Badminton String and Tension Guide

Now that you know what racket you want, the next step is to figure out the right badminton string and tension for your game. 

Before choosing a badminton string there are some key basic facts and terminology you should familiarize yourself with:

  • Every badminton racket has a ‘sweet spot’. This is an area on the string bed which will give you maximum power.
  • Increasing the tension will cause the sweet spot to become smaller. Beginners and casual players lack the right technique and are more likely to mis-hit the shuttle. A higher tension therefore translates into LESS power for beginners.
  • Lower string tension increases the sweet spot, making it much easier for beginners and casual players to generate power.
  • A higher string tension will provide more power and control only if you can consistently hit the sweet spot. The downside is that the strings will break more easily if a mis-hit occurs because of how tight the strings are being stretched.
  • Thicker badminton strings are generally more durable than thinner strings.
  • The type of badminton shuttle you play with is also a key factor in your choice of string and tension
  • Every badminton string and tension differs from player to player. Your choice of string and tensions will be dependent on your playing style and technique.
  • Every racket has a recommended tension. Choosing a higher tension will VOID the manufacturer’s warranty

Still confused? Don’t worry we will explain the difference between a low and high tension so that you can make a better choice.

Why should I choose a low tensions? (18 – 23lbs)

A low tension means:

  • The racket will have a softer string bed which greatly increases the bounce/repulsion from the strings. This will allow you to easily get power from the racket with minimal effort.
  • A larger sweet spot makes it more forgiving for casual players as even mis-hits fly off with sufficient power.
  • Badminton strings will last much longer and are less prone to breakage from mis-hits.
  • The softer string bed provides better shock absorption and helps to reduce the stress on your arm.

A low tension will suit your game if you are a new player as it will allow you to easily generate power even with off-center hits.

Is a higher tension better for me? (24lbs and above)

Higher string tension means :

  • Tighter string bed and greater feeling of the shuttle. This allows for better control and placement.
  • A smaller sweet-spot , requiring the player to be more accurate and consistent with their strokes in order to consistently generate power
  • Less “bounce/repulsion” from the strings and therefore the player will need to input more strength to generate power
  • Less durability and more prone to breakage from off-centre mis-hits
  • Reduced shock absorption which means you will place more stress on your arm

Higher tensions are more suited for advanced players who have good technique and are able to generate enough power on their own. Increasing the tension will provide them with greater control in their game.

Now that you have a clearer picture, it’s time to choose the right tension for yourself.

What tension should I get?

The biggest mistake most players make is letting their ego get the better of them, often choosing a high tension and believing it will offer them greater power. As it is much harder to generate power at high tensions, they are more likely to break the strings with mis-hits and cause injury to themselves due to the increased strain on their arm.

Generally, if you play with plastic shuttles we will recommend going for a lower tension. A plastic shuttle generally requires more effort to clear to the baseline because they are heavier and fly differently compared to feather shuttles. Lowering the string tension will give you the extra power that you need to help you with clears.

Choosing the right tension is dependent on the individual player as there is no fixed rule on what is the perfect tension.  However, we have provided a general guideline in the table below:

  • For Plastic Shuttlecocks : Beginners (18-20lbs), Intermediate (20-22lbs),Advanced (22-25lbs)
  • For Feather Shuttlecocks :Beginners (20-23lbs), Intermediate (24-25lbs),Advanced (26lbs and above)

Strings

Now that you have a clear idea on what tension to get the next step is choosing the right string for you. The choice of string will normally be influenced by what you are looking for; Control, Power or Durability. Generally, thinner strings offer greater repulsion and clear sound but tend to be less durable. Thicker strings generally provide better durability and is recommended for plastic shuttles as they tend to degrade your strings faster than feather shuttles.

There are tons of strings in the market to choose from and at SMASH we stock a range of top quality strings from different brands. To help you make a better choice we have chosen our favourite strings for control, power and durability below.

Control

Power

Durability