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Buy the HEAD Radical Pro if you're brand new to pickleball, otherwise the Onix Z5 once you want sharper touch.
Twenty quid separates these two, but they're aimed at different points in the journey. The HEAD Radical Pro at £50-70 is a beginner paddle — standard shape, polymer honeycomb, fibreglass face, 13mm thickness. Solid all-round entry point with a comfortable grip and nothing fancy.
The Onix Graphite Z5 at £60-80 is a step up. Widebody shape, Nomex honeycomb, graphite face, 14mm. The graphite gives noticeably better touch on dinks, and the wider profile gives a more reliable sweet spot.
A couple of honest points:
If you've never picked up a paddle, the Radical Pro is enough to find out if you like the sport. If you've played a few sessions and want better feel, jump to the Z5.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Weight | 220-230g | 220-235g |
| Shape | Standard | Widebody |
| Core | Polymer honeycomb | Nomex honeycomb |
| Surface | Fibreglass | Graphite |
| Grip Size | 4 1/4" | 4 1/4" |
| Core Thickness | 13mm | 14mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Weight: HEAD Radical has 220-230g vs 220-235g. Shape: HEAD Radical has Standard vs Widebody. Core: HEAD Radical has Polymer honeycomb vs Nomex honeycomb. Overall, the HEAD Radical Pro Pickleball Paddle is best for beginners while the Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle suits intermediate players.
The HEAD Radical Pro Pickleball Paddle is the better choice for beginners thanks to its forgiving design and accessible price point. The Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle is aimed at intermediate players and may be more demanding to use effectively.
The Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle (£60-80) costs more than the HEAD Radical Pro Pickleball Paddle (£50-70). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are intermediate players, the extra investment in the Onix Graphite Z5 Pickleball Paddle can pay off.