Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Radius CGS 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, which costs $220.
Power
Too close to call
82 vs 79
Spin
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Control
Too close to call
91 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Hand speed
108 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$220 at IQ 85.9 vs $230 at IQ 86.1
Overall pick: JOOLA Radius CGS 16 · $230 · IQ 86.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power79
- 90Control91
- 86Spin88
- 88Forgiveness90
- 88Sweet spot92
- 86Stability86
- 76Maneuverability78
- 74Pop74
- 90Touch89
- 90Consistency88
- 72Swing weight68
- 84Twist weight82
- 46Launch angle50
- 82Plow through78
- 86Softness82
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16 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 | JOOLA Radius CGS 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 — better | $230 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.9 | 86.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| Shape | elongated | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite | Charged Surface Technology carbon |
| Core material | Control Pro Black core | Reactive Polymer Core |
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.
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 verdict
JOOLA's widebody answer to the elongated arms race. The extra face width buys one of the largest sweet-spot scores in the lineup, and the twist weight is high enough that mishits still come back deep.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is sweet spot: JOOLA Radius CGS 16 scores 92 against 88 for Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($220 vs $230) that it should not break the tie.
Sweet spot
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 4 points (92 vs 88).
Swing weight
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (72 vs 68).
Launch angle
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 4 points (50 vs 46).
Plow through
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (82 vs 78).
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 (87.5 vs 88.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Pursuit Pro EX 16, widebody on the Radius CGS 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 (85.6 vs 86 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Pursuit Pro EX 16, widebody on the Radius CGS 16.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 83.8 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Pursuit Pro EX 16, widebody on the Radius CGS 16.
- Plow through
- Power
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 82, twist weight 84 vs 82. Its 16 mm Control Pro Black core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 if you want swing weight (+4), plow through (+4), softness (+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 →JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Take JOOLA Radius CGS 16 if you want sweet spot (+4), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 review →Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 or the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.1 vs 85.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — sweet spot — JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, at 108 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 JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 scores 82 for power against 79 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16. That comes from a 16 mm Control Pro Black core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 at 91 versus 90. 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?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 scores 88 for spin off its Charged Surface Technology carbon face, against 86 for the Textured graphite face on Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, with the higher forgiveness score (90 vs 88). Twist weight is identical at 6.8, so the gap comes from sweet-spot size and face stability rather than resistance to twisting.
- 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. JOOLA Radius CGS 16: 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core with a Charged Surface Technology carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 114) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 to the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads on sweet spot by 4 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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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and JOOLA Radius CGS 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.