ONIX Evoke Premier Pro vs ONIX Z5 Graphite
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. ONIX Evoke Premier Pro takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and control on Paddle DNA against the ONIX Z5 Graphite, which costs $70.
Power
85 vs 73
Spin
84 vs 62
Control
82 vs 76
Forgiveness
Too close to call
82 vs 80
Hand speed
102 vs 112 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$70 at IQ 73.6 vs $180 at IQ 80.6
Overall pick: ONIX Evoke Premier Pro · $180 · IQ 80.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power73
- 82Control76
- 84Spin62
- 80Forgiveness82
- 82Sweet spot84
- 80Stability70
- 74Maneuverability88
- 84Pop80
- 78Touch70
- 80Consistency74
- 72Swing weight44
- 74Twist weight62
- 56Launch angle70
- 84Plow through56
- 70Softness74
ONIX Evoke Premier 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 | ONIX Evoke Premier Pro | ONIX Z5 Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 | $70 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 80.6 — better | 73.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 11 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 112 | 102 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 — better | 5.5 |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 15.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber with Atomic 13 grit | Graphite composite |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene | Nomex honeycomb |
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro verdict
Onix finally thermoformed the Evoke. It hits noticeably harder than the standard Premier while keeping the wide standard shape that made the original forgiving.
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: ONIX Evoke Premier Pro scores 72 against 44 for ONIX Z5 Graphite — a 28-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ONIX Z5 Graphite is $110 cheaper at $70.
Swing weight
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro leads by 28 points (72 vs 44).
Plow through
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro leads by 28 points (84 vs 56).
Spin
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro leads by 22 points (84 vs 62).
Maneuverability
ONIX Z5 Graphite leads by 14 points (88 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
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 74 vs 62, stability 80 vs 70, consistency 80 vs 74. Twist weight 6.4 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro is the clearer pick at this level — spin 84 vs 62, power 85 vs 73, control 82 vs 76. At 112 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Power
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro is the clearer pick at this level — plow through 84 vs 56, spin 84 vs 62, power 85 vs 73. Swing weight 112 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Spin
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (73.5 vs 74 on the weighted index). Take ONIX Z5 Graphite and keep the $110.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
ONIX Evoke Premier Pro
Take ONIX Evoke Premier Pro if you want swing weight (+28), plow through (+28), spin (+22). Its swing weight of 112 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Evoke Premier Pro review →ONIX Z5 Graphite
Take ONIX Z5 Graphite if you want maneuverability (+14), launch angle (+14), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Z5 Graphite review →ONIX Evoke Premier Pro vs ONIX Z5 Graphite FAQ
- Which is better, the ONIX Evoke Premier Pro or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- ONIX Evoke Premier Pro carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.6 vs 73.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — ONIX Evoke Premier Pro leads by 28 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 112 for ONIX Evoke Premier Pro. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ONIX Evoke Premier Pro or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- ONIX Evoke Premier Pro scores 85 for power against 73 for ONIX Z5 Graphite. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene core swinging at 112 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- ONIX Evoke Premier Pro at 82 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?
- ONIX Evoke Premier Pro scores 84 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber with Atomic 13 grit face, against 62 for the Graphite composite face on ONIX Z5 Graphite. In practice a 22-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 80). ONIX Evoke Premier Pro actually carries the higher twist weight (6.4 vs 5.5), but ONIX Z5 Graphite makes it back on sweet spot (84) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite costs $70, $110 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?
- ONIX Evoke Premier Pro: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene core with a Raw carbon fiber with Atomic 13 grit 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?
- 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. ONIX Evoke Premier Pro 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 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 112) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ONIX Z5 Graphite to the ONIX Evoke Premier Pro?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ONIX Evoke Premier Pro leads on swing weight by 28 points; everything else is within 28 points. At $180 vs $70, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: ONIX Evoke Premier Pro and ONIX Z5 Graphite. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.