Onix Z5 Graphite (Review 2024): Is This Paddle Worth The Money?

This is my in-depth review of Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle.

After testing Onix Z5 for months, I finally came up with my verdict about this paddle. I also asked other players to give their opinions about the paddle. (Later on this post)

If you want to know…

• How actually it performs
• How it compares to similar paddles
• The Pros & Cons
• Where to find the best deals

Then you are in the right place.

Let’s get started…

Onix Z5 Graphite – specification

Paddle Weight	7.5- 8.2 oz
Paddle Length	15.5”
Paddle Width	8.125”
Handle Length	5”
Grip Circumference	4¼”
Face Material	Graphite
Core Material	Polymer Honeycomb
Color	13 different color options
Sweet Spot	Small

Pros and Cons:

Performance of Onix Z5 Graphite:

Power: 7.5/10

As far as I tested, Onix Z5 is not a power paddle. So don’t expect power like CRBN-1X paddle from this. But it can definitely give more power than a cheap wooden paddle.
During my testing, I had to hit a little harder to get the power shot done. If you are not a very aggressive player, there will not be much problem with the power.
The weight and fiberglass surface give the paddle enough power for the beginner.

Control: 8.5/10

Onix Z5 is more of a control paddle than power. It has outstanding touch and ball control. I managed to hit more accurate serves and drive on the court. 
It will give you more control over dinking and slices, especially backhand slices. 
As it is a middleweight paddle and has a thick core, it seems more stable and has great control. You can even compare the control of the paddle with some ‘high-end’ paddles.
But if you want an absolute control paddle in this price range, undoubtedly go for ‘Vatic pro prism 16mm’

Forgiveness: 7/10

Because of its wide body it should have a large sweet spot.
But surprisingly,
I found this paddle less forgiving. It has a small sweet spot. It is one of the cons of Onix Z5 paddle.

Spin: 8/10

Surprisingly, for a budget paddle, Onix z5 has a great spin overall. 
I would even compare the spin of it with Slk Vanguard power air invikta (250$ paddle)
I am able to generate enough topspin and backspin while playing with this. 
If you are a beginner or intermediate player, the spin is well enough for you. But pros will find it lack of spin at their level. Afterall it’s a budget paddle though. 
Mainly its textured graphite surface contributes to the high spin.
From my general observation, Onix Z5 generates somewhere between 800-1000 rpm (rotation per minute) approximately.

Durability: 9/10

Onix Z5 is definitely a long-lasting paddle. Some players I know who are using the paddle for over a year and are still in good condition. Just some scratches on the edge. 
If I talk about the quality,
Onix Z5 felt quite stable and high quality paddle overall. So I am pretty sure it will last longer for you too.  
Onix Z5 also comes with a solid edge guard. 
And most importantly, it is protected by 1 year warranty by the manufacturer. (details are in the end)

Weight: 8.5/10

The weight of Onix Z5 is (7.5-8.2 oz) range. It is a light to middle weight paddle. It feels pretty lightweight though. It will give you easy maneuverability. 
I am also able to hit faster swings than before with it. Also played quicker in the kitchen. 
The weight distribution of Onix z5 is great despite being a wide body paddle. For all these reasons, I give this paddle weight a solid 8.5/10.

Grip: 6.5/10 

Honestly speaking, I am a bit disappointed with Onix Z5 paddle grip. Grip quality is not up to the mark. Some players said that the grip tape came off after only 1-2 months of use.
So add a new tape for better grip after that, if it happens to you. Also, the grip is a bit small. So if you have big hands, you need to over wrap another layer of grip. 
One interesting fact is that the grip of this is ‘tennis-style grip’. So people who play tennis might like it. 

Return & Refund policy

If you buy from Pickleball Central:

• Pickleball Central has 30 day return policy for this pickleball paddle.
  They said “You can return paddles and other merchandise within 30 days of date of purchase. If you are not 100% happy, ship the item back to us and we will refund your money. We ask you to cover the cost of shipping the paddle back to us, to include your order number and name inside the package, and we recommend sending your item by a traceable method such as via UPS, FedEx, or USPS with tracking. “
  For more details visit the Return Policy page. 

But keep in mind that you can’t exchange the product. Also, Return is not applicable for customized products. 
If you buy it from Amazon:

• Amazon also gives 30 day return policy for this paddle.

Warranty of Onix Z5 Graphite 

Oniz Z5 Graphite paddle has 1 year warranty by the manufacturer.
They say,
‘ONIX Pickleball performance and intermediate paddles are guaranteed against workmanship and manufacturer defects for the one year of the date of purchase (must have a copy of the original receipt). The warranty is not transferable and only applies to original owner. Paddles submitted for warranty must have been purchased from an authorized ONIX pickleball dealer.’
So if you buy the paddle from Amazon or Pickleball Central you will get the warranty
as they are authorized dealers.
But Pickleball Central gets one step further and give their own 60 days guarantee against defects. After that, the paddle is protected by the manufacturer’s warranty (remaining months).

Bottom Line ( Onix Z5 Graphite Review )

Onix Z5 is one of the most popular paddle in the world. It has reviews (5000+) on Amazon, and
reviews (750+) on Pickleball Central for a reason. 
You get a control paddle with 13 colors to choose from. Onix Z5 is still one of my favorite beginners’ paddle.
If you currently have a cheap paddle and you buy this, you will feel the difference immediately. 
In one word, Highly Recommended…

Sample Buyer Review:

I am so happy with this paddle that it drove me to write my first review, ever. Some players will find the right paddle for themselves with their very first purchase. Many others, like me, are not so fortunate. In my case, it was paddle no. 5 that did the trick. I tried paddles from Gamma, Head and Selkirk. All were good paddles but just not right for me. As I found out, finding the paddle that is best for you can be very challenging. The paddle I love may very well not be to your liking at all. However, it was the Onix Z5 Mod that turned out to be the one for me. The information provided by the manufacturer states these paddles can weigh anywhere between 7.5 – 8.2 ounces. Mine came in at 7.5. I liked that the light weight would help with control and….Read more.

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