Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 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
- 82Power80
- 90Control88
- 89Spin86
- 84Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot86
- 82Stability84
- 76Maneuverability80
- 76Pop76
- 88Touch86
- 86Consistency86
- 70Swing weight70
- 80Twist weight80
- 50Launch angle50
- 80Plow through78
- 80Softness80
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 | Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $160 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.4 — better | 84.1 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 113 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.2 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Specialized polymer honeycomb | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb |
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.
Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 verdict
Holbrook's first genuinely competitive control paddle. The hybrid shape and 110 swing weight make it an easy switch from a standard build without losing kitchen-line speed.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 scores 80 against 76 for Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, power, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 is $70 cheaper at $160.
Maneuverability
Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 leads by 4 points (80 vs 76).
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 (84.3 vs 84.9 on the weighted index). Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and keep the $70.
- Forgiveness
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and keep the $70.
- Spin
- Control
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 82.9 on the weighted index). Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and keep the $70.
- Spin
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.1 vs 81.6 on the weighted index). Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and keep the $70.
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
Take Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16.
Read the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 review →Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16
Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 if you want maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 review →Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 or the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.4 vs 84.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 or the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 measures 82 on power against 80 for Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16. That comes from a 16 mm Specialized polymer honeycomb core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 at 90 versus 88. 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 Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 scores 89 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit face, against 86 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 costs $160, $70 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 Ultra MX 6.0: 16 mm Specialized polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber with Control Pro Omni grit face. Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.3 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 at 8 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 to the Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 leads on maneuverability by 4 points; everything else is within 3 points. At $230 vs $160, 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 Ultra MX 6.0 vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 vs Edge 18K V2
- Crush Control 16 vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Crush Control 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Crush Control 16 vs R3 Pulsar
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Engage Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0 and Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.