Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power81
- 82Control86
- 90Spin90
- 70Forgiveness72
- 68Sweet spot70
- 73Stability70
- 76Maneuverability83
- 79Pop76
- 85Touch88
- 75Consistency76
- 69Swing weight64
- 59Twist weight56
- 51Launch angle49
- 79Plow through73
- 82Softness85
Specs
| $80 | Price | $250 |
|---|---|---|
| 12.7 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 8.25 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 112 | Swing weight | 109 |
| 5.9 | Twist weight | 5.8 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber | Surface | Charged Carbon Surface Technology |
| 5.75 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 verdict
A thin 12.7 mm elongated build with a soft Control Pro core — an unusual pairing that produces quick hands and a low launch instead of the usual thin-core pop.
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 verdict
Gen 4 propulsion core in the thinner 14 mm shell. You get the Pro IV's spin and pop without the swing weight that slows the 16 mm version in fast exchanges.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 scores 83 against 76 for Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 — a 7-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, pop, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 is $170 cheaper at $80.
Maneuverability
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads by 7 points (83 vs 76).
Plow through
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads by 6 points (79 vs 73).
Swing weight
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads by 5 points (69 vs 64).
Power
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 leads by 4 points (85 vs 81).
Which one should you buy?
Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7
Take Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 if you want plow through (+6), swing weight (+5), power (+4). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 12.7 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 if you want maneuverability (+7), control (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 review →Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (77.5 vs 77), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads by 7 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14, at 109 kg·cm² swing weight against 112 for Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14?
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 measures 85 on power against 81 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14. That comes from a 12.7 mm Control Pro Black Polymer Core core swinging at 112 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 at 86 versus 82. Its 14 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 Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 scores 90 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber face, against 90 for the Charged Carbon Surface Technology face on JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7, with 5.9 twist weight against 5.8. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 carries the higher forgiveness score (72) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 costs $80, $170 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?
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7: 12.7 mm Control Pro Black Polymer Core core with a Raw Toray T700 Carbon Fiber face. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14: 14 mm Propulsion Core core with a Charged Carbon Surface Technology face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7, at 5.75 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 72 and sweet spot 70 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 at 8 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 112) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads on maneuverability by 7 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $80 vs $250, 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.
- Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 vs Signature 13
- Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 vs Perseus 14
- Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 vs Omni Elongated 16
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Perseus 14
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Signature 13
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Pro MX 12.7 and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.