Fiberglass composite face. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3: 16 mm Tempest control core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, 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. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable 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 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Encore Pro EX to the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Encore Pro EX leads on launch angle by 10 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $130 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Engage Encore Pro EX and Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.