Engage Encore Pro EX vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Engage Encore Pro EX takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Engage Encore Pro EX edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (80.9 vs 79.8), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
71 vs 70
Spin
84 vs 74
Control
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Forgiveness
89 vs 85
Hand speed
105 vs 109 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$74 at IQ 79.8 vs $130 at IQ 80.9
Overall pick: Engage Encore Pro EX · $130 · IQ 80.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power71
- 88Control86
- 74Spin84
- 89Forgiveness85
- 90Sweet spot82
- 80Stability78
- 84Maneuverability83
- 66Pop72
- 86Touch80
- 85Consistency83
- 50Swing weight48
- 74Twist weight72
- 68Launch angle62
- 60Plow through60
- 90Softness84
Engage Encore Pro EX vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash 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 Prism Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $130 | $74 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 — better | 79.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 6 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Fiberglass composite | Raw T700 carbon fiber |
| Core material | Control core | Polymer 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 Prism Flash verdict
Raw carbon spin numbers usually cost twice this much. The elongated shape is slightly less forgiving, so pick this only if you already make consistent contact.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Vatic Pro Prism Flash scores 84 against 74 for Engage Encore Pro EX — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on control, stability, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Prism Flash is $56 cheaper at $74.
Spin
Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Sweet spot
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Pop
Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads by 6 points (72 vs 66).
Touch
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
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 a narrow pick at this level — sweet spot 90 vs 82, forgiveness 89 vs 85, stability 80 vs 78. Twist weight 5.9 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.1 vs 82 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash and keep the $56.
- Touch
- Forgiveness
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (75.8 vs 76.8 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash and keep the $56.
- Spin
- 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 84, forgiveness 89 vs 85, twist weight 74 vs 72. Its 16 mm Control core at 7.8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Engage Encore Pro EX
Take Engage Encore Pro EX if you want sweet spot (+8), touch (+6), launch angle (+6). 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 Prism Flash
Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash if you want spin (+10), pop (+6). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Prism Flash review →Engage Encore Pro EX vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the Vatic Pro Prism Flash?
- 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 — spin — Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for Vatic Pro Prism Flash. 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 Prism Flash?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash scores 71 for power against 70 for Engage Encore Pro EX. That comes from a 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 109 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Engage Encore Pro EX at 88 versus 86. 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?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash scores 84 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon fiber face, against 74 for the Fiberglass composite face on Engage Encore Pro EX. In practice a 10-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 85). Vatic Pro Prism Flash 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?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash costs $74, $56 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 Prism Flash: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash, at 5.3 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. Vatic Pro Prism Flash 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 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Vatic Pro Prism Flash to the Engage Encore Pro EX?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads on spin by 10 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $130 vs $74, 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 Prism Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.