Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs ONIX Z5 Graphite
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. ONIX Z5 Graphite takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Franklin Signature 16 Composite wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and control on Paddle DNA against the ONIX Z5 Graphite, which costs $70.
Power
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
81 vs 73
Spin
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
68 vs 62
Control
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
83 vs 76
Forgiveness
82 vs 72
Hand speed
102 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$70 at IQ 73.6 vs $70 at IQ 73.5
Overall pick: Franklin Signature 16 Composite · $70 · IQ 73.5
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 81Power73
- 83Control76
- 68Spin62
- 72Forgiveness82
- 70Sweet spot84
- 67Stability70
- 80Maneuverability88
- 76Pop80
- 84Touch70
- 74Consistency74
- 66Swing weight44
- 50Twist weight62
- 52Launch angle70
- 75Plow through56
- 86Softness74
Franklin Signature 16 Composite 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 Signature 16 Composite | ONIX Z5 Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $70 | $70 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 73.5 | 73.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 11 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 102 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.6 — better | 5.5 |
| Shape | elongated | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 15.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.3 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.6 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.5 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Composite/Fiberglass | Graphite composite |
| Core material | Polypropylene | Nomex honeycomb |
Franklin Signature 16 Composite verdict
A fiberglass-faced elongated paddle at a rec-league price. Composite faces give up spin to carbon, but they hand back free pop that beginners actually benefit from.
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 swing weight: Franklin Signature 16 Composite scores 66 against 44 for ONIX Z5 Graphite — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $70, so price cannot break the tie.
Swing weight
Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads by 22 points (66 vs 44).
Plow through
Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads by 19 points (75 vs 56).
Launch angle
ONIX Z5 Graphite leads by 18 points (70 vs 52).
Sweet spot
ONIX Z5 Graphite leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).
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
ONIX Z5 Graphite
ONIX Z5 Graphite is the clearer pick at this level — sweet spot 84 vs 70, forgiveness 82 vs 72, twist weight 62 vs 50. Twist weight 5.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Franklin Signature 16 Composite is a narrow pick at this level — touch 84 vs 70, control 83 vs 76, spin 68 vs 62. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Franklin Signature 16 Composite is the clearer pick at this level — plow through 75 vs 56, touch 84 vs 70, power 81 vs 73. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (74 vs 75.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — widebody on the Z5 Graphite, elongated on the Signature 16 Composite.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
ONIX Z5 Graphite
Take ONIX Z5 Graphite if you want launch angle (+18), sweet spot (+14), twist weight (+12). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Z5 Graphite review →Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite if you want swing weight (+22), plow through (+19), touch (+14). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature 16 Composite review →ONIX Z5 Graphite vs Franklin Signature 16 Composite FAQ
- Which is better, the ONIX Z5 Graphite or the Franklin Signature 16 Composite?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (73.6 vs 73.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ONIX Z5 Graphite or the Franklin Signature 16 Composite?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite scores 81 for power against 73 for ONIX Z5 Graphite. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite at 83 versus 76. Its 16 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 Signature 16 Composite scores 68 for spin off its Composite/Fiberglass face, against 62 for the Graphite composite face on ONIX Z5 Graphite. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite, with the higher forgiveness score (82 vs 72). Franklin Signature 16 Composite actually carries the higher twist weight (5.6 vs 5.5), but ONIX Z5 Graphite makes it back on sweet spot (84) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $70. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite: 11 mm Nomex honeycomb core with a Graphite composite face. Franklin Signature 16 Composite: 16 mm Polypropylene core with a Composite/Fiberglass face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite, at 5.6 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Franklin Signature 16 Composite avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Signature 16 Composite rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite at 7.8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature 16 Composite to the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads on swing weight by 22 points; everything else is within 19 points. At $70 vs $70, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a spin vs pop decision
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature 16 Composite and ONIX Z5 Graphite. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.