Are Onix Pickleball Paddles Good?

Confused by the many Onix paddle models¹ available? Choosing the wrong one can hurt your game and your wallet. I’ll break down which Onix paddle fits your style.

Yes, Onix paddles are good, but the right model depends on your level and play style. The classic Z5 offers budget-friendly power for beginners, while the Evoke Premier Raw Carbon² provides modern spin and control. High-end lines like Malice/Mayhem target pro-level performance.

So, you’re standing in front of a wall of paddles, and the Onix logo catches your eye. You’ve heard the name, but you’re not sure where to start. As someone who has built a career around pickleball paddles, from the factory floor to my own trading company, I’ve seen brands come and go. Onix has stayed, and for good reason. They have a deep product line that can be confusing, but it also means they likely have a paddle that’s perfect for a specific type of player. Let’s dive into what makes Onix a major player in the pickleball world and figure out which of their paddles, if any, is the right one for your brand or your game.

Onix at a glance: who are they for and how are they different?

Onix offers paddles from budget-friendly to pro-level. It’s hard to know which line is for beginners, intermediates, or advanced players. Here’s a quick guide to their main paddle families.

Onix targets different players with specific lines. The Z5 is for beginners to intermediates wanting power and value. The Evoke Premier Raw Carbon is for players seeking modern spin and control. The Malice/Mayhem series³ is for advanced players needing stability and pro-tuned performance.

I’ve watched the Onix product line evolve over the years, and it tells a story about the pickleball market itself. They have a clear strategy that caters to different segments, which is smart from a business perspective.

The Power Starter: Z5 Series

The Z5 is a classic workhorse. For years, it has been the go-to recommendation for new players who want to step up from a basic wooden paddle. It’s powerful, forgiving, and affordable. I’ve seen many brands try to copy its success, but the Z5 remains a benchmark for entry-level performance.

The Modern Spin-Doctor: Evoke Premier Raw Carbon

The raw carbon fiber trend swept the industry, and the Evoke line was Onix’s answer. It showed they could adapt to new player demands for spin and a softer feel. This series competes directly with the modern "Gen 2" thermoformed paddles.

The Pro’s Choice: Malice & Mayhem

These high-end lines are Onix’s attempt to dominate the professional and high-level amateur scene. They incorporate features like longer handles, specialized frames, and vibration dampening that advanced players demand. This progression shows a brand that isn’t stuck in the past but builds on its legacy.

Do materials matter: nomex vs polypropylene cores and graphite vs raw carbon faces?

Paddle descriptions are full of jargon like "nomex" and "polypropylene." These terms are confusing, but they directly impact how a paddle plays. Let’s simplify what these materials mean for you.

Yes, materials are crucial. A Nomex core with a graphite face, like in the Z5, creates a loud, powerful pop. A polypropylene core with a raw carbon face, like in the Evoke Premier RC, offers a softer feel, more control, and better spin.

In my factory days, I handled these raw materials every day. The feel of a paddle starts here. The core and the face work together as a system to produce power, control, and spin.

The Power Core: Nomex

Nomex is a harder, denser aramid polymer honeycomb. When the ball hits it, the core doesn’t compress much and the ball springs back fast. This is where the Onix Z5 gets its signature loud "pop" and powerful feel. It’s fantastic for players who need help generating pace on their drives and serves, but it’s less forgiving for soft shots because the ball doesn’t stay on the face for long.

The Control Core: Polypropylene

Polypropylene is a softer plastic honeycomb. It acts more like a cushion, absorbing the ball’s energy. This keeps the ball on the paddle face longer, a characteristic we call "dwell time." This extra moment gives you more control and makes it easier to manipulate the ball for spin. Most modern high-performance paddles use a polypropylene core.

The Face of the Paddle: Graphite vs. Raw Carbon

A smooth graphite face, like on the Z5, is slick and stiff, contributing to the paddle’s power. A gritty raw carbon fiber face, found on the Evoke Premier RC, is designed to grab the ball. This texture creates friction, which is essential for generating heavy topspin and slice.

How do you size your handle and thickness for control vs. pop?

A paddle’s handle length and thickness seem like small details. But they can make or break your comfort and performance, especially for certain shots. Here’s how to choose the right dimensions for your game.

For two-handed backhands, you need a longer handle (5.25"+), found on paddles like the Onix Mayhem/Malice. For thickness, thinner paddles (10-12mm) offer more power or "pop," while thicker paddles (14-16mm) provide more control and a softer feel for resets.

When I work with clients to design a new paddle line, we spend a lot of time on these two specifications. They are not afterthoughts; they are fundamental to the paddle’s identity and target audience.

Handle Length: The Two-Hander’s Dilemma

The rise of players coming from tennis has made handle length a critical feature. A traditional 5-inch handle, like the one on the Onix Z5, feels very cramped if you try to use a two-handed backhand⁴. There just isn’t enough real estate for both hands. Onix recognized this market shift and equipped their newer Mayhem and Malice series with longer handles (often 5.35" or more) specifically to cater to this powerful playing style.

Paddle Thickness: The Pop vs. Control Equation

Think of paddle thickness⁵ this way: a thinner core (10-12mm) is like a firm trampoline. The ball bounces off it quickly and with a lot of energy, giving you more power or "pop." A thicker core (14-16mm) is like a deep cushion. It absorbs the impact, slows the ball down, and gives you more time to direct your shot. If you constantly struggle with popping up dinks at the kitchen, a thicker 16mm paddle will be your best friend. It provides the soft feel and control you need to master the short game.

Are Onix paddles tournament-legal?

You’re ready to enter your first tournament. But using an illegal paddle could get you disqualified before you even play. Let’s confirm the tournament status of popular Onix models.

Yes, major Onix paddles are approved for tournament play. The Onix Z5 is approved by the USAPA (the former name), and the newer Evoke Premier Raw Carbon line is fully approved by USA Pickleball. Always check the official USA Pickleball approved⁶ list for current information.

The "USA Pickleball Approved" mark is the seal of legitimacy in our industry. For any brand I work with, getting this certification is a non-negotiable step for any paddle intended for serious players.

The USAPA/USA Pickleball Seal

This little logo means the paddle has been independently tested by USA Pickleball’s lab and meets all official rules. The tests cover everything from size, weight, and surface roughness to how much the paddle face deflects on impact. The Onix Z5 has been a USAPA-approved staple for many years. The newer lines, like the Evoke Premier Raw Carbon, carry the current USA Pickleball approval mark. This means you can walk onto any sanctioned tournament court with confidence.

Why Approval Matters for Your Business

For players, it’s about being able to compete. For retailers and brands, it’s about credibility and market access. Selling non-approved paddles limits your customer base to only the most casual recreational players. It signals that you aren’t a serious player in the sport. Onix has a long and consistent history of compliance, so you can trust that their mainstream performance paddles are built to the official specifications and are ready for competition.

Which Onix paddle should you buy?

You know Onix is a good brand, but which model is for you? Making the wrong choice means you won’t get the performance you need. Here is a quick guide to match a paddle to your player profile.

For beginners on a budget, get the Z5 Graphite⁷ for its power and forgiveness. If you want modern spin and control, choose the Evoke Premier Raw Carbon (14-16mm). For advanced players with a two-handed backhand, look at the Mayhem or Malice lines.

Let’s make this simple. I’ve helped countless clients and players navigate this exact decision. It all comes down to what you want to achieve on the court and what your budget is.

Quick Picks by Player Profile

Here’s a simple table to guide your choice. This is how I break it down when someone asks me for a recommendation.

A Note on Pop-Ups

Here is a crucial piece of advice I always give: if you find yourself constantly popping up dinks and resets at the net, you need more control. Avoid thin paddles (10-12mm) for now. The extra control and softer feel from a 14mm or 16mm core will do more for your game than any amount of extra power.

Onix Z5 review: why does this “old faithful” still sell?

The Onix Z5 is an old design in a fast-moving market. You might think it’s outdated and not worth considering. Here’s why this classic paddle remains a bestseller year after year.

The Onix Z5 still sells because it offers unbeatable power and a massive sweet spot for under $100. Its widebody shape is forgiving for off-center hits, making it a perfect, confidence-boosting paddle for beginners and intermediates who prioritize power over a soft touch.

The Z5 is a legend for a reason. In the paddle business, you learn that some designs just work perfectly for their intended audience. The Z5’s combination of a powerful Nomex core and a forgiving widebody shape was a game-changer when it was released, and it still holds up today.

Z5 Key Specifications

The specs tell the story of a paddle built for power and forgiveness.

Performance: Power and Forgiveness

This combination creates a huge sweet spot. For a player rated between 2.5 and 4.0, that forgiveness is gold. You don’t have to hit the ball perfectly in the center every time to get a solid, powerful shot. The trade-off is control. That same power can be hard to tame at the kitchen line. The paddle has less dwell time, so dinks and resets require a softer touch and more practice. But for players who love to drive the ball from the baseline, the Z5 provides incredible value.

Onix Evoke Premier Raw Carbon review: is it the modern spin and control choice?

You want the spin and control of a modern raw carbon paddle. But many brands offer only one feel, while Onix offers four different thicknesses. Let’s see how these options let you customize your game.

Yes, the Evoke Premier Raw Carbon is a top choice for modern spin. Its raw carbon face provides excellent grip on the ball. The key is its multiple thicknesses: 10-12mm for more power, and 14-16mm for maximum control and a softer feel.

From a manufacturing and product development standpoint, what Onix did with the Evoke Premier Raw Carbon line is very smart. Instead of forcing players into a single power-control profile, they created a system that lets the player choose.

The Power of Choice: Thickness Mapping

The raw carbon face is the same across the entire line, providing the gritty texture needed for heavy spin. The magic happens inside, with the polypropylene core thickness. Onix maps each thickness to a specific performance goal.

Performance: Spin and Feel

This is brilliant. You can create four distinct-feeling paddles from one basic design just by changing the core material’s thickness. For players, this is a huge advantage. You can get that elite spin and then decide: do I want the crisp, powerful feel of a thin paddle (10-12mm), or do I need the soft, forgiving touch of a thick, control-oriented one (14-16mm)? It’s a level of customization that many other top brands don’t offer.

Onix Malice & Mayhem: what did pros say during testing?

You see pros using paddles that look different from store models. You wonder if those high-end paddles are just hype or truly better. Let’s look at the feedback pros gave on Onix’s top-tier lines.

Pros testing the Malice and Mayhem paddles praised their large sweet spots, stability, and power. They especially highlighted the longer handles, which are perfect for two-handed backhands, and the solid, controlled feel provided by the 14mm and 16mm cores.

When a brand like Onix develops a pro-level paddle, they don’t guess what players want. They give prototypes to their sponsored athletes for rigorous testing and feedback. I’ve been part of this R&D process, and it’s where a good paddle design becomes a great one.

Key Pro Insights

For the Malice and Mayhem lines, the feedback from professional players was consistent. They immediately noticed the paddle’s stability. It felt solid and predictable when blocking hard drives or hitting off-center shots, which is critical for confidence at high levels of play. Another huge point of praise was the longer handle, a direct request from the growing number of pros who use a two-handed backhand for more power and reach.

The "Power Frame" and Stability

Onix markets this stability as its "Power Frame" technology. The pros also noted the paddles had a large, forgiving sweet spot and a great blend of power and spin, especially in the 14mm and 16mm versions. The Malice DB (Double Bridge) model, with its unique open-throat design, was specifically mentioned for its comfortable feel and built-in vibration dampening. This isn’t just marketing talk; it’s player-validated design that shows Onix is listening to the best players in the world.

Conclusion

In short, Onix offers a paddle for every level. From the powerful Z5 to the spin-friendly Evoke and pro-tuned Malice, you can find a great fit for your game.

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