Engage Pickleball is a leading manufacturer of pickleball paddles, offering some of the best paddles for spin, such as our favorite – the Engage Encore Pro. The company also produces paddles for better power, control, and reach, ensuring that there is a perfect option for every player.
While Engage has a wide range of quality paddles, the only hard part is selecting the right one. Before buying a new paddle, learn more about this company and their lineup of products.
EngagePickleball is a US-based company that manufacturers pickleball paddles and sponsors the sport. All paddles are made in the USA and comply with the USAPA guidelines, ensuring that most of the available paddles are approved for USAPA-sanctioned tournaments.
As part of their commitment to quality, Engage thoroughly tests every paddle during the development process. They get feedback from players to improve their prototypes before finalizing the designs, resulting in exceptional products.
Engage stands behind the craftsmanship of their paddles. All paddles come with a lifetime warranty against defects and a five-year no dead spot guarantee.
Here is everything you should know about this company, including reviews for the latest Engage Pickleball paddles.
Current Lineup of Engage Pickleball Paddles
As mentioned, Engage has quite a few different paddles, with options suited for players of every skill level. Most of the Engage paddles are designed to provide specific benefits to your play style.
For example, if you want more reach, the Elite Pro Maverick or the Elite Pro Blade are great options. If you want better spin, we still recommend the Engage Pickleball Encore Pro. However, the new Trident is also worth examining.
Here is a rundown of the current paddles available from Engage Pickleball:
- Poach series
- Elite Pro series
- Trident paddle
- Encore Pro paddle
- Raven paddle
- Omega Status paddle
- Apprentice paddle
Most of the Engage pickleball paddles are in the $100 to $150 range and are approved for USAPA tournaments. However, Engage does produce several budget options.
Whether you want a high-end paddle for competing in tournaments or a less expensive paddle for learning how to play pickleball, one of these products should meet your needs.
Engage Poach Icon Review
The Engage Poach Pickleball paddles include several different options, including the paddle Icon, paddle Extreme, and paddle Advantage. With the Icon, you get the same skin used on the Elite Pro paddles, but with the new Poach core. Here are the details:
- Liquid graphite skin
- Polymer composite core
- Weighs 7.5 to 8.3 ounces
- 16 x 8 inches
- 4-1/4-inch grip size
- 5-inch grip length
- USAPA-approved
Pros
- Used by professional pickleball players
- Provides reliable ball control for adding more spin
- Maximum paddle dimensions provide a larger sweet spot
- Not too heavy, providing a well-rounded option for players of any age
- The long grip helps you maintain a firmer grip
- Includes a new core that offers a better balance of power and control
Cons
- While there are no major drawbacks, the price tag may not make this an option for those that are just getting into the game
The Icon is the same paddle used by Corrine Carr pickleball champ. She is currently one of the top open/pro women players in the world, after winning Pro-level gold at all three pickleball 2017 majors.
Corrine Carr uses the Icon as her preferred paddle for these tournaments. If professional players stand behind these paddles, you can trust that you are getting a quality product.
The core is the new Control Pro Black polymer core, which uses a chemical process that turns the core black. It is a soft core, providing a boost of power with every swing.
Unlike other polymer composite cores, the new Control Pro Black reacts differently depending on the contact speed. When swinging low or slow, you get more control compared to a typical polymer core. To get more power, you just need to swing faster, which also limits the accuracy of your swing.
The liquid graphite used on this paddle was developed by Engage and used on several different paddles. It is a chemically bonded skin designed to improve the ball control provided by a typical graphite face.
The combination of a softer polymer core and the grip of the liquid graphite face help create a balanced paddle. The Icon offers power and control, making it suited for most play styles.
Engage Poach Extreme Review
The Engage Poach Extreme (aka paddles for the next generation), features a blade-style design, which gives you more reach compared to a typical pickleball paddle. It includes the same core as the Icon, but with a few differences:
- Six-layer fiberglass polymer skin
- Polymer composite core
- Weighs 7.5 to 8.3 ounces
- 17 x 7 inches
- 4-1/4-inch grip size
- 5-inch grip length
- USAPA-approved
Pros
- The long blade-style design offers the most reach for a USAPA-approved paddle
- Includes the Control Pro Black polymer core for greater versatility
- Offers improved vibration control technology and noise dampening
Cons
- The sweet spot is narrower, requiring more accuracy from the player
The Extreme is basically an elongated version of the Icon. It offers an extra inch of reach while taking away an inch from the width. Engage made these paddles to meet the maximum dimensions allowed by the USAPA. The width and length cannot exceed 24 inches.
Due to the longer shape, the sweet spot is narrower and stretched out on the paddle face. With a narrower sweet spot, the paddle is less forgiving. If you are new to playing pickleball, you may struggle to direct your shots.
Instead of using the liquid graphite skin, the Poach Extreme has a new six-layer fiberglass surface. A typical composite skin offers more power and less control. To help provide the best of both features, Engage developed this new skin.
The six layers are the same thickness as the one to two layers typically used for composite surfaces. With six layers, Engage created the optimal texture and pattern for better ball control from a fiberglass skin. Overall, these features make the Extreme well suited for power players and singles matches.
Engage Poach Advantage Review
The Engage Poach Advantage pickleball paddle has the same dimensions and core as the Engage Icon with the skin used in the Extreme. When you look at the following details, the Engage Poach Advantage appears almost identical to the Icon:
- Six-layer fiberglass polymer skin
- Polymer composite core
- Weighs 7.5 to 8.3 ounces
- 16 x 8 inches
- 4-1/4-inch grip size
- 5-inch grip length
- USAPA-approved
Pros
- Optimal dimensions for creating a larger sweet spot
- Uses a composite core and skin for more power
- Features advanced vibration control technology
Cons
- May provide too much power for newer players
What is the difference between the Advantage and the Icon? While they have the same dimensions and core, they have different skins.
The Advantage uses the six-layer composite face found on the Extreme. It provides a little extra strength and less grip compared to the graphite skin. You get less spin and finesse with a greater focus on delivering powerful shots.
The only drawback to the Poach Advantage is the power that you get. If you want to deliver more force, it is a great option. If you need to work on your accuracy and ball control, consider using the Poach Icon. The graphite face offers slightly more control and a little less power.
Engage Elite Pro Review
Like the Engage Poach series of paddles, the Elite Pro series includes several different options. You can choose from the Elite Pro Maverick, Blade, Widebody, or the standard Elite Pro, which offer the following features:
- Liquid graphite skin
- Polymer composite core
- Weighs 7.5 to 8.3 ounces
- Dimensions vary depending on the paddle
- 4-1/4-inch grip size
- 5-inch grip length
- USAPA-approved
Pros
- Improved vibration control technology limits wrist strain and increases accuracy
- Designed for use in quiet communities with noise restrictions
- Offers a good combination of power and ball control
- Available in a wide range of styles and weights
Cons
- The extra grip on the liquid graphite face can decrease the overall power of your swings
The Engage Elite Pro was the first of the Elite paddles. It has the new liquid graphite skin technology, which is designed to help the ball stay in contact with the paddle slightly longer. With the extra contact, you get the optimal surface for adding spin to your shots.
The core of the paddle is a polymer composite core called the Control Pro II. It features vibration control technology, noise dampening, and power. It is a softcore with plenty of give, which helps propel the ball with each swing, especially when you give the swing more momentum.
Like many paddles, the Engage Elite Pro features a core and skin that work together to offer a better combination of accuracy and force. It is also available in a variety of weights, ranging between 7.5 and 8.3 ounces.
The only drawback is that holding on to the ball longer limits power. It is not the best paddle for slamming the ball across the court, but it does provide the versatility that most players seek.
Besides the Elite Pro, you can choose from a few other Elite paddles. The Elite Blade and Elite Widebody use the same materials but feature different dimensions.
As the names suggest, the Elite Blade has a blade-style design and the Elite Widebody has a wide design. The Widebody measures 15.5 x 8.5-inches, making it one of the widest USAPA-approved paddles.
The Elite Blade measures 17 x 7 inches, giving you more reach. Keep in mind that the sweet spot is narrower with this paddle, making it more of a challenge for beginners to use.
The Elite Maverick is the latest Engage Elite paddle. It also uses the same Control Pro II core and liquid graphite skin. However, Engage added new variable release flex technology, which helps hold the ball longer depending on how you swing the paddle.
Instead of the five-inch grip found on other Elite paddles, this paddle has a six-inch grip. The longer grip and the release flex technology give this paddle superior spin control. In fact, after the Engage Encore Pro, the Maverick is our top pick for adding spin.
Engage Trident Paddle Review
The Trident is one of the latest paddles designed by Engage. It includes a new skin technology called GripTEK. Other details include:
- New GripTEK skin
- Polymer composite core
- Weighs 7.7 to 8.1 ounces
- 15.5 x 8.125 inches
- 4-1/4-inch grip size
- 5-inch grip length
- USAPA-approved
Pros
- One of the most responsive paddles, giving you more feel when the ball hits the surface
- Standard paddle dimensions provide a good-sized sweet spot
- Includes a new composite skin that is not available on any other paddles
Cons
- May not provide enough power for some players
The new GripTEK skin features five layers of composite material, increasing the durability and texture of the surface. It is rougher compared to a typical composite face, ensuring that you get better accuracy.
The innovative composite skin also makes the paddle more durable and responsive. You can feel the ball better when it hits the surface, which provides more ball control. If you want to improve your accuracy or spin shots, this is a top choice.
If you seek power, you may be disappointed with this paddle. The Trident is recommended for finesse shots and playing close to the net.
Engage Encore Pro Paddle Review
The Engage Encore Pro Pickleball Paddle is a step up from the standard Engage Encore paddle. For an extra few dollars, you get a superior paddle designed for better power, spin, and control. The main features include:
- Specialized fiberglass skin
- Polymer composite core
- Weighs 7.4 to 8.8 ounces
- 15.5 x 8.125 inches
- 4-1/4-inch grip size
- 5-inch grip length
- USAPA-approved
Pros
- Costs less than the Elite paddle and Poach paddles
- Includes a responsive feel to give you more control of the ball
- The specialized fiberglass surface has a rougher texture for better spin control
Cons
- The original Encore may offer too much power for beginners
With the Encore paddles, you are getting the most power and spin control possible from USAPA approved paddles. The fiberglass surface is specially designed to provide a rougher texture for gripping the ball. It is as rough as the USAPA allows.
The core is a polymer honeycomb core with the most deflection allowed by the USAPA. These features help the Encore line of paddles deliver more force while holding the ball longer. You get better control and ball placement, whether you hit soft or hard.
The original Encore pickleball paddles are still quality choices for most intermediate to advanced players. However, Engage improved the design when they released the Engage Pro.
While the Encore Pro uses the same core and skin technology, Engage increased the size of the sweet spot and gave the surface more of a responsive feel. It is now even better for adding spin to your shots and offers a little more accuracy.
Encore pickleball paddle reviews often mention the original Encore and the new Encore Pro without discussing the Encore XL. It shares features with the other Encore paddles but includes a longer grip.
Instead of the standard five-inch grip, the grip is six and a half inches. It is one of the longest paddles on the market, other than the blade-style paddles. If you want the superior spin control provided by the Engage Encore Pro, but need more reach, the Encore XL should meet your needs.
Engage Raven Paddle Review
The Engage Raven is an affordable, entry-level paddle with the following features:
- Fiberglass skin
- Aluminum honeycomb core
- Weighs 7.5 to 8 ounces
- 15.5 x 8.5 inches
- 4-1/4-inch grip size
- 5-inch grip length
- USAPA-approved
Pros
- One of the least expensive USAPA-approved paddles
- The wide surface is great for beginners that need to work on their accuracy
Cons
- Not very powerful compared to the other Engage paddles
The main benefit of this paddle is the price. It is one of the least expensive USAPA-approved paddles. While it is not very powerful or responsive, it is still a decent option for beginners that want to get into the game without spending a lot of money.
Engage Omega Status Paddle Review
The Omega is another new paddle. It is made with plastic edge guards and may not last as long compared to some options, but it has its own advantages:
- Soft composite skin
- Polymer composite core
- Weighs 7.7 to 8.2 ounces
- 15.5 x 8.065 inches
- 4-1/4-inch grip size
- 5-inch grip length
Pros
- Affordable price
- Versatile design is suitable for all types of play styles
Cons
- Not USAPA approved
This paddle is intended as a beginner’s paddle. It is affordable and comes with a special offer. Engage will allow you to trade in this paddle and receive $30 toward one of the higher-cost Engage paddles.
Engage Apprentice Paddle Review
A typical page of Engage reviews may overlook the Apprentice. While this paddle is not USAPA approved, it offers several advantages that are often dismissed. Here are the details:
- Fiberglass surface
- Polymer composite core
- Weighs 7.1 to 7.6 ounces
- 15.5 x 8.125 inches
- 4-1/4-inch grip size (4-inch for junior size)
- 5-inch grip length
Pros
- Lightweight design is suitable for beginners and juniors
- Available in a junior size with a four-inch grip
- Incredibly affordable for a quality paddle
Cons
- Not USAPA approved
This paddle is a great choice for beginners and juniors. It even comes in a junior size with a smaller grip. Unfortunately, it is not USAPA approved. However, it is incredibly affordable, costing less than $20. It far surpasses the quality of other inexpensive paddles in the same price range, which also includes wooden paddles.
Conclusion – Which Paddle Should You Get?
Engage pickleball paddles are available in a range of styles to suit your play style, skill level, and budget. If you are just starting to play pickleball, consider buying one of the low-cost options, such as the Omega or the Apprentice.
For those that want better spin control, the Engage Encore Pro and Engage Elite Maverick are the top choices.
1 thought on “Engage Pickleball Paddles – Comparison & Review Guide 2023”
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