Engage Encore Pro EX vs VERSIX Strike 4F
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Engage Encore Pro EX 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
- 70Power66
- 88Control72
- 74Spin52
- 89Forgiveness80
- 90Sweet spot78
- 80Stability62
- 84Maneuverability94
- 66Pop84
- 86Touch70
- 85Consistency70
- 50Swing weight40
- 74Twist weight60
- 68Launch angle72
- 60Plow through48
- 90Softness72
Specs
| $130 | Price | $15 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 10 mm |
| 7.8 oz | Weight | 7.3 oz |
| 105 | Swing weight | 96 |
| 5.9 | Twist weight | 5.4 |
| standard | Shape | standard |
| Fiberglass composite | Surface | Glass fiber composite |
| 5 in | Handle | 5.1 in |
Engage Encore Pro EX verdict
A soft, light, extremely forgiving paddle that has quietly become the default recommendation for players over 60.
VERSIX Strike 4F verdict
At $15 this is a loaner-bin paddle done properly: light, poppy and durable enough for a season of open play. Nobody should keep playing with it once they can consistently dink.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: Engage Encore Pro EX scores 74 against 52 for VERSIX Strike 4F — a 22-point gap. VERSIX Strike 4F is $115 cheaper at $15.
Spin
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 22 points (74 vs 52).
Stability
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 18 points (80 vs 62).
Pop
VERSIX Strike 4F leads by 18 points (84 vs 66).
Softness
Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 18 points (90 vs 72).
Which one should you buy?
VERSIX Strike 4F
Take VERSIX Strike 4F if you want pop (+18), maneuverability (+10), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 96 kg·cm² and 10 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the VERSIX Strike 4F review →Engage Encore Pro EX
Take Engage Encore Pro EX if you want spin (+22), stability (+18), softness (+18). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Encore Pro EX review →VERSIX Strike 4F vs Engage Encore Pro EX FAQ
- Which is better, the VERSIX Strike 4F or the Engage Encore Pro EX?
- Engage Encore Pro EX carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.9 vs 69.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Engage Encore Pro EX leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- VERSIX Strike 4F, at 96 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 VERSIX Strike 4F or the Engage Encore Pro EX?
- Engage Encore Pro EX measures 70 on power against 66 for VERSIX Strike 4F. That comes from a 16 mm Control core core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Engage Encore Pro EX at 88 versus 72. 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?
- Engage Encore Pro EX scores 74 for spin off its Fiberglass composite face, against 52 for the Glass fiber composite face on VERSIX Strike 4F. In practice a 22-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Engage Encore Pro EX, with 5.9 twist weight against 5.4. 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?
- VERSIX Strike 4F costs $15, $115 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?
- VERSIX Strike 4F: 10 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Glass fiber composite face. Engage Encore Pro EX: 16 mm Control core core with a Fiberglass composite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- VERSIX Strike 4F, at 5.1 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. Engage Encore Pro EX rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- VERSIX Strike 4F at 7.3 oz against 7.8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (96 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the VERSIX Strike 4F to the Engage Encore Pro EX?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Encore Pro EX leads on spin by 22 points; everything else is within 18 points. At $15 vs $130, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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Read the full reviews: Engage Encore Pro EX and VERSIX Strike 4F. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.