Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs ONIX Z5 Graphite
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin on Paddle DNA against the ONIX Z5 Graphite, which costs $70.
Power
Too close to call
73 vs 70
Spin
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
66 vs 62
Control
Too close to call
78 vs 76
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 82
Hand speed
Too close to call
102 vs 104 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$60 at IQ 74.7 vs $70 at IQ 73.6
Overall pick: Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro · $60 · IQ 74.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power73
- 78Control76
- 66Spin62
- 84Forgiveness82
- 86Sweet spot84
- 72Stability70
- 86Maneuverability88
- 74Pop80
- 72Touch70
- 76Consistency74
- 46Swing weight44
- 64Twist weight62
- 69Launch angle70
- 54Plow through56
- 78Softness74
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs ONIX Z5 Graphite specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro | ONIX Z5 Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $60 — better | $70 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 74.7 — better | 73.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 13 | 11 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 104 | 102 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.6 — better | 5.5 |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 15.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 4.9 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured fiberglass | Graphite composite |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Nomex honeycomb |
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro verdict
A starter paddle with a famous name on it. Perfectly serviceable for the first few months of play, and easy to hand down once you upgrade.
ONIX Z5 Graphite verdict
The paddle that introduced a generation to pickleball. It is fast and cheap, but the thin Nomex core is loud and dated next to modern polymer builds.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: ONIX Z5 Graphite scores 80 against 74 for Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($60 vs $70) that it should not break the tie.
Pop
ONIX Z5 Graphite leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
Spin
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro leads by 4 points (66 vs 62).
Softness
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro leads by 4 points (78 vs 74).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 82, sweet spot 86 vs 84, stability 72 vs 70. Twist weight 5.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (76.1 vs 75.1 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Ben Johns Signature Pro, widebody on the Z5 Graphite.
- Spin
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (69.8 vs 69.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — standard on the Ben Johns Signature Pro, widebody on the Z5 Graphite.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro is a narrow pick at this level — softness 78 vs 74, forgiveness 84 vs 82, twist weight 64 vs 62. Its 13 mm Polymer honeycomb core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
Take Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro if you want spin (+4), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 104 kg·cm² and 13 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro review →ONIX Z5 Graphite
Take ONIX Z5 Graphite if you want pop (+6). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Z5 Graphite review →Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs ONIX Z5 Graphite FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (74.7 vs 73.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — ONIX Z5 Graphite leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 104 for Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite scores 73 for power against 70 for Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro. That comes from an 11 mm Nomex honeycomb core swinging at 102 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro at 78 versus 76. Its 13 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro scores 66 for spin off its Textured fiberglass face, against 62 for the Graphite composite face on ONIX Z5 Graphite. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 82). Its 5.6 twist weight against 5.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro: 13 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass face. ONIX Z5 Graphite: 11 mm Nomex honeycomb core with a Graphite composite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite, at 5 in of handle against 4.9 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. ONIX Z5 Graphite rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro at 7.7 oz against 7.8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (104 vs 102) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ONIX Z5 Graphite to the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ONIX Z5 Graphite leads on pop by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $60 vs $70, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a spin vs pop decision
Browse every head-to-head that splits on the same trade-off:
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Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro and ONIX Z5 Graphite. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.