The Onix Hype X Pro is an elongated, thermoformed paddle with a 14mm polypropylene honeycomb core, a raw T700 carbon fibre face and a 5.5-inch handle, sold at around $120. Pickleball Union gave it 4.25/5 after several weeks of play, praising its hand speed, control and spin while finding power below average. Verywell Fit rated it 4.9/5 and named it best with elongated handle, citing extra reach, a ventilated grip and good spin on serves. It suits beginners and intermediate players who value control and quick hands; hard hitters wanting easy putaways, or players with large hands who dislike thin grips, should look elsewhere.
Full review
Quick hands and control over raw power
Pickleball Union tested the Hype X Pro over several weeks with 3.5 to 4.5-level players and reported no adjustment period. Its strengths were hand speed, with the light feel and even balance making it fast in kitchen firefights, and control, where a generous sweet spot allowed precise dinks, cross-court angles and two-handed backhands. Spin was better than expected given the average surface grit. Power was the weak point: the reviewer rated it below average, adequate for most shots but short on pop for topspin serves and deep drives. Verywell Fit reported good power and great spin on serves, with good control on softer shots.
Long handle with a thin grip
Verywell Fit picked the Hype X Pro as its best paddle with an elongated handle, crediting the extended handle with extra reach and easy switches between forehand and backhand, and noting the paddle stays light despite its length. Its tester found the ventilated, textured grip kept hands from overheating. The grip is also where both publications found fault. Pickleball Union felt the 4 1/8-inch circumference and thin wrap did not suit larger hands and suggested an overgrip, while Verywell Fit found the handle cushioning very thin for long sessions and saw the grip wrap begin to curl at the edges after several games.
A budget Gen 2 paddle that holds its own
Pickleball Union described the Hype X Pro as the most affordable paddle it had tested in a year and scored it highest for control and value, placing its touch alongside more expensive paddles. The reviewer recommended it for beginners skipping bargain starter paddles, budget-conscious recreational players and as a spare for stronger players. Onix covers it with a one-year warranty against workmanship and manufacturing defects, though the review notes there is no trial period. Verywell Fit also called it a good value for the control, precision, power and spin it delivers, and noted it comes in three colours.
Strengths
- +Light, evenly balanced paddle that Pickleball Union found fast in kitchen exchanges
- +Generous sweet spot gave precise placement on dinks and cross-court angles
- +Raw carbon face produced plenty of spin despite only average surface grit
Watch-outs
- −Below-average power for putaways and drives from the 14mm core
- −Thin 4 1/8-inch handle with light cushioning may need an overgrip for larger hands
How it compares
The Hype X Pro uses a 14mm polypropylene honeycomb core, thinner than the 16mm Vatic Pro Saga Flash and different from the full-foam core of the GRUVN LAZR 16X Full Foam Power. Like the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro Series it pairs a carbon fibre face with a honeycomb core, and its elongated 16.5 x 7.5-inch face and 5.5-inch handle favour reach and two-handed backhands.
Rating sources
“Onix Hype X Pro Raw Carbon ... Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5”
Counts as 4.20/5 in our score — this publisher's 1 scores on the site average 4.75, so its scores are adjusted down to compare fairly with other publishers.
“I'm giving it a solid 4.25 out of 5 balls”
Our 4.6 score is the average of these published ratings, each adjusted for how strictly its publisher scores. More about methodology.
