Engage Encore Pro EX vs ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight 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
- 70Power72
- 88Control90
- 74Spin86
- 89Forgiveness88
- 90Sweet spot88
- 80Stability78
- 84Maneuverability92
- 66Pop74
- 86Touch90
- 85Consistency86
- 50Swing weight52
- 74Twist weight74
- 68Launch angle60
- 60Plow through64
- 90Softness90
Specs
| $130 | Price | $200 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 7.8 oz | Weight | 7.5 oz |
| 105 | Swing weight | 103 |
| 5.9 | Twist weight | 6 |
| standard | Shape | standard |
| Fiberglass composite | Surface | Carbon with Diamond Frost texture |
| 5 in | Handle | 5 in |
Engage Encore Pro EX verdict
A soft, light, extremely forgiving paddle that has quietly become the default recommendation for players over 60.
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight verdict
The arm-comfort paddle. ProKennex's Kinetic mass system and the light 7.5 oz build make this the paddle we point players toward when elbow or shoulder pain is the limiting factor, not skill.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight scores 86 against 74 for Engage Encore Pro EX — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Engage Encore Pro EX is $70 cheaper at $130.
Spin
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
Maneuverability
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 8 points (92 vs 84).
Pop
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 8 points (74 vs 66).
Launch angle
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 8 points (68 vs 60).
Which one should you buy?
Engage Encore Pro EX
Take Engage Encore Pro EX if you want launch angle (+8). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Encore Pro EX review →ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
Take ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight if you want spin (+12), maneuverability (+8), pop (+8). Its swing weight of 103 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight review →Engage Encore Pro EX vs ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.5 vs 80.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight, at 103 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 ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight measures 72 on power against 70 for Engage Encore Pro EX. That comes from a 14 mm Cloud Cell poly honeycomb with Kinetic mass system core swinging at 103 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight at 90 versus 88. Its 14 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?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight scores 86 for spin off its Carbon with Diamond Frost texture face, against 74 for the Fiberglass composite face on Engage Encore Pro EX. In practice a 12-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight, 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, $70 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. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight: 14 mm Cloud Cell poly honeycomb with Kinetic mass system core with a Carbon with Diamond Frost texture face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, at 5 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. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight at 7.5 oz against 7.8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (103 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Encore Pro EX to the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads on spin by 12 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $130 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
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- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Prism Flash
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Engage Encore Pro EX and ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.