ONIX Z5 Graphite vs Six Zero Quartz Control
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Quartz Control 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
Six Zero Quartz Control 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
78 vs 73
Spin
90 vs 62
Control
93 vs 76
Forgiveness
91 vs 82
Hand speed
102 vs 108 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$70 at IQ 73.6 vs $190 at IQ 88
Overall pick: Six Zero Quartz Control · $190 · IQ 88
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 73Power78
- 76Control93
- 62Spin90
- 82Forgiveness91
- 84Sweet spot92
- 70Stability90
- 88Maneuverability82
- 80Pop72
- 70Touch92
- 74Consistency91
- 44Swing weight68
- 62Twist weight90
- 70Launch angle50
- 56Plow through72
- 74Softness89
ONIX Z5 Graphite vs Six Zero Quartz Control specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | ONIX Z5 Graphite | Six Zero Quartz Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $70 — better | $190 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 73.6 | 88 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 11 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 102 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.5 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | widebody | standard |
| Face length(in) | 15.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Graphite composite | Raw carbon friction |
| Core material | Nomex honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
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.
Six Zero Quartz Control verdict
A control build in the Double Black Diamond tradition, only lighter and quicker. Twist weight and sweet spot are the standouts; power is deliberately mid-pack.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 against 62 for ONIX Z5 Graphite — a 28-point gap. ONIX Z5 Graphite is $120 cheaper at $70.
Spin
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 28 points (90 vs 62).
Twist weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 28 points (90 vs 62).
Swing weight
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 24 points (68 vs 44).
Touch
Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 22 points (92 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
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 90 vs 62, stability 90 vs 70, consistency 91 vs 74. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 62, control 93 vs 76, touch 92 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
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 62, touch 92 vs 70, plow through 72 vs 56. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Quartz Control
Six Zero Quartz Control is the clearer pick at this level — softness 89 vs 74, twist weight 90 vs 62, forgiveness 91 vs 82. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
ONIX Z5 Graphite
Take ONIX Z5 Graphite if you want launch angle (+20), pop (+8), maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Z5 Graphite review →Six Zero Quartz Control
Take Six Zero Quartz Control if you want spin (+28), twist weight (+28), swing weight (+24). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Quartz Control review →ONIX Z5 Graphite vs Six Zero Quartz Control FAQ
- Which is better, the ONIX Z5 Graphite or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88 vs 73.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Six Zero Quartz Control leads by 28 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 108 for Six Zero Quartz Control. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the ONIX Z5 Graphite or the Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Six Zero Quartz Control scores 78 for power against 73 for ONIX Z5 Graphite. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Six Zero Quartz Control at 93 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 62 for the Graphite composite face on ONIX Z5 Graphite. In practice a 28-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, with the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 82). Its 7.2 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, $120 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 Z5 Graphite: 11 mm Nomex honeycomb core with a Graphite composite face. Six Zero Quartz Control: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Six Zero Quartz Control, at 5.25 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?
- Six Zero Quartz Control 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 Six Zero Quartz Control?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Quartz Control leads on spin by 28 points; everything else is within 28 points. At $70 vs $190, 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.
- 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
- Quartz Control vs Radius CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Sapphire 16
- Quartz Control vs Vision CGS 16
- Quartz Control vs Tempest Pro C 16
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 Six Zero Quartz Control in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: ONIX Z5 Graphite and Six Zero Quartz Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.