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You are currently viewing The Best Badminton Rackets-From Beginner to Advanced

The Best Badminton Rackets-From Beginner to Advanced

Many times, the equipment your use on the badminton court will enhance or hinder your success. That is why it is crucial for players to get the best badminton rackets on the market. Without a suitable racket, your skills can only take you so far; but, with the right one, you can give other players a run for their money.

Nevertheless, before you choose a model, you'll need to make a lot of considerations. This article is a guide on the top five badminton rackets and the things to think about when making your choice.

Let's get started!

Best Badminton Rackets

1. Yonex Voltric Z-Force II Extra Stiff Badminton Racquet

The Yonex Voltric Z Force II is an agile and isometric badminton racquet that features a large sweet spot for delivering more power and distance with each swing. It is the best badminton racket on the market thanks to the great balance on the frame top and joint section. It is an excellent option for beginners and advanced players since it offers good handling and power.

This racket comes with a control support cap that offers a broader surface than your standard racquet, making it easier to grip. As a result, the player can make sharp maneuvers and quick follow-throughs during the game.

The Voltric Z Force II has a sturdy and flexible frame meant to facilitate fast swings and heavy head balance. It can be challenging to make quick strikes with a racket with a heavy head. So, this model uses a smaller frame to help advanced players make fast swings without much trouble.

This badminton racket reduces air resistance thanks to the integrated grommet tip, which helps create a shape that minimizes air resistance. As such, it has a smooth swinging frame that can deliver powerful strikes in the right hands.

The tungsten is built into the grommets to increase the contact time between the string and the shuttle to give the frame controlled flex.

Pros:

  • Comfortable grip size.
  • Stiff shaft.
  • Large sweet spot.
  • Well-balanced.
  • Lightweight construction.

Cons:

  • Not the best badminton racket for beginners.
  • A bit pricey.

2. Yonex Nanoray 800 Badminton Racquet

YONEX Nanoray 800 (3U,G4)
  • Grip Size: G4
  • Weight: 3U - 88 grams avg.
  • Balance: Head Light

The Yonex Nanoray badminton racket is a stylish option with a mix of purple, green, lime, black, and silver. However, the good looks aren't the only reason the Nanoray 800 is one of the best badminton rackets you can buy. It is also designed for fast attacks thanks to the aero-frame head construction, which offers better swing speeds than other rackets.

This racquet features a revolutionary frame for a smooth and dynamic repulsion. The upper frame decreases air resistance while the lower frame increases the repulsion output. The stiff yet flexible shaft of the Yonex Nanoray has shock-absorbing capabilities, which also helps improve the repulsion. With this racket, you can make lightning-fast shots to make it easier for you to win games.

Pros:

  • Awesome precision.
  • Easy to maneuver.
  • Facilitates fast swings.

Cons:

  • Expensive.
  • Better suited for advanced and intermediate players.

3. Senston N80 High-Grade Badminton Racquet

Senston N80 Graphite Single High-Grade Badminton Racquet, Professional Carbon Fiber Badminton...
  • ✔ RACKET PARAMETER: Senston N80/ 5U(75g-79g)/ G4 Grip/ The balance point: 295+-3MM/ Lengh:675MM/...
  • ✔ 100% FULL CARBON FIBER MATERIAL: Senston N80 is made of full carbon fiber frame and shaft....
  • ✔ SOLID CONSTRUCTION: The racket has SOLID construction with ONE-PIECE design outside and built-in...
  • ✔ PERFECT DESIGNED DETAILS: the design of cone cover make the racket more in conformity with...
  • ✔ GOOD AFTER-SALES SERVICE: If you have any problems after the purchase, you can feel free to...

If you are serious about playing badminton, you'll want a racket that can enhance your skills conveniently. That is why we are considering the Senston N80 badminton racket, which features an integrated T-joint to reduce the use of metals. This makes it a lightweight option thanks to the plastic frame, which is powerful and stable without additional weight.

It also comes with a high-tech frame design that translates to a larger sweet spot thanks to the isometric head shape, which will deliver a higher hit rate for any badminton player. This Senston racquet also gives defensive players a better range to prevent the opposition from scoring.

The frame and shaft of this item are made from Carbon Fiber material, ensuring a lightweight build that increases swinging speed. You can say goodbye to the shoulder pain you get from handling heavy rackets. Additionally, Carbon Fiber will improve the strength and durability of the frame and decrease the chances of frame deformation.

The cone cover is designed to improve the fluid dynamics of the racket, which makes it more flexible at controlling the ball. The grip handle is non-slip to ensure the racket remains comfortably in hand as you play.

Pros:

  • Durable graphite construction.
  • Light-head design.
  • Non-slip handle design.
  • Flexible ball control.
  • Powerful performance.

Cons:

  • The strings aren't durable.

4. Yonex Astrox FB Badminton Racket

YONEX Astrox FB Medium Flex Badminton Strung Racquet (Navy/Orange)
  • The ISOMETRIC equalizes the length of the main and cross strings in the string-bed, enlarging the...
  • The single-pass grommet hole construction provides more grommet holes for a more high-performance...
  • Tungsten infused grommets maximize the contact time between shuttle and string
  • By applying the counterbalance theory, weight is distributed throughout the grip end, frame top and...
  • The control support cap provides an 88% wider flat surface compared with an ordinary racquet for...

if you are looking for a great badminton racket for taking an offensive stance against your opponents, the Yonex Astrox FB is the choice for you. With Nanomesh + Carbon Nanotube material in the frame and shaft, you can enjoy an enhanced repulsion power, impact strength, and resilience in this racquet.

Thanks to the combination of carbon nanotube with resin, it is a head-light racket with resin but can still deliver more accurate shots with better strength and speed. This makes it one of the best badminton rackets for beginners.

The isometric design balances the strings and enlarges the sweet spot to help you make accurate high-speed swings even with off-center hits. The weighting of this racket is based on the counterbalance theory and ensures even weight distribution on the grip, frame, and joint to give you better control.

This Yonex Astrox racket looks great, thanks to the navy blue and orange colors on the head. As such, you can play confidently with this racket in hand, knowing that you have one of the best options money can buy.

Pros:

  • A light head design.
  • High-performance string pattern.
  • Larger sweet spot.
  • Decent balance.
  • Great grip.

Cons:

  • The factory strings need replacement after smashing.

5. Yonex Arcsaber 11 Badminton Racket

YONEX Arcsaber 11 Badminton Racquet (Red)
  • Neo CS CARBON NANOTUBE provides added bite to the shuttlecock and SONIC METAL increases the ability...
  • Frame: H.M. Graphite, Neo CS CARBON NANOTUBE, SONIC METAL
  • Weight / Grip Size: 3U (Ave.88g) G4,5 2U (Ave.93g) G4,5, Box Contents: 1 Racquet
  • Stringing Advice: 3U 19-24 lbs, 2U 20-25 lbs, Available: Strung
  • Frame: H.M. Graphite, Neo CS CARBON NANOTUBE, SONIC METAL

Last but certainly not least is the Yonex Arcsaber 11, which offers power, flexibility, and advanced technology to help beginner players deliver powerful smashes. It features a head-heavy design that enhances accuracy and performance.

The head also contains sonic metal, which makes it thinner for less air resistance, and the stiff shaft will help deliver a swing with enough power for an effective defense and offense. This Yonex badminton racket has an optimal grip size and a balance point of 305mm, making it a great pick for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players.

The high string tension ensures a great performance and is not too tight to risk breakage. This badminton racket is a great option for a player looking for better power, agility, and balance on the court.

Pros:

  • Great balance and stability.
  • Enhanced swing speed and power.
  • Heavy-head design.
  • Durable.

Cons:

  • Prone to unstringing.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Badminton Rackets

Before choosing a badminton racket, there are several factors you should keep in mind to make the most suitable choice.

1. Balance

Badminton rackets offer different levels of balance for players. This depends on where the weight of the racket is emphasized. You can choose between head-heavy, head-light, and even-balance rackets.

  • Head-Heavy Balance

As the name suggests, Head-heavy rackets have their weight shifted towards the head of the racket, making the head heavier. This type of racket is popular among players who prefer playing a powerful game. These badminton rackets can provide powerful smashes and clears for players who prefer a position in the back of the court. If you want to deliver great distance consistently, you'll want a head-heavy racket.

  • Head-Light Balance

Head-Light rackets have their mass more toward the handle, resulting in a light head. They are more suited to double players than singles. It is much easier to swing and manipulate this type of racket than the head-heavy ones, which makes them ideal for defense against your opposition's smashes. So, if you are looking for speed and fast attacks, these rackets are the best choice for you.

  • Even-Balance

Even-balance rackets are designed to offer a precise middle point between the heavier and lighter options. They are a great option for players not sure whether they prefer playing from the back or at the net since they can deliver all types of shots.

2. Shaft Flex

Another issue to think about is how flexible the shaft of your racket is. It is just as crucial as the balance, but it depends on your wrist speed. The faster your swing speed, the better the chances of making a powerful smash from a stiff shaft, while the slower your swing speed, the more flexible your shaft should be.

Beginners should go for a flexible shaft since it can bend and unbend to provide optimal power and control even at a slow swing speed. On the other hand, an advanced or intermediate player should opt for a stiff shaft that will help maintain as much power and control as possible.

If you want to make powerful shots, you should go with a racket that matches the speed at which you swing it.

3. Grip

In terms of grip, you should consider the type of grip and the grip size.

  • Grip Size

There are four different grip sizes you can find on badminton rackets. The larger grip size is better-suited players that prefer a tight feel and more power. On the other hand, the smaller grip size is for those who prioritize maneuverability and flexibility. Either way, you should choose a racket with a grip size that gives you better control.

  • Grip Type

There are two primary types of grip in badminton rackets; towel grips and synthetics grips. A racket with a towel grip has a soft texture and can absorb sweat to keep your palm dry. Unfortunately, these grips accumulate germs and bacteria over time and tend to need replacement.

Synthetic grips are the more common type, and they are slick. The only downside is that they can't absorb sweat which leaves your palm sweaty, increasing slippage.

4. Weight

The weight of your racket is also essential to your decision. The weight is typically denoted by "U," and the higher the number, the lighter the model. If you aren't sure of how to check the weight, you can use the following standard;

  • 1U - 95 to 100g
  • 2U- 90 to 94 grams
  • 3U - 85 to 89 grams
  • 4U - 80 to 84 grams

The lighter options are great for beginners since they offer more control. With this racket, you can stroke and recover quickly and switch between strokes with minimal difficulty. They also reduce the chances of injury on your shoulders and wrists. Single players should go for heavier models since they will provide more stability and responsiveness.

5. String Tension

Depending on the amount of power and control you want in your strokes, you can choose a racket with a high or low string tension. The racket will have multifilament strings, which are synthetic or natural gut. The synthetic option is more durable and common, while the natural type is more expensive.

Advanced players and hard hitters should choose a racket with higher tension. Tighter strings make for a shorter contact time between the shuttle and the racket, which translates to more control than power in your strike. Unless your racket is pre-strung, you can have the strings tightened to a tension of 25lbs or higher.

Lower tension offers more power than control since the racket will repel the shuttle with a spring-like effect. The ideal tension for beginners should range from 18 to 20 lbs. As you improve your game and move to intermediate levels, you can increase the tension accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is the best Yonex badminton racket?

The Yonex Voltric Z-Force II Extra Stiff Badminton Racquet is the best Yonex racket on the market.

2. Which brand of badminton rackets is the best?

There are several brands that manufacture great rackets, like Carlton, Li Ning, Forza, and Wilson. However, the overall best is Yonex.

3. What rackets do professional badminton players use?

The most popular racket among badminton professionals is the Yonex Voltric Z Force II.

Roy Howard

Hi everyone, I'm Roy - the owner of this Tennis Blog. I've been a semi-professional tennis player for 5 years and had some experiences in a few tournaments. I now love to play tennis in my free time and coach the kids on the tennis court. I hope I do make some good advice to all of my readers here! Many thanks and please enjoy my blog!