Onix Composite Z5 Pickleball Paddle

ONIX COMPOSITE Z5 PICKLEBALL PADDLE — INTRO

Welcome to another pickleball paddle review, where we break down the individual parts of a product and tell you how they all work in tandem in its performance! Today we’ll be discussing the Onix Composite Z5 Pickleball Paddle, our final pick from our top 5 Best Composite Pickleball Paddles of 2020!!

Feel free to stop by our Pickleball Paddle Ultimate Guide while you’re at it, to learn even more about all the different kinds of paddles, helpful playing techniques, injury concerns, and so on!

In this review, you’ll learn all about the unique things that make this paddle one of the best on the market right now. We’ll follow up at the end with a concise pros and cons list, so you can see for yourself how this paddle stacks up in terms of its performance and handling. Ready to get into it? Let’s start!

Onix Composite Z5 Pickleball Paddle — Overview

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To spare you some potential confusion when it comes to the naming of these paddles, allow us to explain a little about what composite paddles actually are!

Composite paddles are paddles that have some component to it that is “made of more than one material.” With pickleball paddles, it’s usually the face that is constructed of fiberglass, the most common type of composite material.

Occasionally, you might see a composite paddle with a composite core (made of two or more polymers, for instance) instead of face, so keep in mind that being composite doesn’t always mean having a fiberglass face. All of these paddles are interchangeably advertised under the words “composite” or “fiberglass.”

The Onix Composite Z5 Pickleball Paddle is one of those paddles with a fiberglass face. It’s specially textured and weighed to give you the best power and spin control. These are the two kinds of hits that composite paddles are known for, especially compared to most graphite or carbon fiber paddles.

We mentioned face and weight, but its core, grip, and surface area also play a significant role in influencing this paddle’s performance. At the end, we also noted some pros and cons that you may find helpful if you’re considering adding this paddle to your possession. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in!

Onix Composite Z5 Pickleball Paddle — The Basics

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The Face

If you’ve ever felt fiberglass before, you know that it has a distinct rough texture that lends itself well to pickleball paddles. Why?

The texture easily gives a slight brush against the ball on impact so that the return has a spin trajectory instead of a merely straightforward one. Doing so, of course, makes it a bit more difficult for your opponent to return the shot.

Every little advantage helps, so mix up spin techniques with power hits, which are more than possible with this paddle due to its substantial weight.

The Surface Area

Although the company categorizes this 18- by 8-inch paddle as a typical widebody paddle, the extra length makes it closer to an oversized paddle.

Wide paddles are around 16 by 8 inches, so the extra two inches adds a little extra weight (more on this later) and reach. Because of its increased size, the sweet spot is bigger and easier to find, so novices in particular might prefer this paddle.

But even advanced players can make full use of the size by imposing controlled power shots as well as dinks, since this paddle is so responsive.

The Weight

You know how this paddle is a little oversized? This also means added weight.

The Onix Composite Z5 Pickleball Paddle ranges from 8.4 to 8.7 ounces, putting it solidly in the heavyweight category. Players like heavy paddles for their superior strength but also to help mitigate the symptoms of tennis elbow.

This is because heavier paddles tend to absorb more impact, but it comes at the cost of shorter game times due to swing fatigue.

The Grip Size and Feel

This paddle has a 4.5-inch long handle with a standard circumference of 4.25 inches. It’s the standard for a reason: it fits the average player.

Unfortunately technology hasn’t evolved to the point where we can easily make a grip smaller (short of destroying it) should you require a smaller grip.

But there’s a simple fix if you happen to need a bigger grip: 1/16th-inch thick overgrips allow you to customize the exact thickness that is most comfortable for you.

Regarding the material, it is sweat-absorbent, cushioned, and textured for maximum comfort and control during play.  The material will also help you avoid blisters and calluses!

The Core

The honeycombed nomex core of this paddle gives a satisfying “pop” with every return. Nomex cores tend to be louder and more responsive than polymer cores, since nomex honeycomb patterns have more tightly packed O’s.

If you want a quieter paddle or play in a noise-restricted facility, you might want to check out the other paddles on our top 5 Best Composite Pickleball Paddles list — they’re all quiet polymers.

But if noise isn’t a problem, look no further than the formidable Onix Composite Z5 Pickleball Paddle!

Pros

• fiberglass face achieves good balance between control and power
• greater size and weight offer greater power
• comfortable grip
• very generous surface area and sweet spot

Cons

• might be heavy for players used to lighter paddles
• nomex core can be loud

Not sure if this particular paddle is the right one for you? Take a look at the Gamma Mirage Composite Pickleball Paddle, the Upstreet Composite Pickleball Paddle or the Niupipo Composite Pickleball Paddle, each of which are GREAT options in the composite paddle category! The Selkirk Latitude Widebody Composite Pickleball Paddle could also be a good fit for you!

Conclusion

That’s it — our review of the Onix Composite Z5 Pickleball Paddle, our last honorable mention from our 5 Best Composite Pickleball Paddles of 2020 Review! We went over every detail of its face, surface area, weight, grip, and core, and explained how each of those things affects the paddle’s unique performance!

And finally, we summarized with a helpful little pros and cons list. Hopefully now you’re armed with the tools you need in order to decide whether this paddle is right for you!

Comments

Have you tried or owned this paddle? What do you like or not like about it? How does it compare to other paddles you may have tried? Do you have any questions or comments about anything we mentioned in this review?

We’d love to hear from you! Leave us a reply below, and we’ll make sure to get back to you as soon as possible!!