Compare up to 3 paddles side by side
Specs, weight and swing weight, all 15 Paddle DNA™ traits, and price plus availability built only from the retailer offers we actually track — never estimated.
Specs & weight
| Spec | JOOLA Essentials 16 | ONIX Z5 Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| IQ score | 82.2/100 | 73.6/100 |
| MSRP | $89 | $70 |
| Best tracked price | $89 | $70 |
| Weight | 7.9 oz | 7.8 oz |
| Swing weightlower = faster hands | 108 | 102 |
| Twist weighthigher = more forgiving | 5.8 | 5.5 |
| Core | 16 mm | 11 mm |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Surface | Textured fiberglass | Graphite composite |
| Handle | 5 in | 5 in |
| Released | 2025 | 2023 |
Price & availability
Sourced from stored retailer offers and their recorded price history. Paddles with no tracked offer show MSRP only.
JOOLA Essentials 16
- Tracked range
- $89 – $93
- Typical (median)
- $91
- All-time low
- $89
- Availability
- 2 / 2 in stock
ONIX Z5 Graphite
- Tracked range
- $70 – $73
- Typical (median)
- $71.50
- All-time low
- $70
- Availability
- 2 / 2 in stock
Paddle DNA™
- Power7473
- Control8976
- Spin7862
- Forgiveness9182
- Sweet spot9284
- Stability7970
- Maneuverability8488
- Pop7680
- Touch8270
- Consistency8674
- Swing weight4644
- Twist weight7162
- Launch angle6670
- Plow through6256
- Softness8874
Bars listed in the order JOOLA Essentials 16 · ONIX Z5 Graphite
Verdicts
JOOLA Essentials 16
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
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.