ONIX Evoke Pro Pickleball Paddle Review

The paddle is perhaps the most important piece of equipment any pickleball player can own.

The wrong paddle can hold back your game, preventing you from exploiting your skills to win points. But with the right paddle, you might find your playing style is taken to a whole new level.

The ONIX Evoke Pro is a pickleball paddle designed to help good players become great, and great players become legendary.

It isn’t necessarily the easiest paddle to use — and beginners should steer clear — but what it does, it does well. 

Curious about how the midweight and composite face of the ONIX Evoke Pro can add power without sacrificing accuracy?

Read this guide to learn everything you need to know about the Evoke Pro, including if it’s the right pickleball paddle for you.

All About The ONIX Evoke Pro Pickleball Paddle

What We Like About The ONIX Evoke Pro Pickleball Paddle

ONIX is one of the leading pickleball equipment manufacturers, working with professional players to create the best you need for the game.

This level of design is clear in the ONIX Evoke Pro. 

A clever paddle created for advanced and professional players, the Evoke Pro has strength, durability, and power.

In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the components of the Evoke Pro paddle that we like, and what makes it stand out from other paddles. 

Precision-Cut Polypropylene Core

The core of the Evoke Pro is made from honeycomb-cut, ultra-thick polypropylene.

It’s been created to deliver both accuracy and power, allowing you to control shots while maintaining force. 

The honeycomb shaping of the polypropylene core ensures an improved touch. You can really feel the ball as it lands, guiding and controlling your shot for a better serve and return. 

Wide Face Shape

The Evoke Pro has a wide face with a square shape to limit the chances of missing shots.

For players who tend to find they’re reaching for shots, the extra length all around the face of the Evoke Pro can help you reach the balls that you’d otherwise have let go.

The wide face shape also gives the paddle a larger sweet spot. Hits to the center of the body have a good response, while the impact of powerful hits is dampened.

The Evoke Pro has one of the widest sweet spots in the ONIX range.

There are some downsides to the wide face. The edges and corners lack power, and shots from these areas can fall soft.

However, talented players should be able to make the most of the wider sweet spot and navigate the dull edges. 

ONIX also offers the Evoke range in a teardrop and an extra-large design. The designs come with their own pros and cons.

Grip And Handle

The Evoke Pro handle has a tennis-style design with a 4.25-inch circumference and 5-inch length. This is slightly above average.

The increased length gives you more room to adjust your grip, for better control and improved handling. 

Along the length of the handle are precision-cut holes, designed to absorb sweat as you play. Even during an intense match, you won’t lose your grip on your paddle.

Finished with a soft padded coating, the paddle feels good in your hands, reducing the risk of blisters and allowing you to play comfortably for longer.

Composite Facing

The ONIX Evoke Pro has a composite facing to provide extra weight and durability. For powerful shots with added spin, the Evoke Pro has the weight and facing to channel your strength into the ball. 

Composite paddles don’t normally have a great touch (and this isn’t the right paddle if you prefer soft shots), but the Evoke Pro offsets the weightier composite facing with that supreme honeycomb core.

Don’t expect to use this paddle for gentle playing styles, but you won’t be limited to just smashing hits either.

Another advantage of the composite facing is durability. You can get plenty of good games from the Evoke Pro before it starts to deteriorate.

Expect the paddle to start losing some power around the edges, when it does finally reach the end of its life.

USAPA-Approved

The ONIX Evoke Pro is a USAPA-approved paddle, which means it’s approved for use in professional tournaments. Good news for those investing in the paddle to play competitively.

Look And Design

The wide face doesn’t make for the sleekest paddle, but the overall design of the Evoke Pro is good.

The graphics add a nice touch to the face, and the long handle brings balance to the paddle, as well as a better grip. We also like that the Evoke Pro comes in several different colors: Blue, Green, Purple, and Red. 

What We Don’t Like About The ONIX Evoke Pro Pickleball Paddle

The ONIX Evoke Pro isn’t a perfect paddle, and there are some flaws in the design. However, many of these flaws are necessary sacrifices for the things we like about the paddle.

For example, the wider face gives a bigger sweet spot, but the edges are dull. The composite facing adds power, but it lacks the intense response of a graphite paddle. 

In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the issues with the ONIX Evoke Pro that might deter you from buying the paddle. 

Price

The Evoke Pro is a professional paddle, which means it comes with a professional price tag. This is undoubtedly a high-end paddle, and for most recreational players, it’s probably not worth the investment.

While you might see a slight improvement in your game, a less expensive paddle is likely to provide a similar performance.

However, the Evoke Pro is designed for advanced and professional players, and this is where it comes into its own.

By sacrificing some feel for weight, you can improve your power shots, add spin, and score more points. If you play pickleball seriously, then the price tag is easier to justify.

The Evoke Pro is also a good paddle for intermediate players looking to improve their game. It’s a step up from the standard beginner paddles.

The touch is less responsive, but the weight and size allow you to make better hits. If you’re aiming to improve your singles game, then the durable Evoke Pro is a good investment.

Weight

The weight of the ONIX Evoke Pro isn’t necessarily a downside, but it is worth mentioning. The paddle weighs between 7.8 and 8.2 oz, which means it’s considered a midweight paddle.

So, if you want to power up your shots, the Evoke Pro is an excellent choice. That extra weight adds heft to every hit, helping you send the balls beyond the control of your opponent. 

The downside to the extra weight is that it can take some time to get used to. You might discover that when you switch to the Evoke Pro, your shots become sluggish.

This should only be a short-term adjustment.

Midweight paddles are not recommended for beginner players. They don’t have the same heightened touch and feel of a lightweight paddle.

If you play recreationally, midweight paddles can also put a strain on the wrist.

Final Thoughts On The ONIX Evoke Pro Paddle

The ONIX Evoke Pro is a paddle designed to help talented players power their shots to the next level. With a composite face and midweight, each hit from the Evoke Pro comes with force.

However, the paddle balances this power with a wide sweet spot, a longer handle, and a polypropylene core. It’s a surprisingly responsive paddle with impressive touch and good control. 

This is a paddle for serious players, and that’s reflected in the price tag. Beginners are likely to find the increased weight of the Evoke Pro slows their game down.

But if you have experience on the court and you are comfortable with a lowered response, there are many benefits to choosing the ONIX Evoke Pro.

We hope this guide has helped you learn more about the ONIX Evoke Pro. This isn’t an easy paddle to use, but if you have some skill, it can really add power to your game.