Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0, which costs $230.
Power
Too close to call
82 vs 82
Spin
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Forgiveness
88 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
113 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$220 at IQ 85.9 vs $230 at IQ 84.4
Overall pick: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 · $220 · IQ 85.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power82
- 90Control90
- 86Spin89
- 88Forgiveness84
- 88Sweet spot86
- 86Stability82
- 76Maneuverability76
- 74Pop76
- 90Touch88
- 90Consistency86
- 72Swing weight70
- 84Twist weight80
- 46Launch angle50
- 82Plow through80
- 86Softness80
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 | Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 — better | $230 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.9 — better | 84.4 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite | Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit |
| Core material | Control Pro Black core | Specialized polymer honeycomb |
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 verdict
Engage's soft-core philosophy taken to its logical end. Launch angle 46 is the lowest in the database — the ball simply does not pop up off resets.
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 verdict
Engage's most balanced Pursuit yet. The Omni grit face holds spin longer into a paddle's life than most raw carbon, which matters more than peak-day RPM numbers.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 scores 86 against 80 for Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, sweet spot, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($220 vs $230) that it should not break the tie.
Softness
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Forgiveness
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
Stability
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
Consistency
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
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 Pursuit Pro EX 16
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 84, stability 86 vs 82, twist weight 84 vs 80. Twist weight 6.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Stability
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.6 vs 85 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 8.3 oz on the Pursuit Pro EX 16, 8.2 oz on the Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0.
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 8.3 oz on the Pursuit Pro EX 16, 8.2 oz on the Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0.
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 86 vs 80, forgiveness 88 vs 84, twist weight 84 vs 80. Its 16 mm Control Pro Black core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 if you want softness (+6), forgiveness (+4), stability (+4). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 review →Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
Take Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 if you want launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 review →Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 or the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 84.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0, at 113 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 or the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 82 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 scores 89 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit face, against 86 for the Textured graphite face on Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 84). Its 6.8 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- 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 Pursuit Pro EX 16: 16 mm Control Pro Black core with a Textured graphite face. Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0: 16 mm Specialized polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 at 8.2 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113 vs 114) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 to the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads on softness by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $220 vs $230, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.