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Buy the Franklin Signature if you're chasing competition and spin; the Onix Graphite Z5 remains a reliable intermediate workhorse.
Modern tournament paddle versus the longtime club favourite. The Franklin Signature is a 16mm carbon-faced paddle with MaxGrit texture and an elongated shape, around 150 quid. The Onix Graphite Z5 is the classic 14mm widebody with Nomex honeycomb core and graphite face, half the price.
Real feel differences: - The Z5's Nomex core has a louder, harder "pop" — some players love the feedback, others find it harsh on the elbow. - The Franklin's polypropylene core and 16mm thickness give a softer, more controlled feel, while the MaxGrit surface bites the ball for spin.
Who fits where: - The Z5 is a great paddle for an intermediate who values reliability, large sweet spot and brand familiarity. - The Franklin suits a developed player who already brushes through dinks and wants tournament-grade spin texture.
Who regrets what: - Buy the Z5 hoping for modern carbon performance and you'll find it dated. Buy the Franklin without spin technique and the elongated shape will feel awkward.
Demo if you can.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Advanced | Intermediate |
| Weight | 215-225g | 220-235g |
| Shape | Elongated | Widebody |
| Core | Polypropylene honeycomb | Nomex honeycomb |
| Surface | Carbon fibre with MaxGrit | Graphite |
| Grip Size | 4 1/4" | 4 1/4" |
| Core Thickness | 16mm | 14mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Weight: Franklin Signature has 215-225g vs 220-235g. Shape: Franklin Signature has Elongated vs Widebody. Core: Franklin Signature has Polypropylene honeycomb vs Nomex honeycomb. Overall, the Franklin Signature Pickleball Paddle is best for advanced players while the Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle suits intermediate players.
Neither is specifically designed for beginners — the Franklin Signature Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players and the Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle suits intermediate players. Beginners may find both challenging.
The Franklin Signature Pickleball Paddle (£140-160) costs more than the Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle (£60-80). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are advanced players, the extra investment in the Franklin Signature Pickleball Paddle can pay off.