Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Widebody - pickleball paddle review

If you want a premium control paddle that still packs a punch, the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Widebody should be on your radar. This is a standard-shaped version of the 5-star Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated and it's aimed at players who prioritize their touch game.

I heard that this model has incredible stability and forgiveness thanks to its super-high twist weight. I put that (and all other attributes) to the test on the court, so read on for my Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Widebody review to see if this paddle is worth $259.99.

The Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Widebody is a top premium paddle—one of the best for control while still giving you plenty of power to be aggressive. It suits all skill levels, though its high price is more aimed at advanced players willing to invest over $250.

Typically, widebody paddles sacrifice power for better consistency. This is a rare one that lets you generate power when needed, while still providing incredible touch for soft play.

The extra-large sweet spot and great forgiveness reduce the number of mishits. It's also fast at the kitchen, allowing for quick reaction times during hand battles, similar to the speedy Paddletek Bantam ALW-C.

Watch my first thoughts here on the Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Widebody:

The drawbacks aren't too bad. It has the limited reach you'd expect from any widebody paddle. Also, I don't personally like the bulky grip. Finally, there's the short handle. I like to hit two-handed backhands, so I'd have preferred less hitting space on the paddle throat and more handle length, making it more compact like the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C.

Overall, this is ideal if you want a balance of power and control in a premium widebody paddle. It's not powerful enough for bangers, so check out the best power paddles for better options.

If you're ready to invest $260 in a high-quality paddle, this is worth it for you—especially if you prioritize control. Otherwise, why not save money on an intermediate pickleball paddle or paddle for beginners?

Widebody paddles aren't the most attractive in my opinion, even if I love playing with them the most. That said, Engage paddles always have a sleek look and you can tell it's high quality from the look of it.

Let's see what features this paddle has.

This is a premium carbon fiber face that works as advertised. The grit is so good at generating friction, making this one of the best paddles for spin, along with the hybrid and elongated Pro1 6.0 models. You get a real boost on deceiving slices, hard topspin drives, and serves that go deep.

The extra level of control that comes with the widebody shape allows me to be aggressive with my spin because it feels like the ball has more dwell time on the paddle. There are fewer dead spots on the face too—part of why this scores 9/10 on forgiveness.

The Pro1 6.0 paddles all have cores around 15 mm, which gives you a nice balance of power and control. They absorb impact well while still generating pace. This makes it very effective for resets and dinks while also allowing for powerful drives and putaways when needed.

The core gives solid dwell time so I can shape balls more aggressively. It also absorbs vibration really well, making this a comfortable paddle during long sessions.

This refers to the foam injected in the edge walls, designed to improve stability. It works too—this is one of the most stable paddles I've come across. It's also very forgiving as I have very few mishits when playing.

This is a rare widebody paddle that delivers power. It's right up there with the hybrid model and not far off the elongated version. I can generate deep, fast serves with minimal effort. I can also speed up balls at the kitchen effectively without overexerting myself.

I'm able to force pop-ups with aggressive third-shot drives, allowing me to dictate the pace of rallies. Overheads and putaways come off the paddle with plenty of pace, which aggressive players will love.

I still think the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C is the hardest-hitting widebody paddle on the market. However, I never find the slight lack of power frustrating like I do with the Selkirk LABS Project 008 16 mm Tour.

This widebody model has the best control of the Pro1 6.0 series. The larger sweet spot makes it easier to keep the ball in play. The core absorbs impact well, so blocking speed-ups feels natural, and I never feel like the paddle is popping the ball up too much. Dinks and resets are more forgiving as well.

The balance between power and control makes it easier to manage different shots without needing to adjust my swing too much. I can mix in soft shots without losing confidence. Transitioning between offense and defense feels smooth too. I can drive my third shot and then confidently drop my fifth shot if my opponent returns the ball to me.

This is a great paddle for controlled aggression—the carbon fiber face grabs the ball well, generating plenty of spin. My topspin drives dip fast, making it harder for the other team to return the ball without popping it up or hitting the net. My slices stay low, skidding off the court and creating issues for my opponents.

Rolling dinks are easy to execute. I can add just enough topspin to keep the ball low but moving quickly. The thicker 15 mm core is great for shaping and looping spin, giving me the confidence to hit deep, spin-heavy serves that force weak returns.

The widebody model has one of the highest twist weights out there (7.60). Pickleball Effect puts it in the 98% percentile. This weight gives the paddle a really stable feel. Even when I make off-center contact, the ball still comes off the paddle with a reliable bounce, which helps me stay in points longer.

Defensive shots like resets and blocks are easier to execute without worrying about losing control or popping the ball up. Having that extra forgiveness makes a big difference in high-pressure situations where quick reactions are needed. I've made way fewer silly mistakes like missed returns and third-shot drops into the net.

The weight of this model feels similar to the elongated and hybrid versions—light and easy to swing, with very minimal drag. The swing weight is low and the paddle hits hard enough to avoid having to swing over and over again in order to put a ball away. The weight is evenly distributed through the paddle and adds little to no discomfort on my shoulder, wrist, and elbow while playing.

While the tennis-style grip is too thick for my preference, it's not uncomfortable and some players won't mind it. The shorter handle does make two-handed backhands a little tough, but it works fine for most other shots.

Engage has a good reputation for making durable paddles. The carbon fiber face on the Pro1 6.0 feels sturdy, and I'm yet to see any signs of early wear after multiple sessions. Based on my testing, I expect the spin and overall performance to hold up well over time.

This paddle isn't the fastest widebody paddle that I've tested recently. It's slower than the Spartus Apollo, Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C, and Vatic Pro PRISM Bloom. That said, it's still fast at the kitchen and a great weapon to have in hand battles.

I'm recommending the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Widebody to anyone looking to combine elite forgiveness and control with enough power to get the job done.

For $259.99, you're getting a premium widebody paddle that plays close to the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 2 ($280) and the Selkirk Labs Project 007 14 mm Epic ($300). It hits as hard as those paddles but has even better forgiveness and control.

If you're an advanced or tournament player, this paddle is priced correctly for you. Beginners and intermediates might prefer a cheaper paddle with similar control and shape. If that's you, check out the 11SIX24 Jellybean Pegasus and PIKKL Hurricane Pro.

If you're after a pure power paddle, this won't be enough for you. Try the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Elongated, Paddletek Bantam TKO-C, or JOOLA Perseus Pro IV instead. Otherwise, if you're willing to invest and want to play with more touch and control, you'll love the Pro1 6.0 Widebody.

If the Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Widebody isn't right for you, here are some paddles I recommend:

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