ONIX Z5 Graphite vs Rally Flare Graphite
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Rally Flare Graphite 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
Rally Flare Graphite wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and value on Paddle DNA against the ONIX Z5 Graphite, which costs $70.
Power
Too close to call
74 vs 73
Spin
72 vs 62
Control
Too close to call
76 vs 76
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 82
Hand speed
Too close to call
100 vs 102 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$50 at IQ 75.7 vs $70 at IQ 73.6
Overall pick: Rally Flare Graphite · $50 · IQ 75.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 73Power74
- 76Control76
- 62Spin72
- 82Forgiveness84
- 84Sweet spot84
- 70Stability68
- 88Maneuverability90
- 80Pop86
- 70Touch74
- 74Consistency74
- 44Swing weight46
- 62Twist weight66
- 70Launch angle68
- 56Plow through54
- 74Softness74
ONIX Z5 Graphite vs Rally Flare Graphite specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | ONIX Z5 Graphite | Rally Flare Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $70 | $50 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 73.6 | 75.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.5 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 11 | 11 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 100 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.5 | 5.8 — better |
| Shape | widebody | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8.1 | 7.8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.135 |
| Surface | Graphite composite | Carbon fiber with peel-ply texture |
| Core material | Nomex honeycomb | Polymer honeycomb |
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.
Rally Flare Graphite verdict
A $50 carbon-faced paddle with a thin 11 mm core: poppy, light and easy to swing. It is a starter paddle, and the thin core shows the moment you try to reset a hard drive.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Rally Flare Graphite scores 72 against 62 for ONIX Z5 Graphite — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, stability, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Rally Flare Graphite is $20 cheaper at $50.
Spin
Rally Flare Graphite leads by 10 points (72 vs 62).
Pop
Rally Flare Graphite leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Touch
Rally Flare Graphite leads by 4 points (74 vs 70).
Twist weight
Rally Flare Graphite leads by 4 points (66 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (76.6 vs 75.8 on the weighted index). Take Rally Flare Graphite and keep the $20.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Rally Flare Graphite
Rally Flare Graphite is a narrow pick at this level — spin 72 vs 62, touch 74 vs 70, maneuverability 90 vs 88. At 100 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Rally Flare Graphite
Rally Flare Graphite is a narrow pick at this level — spin 72 vs 62, touch 74 vs 70, maneuverability 90 vs 88. Swing weight 100 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (75.3 vs 74 on the weighted index). Take Rally Flare Graphite and keep the $20.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Rally Flare Graphite
Take Rally Flare Graphite if you want spin (+10), pop (+6), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Rally Flare Graphite review →ONIX Z5 Graphite
Take ONIX Z5 Graphite if you prefer a widebody face and a 5 in handle and an 11 mm Nomex honeycomb core — it gives up nothing measurable to Rally Flare Graphite.
Read the ONIX Z5 Graphite review →Rally Flare Graphite vs ONIX Z5 Graphite FAQ
- Which is better, the Rally Flare Graphite or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- Rally Flare Graphite carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (75.7 vs 73.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Rally Flare Graphite leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Rally Flare Graphite, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 102 for ONIX Z5 Graphite. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Rally Flare Graphite or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- Rally Flare Graphite scores 74 for power against 73 for ONIX Z5 Graphite. That comes from an 11 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 100 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 76 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Rally Flare Graphite scores 72 for spin off its Carbon fiber with peel-ply texture face, against 62 for the Graphite composite face on ONIX Z5 Graphite. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Rally Flare Graphite, with the higher forgiveness score (84 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?
- Rally Flare Graphite costs $50, $20 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?
- Rally Flare Graphite: 11 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Carbon fiber with peel-ply texture face. ONIX Z5 Graphite: 11 mm Nomex honeycomb core with a Graphite composite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Rally Flare Graphite, at 5.3 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Rally Flare Graphite is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 84 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?
- Rally Flare Graphite at 7.5 oz against 7.8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (100 vs 102) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ONIX Z5 Graphite to the Rally Flare Graphite?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Rally Flare Graphite leads on spin by 10 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $50 vs $70, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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.
- Flare Graphite vs Ben Johns Signature Pro
- Flare Graphite vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Flare Graphite vs Strike 4F
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 ONIX Z5 Graphite and Rally Flare Graphite in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: ONIX Z5 Graphite and Rally Flare Graphite. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.