GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs ONIX Z5 Graphite
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. GAMMA Obsidian 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
GAMMA Obsidian 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the ONIX Z5 Graphite, which costs $70.
Power
Too close to call
73 vs 72
Spin
74 vs 62
Control
86 vs 76
Forgiveness
88 vs 82
Hand speed
Too close to call
102 vs 102 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$70 at IQ 73.6 vs $150 at IQ 80.3
Overall pick: GAMMA Obsidian 16 · $150 · IQ 80.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 72Power73
- 86Control76
- 74Spin62
- 88Forgiveness82
- 86Sweet spot84
- 78Stability70
- 84Maneuverability88
- 68Pop80
- 86Touch70
- 84Consistency74
- 62Swing weight44
- 72Twist weight62
- 46Launch angle70
- 68Plow through56
- 86Softness74
GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs ONIX Z5 Graphite specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | GAMMA Obsidian 16 | ONIX Z5 Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 | $70 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.3 — better | 73.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 11 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 102 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 — better | 5.5 |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 15.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured graphite composite | Graphite composite |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Nomex honeycomb |
GAMMA Obsidian 16 verdict
The softest paddle in this group and one of the lightest-swinging. Softness 86 plus a 102 swing weight is a recipe for confident dinks — provided you accept a low power ceiling.
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 launch angle: ONIX Z5 Graphite scores 70 against 46 for GAMMA Obsidian 16 — a 24-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ONIX Z5 Graphite is $80 cheaper at $70.
Launch angle
ONIX Z5 Graphite leads by 24 points (70 vs 46).
Swing weight
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 18 points (62 vs 44).
Touch
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 16 points (86 vs 70).
Spin
GAMMA Obsidian 16 leads by 12 points (74 vs 62).
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
GAMMA Obsidian 16
GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 72 vs 62, consistency 84 vs 74, forgiveness 88 vs 82. Twist weight 6.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Consistency
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
GAMMA Obsidian 16
GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 74 vs 62, touch 86 vs 70, control 86 vs 76. At 102 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
GAMMA Obsidian 16
GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the clearer pick at this level — touch 86 vs 70, spin 74 vs 62, plow through 68 vs 56. Swing weight 102 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
GAMMA Obsidian 16
GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 86 vs 74, twist weight 72 vs 62, forgiveness 88 vs 82. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.7 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
GAMMA Obsidian 16
Take GAMMA Obsidian 16 if you want swing weight (+18), touch (+16), spin (+12). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the GAMMA Obsidian 16 review →ONIX Z5 Graphite
Take ONIX Z5 Graphite if you want launch angle (+24), pop (+12), maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Z5 Graphite review →GAMMA Obsidian 16 vs ONIX Z5 Graphite FAQ
- Which is better, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.3 vs 73.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — ONIX Z5 Graphite leads by 24 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 102 kg·cm², and swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the GAMMA Obsidian 16 or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite scores 73 for power against 72 for GAMMA Obsidian 16. 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?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 86 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?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 scores 74 for spin off its Textured graphite composite face, against 62 for the Graphite composite face on ONIX Z5 Graphite. In practice a 12-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 82). Its 6.2 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?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite costs $70, $80 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured graphite composite face. ONIX Z5 Graphite: 11 mm Nomex honeycomb core with a Graphite composite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5 in handle, short enough that either forces the bottom hand up onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 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?
- GAMMA Obsidian 16 at 7.7 oz against 7.8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight is identical at 102 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ONIX Z5 Graphite to the GAMMA Obsidian 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ONIX Z5 Graphite leads on launch angle by 24 points; everything else is within 18 points. At $150 vs $70, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: GAMMA Obsidian 16 and ONIX Z5 Graphite. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.