Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16

Who should buy the Pursuit Pro EX 16?

Most compared with the Pursuit Pro EX 16

The matchups people actually cross-shop, each with a full 15-trait breakdown.

• Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Six Zero Double Black Diamond ControlIn depthIn-depth head-to-head
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Model E Max V3Cross-shopped at the same price
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0Same brand, more control
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Pursuit MX 6.0Same brand, more control
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Bantam ALW-C 14Cross-shopped at the same price
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Radius CGS 16Cross-shopped at the same price
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Quartz Hybrid 16$40 cheaper
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Magnus 3S 16Cross-shopped at the same price
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Vanguard 2.0 Invikta$40 cheaper

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Pursuit Pro EX 16

Our similarity engine ranks the whole database by average DNA deviation. Tighten or widen the band to see how far you have to travel to save money or gain a trait.

Paddle DNA™ match

Match tolerance

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Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16

IQ 85.9 · $220

8 paddles within 5% of the Pursuit Pro EX 16

Ranked by DNA deviation

1. #1Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control V2$170 (-50) · 16 mm · standardDNA match98.4%85
   -6 softness-4 plow through-2 power+2 spin

   Saves $50 versus the Pursuit Pro EX 16 · -6 softness

   CompareFull DNA
2. #2Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta$250 (+30) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match98.1%86
   -4 forgiveness-4 sweet spot-2 power+2 control

   -4 forgiveness

   CompareFull DNA
3. #3Engage Pursuit MX 6.0$220 · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match98.1%85
   +7 launch angle-4 power-4 maneuverability-3 pop

   +7 launch angle · -4 power

   CompareFull DNA
4. #4CRBN 2X TruFoam Genesis$260 (+40) · 16 mm · widebodyDNA match98%88
   +4 spin+4 pop+2 power+2 control

   +4 spin · Higher IQ score (87.9 vs 85.9)

   CompareFull DNA
5. #5Six Zero Quartz Hybrid 16$180 (-40) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match98%86
   +6 maneuverability-6 swing weight-4 twist weight-4 plow through

   Saves $40 versus the Pursuit Pro EX 16 · +6 maneuverability · -6 swing weight

   CompareFull DNA
6. #6Electrum Model E Max V3$200 (-20) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.9%85
   -8 softness+6 swing weight-4 maneuverability-4 touch

   Saves $20 versus the Pursuit Pro EX 16 · +6 swing weight · -8 softness

   CompareFull DNA
7. #7JOOLA Radius CGS 16$230 (+10) · 16 mm · widebodyDNA match97.7%86
   +4 sweet spot-4 swing weight+4 launch angle-4 plow through

   +4 sweet spot · -4 swing weight · Higher IQ score (86.1 vs 85.9)

   CompareFull DNA
8. #8JOOLA Vision CGS 16$180 (-40) · 16 mm · standardDNA match97.6%85
   +6 maneuverability-6 swing weight-6 plow through-4 power

   Saves $40 versus the Pursuit Pro EX 16 · +6 maneuverability · -6 swing weight

   CompareFull DNA

Best alternatives to the Pursuit Pro EX 16

Each pick beats the Pursuit Pro EX 16 on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs V-Sol Pro 16
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
• Pursuit Pro EX 16 vs Perseus Pro V 16

Pursuit Pro EX 16 — frequently asked questions

Is the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 good for beginners?

Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 88/100 and the paddle is tuned for intermediate/advanced play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.

Is the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 worth the price?

At $220 it sits in the 65th percentile of the database for cost and the 77th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at $99 is the value alternative we point people to.

How does the Pursuit Pro EX 16 compare to the Double Black Diamond Control V2?

They are close on DNA. The Pursuit Pro EX 16 reads power 82 / control 90 / spin 86 against 80 / 90 / 88 for the Double Black Diamond Control V2, at $220 versus $170. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.

Is the 16 mm better than the 14 mm version?

A 16 mm core has longer dwell time, which is what produces softer resets and more repeatable placement. The 14 mm build trades that dwell for a faster, poppier response off the face. Control players take 16 mm; players who want the ball gone quickly take 14 mm.

Is the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 16 approved for tournament play?

Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. Engage submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Pursuit Pro EX 16 build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the Pursuit Pro EX 16 have good spin?

Spin scores 86/100 — the 27th percentile of our database (below the database average) — off a Textured graphite face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.

Is the Pursuit Pro EX 16 head heavy?

Swing weight is 114 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.8. That is mid-range: balanced enough that most players will not describe it as head heavy. Static weight is 8.3 oz.

Does the Pursuit Pro EX 16 benefit from lead tape?

It already swings at 114 kg·cm², so adding weight at 12 o'clock will make it sluggish. If you customise, keep it to a few grams at 3 and 9 o'clock for stability. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.

What is the best overgrip for the Pursuit Pro EX 16?

The stock handle is 5.5 in long with a 4.25 in circumference. A thin tacky overgrip adds roughly 1/16 in of circumference and a few grams above the balance point — the cheapest way to fine-tune fit. If your hand is larger than the 4.25 in stock size, build up with an under-wrap first rather than stacking overgrips.

What should I replace the Pursuit Pro EX 16 with when it wears out?

Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Pursuit Pro EX 16; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 90) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 82).

Who is the Pursuit Pro EX 16 best for?

Soft-game specialists and dinkers. Skill levels we would put on it: intermediate, advanced. Handle length of 5.5 in supports a two-handed backhand.

What shape and size is the Pursuit Pro EX 16?

elongated shape, 16.5 in long by 7.4 in wide, 16 mm Control Pro Black core, Textured graphite face, 8.3 oz. Released 2026.

Is the Pursuit Pro EX 16 good for two-handed backhands?

Yes — the 5.5 in handle gives your top hand a full grip rather than riding the throat.

Pursuit Pro EX 16 or Pursuit MX 6.0?

Both are Engage. The Pursuit Pro EX 16 reads IQ 85.9 at $220; the Pursuit MX 6.0 reads IQ 85.2 at $220. The clearest split is power (82 vs 78).

How does PickleballLookup score the Pursuit Pro EX 16?

The IQ score of 85.9 is a weighted composite of the 15 Paddle DNA traits, normalized across every paddle in the database so the number means the same thing on any page. Performance traits carry the most weight; descriptive traits like swing weight carry none. Full methodology is published.