JOOLA Essentials 16 vs ONIX Z5 Graphite
The two paddles beginners most often compare before their first real purchase. Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Essentials 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
JOOLA Essentials 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
74 vs 73
Spin
78 vs 62
Control
89 vs 76
Forgiveness
91 vs 82
Hand speed
102 vs 108 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$70 at IQ 73.6 vs $89 at IQ 82.2
Overall pick: JOOLA Essentials 16 · $89 · IQ 82.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 74Power73
- 89Control76
- 78Spin62
- 91Forgiveness82
- 92Sweet spot84
- 79Stability70
- 84Maneuverability88
- 76Pop80
- 82Touch70
- 86Consistency74
- 46Swing weight44
- 71Twist weight62
- 66Launch angle70
- 62Plow through56
- 88Softness74
JOOLA Essentials 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 | JOOLA Essentials 16 | ONIX Z5 Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $89 | $70 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.2 — better | 73.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 11 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 102 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.8 — better | 5.5 |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 15.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured fiberglass | Graphite composite |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Nomex honeycomb |
JOOLA Essentials 16 verdict
The widest sweet-spot score in our sub-$100 group. Mishits off the top third still clear the net, which is exactly what a new player needs while their contact point is inconsistent.
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 spin: JOOLA Essentials 16 scores 78 against 62 for ONIX Z5 Graphite — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on swing weight, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ONIX Z5 Graphite is $19 cheaper at $70.
Spin
JOOLA Essentials 16 leads by 16 points (78 vs 62).
Softness
JOOLA Essentials 16 leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).
Control
JOOLA Essentials 16 leads by 13 points (89 vs 76).
Touch
JOOLA Essentials 16 leads by 12 points (82 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
JOOLA Essentials 16
JOOLA Essentials 16 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 82, sweet spot 92 vs 84, consistency 86 vs 74. Twist weight 5.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Essentials 16
JOOLA Essentials 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 78 vs 62, control 89 vs 76, touch 82 vs 70. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Essentials 16
JOOLA Essentials 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 78 vs 62, touch 82 vs 70, control 89 vs 76. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Essentials 16
JOOLA Essentials 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 88 vs 74, forgiveness 91 vs 82, twist weight 71 vs 62. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Essentials 16
Take JOOLA Essentials 16 if you want spin (+16), softness (+14), control (+13). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Essentials 16 review →ONIX Z5 Graphite
Take ONIX Z5 Graphite if you want maneuverability (+4), pop (+4), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Z5 Graphite review →JOOLA Essentials 16 vs ONIX Z5 Graphite FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Essentials 16 or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.2 vs 73.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — JOOLA Essentials 16 leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 108 for JOOLA Essentials 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Essentials 16 or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 scores 74 for power against 73 for ONIX Z5 Graphite. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 at 89 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?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 scores 78 for spin off its Textured fiberglass face, against 62 for the Graphite composite face on ONIX Z5 Graphite. In practice a 16-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Essentials 16, with the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 82). Its 5.8 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, $19 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?
- JOOLA Essentials 16: 16 mm Polypropylene 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?
- 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?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 91 and sweet spot 92 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?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite at 7.8 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ONIX Z5 Graphite to the JOOLA Essentials 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Essentials 16 leads on spin by 16 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $89 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:
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Essentials 16 vs Encore Pro EX
- Essentials 16 vs Prism Flash
- Essentials 16 vs Signature Carbon STR
- Essentials 16 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Z5 Graphite vs Flare Graphite
- Z5 Graphite vs Ben Johns Signature Pro
- Z5 Graphite vs Strike 4F
- Z5 Graphite vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put JOOLA Essentials 16 and ONIX Z5 Graphite in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Essentials 16 and ONIX Z5 Graphite. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.