Engage Encore Pro EX vs ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (83.5 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
86 vs 74
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Forgiveness
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Hand speed
Too close to call
103 vs 105 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$130 at IQ 80.9 vs $200 at IQ 83.5
Overall pick: ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight · $200 · IQ 83.5
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
Engage Encore Pro EX vs ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Engage Encore Pro EX | ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $130 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 | 83.5 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.5 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 103 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 6 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 15.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4 |
| Surface | Fiberglass composite | Carbon with Diamond Frost texture |
| Core material | Control core | Cloud Cell poly honeycomb with Kinetic mass system |
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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, 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 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 84.2 on the weighted index). Take Engage Encore Pro EX and keep the $70.
- Sweet spot
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight is a narrow pick at this level — spin 86 vs 74, maneuverability 92 vs 84, touch 90 vs 86. At 103 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight is the clearer pick at this level — spin 86 vs 74, maneuverability 92 vs 84, plow through 64 vs 60. Swing weight 103 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.8 vs 86.5 on the weighted index). Take Engage Encore Pro EX and keep the $70.
- Forgiveness
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 scores 72 for 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?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 88). ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight actually carries the higher twist weight (6 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, $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 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5 in handle, short enough that either forces the bottom hand up 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 less stable 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.
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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.