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 Buzzz is the best for anything straight, but for shot shaping the Buzzz SS is perfect. Will hold any kind of anny line you put it on.
I throw a Buzzz even when the distance probably is putter range. It just feels better in the hand and I’m more confident of zipping it straight at the basket than any approach putter I have. If you take my whole bag away and leave me with one single disc, it’s a Z line Buzzz, no question.
For me the Comet is my favorite mid. It flies somewhat stable to under-stable and shows my faults while throwing. I love that I can use it to throw multiple shots and just trust that it will fly as intended.
Lucid Emac Truth gets my vote.
I like the Buzzz, Shark gives me nostalgia from my youth but I can just chuck the Emac Truth where I want it. Definitely a few on the list I haven’t tried but would like to!
It’s on the fast side, but the Westside Warship has almost replaced the Buzzz for me. Just a touch straighter and so glidey.
Toss up as the following are all in my bag BUT 2002 CE Roc is the best all around. Great driver off the tee, easily holds any lines, ect.
My go to is the Air EMac Truth for stable and the Fuse for turnover lines.
My favorite mid is probably the Roc3. Its incredibly versatile, user-friendly, and great for beginners and more experienced players alike.
My favorite Mid, hands down, is the Shark. I cut my teeth on the Shark, and I have yet to put something else in my hand that flys as true, flat and reliably than the Shark. Brand new in DX it has a predictable fade, but a few rounds of wood golf have it beat in to neutral every time. Great disc for any beginner IMO. The Buzzz has at times been a go to just because I was clicking with that disc, but overall, I throw a Shark more than any other disc in my bag…..unless I three putt….
L64 Fuse, by far. Feels great in the hand. Lip is chunky but not hard to grip, and easy to release. Has just enough glide to sail, not so much to be uncontrollable. Speaking of control, it holds its angle perfectly – I’ve got a noodle arm and can *maybe* hit 250′ with a decent fairway driver, but with the Fuse I can throw anny, hyzer, straight, you name it and I can hit that line. Perfect driving mid, great upshot disc, there’s not much a Fuse can’t do.
Buzzz all day, I have a smaller bag but I still carry a Big Z, Glo and ESP Buzzz with me at all times. They are so versatile! I mostly throw them for straight shots, but I can also throw them forehand, turnover or with hyzer and I get a little forward fighting fade at the end. If I am on the tee and inside 300’ I am throwing a Buzzz. I trust this disc more than any other. I watched Nate Doss carve up a course using a Glo Buzzz, I bought one immediately after and haven’t looked back.
The buzzz has never left my bag. It was one of the first discs I ever owned, and now I have a bunch of them in different plastics. The buzzz is such a great disc.
Though it is similar to a lot of mid’s there is just something about the Gateway Element in the Diamond plastic that feels right in my hand. it has a nice flight path that almost feels lazy, but always drops right where you throw it, for better or worse.
My favorite mid is the MVP Matrix. It feels great in the hand as the rim is more rounded than the Buzzz. The Matrix flies super straight with no fear of it turning over for me. I love it as my work horse mid range that can cover all angles. I also threw the Buzz for a long time. It is a fantastic disc, and I even got my first and only ace with the Buzzz. Bias aside, with it’s longevity and popularity, I think the Buzzz has to be the best mid range of all time.
I have been really enjoying the Axiom Pyro. It has a very consistent flight path and it looks really nice in the prism proton plastic.
My favorite midrange is the Piwakawaka by RPM Discs. It has amazing glide and holds any line you put it on (RHBH). It’s my go to for most drives under 250 feet.
My vote is for MVP’s Reactor. It feels right and it flies right.
For me the Comet became my favorite mid this year. After going between Buzzz and BuzzzSS and falling in love with the Buzzz in X plastic, the Comet feels like a glidey and easier to control best up Buzzz that handles any line you put on it. It floats, so dialing in your distance is a little tricky at first but once you dial in the disc it’s an incredible disc for all disc golfers Beginners to Veterans.
I love the Roc. It feels so easy to throw for touch shots and I find it will go further than I think! I like the grip the roc offers as well—I have one in KC pro and DX plastic and almost exclusively throw them when it rains. They’re the only two discs I feel confident won’t slip in bad weather!
My favorite midrange disc is the Innova Mako3. I love throwing putters and the Mako3 has a very similar feel and flight to an Innova Aviar with a little extra distance. I like how the Mako3 is reliably straight with a tiny fade at the end , but is also an excellent disc to learn shot shapes and release angles. I like the Mako3 in Star and Champion plastics.
The Stingray was my first disc and Buzzz has been in my bag since I first started. I recently added a Roc3 and wow, this disc is on point.