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.
MVP Entropy. Sweeping right to left flight with good fade. And no matter how hard I throw it, it doesn’t turn. There’s something to be said for predictability.
The Buzzz is my favorite mid range. So consistent.
My favorite midrange has to be my EMAC Truth, not only can I get full flight out of it due to its rim I can grip it and throw it forehand or backhand and I know every time exactly how it will fly.
Reliable- check
Performance- check
What more could you ask for?
The Buzzz was the first disc I ever played with and continues to be a go to disc for a plethora of shot needs. It will be a staple disc in my bag for the years to come
I’m a big fan of the MD2. It has such a beautiful touch glide that I can easily drop in and s curve through small gaps.
Dynamic Discs Justice, no doubt. It is the most reliable mid range ever made. You never have to guess where it’s going to finish
The buzzz takes care of all my mid range needs. I also bag the OS and SS. Love it.
Midranges and I seem to have a love-hate relationship. I have tended to jump from an approach disc to a fairway driver and skip the mid altogether. Not long ago, however, I purchased a Discmania Method and it has become my go-to midrange. Thrown with power, it gives you a consistent, straight flight with a little fade at the end. As you decrease power, the fade increases accordingly and is both controllable and dependable. Discraft Meteor gets an honorable mention for BH turnover shots.
Roc
The Roc in KC Pro plastic is the best midrange of all time. Best feel. Best flight. Can break in so you have an OS one, a straight one, and an US one. You do also need a more OS approach or mid along with it like a Gator.
The piwakawaka from RPM discs is my absolute favorite disc to throw. I can push it out about 280’-325’ and it will hold any line. It is the disc I have the most confidence with.
In my opinion the best midrange is the Meteor by Discraft. I have multiple in my bag in both the ESP and 2020 Tour Series plastic. I have a few tighter fairway course where I live so I am constantly using the Meteor off the tee pad for that straight shot down the middle. Runner up is the Buzzz original for those holes where you need to hook to the left a little.
GATEWAY Mystic
– perfect blend of stability & accuracy with the touch nuance to take any line to shape your perfect shot. Far outnumbered by the mainstream sales of Buzz’z & Roc’s the Mystic is a solid competitor by performance. Evolution Diamond has the durability & feel. Now try to get your hands on one! Nearly impossible! especially if your picky about weights & colors. Gateway is far more recognized as putter manufacturer than an entire line However their discs just feel right and inspire confidence – Hey Gateway, crank up the production numbers They will sell through.
For me, I gotta go with my trusty DD Verdict as my favorite mid. Always dependable for a faded finish, it beats in beautifully, and is incredibly comfortable in the hand.
The EMac truth will always be my go to! I can throw it hard and always get that slight fade at the end
Comet
I’m really enjoying the comet these days. Buzzz is a bit too stable for me and my arm speed, so the comet has been a great flying straight disc for me especially in the woods
the EMAC truth all the way. get one you you will love it
Death Star hot-stamp Buzzz
It is the swiss-army knife of discs. I say that because it is more trusty than a Comet (even tho a comet is more versatile) and more durable than a Shark (which is easier to use).
I can drive with my Buzzz. I can approach with it. I can throw it on a long fairway.
I can flick it. I can spike it. I can make it turnover with the correct technique. But ultimately I can count on it to go where I want to go.
My dad swears by the Mako3, and it’s perfect for his play style. Might even be a better true mid-range; however not a more valuable disc.
Plus, you can’t get a flashy Star Wars stamp on a Mako
For me it’s the Emac Truth. It’s a Buzzz with a better hand feel, made in better plastic, that’s just a touch glidier. There is no other mid-range that bag over a throwing putter.
Z Wasp is very underrated. Perfect for hyzer approaches through gaps, while still getting decent distance.
I have tried the Buzzz and Mako3 over and over because they are so popular and I want to like them… But, I just don’t. My favorite mid-range has become the Infinite Discs Annubis. It is slow, but still has great glide. It has become an amazing disc to let flip up and just float forward with minimal fade.