The Z5 pickleball paddles are among the most sought-after pickleball paddles when it comes to spin and power. Finding the best paddle depends on what type of player you are.

An advanced player may prefer a paddle with less control and more power. But for a beginner, equipment that has more control is better because it helps you place your shots better. Your arm strength and endurance may determine whether you choose a lighter or heavy paddle.

We did some research and found that the Z5 pickleball paddle is a great choice for beginners and advanced players.

The Best Z5 pickleball paddles

The Z5 pickleball paddle is available as a composite pickleball paddle or a graphite pickleball paddle. They are two of the most popular pickleball paddles with Onix sports.

Composite Z5 Paddle

• This Z5 pickleball paddle* has a composite core and a fiberglass hitting surface.
• The composite model has more power than the graphite model. It weighs about 8-9 ounces
• It’s great for long strokes and has a wide body feel that most racquetball or tennis players love.
• It has a sharp design that really stands out on the court.

Pros

• The composite paddle offers excellent power for players that have good ball control.
• Its wide body shape makes it great for beginners and advanced players because of the large sweet spot.
• You will also love it if you are looking for more pop from the baseline.
• The fiberglass material on this paddle’s face gives it “bite” or “grab” that helps give a ball spin when you slice the paddle across the ball.
• It is a good looking paddle.

Cons

• Not ideal for players who have shoulder, wrist or elbow injuries because it is heavy.
• The weight also increases fatigue if you are playing for an extended time.
• You should also expect less control and a slower swing from this paddle.
• Some pickleball players complain that the grip of this paddle lacks definition.

The 125 Carboflex by Tecnifibre is similar to the older Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 that Mohamed El Shorbagy used in 2013 in Qatar Classic competitions. This infographic is a detailed review that will help you decide whether this racquet is for you.

SPECS

• FRAME WEIGHT: 125 grams
• BALANCE: 350 mm
• HEAD: 500 cm2 (77 sq.in.)
• STRING: 305+ 1.20mm Tecnifibre’s premium string

What to expect from Tecnifibre Carboflex 125

Most of the specifications in this review apply to both the original version of the racquet and the new one (x-speed range).  The differences, apart from color, between these racquets are so small that only advanced Squash players may notice. You can expect the following from the racquet:

• MANEUVERABILITY – It is easy to maneuver for switching from forehand to backhand, getting up to volley, overhead shots, and a pocket drop shot that requires quick racquet speed. Any player at any level will appreciate this quality.
• POWER – This racquet is on the lighter end which allows for more power. You will be able to generate high swing velocity with this racquet, which can be enhanced with the racquet strung to a lower tension. To generate excellent power with this racquet, just hold it well and snap through the ball with your wrist.
• CONTROL – It has great accuracy when cutting the ball short from midcourt. The racquet has a dense string pattern that helps with adding spin to the ball.
• GRIP – It has a dry grip that is tacky and also has a cool design with Tecnifibre branding. The grip has a great feel and can last for many months.
• SWEET SPOT – This racquet is very forgiving thanks to its large sweet spot. All you need to do is connect well with the ball to experience just how explosive the sweet spot is.
• CONSTRUCTION – The racquet is constructed with graphite or basaltex Multiaxial. It has a multidirectional weave that helps reduce shock and enhance feel.

What Mohammed El Shorbagy Says about the new Racket

Mohammed El Shorbagy says that he loves the new Carboflex 125 because the color is completely different from the previous racquet. He says the head is a bit lighter as well, which gives him more speed when it comes to the point in a game when he wants to volley more. This is also an advantage when he plays at a faster pace.

 El Shorbagy appreciates that the racquet also has the power that you need when you want to get the ball to the back of the court.  He cut the guard of the bumper strip to make the racquet even lighter to make it more maneuverable. This he says makes it quicker on the volleys and helps take the ball earlier.

 Taking the ball earlier and increasing the pace forces your opponent to move faster, from corner to corner. This disrupts your opponent’s momentum and ruins the opponent’s rhythm, causing them to make mistakes. That means more opportunities for you to attack the ball and increase your likelihood of victory.

 El Shorbagy says that the grip makes the racquet cooler than most other racquets in the market. He started playing with this new racquet in January 2018 and he has not had any issues with it.

Pros and Cons of the Racquet

Pros

• The racquet has a large sweet spot• Cool design with a new color
• Evenly balanced racquet
• High-quality string that gets better at gripping and cutting into the ball the more it is used
• High maneuverability
• Can generate excellent power with a quick short swing
• The new racquet has a morphed shaft design that provides maximum ball feel and control
• The new racquet has casted ultra-thin edges for structure reinforcement

Cons

• Some players do not like the string while others feel that the new smaller grip only gives them more blisters.
• A few players felt that the new Carboflex 125 is clunkier than the previous design making it less maneuverable. But all this could be because they have not had enough playing time with the new racquet.