ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs ONIX Z5 Graphite
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the ONIX Z5 Graphite, which costs $70.
Power
82 vs 73
Spin
84 vs 62
Control
86 vs 76
Forgiveness
88 vs 82
Hand speed
102 vs 109 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$70 at IQ 73.6 vs $150 at IQ 84.2
Overall pick: ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 · $150 · IQ 84.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power73
- 86Control76
- 84Spin62
- 88Forgiveness82
- 88Sweet spot84
- 84Stability70
- 78Maneuverability88
- 78Pop80
- 84Touch70
- 86Consistency74
- 68Swing weight44
- 82Twist weight62
- 52Launch angle70
- 80Plow through56
- 80Softness74
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 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 | ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 | ONIX Z5 Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 | $70 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.2 — better | 73.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 11 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 102 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 — 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 | Raw carbon fiber | Graphite composite |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | Nomex honeycomb |
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 verdict
Onix finally ships a raw-carbon face. Forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 in a standard shape make it one of the safest $150 paddles on the market.
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 Pro Carbon 16 scores 68 against 44 for ONIX Z5 Graphite — a 24-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ONIX Z5 Graphite is $80 cheaper at $70.
Swing weight
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 24 points (68 vs 44).
Plow through
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 24 points (80 vs 56).
Spin
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 22 points (84 vs 62).
Twist weight
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 20 points (82 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
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 62, stability 84 vs 70, consistency 86 vs 74. Twist weight 6.7 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 Pro Carbon 16
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 84 vs 62, touch 84 vs 70, control 86 vs 76. At 109 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 84 vs 62, plow through 80 vs 56, touch 84 vs 70. Swing weight 109 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 82 vs 62, softness 80 vs 74, forgiveness 88 vs 82. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16
Take ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 if you want swing weight (+24), plow through (+24), spin (+22). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 review →ONIX Z5 Graphite
Take ONIX Z5 Graphite if you want launch angle (+18), maneuverability (+10). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Z5 Graphite review →ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 vs ONIX Z5 Graphite FAQ
- Which is better, the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.2 vs 73.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads by 24 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 scores 82 for power against 73 for ONIX Z5 Graphite. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 109 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 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?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 scores 84 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber 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 Evoke Pro Carbon 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 82). Its 6.7 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?
- ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw carbon fiber 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 Evoke Pro Carbon 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 88 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 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ONIX Z5 Graphite to the ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 leads on swing weight by 24 points; everything else is within 24 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: ONIX Evoke Pro Carbon 16 and ONIX Z5 Graphite. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.