Engage Alpha Pro vs Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm

    Engage Alpha Pro 7.8oz 16mm pickleball paddle — Carbon fiber face

    Engage

    Alpha Pro

    $199.99

    Shop Engage →
    Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm 7.9oz 16mm pickleball paddle — Fiberglass with MaxGrit face

    Franklin

    Ben Johns Signature 16mm

    $64.85

    Shop on Amazon →

    Pickle's 5-axis score

    Spec-grounded, quartile-ranked across the 322-paddle catalog. Diff highlighted when one paddle leads by 0.5+ points.

    Engage Alpha ProFranklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm
    Power — Franklin +3.6
    6.0 vs 9.6
    Hand speed — Engage +3.5
    6.5 vs 3.0
    Forgiveness — Engage +1.8
    6.7 vs 4.9
    Touch — even
    9.9 vs 9.9
    Spin — Engage +2.7
    4.4 vs 1.7

    The value vs. premium matchup

    Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm is the value pick at $64.85. Engage Alpha Pro is the premium option at $199.99 — you're paying for the carbon-fiber face. Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm trades a touch of maneuverability for more reach at the line; Engage Alpha Pro is easier to whip around in hand fights.

    Side-by-side specs

    Weight

    7.8–8.2 oz7.9–8.3 oz

    Shape

    MultipleElongated

    Core thickness

    16mm16mm

    Core material

    Polymer honeycombPolypropylene

    Face material

    Carbon fiberFiberglass with MaxGrit

    Handle length

    5.25"5.6"

    Price

    $199.99$64.85

    What the spec differences mean

    • Weight. Engage Alpha Pro is listed at 7.8–8.2 oz; Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm at 7.9–8.3 oz. At the low end of each listed range, the Engage Alpha Pro is 0.1 oz lighter. How paddle weights compare across our catalog
    • Length and width. Engage Alpha Pro measures 16.2" × 7.7"; Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm measures 16.5" × 7.3" (multiple vs elongated). The Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm is 0.3" longer. Paddle shapes and the size rule
    • Handle length. Engage Alpha Pro has a 5.25" handle; Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm has a 5.6" handle, so the Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm handle is 0.35" longer. What grip length changes
    • Face material. Engage Alpha Pro lists its face as Carbon fiber; Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm lists Fiberglass with MaxGrit. Paddle face materials explained
    • Core material. Engage Alpha Pro lists its core as Polymer honeycomb; Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm lists Polypropylene. Paddle core materials explained

    Who each paddle is for

    Engage Alpha Pro

    Best for 3.5+ players who prioritize control and reach who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The standard shape rewards clean contact, the 16mm core gives you a soft touch window, and the face surface keeps spin honest without overdoing it.

    Playing style: balanced

    Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm

    Best for 3.5+ players who prioritize control and reach who play with a balanced two-handed/one-handed mix. The elongated shape extends your reach at the kitchen line, the 16mm core gives you a soft touch window, and the fiberglass face emphasizes pop over spin.

    Playing style: power, spin

    Pickle's verdict

    Both are great. Pick by playstyle, not specs.

    Pick the Engage Alpha Pro if…

    • ✓you prize control on resets and dinks

    Pick the Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm if…

    • ✓you prize control on resets and dinks
    • ✓you like reach at the kitchen line
    Shop Engage Alpha Pro →Shop on Amazon Ben Johns Signature 16mm →

    More matchups with the Engage Alpha Pro

    More matchups with the Franklin Ben Johns Signature 16mm

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