Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
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 and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta, which costs $250.
Power
Too close to call
82 vs 80
Spin
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Control
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Forgiveness
88 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
114 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$220 at IQ 85.9 vs $250 at IQ 85.6
Overall pick: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 · $220 · IQ 85.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power80
- 90Control92
- 86Spin88
- 88Forgiveness84
- 88Sweet spot84
- 86Stability88
- 76Maneuverability74
- 74Pop76
- 90Touch92
- 90Consistency90
- 72Swing weight74
- 84Twist weight82
- 46Launch angle46
- 82Plow through84
- 86Softness86
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta 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 | Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 — better | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 85.9 — better | 85.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 114 |
| 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 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite | Florek carbon fiber |
| Core material | Control Pro Black core | X5 polypropylene 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.
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta verdict
The Invikta shape of Selkirk's control flagship. Control 92 and touch 92 with elongated reach — the trade is a 114 swing weight that punishes late hands.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 scores 88 against 84 for Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 is $30 cheaper at $220.
Forgiveness
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
Sweet spot
Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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 (85.8 vs 87.5 on the weighted index). Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and keep the $30.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.4 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and keep the $30.
- Forgiveness
- Maneuverability
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.1 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and keep the $30.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.7 vs 86.2 on the weighted index). Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and keep the $30.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta if you prefer a 16 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core — it gives up nothing measurable to Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16.
Read the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta review →Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16
Take Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 if you want forgiveness (+4), sweet spot (+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 →Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta or the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.9 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 114 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta or the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 scores 82 for power against 80 for Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. 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?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta at 92 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?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta scores 88 for spin off its Florek carbon fiber 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?
- 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?
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 costs $220, $30 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?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta: 16 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a Florek carbon fiber face. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16: 16 mm Control Pro Black core with a Textured graphite 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. Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta at 8.2 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight is identical at 114 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta to the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 leads on forgiveness by 4 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $250 vs $220, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Model E Max V3
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Bantam ALW-C 14
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Quartz Hybrid 16
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Magnus 3S 16
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs 2X TruFoam Genesis
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs 2X TruFoam Genesis
- LUXX Control Air Invikta vs Perseus CFS 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 and Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.