Engage Encore Pro EX vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and value on Paddle DNA against the Engage Encore Pro EX, which costs $130.
Power
78 vs 70
Spin
86 vs 74
Control
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Forgiveness
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Hand speed
Too close to call
105 vs 106 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$110 at IQ 84.8 vs $130 at IQ 80.9
Overall pick: Vatic Pro Atlas 16 · $110 · IQ 84.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power78
- 88Control88
- 74Spin86
- 89Forgiveness90
- 90Sweet spot90
- 80Stability84
- 84Maneuverability82
- 66Pop74
- 86Touch86
- 85Consistency88
- 50Swing weight66
- 74Twist weight80
- 68Launch angle48
- 60Plow through74
- 90Softness82
Engage Encore Pro EX vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Engage Encore Pro EX | Vatic Pro Atlas 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $130 | $110 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 | 84.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 106 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Fiberglass composite | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Control core | Polypropylene honeycomb |
Engage Encore Pro EX verdict
A soft, light, extremely forgiving paddle that has quietly become the default recommendation for players over 60.
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 verdict
The most forgiving paddle Vatic has shipped and still under $120. Sweet spot 90 and forgiveness 90 in an 8.1 in widebody is the profile most improving players actually need.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is launch angle: Engage Encore Pro EX scores 68 against 48 for Vatic Pro Atlas 16 — a 20-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, maneuverability, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is $20 cheaper at $110.
Launch angle
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 20 points (68 vs 48).
Swing weight
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 16 points (66 vs 50).
Plow through
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 14 points (74 vs 60).
Spin
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
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
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 80 vs 74, stability 84 vs 80, consistency 88 vs 85. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 86 vs 74, power 78 vs 70, consistency 88 vs 85. At 106 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Power
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 86 vs 74, plow through 74 vs 60, power 78 vs 70. Swing weight 106 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Power
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 — softness 90 vs 82. Its 16 mm Control core at 7.8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Engage Encore Pro EX
Take Engage Encore Pro EX if you want launch angle (+20), softness (+8). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Encore Pro EX review →Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 if you want swing weight (+16), plow through (+14), spin (+12). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Atlas 16 review →Engage Encore Pro EX vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.8 vs 80.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 20 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 106 for Vatic Pro Atlas 16. 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 Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 scores 78 for power against 70 for Engage Encore Pro EX. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 106 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 scores 86 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon 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?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 89). Its 6.7 twist weight against 5.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 costs $110, $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. Vatic Pro Atlas 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon 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?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 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 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 106) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Encore Pro EX to the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Encore Pro EX leads on launch angle by 20 points; everything else is within 16 points. At $130 vs $110, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: Engage Encore Pro EX and Vatic Pro Atlas 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.