Engage Encore Pro V2.0 - pickleball paddle review

Are you looking for a pickleball paddle that costs under $100 but doesn't feel cheap? The Engage Encore Pro V2.0 might be the one for you.

Engage is mostly known for their premium paddles (their $260 Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 is one of the best advanced paddles on the market). However, their new Enthusiast series aims to deliver performance paddles at affordable prices. Read my Engage Encore Pro V2.0 review to see if they succeeded.

If you're new to pickleball and want a good value paddle under $100 from one of the best brands in the game, check out the Engage Encore Pro V2.0. Engage makes some of the best pickleball paddles I've tested, like the Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated, so it's exciting to see an entry-level option.

Watch my first thoughts on the Engage Encore Pro V2.0:

Sadly, the control isn't as good here as on other budget-friendly paddles I've reviewed, like the Six Zero Quartz. The core doesn't have the "absorbing" feel you get with some of the best control paddles like the Selkirk LUXX Control and Six Zero DBD.

The 15.2 mm model has better control than the 12.7, but not by much. There's less feedback when you hit the ball, which takes getting used to. There's also less spin than a carbon fiber paddle.

On the plus side, the fiberglass face gives you good power for this price. It reminds me of the Six Zero Sapphire, which costs $25 more but has the same pop. I like the swing speed too. This paddle moves really fast and doesn't feel heavy.

The hybrid shape helps me switch back and forth easily between forehand and backhand in hand battles, and I still feel like I have good reach. The paddle feels comfortable in my hands and smooth swinging around, with a comfy handle that doesn't get sweaty.

The Encore Pro offers good value for money. If you're starting to play more regularly and want to upgrade from a cheap paddle without spending over $100, this is worth considering. As a 5.0 player, I never feel held back by this paddle.

It hits hard, gives a solid level of control, and is fast at the kitchen. My personal favorite is the 12.7 mm model as you only sacrifice a little control to get a lot more power.

The Encore Pro V2.0 is something new from Engage. This is their first paddle under $100, so it's interesting to see what features they've stripped away to make it work at this price point.

The fact that you can see the honeycomb core is a cool idea, but I'm personally a fan of the design. It looks a bit cheap to me, but some players might like it. Let's see what else the Encore Pro V2.0 has going on.

Fiberglass surfaces are more flexible than carbon fiber paddles, which can give a nice power boost since there's more energy return on the ball. I noticed this with the Pro V2.0 once I got used to how it hit. I can put balls away better than with some carbon fiber paddles that are way more expensive, like the Ronbus R2 PULSAR FX.

The downside is you get a lot less spin compared to carbon fiber paddles. It also feels less natural when hitting with this paddle, something you have to adjust to.

Engage says that this paddle was "optimized to meet stringent community noise requirements" and I did notice right away how quiet it is. If you have noise restrictions at your local courts, this is a great paddle option.

Engage also claims that this core provides a strong balance of power and control. In reality, it skews toward power (rivaling more premium paddles), but the control and spin aren't there. It's good for a budget paddle, though.

The hybrid shape (16.25 x 7.75" with a 5.3" handle) gives this a big boost over a standard-shaped paddle. You get a good level of reach, consistency, hand speed, and power.

For a $100 paddle, the power is very impressive. It equals the Friday Original (one of the best beginner paddles), the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash, and the Six Zero Sapphire.

My overhead attacks took some getting used to because the energy transfer is different here than with a carbon fiber paddle. I would sometimes hit them out past the backline but this pop became a bonus once I adjusted.

I can put overhead balls away more effectively than with softer paddles like the Ronbus R2 PULSAR FX or Six Zero Quartz. I can also hit aggressive drives from the backline and attack balls during hand battles at the kitchen line.

The control is good, but it doesn't compete with softer carbon fiber paddles like the PIKKL Hurricane Pro.

The lack of control is most noticeable in long dink rallies—I can't put the ball consistently at my opponent's feet with spin without leading to a pop-up. Also, resetting the ball when under pressure is harder with this paddle than with softer paddles.

The fiberglass surface doesn't provide the same level of spin as carbon fiber. I've recently adopted heavy topspin dipping drives and drops in my game, and I can't get the same level of consistent dip with this paddle as I can with the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C. I also struggle to produce spin with my dinks—both topspin dinks and sliced dinks.

The Pro V2.0's sweet spot isn't very large. The energy return of the fiberglass surface means that if you mishit the ball, you mishit big. I struggle to produce spin on the ball unless I hit it perfectly in the middle of the paddle. If I hit anywhere else, it either goes into the net or produces a pop-up.

I really like how this paddle feels while swinging around. It feels lighter and faster at the kitchen than more premium paddles in the same weight range, like the Bread & Butter Shogun. I feel confident in hand battles and can get to balls quickly and still have the power to put them away.

The grip is a pretty standard size (4.25") and feels comfortable to hold and swing around. It doesn't get too sweaty or slippery in humid indoor environments. I can play for hours at a time without feeling discomfort or worrying that the paddle might slip out of my hands.

While carbon fiber is more durable, fiberglass is still a strong material. It's flexible and built to last. This paddle has a unibody design, which should make it stronger again. I have no reason to think it will break or wear down anytime soon.

The paddle weight and hybrid shape make for a smooth feel when swinging at the kitchen line and on overhead attacks. The paddle is fast during hand battles and doesn't feel tiresome to swing.

The Engage Encore Pro V2.0 is good value for money at $99.99. It has the power of a more expensive paddle and enough control to feel like an upgrade from most cheap beginner paddles. It's a good bridge between a $40 starter paddle and the premium options that Engage offers.

This is for any beginner to intermediate players who want a paddle with decent pop for under $100. If you're just starting out in pickleball and want your first paddle upgrade, this is a great option. If you want more control than power, though, try the Six Zero Quartz or Vatic Pro PRISM Flash instead.

If you want something a little more competitive, I'd recommend spending $60-80 more for the Bread & Butter Filth or Engage Pursuit V2.0.

If you're an advanced player (4.5-5.0) and you have a $250+ budget, you can't go wrong with the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0. It's one of the best advanced paddles I've ever tested.

If the Engage Encore Pro V2.0 isn't for you, check out some other paddles I recommend:

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