Updated 3 July 2026

Onix Z5 Review (UK 2026): The Long-Running Control Paddle

By Rob Griffiths3 July 2026 · 7 min read

Editorial review

Onix Z5 Review (UK 2026)

The original wide-body composite paddle, still standing up to 2026 competitors

4.0 / 5

★★★★★ ★★★★★ Highly recommended

Forgiving sweet spot and controlled feel make it a fair recommendation for control-first players and improving beginners.

Sweet spot & forgiveness 4.5
Power 3.2
Control & touch 4.3
Spin generation 3.4
Build & durability 4.4
Value 4.2

Strengths

Forgiving sweet spot from the wide-body shape
Controlled, consistent feel for dinks and resets
Decade-plus durability with polymer-core noise damping

Watch outs

Modest power output by 2026 standards
Spin generation lags thermoformed carbon-fibre rivals
Stock grip runs small (4 1/4 inch)

£79.99 typical UK street price

Check current price

Core Polymer honeycomb
Face Composite (graphite or fibreglass)
Weight 7.5 - 8.2 oz
Shape Wide-body (8 in × 15.5 in)
UK price £60 - £80
USAPA approved Yes

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The Onix Z5 has been on the UK shelves longer than almost any other pickleball paddle still in current production. It's been a Decathlon-and-Amazon-UK staple since the sport arrived here and remains a default recommendation in beginner clinics across the country. The question for 2026: does a paddle designed before thermoformed carbon-fibre construction was viable still earn its place against £150 modern rivals?

Overview - what the Z5 actually is

The Onix Z5 is a wide-body composite paddle - 8 inches wide and 15.5 inches long, with a graphite or fibreglass face on a polymer honeycomb core. It comes in two flavours: the Z5 Graphite (lighter, slightly faster) and the Z5 Composite (fibreglass face, more pop and slightly more power). Both share the same shape, same core and almost the same price point.

The shape is the headline. By 2026 most premium paddles have moved to a 16-inch elongated profile (better reach, better power, smaller sweet spot). The Z5 stays at 15.5 × 8 - giving you a fatter hitting zone in exchange for slightly less reach on the run. For new players still building consistency, that's a fair trade.

How does it play?

The honest summary: predictable, controlled, forgiving. The wide-body shape means off-centre hits don't punish you the way they do on a tighter 16-inch elongated paddle - and that's the single biggest reason the Z5 endures with improving players. Dinks land softly, resets stick, and the polymer core keeps the ball on the face just long enough that your control inputs translate. It's a paddle that rewards patience.

Where it falls short, predictably, is at the back of the court. Drive a hard counter-attack with a Z5 and you'll notice the modest power - the polymer-honeycomb core was state of the art in 2018 but doesn't generate the rebound velocity of a thermoformed carbon-fibre face. Aggressive 'bangers' (players who hit hard from the baseline) will outgrow it inside a season.

Spin generation is the other 2026 weak spot. Modern carbon-fibre faces produce sharper-edged spin patterns and a more bite-y surface. The Z5's composite face is good - just not 'modern paddle' good. If you're learning the third-shot drop and the spin-loaded dink, the Z5 is fine. If you're chasing a hard topspin drive, look at newer paddles.

Specifications

Length: 15.5 inches (39.4 cm)
Width: 8 inches (20.3 cm)
Weight (range): 7.5 - 8.2 oz (213-232 g)
Core: Polymer honeycomb (5/8 inch)
Face: Graphite (Z5 Graphite) or fibreglass (Z5 Composite)
Grip circumference: 4 1/4 inches (10.8 cm)
Grip length: 5 inches
USAPA approved: Yes
Edge guard: Yes (impact-resistant)

Who is the Z5 right for?

Best for

Control-first improvers

Players still building consistency on dinks, drops and resets. The forgiving sweet spot means more rallies stay alive while you learn placement and patience. Sub-£100 budget players who want a proven paddle rather than a marketing-driven brand.

Skip if

Power players or fast-spin hitters

Aggressive bangers who hit through the third shot with a hard drive. Modern carbon-fibre paddles deliver materially more power and spin. Tournament 4.0+ players targeting fast hands at the kitchen will outgrow the Z5 inside a season.

What about the Z5 vs newer Onix paddles?

Onix has launched several newer paddles since the Z5 - the Evoke Premier, Stryker 4, and 2025's Malice line - all targeting different player types. The Z5 sits at the budget-friendly entry tier; the Evoke and Malice both move toward thermoformed carbon-fibre at higher price points. If you're climbing fast and have a paddle budget of £150+, the Malice 14mm is the upgrade path within the brand. If you're staying at the £60-80 tier the Z5 remains Onix's best paddle there.

How does the Z5 compare to alternatives?

	Onix Z5	Decathlon Perfly	Selkirk SLK Halo
Shape	Wide-body	Wide-body	Elongated
Face	Composite	Composite	Carbon (thin)
Best for	Control	Absolute beginner	All-court
Power tier	Modest	Low	Moderate
Spin tier	Adequate	Low	Good

Where to buy in the UK

The Z5 is widely stocked in the UK - Decathlon UK runs it at £69.99-79.99 most weeks, Amazon UK at £70-85, and dedicated retailers (Pickleball UK, PickleballGB) at similar levels with occasional sales to ~£60. Stock is consistent year-round so there's no rush to buy at peak prices.

Frequently asked questions

Q01Is the Onix Z5 USAPA approved for tournaments?

Yes - both the Z5 Graphite and Z5 Composite are USAPA approved. The same approval also applies to UK tournaments run under the PADEL/LTA framework, since LTA's pickleball arm follows USAPA equipment standards.

Q02Z5 Graphite or Z5 Composite - which should I buy?

The Composite version (fibreglass face) is slightly more powerful and a touch more popular with intermediates; the Graphite is slightly more controlled and lighter on the hand. For most UK buyers the Composite is the default; the Graphite is the better pick if you're sensitive to weight or want more touch on resets.

Q03How long should an Onix Z5 last?

Typical lifespan for a Z5 with regular weekly UK play is 18-30 months before the face begins to wear (visible scuffing on the composite finish reduces spin grip). Polymer-core paddles age more gracefully than thermoformed carbon paddles, which often delaminate after 12-18 months of hard use.

Q04Is the Z5 still worth buying in 2026?

For control-first players and improving beginners, yes. For aggressive power players targeting tournament play, no - the modern carbon-fibre paddles outclass it on power and spin. The Z5's sweet spot remains genuinely best-in-class at the price point; you're trading that forgiveness for the modern game's pace, which may or may not suit you.

Q05What overgrip should I use on the Z5?

The 4 1/4 inch stock grip runs small for many UK players. A standard tennis overgrip (Tourna Grip or Yonex Super Grap) adds around 1/8 inch and gives a much-improved fit. Avoid replacement (under-)grips on the Z5 - the contour was designed around the original grip wrap, and replacements often feel chunky.

Q06Can I use the Z5 outdoors in UK weather?

Yes - the polymer core and composite face both handle UK humidity and rain better than wood or all-graphite older paddles. The composite finish dulls in sustained sun (rare in the UK) but performance is unaffected. Air-dry the paddle after wet sessions to prevent the edge-guard adhesive from softening.