I saw Engage pickleball paddles all over the tournament scene, so I knew that the Engage Pursuit Pro1 was premium before I landed my first Engage paddle. I started my Engage journey with the the Engage Pursuit V2.0 (my review here) and it was such a good paddle that I am currently deciding where it ranks for the best paddles under $100.
The Engage Pursuit Pro1 power series is utilizing brand new technology in 2025, and I tested both the 12.7mm and the 15.3mm Innovation options.
I’ll get to just how well this paddle plays in the playability section, but in a recent tournament, I was playing with a top Joola paddle, and decided to switch to the Engage Pursuit Pro1 and went undefeated after switching.
Let’s go through how the Pursuit Pro1 power series works, my first impressions, playability, cost considerations, and which option should you consider. Also, great news, I requested the Engage pickleball team for a discount code for my readers, and they provided a code: bepickleballer10 that you can get 10% off the Engage Pursuit Pro1.
Understand The Pursuit Pro1 Power Series
When you are considering a Pursuit Pro1, you get to compare 4 different paddle types: Innovation, Elongated, Hybrid, and the Widebody option.
Engage’s website provides an excellent breakdown comparing the different options and the attributes.
Let’s next talk about my first impressions.
First Impressions
Firstly, I love the Engage paddle design and feel. Firstly, The paddle has the beautiful bulls eye in the center, showcasing a large sweet spot that allows precision in your shots.
Check out the 12.7mm pickleball paddle option.
Check out the 15.2mm pickleball paddle option.
The power came in at 7.95 – 8.0 ounces in the stock format.
How did the paddles play? Let’s discuss that next as first impressions can only go so far.
Playability
The paddle was insane. I’ll get into this later, but firstly, I competed the Engage Innovation against the Joola Pro IV by playing games with each paddle and then swapping. In the first game with the Engage Pro, I won a dominant game 11-2, and then I switched to the Joola Pro IV and still won the game 11-7, but it was different.
Power
Firstly, the power on the Engage Pro1 power series is one of the best attributes of the power. Firstly, I saw vast improvements on my serve, being able to serve the ball deeper and faster to my opponents backhand.
I got numerous compliments on my serve with the Engage Pro1 paddle, and it was clear that this paddle was unique. In addition, I appreciated that you can also wield a strong 2-handed backhand that can provide strong baseline shots.
When returning serves, I was also able to drive many of my shots deep to the baseline with the power from this paddle.
Spin
When I tried the raw toray T700 Carbon Fiber face, I was honestly just curious if all the spin hype was real. The first time I stepped onto the court, I knew something was different.
I remember driving a sharp service that just bit the air, and the ball gripped the paddle face and curved down so crazingly (is that a word?) that I got comments on the court.
What really makes this paddle a spin machine for me is the combination of the MachPro Polymer Core and that Raw T700 surface. You can feel the ball sink into the face for just an extra split second, giving you the chance to brush up and roll it with confidence. On my third shot drops and topspin drives, I can generate heavy spin that pushes my opponents back or forces a pop-up.
For me, it’s like having a built-in spin generator every time I flick my wrist.
Control
Control is honestly where I’ve felt the biggest difference since switching to the Pursuit Pro1. I have NEVER felt as in control with a 12.7mm paddle than with the Pro1 and it compares to both my 16mm and 20mm paddles.
The MachPro Polymer Core gave me the softness I needed. I could absorb the pace and dink appropriately. The paddle has the combination of the extended hold time and the aerodynamic shape that helps me redirect the ball exactly where I want it. The paddle face just feels super forgiving, the sweet spot feels huge.
Even when I’m reaching for those tough backhand digs or lunging to reset from mid-court, the paddle stays stable in my hand. The Vortex Barrier Edge and Counter Balance Technology keep my shots feeling smooth and consistent, and I end up with less fatigue too. Honestly, I’ve never felt more confident dropping the ball precisely where I want, and this paddle does half the work for me.
Cost Considerations
The Pro1 Power series is a premium paddle, so it commands a premium price. That said, the Pro1 paddle is more affordable than both the CRBN TrueFoam paddle and the Joola Pro IV, and you could argue that the Pro1 plays better than both of these options.
In addition, the Engage team was extremely generous to my readers with a 10% discount code (bepickleballer10) that takes 10% off the purchase price.
Which Engage Pursuit Pro1 Power Paddle Should You Choose?
Personally, I wrote an article covering 14mm vs 16mm pickleball paddles, and I often opt for the thicker paddle. That said, both of these paddles are super impressive, and I would actually opt for the 12.7mm.
The paddle provided incredible power on my serves and drives, but also provided better control than many of my control paddles. Overall, I was really impressed, and this is a contender to be one of the best pickleball paddles in 2025.
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