How to Choose a Badminton Racket

Sports play an important role in all of our lives. Some play it for fun, while some for a profession. It doesn’t matter you are playing it for passion or just for fun, but the equipment matters the most in your win and lose. Here is a complete guide for how to choose a badminton racket.

The world is playing Badminton for so long now as there are many benefits to this game. At the same time, some games are suitable for your legs, body, muscles.

Badminton is good for your overall health as this game has all forms of physical exercise.

How to Choose a Badminton Racket?

When choosing the best Badminton for your needs, here are some points which you need to note. For instance, you have to know about your playing frequency.

It means how often you play and if you are a professional player or just a casual player. After that, you have to know about the material composition of the racquet.

Nowadays, badminton racquets come in different material types. Here are some more points to consider, have a look.

So first let us See parts of the badminton racket to better understanding

1. Grip

The most important factor you need to consider while making your purchase is the grip size.

Most of the rackets come in G4 grip size and G5 size. These size rackets are designed for those who have small-sized hands.

The G1 and G2 sizes are for the players who relatively have large-sized hands.

Please note that the smaller grip sizes will grant more finger wrist action in the game. However, with a bigger grip size, you will be able to utilize more of the arm.

Here you can understand more about the grip sizes.

G1	G2	G3	G4	G5	G6
4 In	3.75 In	3.5 In	3.25 In	3 In	2.75 In

• Li Ning Badminton rackets grip size are as below

S2	S3
Extra Small	Small

2. Weight

Apart from the material composition, the second most important factor when buying a racket is weight. 

The weight of the racket is denoted by “U.” And most importantly, the heavier the weight of the badminton racket, the smaller the number. A good badminton weight from 80gm to 100gm.

5U	4U	3U	2U	U
75-79.9 gm	80-84.9 gm	85-92 gm	90-94.9 gm	95-99.9 gm

3. Head Shape

There are two shapes of rackets, i.e., Isometric shape rackets and Oval shape rackets, available from various brands.

These shapes are according to the designs of the frame of a racket.

Most of the rackets in the market come with an Isometric head shape which means that they will have a wider top half of the head.

This Isometric or square shape of the racket provides an enlarged sweet spot to the players. For beginners, Isometric shape rackets are recommended.

The large sweet spot makes it easier to hit a shot with less energy.

An oval head racket has a smaller sweet spot. It delivers more power if that spot is hit.

Oval rackets provide better control to place a shuttle in the desired direction. Oval shape rackets are recommended for advanced players.

4. Shaft Stiffness and Flexibility

Shaft stiffness means the durability of the racket. After all, the shaft stiffness and the flexibility of the racket is a major factor.

Stiff: These are most suitable for players with refined technique, power swing, and fast.

In stiff rackets, the return of shots is faster. But players require a technique to use this kind of stiff rackets for better placement. Also, require good use of wrist action by the player.

It is suitable for intermediate to advanced players who have gained good techniques for a game.

Flexible: The flexible shafts provide you more power and speed. And these are ideal for beginners or slow-arm speed players.

In such flexible rackets, the return of shots is slower because the shuttle stays on a string for a long time. Power is also generated low in such rackets.

These are good for beginners as they can use this for practice and learn techniques. A beginner does not need to focus on generating enough power in their shots.

5. Racket Balance Point

After knowing about the weight, grip, shapes, and flexibility of the badminton rackets, you have to consider the Racket balance point.

Weight, the material of the racket, and balance points are the 3 most important points to think about before getting badminton.

To get an idea about the balance of your racket, just place a finger slightly underneath the head of the racket to see which way the racket is getting tilted.

There are a total 3 types of balance points in a badminton racket:

Head Heavy Balance

These types of rackets are heavier at the racket head. These are good for smashes. Helpful for attacking playing style and to generate more power in shots.

Head Light Balance

Who plays at the nets can use such types of rackets. These are overall lighter rackets. Good for the defensive playing style and more speed.

Even Balance

In these rackets, weight is distributed across the racket and it gives a good feel and flexibility. Suitable for all-round players.

6. Material Composition

When it comes to material composition then there are 2 types of material composition.

The first one is an entry-level racket. The entry level-rackets are made up of Aluminium or steel and these are pretty cost-effective. 

These entry-level rackets are good for beginners who are on a strict budget. However, we would suggest spending on a good carbon fiber or graphite racket.

The Yonex Carbonex 6 light racket is an ideal racket that is made up of graphite composition.

When it comes to the second category, these are made up of Graphite, and all these are advanced rackets that professional players also use. 

These Graphite composition rackets also use some other materials like Nanocarbon, and these are very light in weight, highly durable, and high performance.

7. Playing Frequency

The most important thing that you have to consider before getting a badminton racket is the playing frequency.

If you are a beginner, then you would require badminton with an isometric head which will have a huge surface area, and it will be easier to hit the cock with that.

It will be helpful when strokes are slightly off-center. And this will make the game easier for you. 

Apart from that, you would require a racket that has extra hitting power. For this, you need a racket that has its balance point at the head. Also, the delivery will be easier for you.

The best and the main part of the racket, which has balance points at the handle, will be good for the overall game.

8. String Tension

If you want to know about the String Tension, then you can press your palm against the string. You will get to see how the strings get sunk. If the strings have a sunken depth of around 1mm, then that is an ideal string tension for most of the players.

Apart from that, if the string tension is high or low, then that is not good. Also, the temperature affects the string tension, and if you are playing in a hot climate, then the string tension will be high otherwise low.

String Tension and Player Level

Beginners	Intermediates	Advanced Players	Professional Players
18-21 lbs	22-24 lbs	25-28 lbs	29-35 lbs

In some models, you don’t get desired string tension, then recommended after purchase change strings to your desired level.

9. Most Popular Brands of Badminton

Here are some of the most popular brand which offers best Badminton:

•       Yonex

•       Li Ning

•       Carlton

•       Wilson

•       Victor

•   Ashaway

Always select a racket from these brands. These are world-famous brands of badminton.

10. Price to consider

When it comes to deciding the price, then it depends upon your budget. And it is always recommended to increase the budget if you want to make this game your profession; otherwise, you can get a budget racket.

If you are a beginner, then choose rackets from Rs 400 to 2000, and if you are an intermediate player, choose rackets from Rs 1500 and above.

For an advanced player, there are a huge variety of rackets depend on the budget.

11. Racket Maintenance

When it comes to maintenance, then no one likes a racket that doesn’t last long. So it is advised to get a highly durable racket even if you are a beginner.

You have to change the grip cover periodically. Even you need to change the string periodically if you realize low power and failure in shots.

12. Conclusion and Recommendation

In conclusion, we can conclude that good Badminton is a basic requirement for anyone who is starting off or even for a professional player. But if you are just starting off with Badminton, then you can get a basic racket, but it is advised to get a durable racket as most beginners break their racket very often.

And if you are considering making a career in this field, then, of course, you should invest in a good racket, and this is How to Choose a Badminton racket from a beginner to a professional.

Playing Level	Beginner	Intermediate	Advanced/Expert
Grip Size	G4 / S3	G4 / S3	G4 / S3
Weight	3U / 4U	2U / U	2U / U
Head Shape	Isometric	Oval	Oval
Flexibility	Flexible	Flexible / Stiff	Stiff
Balance	Balanced Racket	Head Light/ Heavy	Heavy Head
Material	Aluminium	Aluminium / Graphite	Graphite
String Tension	18-21 lbs	22-28 lbs	25-35 lbs
Suggested Rackets	1. Yonex GR 303 2. Yonex Muscle Power 29 3. Yonex Carbonex 8000 Plus 3U-G4	1. Yonex Voltric 8 E-Tune 2. Yonex Voltric 7 3. Li-Ning US 978 Ultra	1. Yonex Voltric Z Force II 2. Yonex Duora 10 3. Yonex Arcsaber 11

So this was all about How to choose a badminton complete guide. Hopefully, you will like our approach.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Yonex Badminton Rackets in India

Frequently Asked Questions