The short answer
The Pursuit Pro1 Elongated 12.7 mm is the thinner-core raw-carbon Pro1, a core Engage says it is phasing out; the Pursuit Pro1 Elongated 15.2 mm is the same paddle with the thicker core, and the closest match to the paddle Pickleheads tested; the Encore 16mm is the lower-priced fiberglass paddle, though we found no USA Pickleball list entry naming it.
Our Top Picks
Engage’s paddle store lists 18 paddles. Three are picks here: the elongated Pursuit Pro1 in both of its core thicknesses, and the Encore 16mm. Each was in stock as a new Amazon offer at or below Engage’s regular price on November 9, 2026. Engage’s other paddles were sold out, on pre-order or missing on Amazon that day, or are already picks on our other guides.
Find the Engage paddle for how you play
Pick how you play and what you want to spend. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the 3 paddles below, not a test result.
Compare the 3 Engage paddles
Engage’s figures for the linked version. USA Pickleball approval: the approved-list entry and date added, where the list shows one, checked November 9, 2026.
Pursuit Pro1 Elongated 12.7Elongated, 12.7 mm CorePower, elongated12.7 mm MachPro polymer8.0 oz average$129.99
Evidence: Pickleheads, Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated (5/8 in core, #2), not this 12.7 mm core
Pursuit Pro1 Elongated 15.2Same Series, 15.2 mm CorePower and control, elongated15.2 mm MachPro polymer8.0 oz average$103.99
Evidence: Pickleheads, Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated, standard weight (2024), a name Engage's current page does not use
Encore 16mmLower-Priced FiberglassNewer players, control, standard shape16 mm E3+ polymer honeycomb8.0 oz average$59.99
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Engage’s Paddle Lines, Faces and Warranty
Engage’s compare page groups its current paddles by generation: the X3 Pro and X2 as “Gen 4”, the Axiom and Pursuit Pro2 as “Gen 3”, and the Pursuit Pro1, Pursuit Pro, Pursuit V2.0 and Encore as “Gen 1”. It also rates power and control on its own 1-10 scale: Engage’s ratings, not test results.
Face material and cores. The two Pro1 picks have what Engage calls “Raw Carbon Fiber with Next Generation Inner Application Layer” over a “MachPro Polymer Core”. The Encore has an “Amplified Textured Fiberglass Face” over the E3+ polymer core, which Engage describes as its honeycomb core technology. The newer X2 has a quad-density foam core; the Axiom and X3 Pro have Engage’s Durable Grit carbon surface.
Approvals. Engage’s spec blocks list three approvals separately: “USAP Certified”, “UPA-A Certified” and “PBCoR .43 Approved”. All three picks read Yes, No and Yes. The USA Pickleball list is the record for sanctioned play, so each review gives the list entry we found and any date added.
Warranty. Engage’s warranty page says: “Engage Pickleball paddles have a Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturer defects and workmanship for the life of the paddle.” It adds: “All Engage Pickleball paddles must be registered to be eligible for the warranty policy.” Paddles bought directly from Engage’s sites are registered automatically; for the rest, the page says: “If you purchased your paddle via an Authorized Dealer or Online Portal (aka Amazon) you must register your paddle(registration is required to have your paddle covered by our warranty policy).” Engage asks for registration within the first 30 days and proof of purchase, and says: “Warranty is non-transferable and only valid to the original purchaser.” Among the cases Engage lists as not covered is “Buying from a non authorized Engage dealer”, though the page asks buyers to contact Engage anyway. On November 9, #1 was sold by Engage Pickleball’s own Amazon storefront; #2 and #3 by Great Call Athletics, a third-party seller. Engage’s site names no dealers, so we could not confirm whether Great Call Athletics is an authorized one.
Related guide: Best Pink Pickleball Paddles (2026): 6 Picks in Pink, Rose and Coral
Related guide: 4 Best Gamma Pickleball Paddles: Knockout, Airbender, Rainmaker
Not picks. The X2 Elongated and X2 Widebody were pre-order only on Amazon on November 9 (the Widebody is in our wide-body guide). We found no Amazon listing for the X3 Pro, the Axiom in 14 mm or the Pursuit Pro2. The Axiom Elongated 16mm is a pick in our singles guide, the Axiom Widebody 16mm in our sweet-spot guide, and the Pursuit Pro EX and MX in our under-$150 guide and 12mm guide. The Pro1 Innovation is sold out at Engage, and the Encore Pro was out of stock on Amazon. Other brands: our budget roundup and paddles under $100.
How We Picked Three Engage Paddles
How this guide was built
from Engage’s product, compare and warranty pages, the Amazon listings, the USA Pickleball approved list (November 9, 2026), Pickleheads’ review of the Pro1 and owner reports on Reddit; we have not tested these products ourselves.
What each paddle had to show
- A current paddle on engagepickleball.com, with Engage’s spec block for the core we link and no Engage statement that it is no longer eligible.
- A new Amazon offer, in stock, at or below Engage’s regular price, from a named seller.
- A USA Pickleball list check (no entry found for the Encore 16mm, stated in its review).
- At most one of the three already a pick on our other guides: the Encore 16mm is in our sweet-spot guide.
Sources and their ties and what Reddit owners say about Engage
Sources and their ties
Pickleheads earns affiliate commissions (“This article contains affiliate links from which we receive a small commission from sales of certain items.”) but does not sell the paddle. Two reviews lean on Pickleheads’ test of a Pro1 6.0 Elongated, one rests on Engage’s specs.
What Reddit owners say about Engage
Two Reddit threads rank for this search. In a June 2024 thread, the top reply called them good paddles but said their price is a lot for a paddle; other owners there wrote about the Pursuit MX and Pro1 (see review 1). In a February 2025 thread, one player wrote: “They are a little behind in technology these days but they make very good paddles with distinct cores.” A Pro1 owner there (shape not stated) wrote: “Small sweet spot but good combination of power, spin and for me, control.”
Detailed Reviews
Engage Pursuit Pro1 Elongated 12.7 mm, Elongated, 12.7 mm Core
Carbon Sky · 12.7 mm MachPro polymer
Players who want an elongated Engage paddle with the thinner core Engage rates for power and a quicker feel, and who accept that Engage is phasing it out.
$129.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 16:14 UTCVerdict
The thinner-core Pro1, rated for more power and less control than #2 on Engage’s own scale, in a core Engage says is being phased out.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. Pickleheads: Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated, standard weight.
Engage sells the Pursuit Pro1 Elongated 12.7 as a 16.5 x 7.5 in raw-carbon “Performance” paddle with a “Power & Balance” playing style. Its compare page rates it 8.5 for power and 7.0 for control and says: “Choose 15.2mm for greater stability and control; 12.7mm for a thinner, quicker feel. 12.7mm is being phased out.” The linked Amazon listing is Engage’s own, and its title names the elongated shape and the 12.7 mm core. Pickleheads tested the thicker 6.0 version (#2), not this core. In the June 2024 Reddit thread, when the Pro1 still came only in the elongated shape (Kitchen Pickle dates the widebody and hybrid shapes to February 2025), an owner wrote of the Pro1 (core not stated): “I have one and it plays with a ton of power and a light swing weight. Twist weight is pretty low, but as long as you’re not constantly catching the edge of your paddle it’s not bad.” The 15.2 mm core is #2.
Specs (Engage Pursuit Pro1 Elongated, 12.7 mm)
- Weight: 8.0 oz average (Engage)
- Core: 12.7 mm MachPro polymer (Engage)
- Face: raw carbon fiber with an inner application layer (Engage)
- Size: 16.5 x 7.5 in; grip length 5.875 in; grip circumference 4.25 in (Engage)
- Warranty: limited lifetime against manufacturer defects and workmanship, registration required (Engage)
- Approval: “Pursuit Pro1”, Status Pass, no date added shown (list depth .5 in)
Pros
- Elongated 16.5 x 7.5 in raw-carbon Pro1 with the 12.7 mm core Engage rates higher for power
Cons
- Engage says it is phasing out the 12.7 mm core
- No independent test of this core; Pickleheads tested the 6.0
Who should buy it
Players who want an elongated Engage paddle with the thinner core Engage rates for power and a quicker feel, and who accept that Engage is phasing it out.
Engage Pursuit Pro1 Elongated 15.2 mm, Same Series, 15.2 mm Core
Arctic Gold · 15.2 mm MachPro polymer
Players who want the elongated Pro1 with the core Engage rates even on power and control, and who can live with the bulky grip Pickleheads describes.
$103.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 16:14 UTCVerdict
Same series as #1, with the thicker core Engage rates as even on power and control.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. Pickleheads: Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated, standard weight.
The Pursuit Pro1 Elongated 15.2 shares #1’s shape, face, grip and spec block; Engage’s compare page rates it 8.0 for power and 8.0 for control. Engage lists the core as 15.2 mm, though Amazon’s photo for this listing shows the 12.7 mm Carbon Sky version. Engage’s second product page says: “Uniform Handle Circumference: With the introduction of the Pursuit Pro1, both the 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch paddle thicknesses feature a consistent 4 1/4 inch grip circumference.” Pickleheads lists “15.87 mm (0.625″)”, and the USA Pickleball “Pursuit Pro1 6.0” entry gives a 5/8 in depth. Pickleheads reviewed the “Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated” in its standard weight in September 2024. Engage’s page does not use the 6.0 name, so we grade that test as the same series. Pickleheads wrote: “Swing slow and you can easily land drops and dinks. Swing fast and the paddle becomes a new beast with lots of putaway power.” It also wrote: “The pop can be too much, making some of my drops and resets challenging. I find the 4.25” grip a bit bulky and uncomfortable.” In a June 2025 Reddit thread, a player who demoed the MX and the regular Pro1 wrote: “As a tennis player moving into pickleball, I prefer the 6.0 a lot more.” More for that reader: our picks for tennis players.
Specs (Engage Pursuit Pro1 Elongated, 15.2 mm)
- Weight: 8.0 oz average (Engage); Pickleheads: 8.0-8.3 oz (standard)
- Core: 15.2 mm MachPro polymer (Engage; Pickleheads: 15.87 mm)
- Face: raw carbon fiber with an inner application layer (Engage)
- Size: 16.5 x 7.5 in; grip length 5.875 in; grip circumference 4.25 in (Engage)
- Warranty: limited lifetime against manufacturer defects and workmanship, registration required (Engage)
- Approval: “Pursuit Pro1 6.0”, added 2024-03-19 (list depth 5/8 in)
Pros
- The Pro1 core Pickleheads tested, which it found easy to control at slow swings and powerful at fast ones
Cons
- Pickleheads found the pop too much at times and the 4.25 in grip bulky
- Same series as #1, same shape and grip
Who should buy it
Players who want the elongated Pro1 with the core Engage rates even on power and control, and who can live with the bulky grip Pickleheads describes.
Engage Encore 16mm, Lower-Priced Fiberglass
Azure Blue · 16 mm E3+ polymer honeycomb
Newer and recreational players who want a 16 x 8 in Engage paddle at the lower tier and do not need a USA Pickleball list entry naming it.
$59.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 16:14 UTCVerdict
The lower-priced pick, a 16 x 8 in fiberglass paddle Engage pitches at newer players; we found no USA Pickleball list entry naming it.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Engage (maker).
Engage places the Encore 16mm in what it calls its Enthusiast Line and gives it a “Recreational” paddle type and an “All Around Playability” playing style. Its compare page rates it 5.0 for power and 5.0 for control and says it is “For newer and recreational players who prioritize control, forgiveness, and consistency in an easy-to-play, value-focused paddle.” Engage describes the face as “A textured fiberglass surface engineered to deliver excellent touch, effortless power, and enhanced spin with a responsive, consistent feel.” Engage’s page says “USAP Certified: Yes”. We searched the USA Pickleball list for Encore, Encore 16, Encore 16mm and EN2 on November 9 and found no entry naming this paddle; the list’s plain “Encore” entry dates from 2015. We found no independent test of it. More paddles for newer players: our beginner paddle guide.
Related guide: 4 Best Gearbox Pickleball Paddles: CX14E, CX11Q, GBX Power
Specs (Engage Encore, 16 mm)
- Weight: 8.0 oz average (Engage)
- Core: 16 mm E3+ polymer, which Engage calls honeycomb core technology (Engage)
- Face: textured fiberglass (Engage)
- Size: 16 x 8 in; grip length 5 in; grip circumference 4.25 in (Engage)
- Warranty: limited lifetime against manufacturer defects and workmanship, registration required (Engage)
- Approval: no entry naming it found on November 9, 2026 (Engage’s page says USAP certified)
Pros
- Textured fiberglass face and 16 mm E3+ polymer honeycomb core on a 16 x 8 in standard shape, at the lower price tier
Cons
- No USA Pickleball list entry naming it found, though Engage says it is USAP certified
- No independent test of this paddle
Who should buy it
Newer and recreational players who want a 16 x 8 in Engage paddle at the lower tier and do not need a USA Pickleball list entry naming it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are Engage pickleball paddles worth it?
Owners disagree. In the February 2025 Reddit thread, one player wrote: “Their peak performance seems to be outmatched by more current paddles, but I really love the “feel” of the ones I’ve played with.” Another called them good paddles if bought at a discount, and said many lower-priced paddles now outperform them. Pickleheads gave the Pro1 6.0 Elongated five stars in 2024 and wrote: “It’s powerful enough for pros yet forgiving enough for intermediates, so it suits anyone above beginner level who is serious about advancing their game.”
Q. Should I choose the 12.7 mm or the 15.2 mm Pro1?
Engage’s compare page points to the 15.2 mm for stability and control and the 12.7 mm for a quicker feel, and is phasing the 12.7 mm out. Its ratings: 8.5 power and 7.0 control for the 12.7 mm, 8.0 and 8.0 for the 15.2 mm.
Q. Which Engage paddle suits beginners?
Engage pitches the Encore 16mm at newer and recreational players and rates it below the Pro1 on power and control. Its Pursuit V2.0, also pitched at newer players, was sold out at Engage’s store on November 9, and its Amazon offer was above Engage’s regular price. What to weigh first: our guide to what to look for in a beginner paddle.
Q. Are Engage paddles USA Pickleball approved?
Engage’s pages say all three picks are USAP certified. We found the Pro1 entries on the list (“Pursuit Pro1”, with no date added shown, and “Pursuit Pro1 6.0”, added March 19, 2024) but no entry naming the Encore 16mm. If you play sanctioned events, check the list for your exact model before you buy.
Q. Does Engage’s warranty cover a paddle bought on Amazon?
Engage’s warranty page says a paddle bought from an authorized dealer or online portal, Amazon included, must be registered, and lists “Buying from a non authorized Engage dealer” among the cases not covered. Engage names no dealers on its site, so register the paddle and keep the receipt. Low-vibration paddles from other makers: our vibration guide.
Final Verdict
Engage’s spec blocks for the two Pro1s differ only in core thickness; the Encore is the lower-priced, standard-shape choice with the approval gap stated above. Compare more makers in our best pickleball paddles roundup, or see our hub for pickleball paddles.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
