Best Midrange Disc of 2020
Our quest to find the most popular discs of 2020 continues this week by examining the data to find the best midrange disc. We’ve looked at the best drivers as a whole, distance drivers, control drivers, and now midrange discs. A usual, we’ll look at the sales for 2020 so far, and compare that to the reviews and ratings for the year. Then, we’ll count your votes by looking at the comments on this blog. We’ll add up all of these categories and declare a winner.
Best Disc Golf Midrange Discs
| Sales Rank | Star Rating | Fan Vote | Average | |
| Discraft Buzzz | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Innova Mako3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2.7 |
| Innova Roc3 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 4.3 |
| Innova Roc | 3 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Discraft Buzzz SS | 6 | 3 | 8 | 5.7 |
The Discraft Buzzz Swept all three categories to take the title of the best midrange disc. Discraft also took six of the top ten spots, with Innova sporting three molds in the top ten. Dynamic Discs’ Emac Truth fills the number six spot, and is the lone non-Discraft/Innova manufacturer.
Midrange discs, or mid’s, fill the ‘gap’ between putters and fairway drivers. Not quite as easy to control as putters, their ability to be thrown slower than a fairway driver makes them a great choice for technical shots, shot shaping, and controlling the ground action once they touch down. The rim of a midrange feels slightly more ‘meaty’ in your hand than a putter. The flights, like all categories of discs, range from flippy to very overstable.
Most people have a few different mid’s in their bag for a variety of needs. The midrange disc is probably one of the easier discs to shape. I’ve heard many people say that if they played a one-disc round, they would choose a midrange as their single disc. That shows the versatility of this class of disc.
The Perfect Combination
In addition to choosing a disc for its flight, the feel of the disc can vary from disc to disc. Some are beaded, while others are beadles. Some have a sharper rim, while others are rounded. The depth of the rim can vary a bit, adding to the feel of the disc. And of course, the plastic type affects the feel. All of those factors go into how we choose our discs. One manufacturer has apparently found the best of all of these characteristics to create an amazingly successful mold: the Buzzz.
Top Sellers of 2020
When we look at the top sales for each category (Distance driver, control driver, midrange, and putt/approach) there are molds that are clearly in first place. Meaning, significantly ahead of the next closest competitor. In no other category was this gap between first and second place as big as the midrange disc. The Discraft Buzzz was not only way ahead of the second place Mako3 in sales, it was ahead of the next four molds combined!
Keep in mind, we separated the sibling discs, the Buzzz OS and Buzzz SS, into their own sales numbers. That means the sales domination is held by the Buzzz, and the Buzzz alone. We have sold more Buzzz’s than the bottom half of the top 20 molds! Let’s take a look at the top 20 midrange discs according to sales.
| Rank | Midrange Brand and Mold |
| 1 | Discraft Buzzz |
| 2 | Innova Mako3 |
| 3 | Innova Roc |
| 4 | Innova Roc3 |
| 5 | Discraft Comet |
| 6 | Discraft Buzzz SS |
| 7 | Discraft Malta |
| 8 | Dynamic Discs EMac Truth |
| 9 | Discraft Buzzz OS |
| 10 | Discraft Meteor |
| 11 | Discraft Archer |
| 12 | MVP Reactor |
| 13 | Discraft SOL |
| 14 | Discraft Wasp |
| 15 | Innova Shark |
| 16 | Prodigy M4 |
| 17 | Infinite Discs Anubis |
| 18 | Kastaplast Kaxe Z |
| 19 | Innova Gator |
| 20 | Dynamic Discs Truth |
The Discraft Domination
Discraft dominates the category, with six of the top ten discs manufactured by them. Innova has a few molds in the mix, with the Dynamic Discs’ EMac Truth the sole mold in the top ten that is not an Innova or Discraft disc. Then next ten spots contains molds by MVP, Prodigy, and Kastaplast, in addition to Innova, Discraft, and Dynamic Discs.
The Buzzz was approved as a mold in 2003, so it has had time to gather a following. Its straight flight makes the Buzzz popular among all skill levels. The gentle turn and equally soft fade make the disc shapeable and able to meet a large variety of shot needs. Throw in a variety of plastic types, with a dash of swirly colors, and mix in the names of a world champion or two to get an undisputed winner of the most midrange sales of 2020.
Rating and Reviews
You, the customer, spoke volumes in voting with your wallet. And you made it equally clear with your reviews and ratings how you felt about the mold. The Buzzz was, again, above the competition in ratings and favorable reviews. Here are the top molds and their ratings.
| Disc Mold | Star Rating | # of 2020 Reviews | Weighted Score |
| Discraft Buzzz | 4.8 | 70 | 5.44 |
| Innova Mako3 | 4.74 | 40 | 4.95 |
|
Discraft Buzzz SS
|
4.72 | 20 | 4.65 |
|
Kastaplast Kaxe Z
|
4.92 | 6 | 4.65 |
| Innova Roc | 4.71 | 19 | 4.62 |
| Discraft Archer | 4.81 | 9 | 4.58 |
| Innova Roc3 | 4.55 | 27 | 4.58 |
|
Dynamic Discs EMac Truth
|
4.7 | 16 | 4.57 |
|
Discraft Buzzz OS
|
4.68 | 17 | 4.57 |
| MVP Reactor | 4.83 | 6 | 4.56 |
| Discraft Comet | 4.63 | 17 | 4.52 |
| Prodigy M4 | 4.77 | 4 | 4.47 |
| Discraft Meteor | 4.69 | 9 | 4.46 |
| Discraft Malta | 4.65 | 10 | 4.44 |
| Innova Shark | 4.46 | 21 | 4.40 |
|
Infinite Discs Anubis
|
4.66 | 6 | 4.39 |
| Innova Gator | 4.55 | 9 | 4.32 |
|
Dynamic Discs Truth
|
4.54 | 7 | 4.28 |
| Discraft Wasp | 4.44 | 5 | 4.15 |
| Discraft SOL | 4.16 | 4 | 3.86 |
Best Midrange Discs of 2020
Combining the top ten of each list we have the following discs in the running for the best midrange:
- Discraft Buzzz
- Innova Mako3
- Innova Roc
- Innova Roc3
- Discraft Comet
- Discraft Buzzz SS
- Discraft Malta
- Dynamic Discs EMac Truth
- Discraft Buzzz OS
- Discraft Meteor
- Kastaplast Kaxe Z
- Discraft Archer
- MVP Reactor
This Year Compared to All-Time Sales
I wanted to see how the list of the top sellers for 2020 compared to the top sellers since Infinite started, so I pulled up the sales records for all midrange discs sold by Infinite and compared the two lists. I added the year that the all-time best sellers were approved, so we can see how some of the newer molds compare to some of the older molds. The oldest mold on the top 10 all-time discs is the Roc, which was approved in 1987. The newest discs on the all-time list is a tie between the Roc3 and the Mako3. Both were approved on the same date in 2017. Here is the comparison.
| All-Time Sales Rank | Mold | Year Approved | 2020 Sales Rank | Mold |
| 1 | Discraft Buzzz | 2003 | 1 | Discraft Buzzz |
| 2 | Innova Roc3 | 2017 | 2 | Innova Mako3 |
| 3 | Innova Mako3 | 2017 | 3 | Innova Roc3 |
| 4 | Innova Roc | 1987 | 4 | Innova Roc |
| 5 | Discraft Comet | 1995 | 5 | Discraft Comet |
| 6 | Dynamic Discs EMac Truth | 2016 | 6 | Discraft Buzzz SS |
| 7 | Discraft Buzzz SS | 2008 | 7 | Discraft Malta |
| 8 | Discraft Buzzz OS | 2014 | 8 | Dynamic Discs EMac Truth |
| 9 | Discmania MD3 | 2013 | 9 | Discraft Buzzz OS |
| 10 | Innova Gator | 2000 | 10 | Discraft Meteor |
Although the total number of sales for a given mold may not indicate how popular it will continue to be in the future, it does show how big of an impact the older discs have made over time. It also shows how the newer discs have started out in popularity.
Average Yearly Sales
Although it isn’t necessarily an even comparison, I took an average yearly sales number for each mold in the top all-time molds to see how that changed the rankings. Here is what I found.
| Rank, Average Yearly Sales | Mold | Year PDGA Approved |
| 1 | Innova Roc3 | 2017 |
| 2 | Discraft Buzzz | 2003 |
| 3 | Innova Mako3 | 2017 |
| 4 | Dynamic Discs EMac Truth | 2016 |
| 5 | Innova Roc | 1987 |
| 6 | Discraft Comet | 1995 |
| 7 | Discraft Buzzz OS | 2014 |
| 8 | Discmania MD3 | 2013 |
| 9 | Discraft Buzzz SS | 2008 |
| 10 | Innova Gator | 2000 |
Fan Voting Results: Best Midrange Disc 2020
| Mold | Percentage of Votes |
| Discraft Buzzz | 26.1% |
| Innova Roc3 | 7.2% |
| Dynamic Discs EMac Truth | 7.2% |
| Innova Mako3 | 5.8% |
| Discraft Comet | 4.3% |
| Westside Tursus | 2.9% |
| Westside Warship | 2.9% |
| Latitude 64 Fuse | 2.9% |
| Discmania MD4 | 2.9% |
| Discraft Meteor | 2.9% |
The fan voting for the best midrange disc was certainly lopsided. Although there were votes that were cast for dozens of different molds, the Discraft Buzzz was easily the fan favorite. The Buzzz flight has a little turn and a soft fade making it a shapeable, controllable, straight flying disc. A voter with username Tay pretty much summed up the Buzzz:
– The Buzzz “really can do any shot. My new favorite (shot) with it is the forehand flex. Wow!”
A few Trilogy molds made the top 10 in fan voting, but were not in the top ten for sales nor star ratings. Westside’s Tursus and Warship made the fan-favorite list. Also, the Latitude 64 Fuse received about 3% of the votes. Numerous smaller manufacturers received one or two votes. Even Vibram received one vote with their Obex.
Best Midrange Discs for Beginners
While many of the recommended best mids are great for players of all skill level, more understable discs work better (and fly straighter) for beginners. From our top mids above, these are the five best midrange discs for beginners:
- Westside Tursus
- Latitude 64 Fuse
- Discraft Meteor
- Infinite Discs Anubis
- Innova Mako3
What do you think is the Best Midrange Disc of 2020?
We want to hear what you think is the best midrange disc. And we want to hear why you like that disc. What makes your favorite disc so valuable to you? If your favorite mid didn’t make the list, we still want to hear what it is. Comment below to help our readers select the best midrange disc.
Ted Hegemann
Ted is the Chief Writer at Infinite Discs. He is responsible for the State of Disc Golf Survey articles and most of the "best discs" posts. Ted runs all kinds of local disc golf leagues and tournaments and tournaments in Northern Utah.
The best midrange, hands down, is the MD4 by discmania. It is beadless, and has the most neutral flight I have ever seen. I can do anything with this disc, and I got my first Ace with it.
For me its the star Mako3. The disc is just so laser straight if thrown on a slight hyzer up to 250 with almost zero fade but the true beauty of thisndisc is how well it holds an anhyzer line when scrambling. Ive thrown this disc in from way out of position when most people are just trying to finagle something close. Forehand or backhand its so comfortable and I never have to pick an aim point other than the basket.
The discmania evolution Method is a great midrange. It’s very predictable… and it will glide for days. I even use it as a driver when I need accuracy.
Love the Buzzz. It’s very comfy, flat, and will give you immediate feedback when you throw it. The Buzzz will follow an anny line, it will follow a straight shot, or you can put it on hyzer. It will let you know once you throw!
I love the Mako3, it’s going to do exactly the angle you put it on. Straight flyer when thrown flat, and great for practicing form.
Comet, it can do anything.
Discraft Meteor is the best midrange! It’s pretty understable and is perfect for backhand turnover shots or full distance flex shots when put on hyzer. It glides better than any other disc I’ve ever thrown. It seems like it carries forever! On a perfect backhand drive, I’m getting about 400’ of distance with a distance driver. I’ve thrown the Meteor 385’! It’s super consistent. The Z plastic is relatively unaffected by the wind, and I can get a consistent skip when I put it on the right angle. It’s super underrated and an amazing disc!
I have liked the Warship for my midrange. Reliable and can count on it to stay the course!
My go to is the Westside Bard; dependable hyzer on both FH & BH, fights through the wind & bites the ground around the basket. Cheers!
MVP Deflector. This super overstable scramble disc is great for when you need to crazy shot shaping. 50 foot over some trees? Done. Flex forehand flick? Done! The only midrange I’ve thrown that could not be replaced by a putter.
I love my Buzzz but I think my favorite in my bag since I added it is the Sol. The thing just takes most any hyzer angle and flips to flat and rides super straight for me. It may not get me the most distance but it has saved me on the wooded holes.
Discraft Buzzz is definitely the greatest mid of all. The Buzzz is great in all stages of wear.
my favorite mid-range is the Westside Discs Warship. I can throw that thing so straight and I always know exactly when and how it will fade at the end.
For years, the Buzzz has been my midrange of choice for its straight flight path (and cool Dyemax and Foil designs)
This year, though, I’ve switched it out in favor of a Discraft SOL. It’s more understable, and for me, that results in very straight flight, with a tendency to fade to the right.
I also bag an Innova Gator to use in the wind.
I love the EMac Truth. It’s super comfortable in the hand and is my most reliable disc.
Roc3 is the go to disc
Best Mid out there has got to be the Buzzz. No surprise that it is at the top of the list. Loves to be thrown with power and flies straight. The Meteor and Buzzz OS make great mids to pair up with it in the bag.
The Piwakiwawa from RPM is a criminally underrated disc. Plastic feels great and thrown on the right angle, it’ll flip to flat and hold that line until it runs out of speed. If you are looking for a truly special mid, give it a go.
I bag a Buzz SS and an MD4. I prefer the MD4, since it can fly farther because it is newer. But both of them are vital to my game.
My favorite mid is Wombat 3 & Buzzz, Buzz goes straight & Wombat 3 has lots of glide.
I love the Champion Wombat3, Shark3, and Mantra. The Wombat is a great shot shaping disc with glide for days. It works in tail and headwinds for me. I use it mostly as a mid range driver, 240-280ft, in tight alleys, and as an open approach disc. It holds a line great and my longest throw in is with this disc, (105ft). The Shark3 is a great get out of trouble disk for me. I can whip a forehand, chuck a roller, tomahawk, almost anything and it sticks. And I’m in trouble a lot so I have two of these things, green and yellow. The Mantra is great for mid range shot shaping, like a short s curve or getting around a bend/corner. It’s a little zippier than the other two and I find I use it a lot for forehand whips through tree tunnels. It flies great with awesome control and I could probably chuck it 300′ with a bit better form and some wheaties.
I really love my Champion Ontario Mold Cobra and my DX Cobra. Last year I went back to a KC Pro Roc max weight. I love how I can control the direction of the Roc. The other two midranges in my cart are a Vibram IBEX and a Dismania GM.