Welcome to our easy to follow guide on how to choose the right badminton racket for you! Whether you’re an experienced player or a beginner, finding the perfect racket can greatly enhance your game. It will also elevate your performance on the court and improve overall enjoyment of the game.
With the wide variety of options available, we understand that the process can be overwhelming. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision when selecting your badminton racket. So, let’s dive in!
Page Contents
Determine Your Playing Style
Before embarking on your quest for the ideal badminton racket, it’s important to understand your playing style. Are you an aggressive attacker who loves smashing the shuttlecock, a defensive player relying on quick reflexes and control, or perhaps a balanced all-rounder?
Identifying your playing style will help you narrow down your options and find a racket that complements your strengths on the court.
Consider Your Level of Experience
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced badminton player, the right racket can make a world of difference. Newcomers to the sport should opt for a racket that offers more control and forgiveness with a larger sweet spot and a flexible shaft to help generate power.
Experienced players might prefer a racket that provides less power, but more control and feel. Understanding your skill level will guide you towards choosing a racket that suits your needs and abilities.
String Tension
The string tension of your racket can affect your shot accuracy and the feel of each stroke. Higher tension provides more control and accuracy but sacrifices power. Lower tension offers more power but can be less precise.
Beginners should usually have higher tension racket strings, while advanced badminton players should consider lower tension strings. Consider your playing style and skill level when deciding on the appropriate string tension for your racket.
Badminton Racket Balance Point
A badminton racket’s balance point is located along its shaft. This is the point at which you can balance your racket on your finger. You feel every racket differently because of its balance point.
The three balance classes are Head-Heavy, Head-Light, and Even Balance. These balance classes don’t indicate the racket’s weight. It is rather a helpful indicator of where most of the weight is actually situated within the racket. Lets briefly look at these three balance classes:
Head Heavy Badminton Racket
A head-heavy racket is often referred to as a power racket. This is because it gives you more power when hitting badminton shots, but it also slows down your recovery time. When you choose a racket that is head heavy, you are likely to sacrifice speed for power. The majority of the graphite in head heavy rackets is positioned closer to the head. This increases power for smashes and clears, but reduces swing speed for front court and midcourt play.
If you generally play from the rear court and are an aggressive badminton player, head heavy badminton racquets may be suitable for you.
Do you enjoy smashing, play singles or attack from the back of the court in doubles, then you should consider choosing a Head Heavy racket.
It may be quite physical demanding to play badminton with a Head Heavy badminton racquet if you are a beginner, so it’s no the ideal type of racket for beginners.
Head Light Badminton Racket
Doubles is a much more popular game type than singles, so Head Light badminton rackets are better suited for most club players. Players who prefer control or a speed advantage in their game may benefit from Head Light badminton racquets.
As you swing the racket, it feels lighter because more weight is distributed at the handle. As a result of the head and frame being lighter, head-light rackets are much easier to handle and swing. The ability to react quickly and return opposing smashes is crucial when defending against smashes.
Also, Head-Light rackets are much more useful for finishing rallies at the front of the court when playing shots at the net.
The Head-Light racket is a great choice for players who specialize in driving, attacking, and fast badminton, or are excellent singles players with great swing speed and technique.
Even Balance Badminton Racket
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, the even balance Badminton racket is very easy to use.
An Even-Balance racket aims to provide a middleground between a Head-Heavy and a Head-Light racket. It gives you enough power from the back and enough control & maneuverability up front.
With its evenly distributed weight, this badminton racquet is perfect for all round players due to its ability to generate power and maintain excellent control.
The Even-Balance racket is the best choice if you don’t know whether you’ll play at the net or at the back. This is because it can handle all kinds of shots. As most regular players carry multiple rackets for different scenarios, even-balance rackets are excellent for developing an all-around game if you are looking to start playing.
Having an even balanced racquet can help you perform at your best if your game involves a mixture of clears, drops, and smashes.
For more advanced players or those who play singles and doubles frequently, you may also consider purchasing an even-balanced racket to offer you something that can help in all scenarios.
Grip Size
Having the right grip size is often overlooked but is an essential aspect of choosing a badminton racket. The grip should feel comfortable and secure in your hand, allowing you to maintain a firm hold during intense rallies.
Having the right grip size ensures a comfortable and secure hold on the racket. A grip that is too small can result in a loss of control, while a grip that is too large can lead to fatigue. It’s important to find the right balance.
Additionally, consider the shape of the grip, oval or octagonal, based on your personal preference. A grip that is too large or too small can negatively impact your performance and lead to discomfort or even injury. Experiment with different grip sizes to find the one that suits you best.
Badminton Racket Stiffness Rating
There is a stiffness rating for each badminton racket that determines how easily the shaft bends. Yonex badminton rackets generally fall into four categories: Flexible, Medium, Stiff, and Extra Stiff.
For players with quicker, more advanced swing speeds and techniques, stiffer rackets are better suited to better control over the shuttlecock. The flexible shaft in flexible rackets generates more power with less effort. So they are better suited to players with slower swing speeds. Rackets with stiff shafts are typically preferred by advanced players, while those with flexible shafts are preferred by beginners.
Badminton Racket Weight
Weight classes for badminton rackets are indicated by the letter ‘U’. In general, badminton rackets weigh between 80 and 95 grams.
Skilled players usually prefer heavier rackets. In addition to accumulating more momentum, heavier rackets transfer optimal speed and power to the shuttlecock.
It is better for beginners to use lightweight rackets as they are easier on their wrists and shoulders. They are also easier to control. Club and social players can perform faster serves with lighter rackets, allowing them to switch to different strokes easily.
Today, the most common badminton rackets on the market are 3U (85-89 g) and 4U (80-84 g).
Conclusion
Choosing the best badminton racket is a personal journey, but armed with the knowledge and tips we’ve shared, you’re now equipped to make an informed decision. Remember to consider your playing style, experience level, stiffness rating, weight, balance, grip size and string tension. With the right racket in hand, you’ll be ready to excel on the badminton court and enjoy the game to the fullest. Read our reviews of the Best Yonex Badminton Rackets where we review the top 10 Yonex badminton rackets for all skill levels and playing styles.
