Comparison Review: Innova Mako3 vs Buzzz

The Mako3 and the Buzzz are two of the most popular straight-flying midranges in disc golf.

Everyone seems to have a strong opinion on which one is better. Both are staples in thousands of bags, both fly predictably, and both work for players at every skill level. So what's actually different?

Quite a bit, actually. They feel completely different in the hand, they respond differently to power, and the plastic options aren't even close. We've thrown both side by side to give you a detailed breakdown of flight, hand feel, plastics, and on-course performance so you can figure out which one belongs in your bag.

Dimensions

Mako3:

• Diameter: 21.7cm
• Height: 1.9cm
• Rim Depth: 1.4cm
• Rim Width: 1.4cm

Buzzz:

• Diameter: 21.7cm
• Height: 1.9cm
• Rim Depth: 1.3cm
• Rim Width: 1.2cm

Despite having identical listed height of 1.9cm, the above profile photo reveals that the Mako3 has a bit more of a dome top. Combine that with a deeper rim and the Mako3 will feel taller in the hand than the sleeker and lower profile Buzzz. 

Another big difference between these two molds is the rim configuration. Take a close look at the way the underside of the Buzzz's rim has a concave shape as it connects with the outer rim. In contrast, the Mako3 has a straight if not a bit of a convex shape, more akin to a putter than a driver. 

Generally speaking, a more concave rim provides more high-speed stability and low-speed fade. As discs become faster, this shape becomes even more extreme and exaggerated. A convex rim, on the other hand, will promote a neutral flight and very little fade. It denotes a classic "point and shoot" disc.

Flight Ratings

Mako3:

• Speed: 5
• Glide: 5
• Turn: 0
• Fade: 0

The Mako3 has perfectly neutral flight characteristics. With extreme glide, little to no turn, and virtually no fade at the end, this mid range is a very straight flyer that will stay true to the angle of release all the way to the ground. 

While straight is great, it is a bit of a one-trick pony. It will be difficult to shape hyzer lines with the Mako3, and once it's put on an anhyzer angle, it is less likely to fight back to hyzer and create a flex shape.

However, to a large degree, this is dependent on personal arm strength. Beginners and low power players will have some success shaping shots with the Mako3, while intermediate and advanced players will find it neutral to slightly understable. 

Buzzz:

• Speed: 5
• Glide: 4
• Turn: -1
• Fade: 1

The Buzzz flies straight, but with slightly less prominent glide and a more reliable hyzer fade. This makes it more versatile than the Mako3, allowing for more shot shapes. Put on a turnover line, the Buzzz will hold a gentle turn before fading back to flat. Put it on a steep angle and it can hold a long sweeping hyzer line. 

At first glance the Buzzz's -1 turn vs. the Mako3's 0 turn makes it seem like the Buzzz is more understable. Based on my personal experience, this is simply not the case. The Buzzz can absorb a lot more speed and torque without turning over. This is especially true in premium plastics. 

Plastics

Mako3:

• Star
• Halo Star
• Champion

Most popular in the durable and stiff Champion plastic, the Mako3 is also available in the softer Star plastic. If your home course is heavily wooded, go with the Champion for longevity, but the grippier Star version will maintain flight characteristics for awhile too. 

We have the Mako3 available in Innova's popular Halo Star plastic (pictured above), which promises the durability of Champion with the hand feel of Star.  

Buzzz: 

• Z Line
• ESP
• Titanium

The Buzzz has long been one of the most popular midranges in the world, and as such it has been produced in pretty much every plastic blend Discraft has ever cooked up. Most players use it as their midrange workhorse, so a durable premium plastic is essential to increase longevity. 

Any plastic with a "Z" in the name (i.e. Z Line, CryZtal, Z Glow) will be a very durable option. The Buzzz also flies more a tad more overstable in the Z blends. The Titanium is also extremely durable with a metallic sheen, and the ESP has solid durability but with a softer and more flexible feel. For all our Buzzz's, check the full collection here. 

Innova Mako3 vs Buzzz: Differences

Low Speed Stability

The Mako3 has the unique ability to remain straight all the way to the ground. Put on a flat line, it will remain flat as it slows down. This makes it a very useful tool when approaching difficult greens, as it will not skip to the side or catch edge and roll.

The Buzzz, on the other hand, has enough low speed stability to gently hyzer out of a flat shot. To land it perfectly flat will require a bit of an anhyzer release. That extra low speed stability comes in handy for accurate approaches that require some turn at the end.

Distance Potential

Getting good distance from midranges is often what separates beginners from intermediate players. Seasoned disc golfers reach for the slow and reliable accuracy of mid range discs over the speedier but less controllable fairway driver.

The Buzzz is has excellent distance potential for a mid range disc. More advanced players will be able to push it well over 300ft, and pro-level arms will push it out past 400ft.

With a decent amount of turn at high speeds and a little fade at the end of its flight, the Buzzz flies on towering flex lines for long distances, as demonstrated by big-armed pro Drew Gibson in this video. 

The Mako3 has less distance potential than the Buzzz. It does not get the kind of gentle turn and reliable fade necessary for long distance flex shots. Furthermore, since it flies so true to its release angle, there is much more room for error when muscling up on the Mako3. A few degrees off on a power throw and it might be sailing in a straight line in the wrong direction, never to return.

Mako3 vs Buzzz for Forehand Shots

The Buzzz wins the forehand matchup and it's not particularly close. Its low-profile rim and slightly concave shape give you a clean, comfortable grip on sidearm throws. You can really dig into it and rip without worrying about the disc slipping out early. The subtle fade at the end works in your favor too. Forehands naturally put more torque on a disc, and that little bit of stability keeps the Buzzz from turning and burning when you put some heat on it.

The Mako3 is sketchy on forehand shots. Its dead-neutral flight means it has zero built-in correction. If your release angle is even slightly off, the disc just goes with it. Throw it with a tiny bit of anhyzer on a forehand and it's rolling into the woods. The rim shape is less comfortable for sidearm grips too. Most forehand-heavy players who've tried both will tell you the same thing: the Buzzz is the one that stays in the bag for sidearm approaches and tunnel shots.

Breaking In: How Each Disc Ages

These two discs age in opposite directions, and understanding that changes how you use them. The Mako3 starts its life as a perfectly neutral flyer and gradually gets more understable as it takes hits. In base DX plastic, this happens fast. After a few rounds of tree contact, a DX Mako3 turns into a roller disc. In Star or Champion plastic, it holds its original flight for months, but it still drifts understable over time. Eventually, every Mako3 gets too flippy to trust on a dead-straight line.

The Buzzz goes the other direction. A fresh Buzzz has that subtle fade at the end of its flight. As it beats in, the fade slowly disappears, and you end up with a disc that flies laser-straight with zero finish. A well-seasoned Buzzz is genuinely one of the best discs in the game. This is exactly why you'll see experienced players carrying two or three Buzzzs in different stages of wear. A fresh one for shots that need fade, a beat-in one for dead-straight lines, and sometimes a really thrashed one for understable turnover shots. One mold covers three different flight shapes depending on how much plastic it's lost.

Which One Is For You?

There is a fair amount of overlap between these two, so which one will be the next new disc in your bag?

Who Should Use a Mako3

Beginner to intermediate players who want a straight shooter should grab this disc. Since it flies so neutral, the Mako3 (one of the best Innova midranges) promotes smooth and fundamentally sound throwing form, and is excellent for learning clean throwing technique. Many players note that is doubles as a putting option (perhaps due to the aforementioned convex rim shape).

Who Should Use A Discraft Buzzz

Advanced players looking for a workhorse midrange that comes in a seemingly infinite amount of plastics should dive down the Buzzz rabbit hole. Discraft also produces the Buzz "SS" (So Straight) and "OS" (Over Stable), slight variations on the original.

Presumably a disc golfer can fill their entire mid range slot with various Buzzz's. Take a look at our wide selection of Buzzz's and other Discraft discs for sale here.

FAQ's

Which is more popular, the Buzzz or Mako3?

The Buzzz is possibly the most popular mid range disc in the world, and has been getting players birdies for nearly two decades.

Which version of the Buzzz is best?

That depends on what you need. Try the Buzz "SS" for hyzer flips and turnovers, the Buzz "OS" for sweeping hyzers and forehand throws, and the tradional Buzzz for an all-around midrange for all conditions.

Do pros throw the Mako3?

Young phenom Hailey King recently signed with Innova discs and immediately put her name on her own Hailey King Signature Halo Mako3. Fellow FPO player Holly Finley also has a Glow Champion Mako3, which you can take a look at here below.

Summary

At the end of the day there is no wrong choice when it comes to the Mako3 vs Buzzz decision. Both have proven to be great options for players of all skill levels, and both will thread the needle on those intimidating straight tunnel shots.

The Mako3 is designed to hit that straight shot and is great for beginners, while the Buzzz offers more versatility and distance potential for advanced players.

You can shop for Mako3's here, then check out our review of the best Innova discs for forehand shots.