Over the last few years, the popularity of pickleball has skyrocketed. The number of players in my local pickleball club has doubled in the last year. As I used to play pickleball before it was trendy, very often beginner players asked me which paddle they should go with. More often than not, I’d recommend the Onix Z5 Graphite pickleball paddle. I’ve finally decided that I am going to tell everyone why this is a great pickleball paddle for beginner to intermediate level players.
In this article I will explain why the Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddles has all the features that are required to be a beginner-friendly paddle. Also, I will discuss some of the disadvantages that this paddle has, so that you can make your own decision whether to buy it or not. This review is based on my own experience with this paddle, as well as from Amazon user reviews. It is as genuine as it gets!
Take a look at our comprehensive list of pickleball equipment & accessories, along with product recommendations, which will make sure you have everything you need to be the best pickleball player you can be.
Overview
Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle Review
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Face: Graphite
Core: Nomex Honeycomb
Shape: Wide Body
Length: 15.5 inches(394 mm)
Weight: 7.5 – 8.2 ounces(213 – 233g)
Width: 8.3 inches(211 mm)
Grip Size: 4 1/4 inches(108mm)
Edge Guard: Yes
Meets USAPA requirements: Yes
Key Features of Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle
Design and Build
Beginner pickleball players struggle to control the ball and hit it where they want it to go. That’s why they don’t do well with paddles that come with smaller, but stronger sweet spots. The Onix Z5 Graphite is perfect for beginners, due to its large sweet spot and unique core. Beginner players will find it really easy to hit the ball with the large sweet spot and start enjoying the game immediately. I don’t recommend paddles with smaller sweet spots because beginners tend to mishit a lot with those types of paddles which results in frustration and even results in some beginners losing interest in the sport at the very beginning.
As you can guess from the name of this paddle, the base material used to manufacture it is Graphite. Graphite is a very common material used in racket sport gear due to its light weight and ability to generate power. I would say the Onix Z5 Graphite paddle falls in the midweight to lightweight category.
Though most of the new pickleball paddles follow an elongated, trendy design language, the Onix Z5 Graphite stayed loyal to the classic paddle design. Its wide body is very helpful for beginner players to increase the versatily of their play. After using it, beginner players can discover their preferred playing style and then decide if they want an elongated paddle or not.
Grip
One of the common mistakes made by new pickleball players while choosing their paddle is that they don’t give enough attention to the grip. All they are interested in is the head of the paddle and they buy the paddle based on the look of it. You might be surprisedt, but the paddle grip or handle is just as important as the head! Hear me out. To take advantage of the head’s sweet spot, you need to hold your paddle first. And what makes sure that you get to hold the paddle firmly and comfortably? The grip. So, with a bad grip, you won’t be able to use the paddle well to generate the necessary power or control.
The Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle has just the right grip size of 4 1/4”. This grip size will lessen the chances of hitting a loose shot due to excessive room between you your palm & fingers and the handle. It also comes with a pre-installed cushion grip. These are my personal favorites. My hands are not generally that sweaty, so I look for cushion in my pickleball paddle’s handle for comfort. If you prefer towel grips to prevent your hand sweat from interfering with your shots, you can take the cushion grip off and install a towel one. Just make sure you don’t choose something too thick.
Functionality
Beginner players are generally not able to time their powerful shots properly when they start to play pickleball for the first time. To time the shots well, they need to play in a conservative way instead of unleashing enormous power. The Onix Z5 Graphite compliments such a playing style very well. The hard face surface this paddle comes with can generate a lot of power with minimum energy. The large sweet spot is just a cherry on the cake. Even if you don’t hit the ball with the center of your paddle’s head, you will still be able to give your opponent a hard time on the pickleball court. This is one of the main reasons I suggest this paddle to new players.
Pros and Cons
The Onix Z5 Graphite is the not the best pickleball paddle money can buy, there are quite few better options than this. This means, this paddle does come with some caveats, which I will explain alongside the advantages.
Pros
- Without any doubt, for beginners, the best part about this paddle is the large sweet spot. Beginners will start enjoying playing pickleball with this paddle because they will find it easy to meet the ball with their Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle.
- The grip comes with a lot of cushion which feels really comfortable in players’ hands. Whoever I spoken to who has played with it, have never complained about the grip’s comfort.
- It weighs less, so beginner players will be able to maneuver it without any real difficulty. This is extremely important when someone is just getting the hang of playing pickleball.
- Last but not the least, it comes at a great price. Sure, it is not the cheapest option on the market, but it’ll be really difficult to find a better paddle at this price point.
Cons
- I have to concede; this is not one of the best looking paddles out there. However, the look of the Onix Z5 won’t hamper your play.
- The paddle could do a better job in terms of balance. To focus on power, the balance is compromised.
Reviews By Customers Who Bought the Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle
It’s always good to hear it from the horses mouth which in this case is Pickleballers who bought & play with the Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle themselves. Here are 5 star Amazon reviews by real people who play with the Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle:
“I love this paddle! It has a nice balanced weight, great handle to always provide a perfect grip even when my hands are sweaty, and has a rewarding sound it gives when you hit the sweet spot. I have tried quite a few different paddles, but this is my go to paddle now and will be for a long time to come!” Review written by Bob from the United States
“I am new to pickle ball. I did a lot of research on paddles before buying this one. Tried it out based on the great reviews and ratings it had. I have played with it a few times and can say it is just about perfect for me. The weight and feel is suitable for a beginner and I have seen top level players with it so I have a paddle I can continue to use as I progress. Great buy” Review by Barry from The USA
Verdict
If you are a beginner, buy this paddle without hesitation. The Oniz Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle will serve you for many years to come. I have also seen intermediate to advanced pickleball players playing with this paddle, so it’s not exclusively a beginner paddle. It’s a pickleball paddle that’s been around for a few years now, but is still very popular. This is always an indication of a good paddle when pickleballers vote for it with their wallets consistently over a number of years.
If you play with a Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle then please give us your opinion on this paddle by writing in our comments section. It will be appreciated by me & the pickleball community I serve.
