What to Look For When Buying a New Badminton Racket
Choosing the right badminton racket can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know what to look for. The weight, balance and grip size of the racket are all factors that must be considered when selecting one for optimal performance. Additionally, it is important to understand the different types of rackets available and determine your playing style and skill level in order to choose an appropriate model. Yonex, Victor and Li-Ning are reputable brands known for offering high quality badminton rackets at various price points. Asking an expert in a sports store can also be beneficial as they may provide advice on which type of racket would best suit your needs. With these tips in mind, you will be well equipped to make an informed decision on your next badminton racket purchase!
1. Determine your playing style and level of skill
Knowing your playing style and skill level will significantly reduce the amount of badminton rackets available to choose from. Players with a slower swing speed may benefit from using lighter weight rackets, while intermediate players should opt for medium-weight models that offer extra power. Advanced players typically prefer heavier rackets as they provide more control.
2. Consider racket head size
Racket head size affects the size of your sweet spot, which is the area in which you can deliver maximum power. Larger racket heads provide a larger sweet spot, making them ideal for players with slower swing speeds. Smaller racket heads offer improved control and accuracy, which makes them better suited to advanced players who have faster swings.
3. Consider balance
Badminton rackets come in three different balance types: even balance (E), head heavy (HH) and head light (HL). Even balanced rackets are well-suited to all levels of play; they offer good control with plenty of power behind shots. Head heavy rackets are designed to provide more stability and power while sacrificing some accuracy and speed; they are best for offensive players. Head light rackets are designed to be fast and accurate; they offer better speed and control than head heavy models, making them ideal for defensive players.
4. Grip size
It is important to ensure the grip size of your racket is comfortable and offers a secure fit in your hand. Badminton rackets typically come with grips ranging from G4 (the smallest) to G6 (the largest). If you have small hands, it is best to go for a smaller grip size; similarly, larger hands should opt for a larger grip size.
5.Evaluate the string type and tension for optimal performance
When evaluating the string type and tension of your badminton racket, there are a few key things to consider. Pre-strung rackets come with strings already installed; these are typically thinner and offer less power than unstrung rackets but provide more control. Unstrung rackets will require additional setup time as you need to select a string type and tension that is appropriate for your playing style. It is also important to note that different string tensions can affect the performance of the racket, so it is important to choose one that best suits your needs. Finally, make sure you keep an eye out for any signs of wear and tear on existing strings when purchasing pre-strung models as this may indicate poor maintenance or quality
5. Choose between pre-strung or unstrung rackets
As mentioned previously, pre-strung rackets come with strings already installed, whereas unstrung models require additional setup time. Pre-strung rackets are generally easier to use and offer convenience as they do not require any extra setup. However, some players prefer the added control and power of an unstrung racket that has been specifically tailored to their needs. Ultimately, it is important to consider your playing style and skill level before choosing either pre-strung or unstrung rackets.
In conclusion, badminton racket selection is a very personal process that requires careful consideration of various factors such as playing style, skill level and grip size in order to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, understanding the difference between pre-strung and unstrung rackets can help you choose the right racket for your needs. By following these tips, badminton players of all skill levels should be able to find a racket that helps them maximize their performance on court.
6. Research reputable brands like Yonex,Victor and Li-Ning to find high quality products
When selecting a badminton racket, it is important to choose a reputable brand that is known for producing high quality products. Yonex has been manufacturing badminton rackets since 1957 and their extensive range of products offers something for everyone. Their rackets are designed with the latest cutting-edge technology such as NAMD (read more) and feature different head sizes, balance types, grip sizes and string types to suit all playing styles. With such a wide selection of badminton rackets available from Yonex, badminton players can be sure that they are choosing a product that will help them maximize their performance on court.
Victor badminton rackets are designed with the latest technology to provide optimal performance and control on court. Their range of products includes a variety of head sizes, weight balances, grip sizes and string types that offer different levels of power, speed and control depending on your playing style. Whether you’re an offensive or defensive player, Victor has a racket for everyone that will help improve your game.
Finally, Li-Ning offers badminton players a wide selection of high quality rackets to choose from. With over 40 years of experience in sports equipment development, they have created many innovative designs such as their unique ‘wing stabilizer’ system which is designed to reduce frame twisting during shots thus providing greater stability and control. Their range of rackets also includes a variety of head sizes, balance types and string tensions to suit all levels of play.
By researching reputable brands like Yonex, Victor and Li-Ning badminton players can be sure that they are buying a high quality product designed with the latest technology that will help them optimize their performance on court.
7. Ask an expert in a sports store for advice on what racket is best suited for you
It is always a good idea to consult an expert when choosing a new badminton racket. Sports stores typically have knowledgeable staff members who can offer advice on what type of racket is best suited for your playing style and skill level. This can be particularly helpful if you are unsure about the differences between pre-strung and unstrung rackets or which sizes, types, and tension levels will provide optimal performance.
Feel free to contact us via email or over the phone for any advice at all! Our staff are all avid badminton players ranging from club to county level.
Our Recommendations (Based on Budget)
Frames Below £70
1. Yonex Astrox 99 Play - Head heavy frame for attacking players
2. Yonex Astrox 88s Play - Balance of power and speed.
2. Yonex Nanoflare 170 Light - Head-Light frame designed for speed
3. Victor Thruster 1HH - Even-Balanced frame for all-round play
Frames Between £70-120
1. Yonex Astrox 88D Game - Perfect for attacking club players
2. Yonex Astrox 88S Game- Great front-court racket for doubles
3. Yonex Nanoflare 270 Light - Built for speed
4. Victor Bravesword 12 - Classic all-round racket used by Lee Yong Dae
5. Li-Ning Aeronaut 4000 Combat - Unique Wing-Stabilizer Technology
6. Li-Ning Aeronaut 4000 Drive - Best-Selling racket of 2022
Premium Frames
1. Li-Ning Aeronaut 9000 Combat - Used by Zheng Si Wei and Yuta Watanabe
2. Li-Ning Aeronaut 9000 Instinct- Superlight and head heavy frame.,
3. Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ -Used by Viktor Axelsen
4. Yonex Astrox 77 Pro - 2023 Latest addition by Yonex
5. Yonex Astrox 88D Pro - Used by Marcus Gideon
6. Yonex Astrox 88S Pro - Used by Kevin Sanjaya
7. Yonex Nanoflare 800 - One of the best-selling head light frames
8. Victor Thruster F C - Victors best selling frame of 2022
9. Victor Auraspeed 90K - Used by Anders Antonsen
10. Victor Thruster Ryuga II - Used by Lee Zii Jia