Engage Encore Pro EX vs Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 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 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16, which costs $140.
Power
86 vs 70
Spin
88 vs 74
Control
88 vs 84
Forgiveness
89 vs 84
Hand speed
105 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$130 at IQ 80.9 vs $140 at IQ 83.7
Overall pick: Engage Encore Pro EX · $130 · IQ 80.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power86
- 88Control84
- 74Spin88
- 89Forgiveness84
- 90Sweet spot84
- 80Stability84
- 84Maneuverability80
- 66Pop84
- 86Touch80
- 85Consistency84
- 50Swing weight70
- 74Twist weight80
- 68Launch angle54
- 60Plow through82
- 90Softness74
Engage Encore Pro EX vs Vatic Pro V7 Pro 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 V7 Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $130 — better | $140 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.9 | 83.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.9 | 6.6 — 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 | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Control core | Thermoformed 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 V7 Pro 16 verdict
The standard-shape sibling to the Prism Flash. Same face, wider body — a better first thermoformed paddle for players who miss the middle.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is plow through: Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 scores 82 against 60 for Engage Encore Pro EX — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($130 vs $140) that it should not break the tie.
Plow through
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads by 22 points (82 vs 60).
Swing weight
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads by 20 points (70 vs 50).
Pop
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads by 18 points (84 vs 66).
Power
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads by 16 points (86 vs 70).
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 83.4 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5 in on the Encore Pro EX, 5.25 in on the V7 Pro 16.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.1 vs 83.7 on the weighted index). Pick on handle length — 5 in on the Encore Pro EX, 5.25 in on the V7 Pro 16.
- Spin
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16
Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 is the clearer pick at this level — plow through 82 vs 60, power 86 vs 70, spin 88 vs 74. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Engage Encore Pro EX
Engage Encore Pro EX is the clearer pick at this level — softness 90 vs 74, forgiveness 89 vs 84. Its 16 mm Control core at 7.8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Engage Encore Pro EX
Take Engage Encore Pro EX if you want softness (+16), launch angle (+14), sweet spot (+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 V7 Pro 16
Take Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 if you want plow through (+22), swing weight (+20), pop (+18). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 review →Engage Encore Pro EX vs Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Encore Pro EX or the Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.7 vs 80.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Vatic Pro V7 Pro 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 V7 Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 scores 86 for power against 70 for Engage Encore Pro EX. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Engage Encore Pro EX at 88 versus 84. 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 V7 Pro 16 scores 88 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 74 for the Fiberglass composite face on Engage Encore Pro EX. In practice a 14-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 84). Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.6 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?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Engage Encore Pro EX: 16 mm Control core with a Fiberglass composite face. Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16, 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. Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 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 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Encore Pro EX to the Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16 leads on plow through by 22 points; everything else is within 20 points. At $130 vs $140, 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 Vatic Pro V7 Pro 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.