Badminton is an outdoor game with roots in China, dating back to the Han Dynasty in 206 BC. The sport was introduced to England in 1830 and became very popular, very quickly. In today’s world, badminton is played throughout the world, from Japan to Europe and from the Americas to Asia. The game has helped reduce crime rates, increase a town’s revenue and even helped spawn a new business. It’s a fun game and a great way to get some exercise and fresh air.
In this article, we’ll tell you about the world’s best badminton rackets. There’s a lot to consider when buying a badminton racket for a sport that can get quite competitive and we hope that this buyer’s guide will help you make the right decision.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Yonex Badminton Racket | Best Overall |  |
| Cannon Sports Badminton Racket | Budget Pick |  |
| Yonex Astrox 99-Weight/Grip: 4U/G5 | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Yonex Badminton Racket
The Duora Z-Strike 85 badminton racket from Yonex is an excellent racket designed for all kinds of badminton games. Plus, it’s affordable and will last you for years of badminton playing. The 4U (US) shaft length is the perfect choice for youths and old players alike. It’s a lightweight racket at only 350 grams, but amazingly, it’s still strong enough to last you for years.
One thing to consider is that this product is made for other players interested in entertainment games, similar to casual matches. It’s not a player’s racket, so you may find yourself struggling with it if you’re playing serious tournaments. It’s a wonderful racket and we highly recommend it for students, beginners, and intermediate players due to its portability and precision.
2. Franklin Sports 2 Player Badminton Racquet Replacement Set
Pros:
- The color is dark
- The string is strong, and it doesn’t break easily even if you hit the shuttle hard
- The grip is worth every penny as it’s comfortable and stable
- The racquet has a quality shuttle
- You can find replacement shuttles at a reasonable price
- The complete package is sturdy and lightweight
- The grips are great, and the shuttle is comfortable
Cons:
- The string can get cut if you hit the shuttle hard and fast
- The racquet doesn’t come with a bag, so you’ll have to purchase a separate bag separately.
This badminton racquet replacement set by Franklin Sports is a combination of the classic red and the bright blue colors. The string is black so you can see clearly. You can use this to replace any broken badminton racquet.
3. Cannon Sports Badminton Racket
Pros:
- Very affordable.
- Has an all carbon steel string.
- Very lightweight.
- Has a polypropylene grip.
- The racket comes with stiffened PVC strings which are easy to hang.
- Stainless steel shaft.
- The product is used by beginners and intermediate players.
- Makes shots very fast and powerful.
Cons:
- The racket is not made of a high-quality material.
- The product is not suitable for advanced players.
4. Yonex Voltric Z Force II 2 Badminton Racket
Pros:
- Extremely accurate
- Vibration reduction
- Extended shaft for added maneuverability
- The string is great
- Knurling on the handle is very comfortable
Cons:
- Might not be very durable
- May not be the ideal racket for some beginners
- Can only handle stiff and fast shuttlecocks
Whether you’re a player of high school and collegiate badminton or a recreational badminton player, you want a badminton racket that performs and lasts. The Yonex Voltric Z Force II Badminton Racket ticks these boxes. The raquets are lightweight and are available in several weights. With the unstrung version weighing around 8.4 ounces and the strung version weighing around 12.1 ounces, the Voltric Series are the lightest ones in the Z Force line.
5. YONEX Duora 10 Badminton Racket
Pros:
- Doubles as a racquet for tennis and squash
- Factory strung and ready-to-play
- Responsive and durable
- Incredible maneuverability and feel
- Perfect for beginners
- Has a moderate flex rating
Cons:
- Offers a more sluggish response than the double layer
- Most expensive model on our list
- Requires adult supervision for younger players
- Surprisingly heavy
- Lack of warranty
The third racket on this list is the Yonex Duora 10, a lightweight badminton racket that also doubles as a racquet for tennis and squash. It’s a great choice for beginners and even more seasoned players.
The Yonex Duora 10 features a Yonex carbon nanotube blend that makes the racket incredibly lightweight – weighing in at 2 3/8 lbs – yet durable and robust. The frame is slightly thinner and longer than other models, and utilizes a Torzon “key hole” design to help slice through the air easier. It has a flexible shaft that helps to reduce the energy transmitted from incoming shots, and a graphite flex – a combination that provides tons of feel for the ball and smooth handling.
6. Yonex Badminton Racket
Our top pick is the Arcsaber 11 by Yonex, taking into consideration several factors like balance, quality, and cost. As its name suggests, the racket comes with 11 layers of carbon for maximum power and control without sacrificing on over-strung weight.
This racket’s wiring is usually made with a material called e-glass, which is lightweight and has a high tensile strength, even though it’s less tensile than titanium. However, e-glass is not as durable as titanium, especially when it’s exposed to moisture. However, the Arcsaber 11 comes with anti-spin wire, which is designed to prevent moisture buildup. Plus, it has a string that’s made from Zynex, a material that is used in the aerospace and automotive industries. Zynex is a hybrid of nylon, which is elastic, and polyester, which is strong. As with e-glass, Zynex is also lightweight.
7. Yonex Astrox 99-Weight/Grip: 4U/G5
Pros:
- Pre-strung with the factory black Yonex multi-filament string
- High carbon steel gives the frame a terrific strength to weight ratio
- Prime absorbs vibrations
- Built for the intermediate to pro level player
Cons:
- Not good for double-handed shots
- Doesn’t play well in windy conditions
In our search of the best badminton racket for international level competition, the Yonex Astrox 99-weight is the best bet. It comes with the Industry-standard G5 grip that’s popular with players of many levels.
This is where the Astrox stood out for us. It’s an amazing racket in the hands of a beginner with a good stroke, who has to get the basics right. This racket will give them a chance to do that.
The Astrox plays well in the hands of an experienced player who is looking for a convenient, good quality racket for practice. This racket also offers an easy learning curve for a novice, who wants to learn to play well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which brand has the best badminton racket?
The best badminton rackets are made by either Yonex or Victor. Each brand is known to produce high quality rackets with professional topspin. Yonex is known for their high-tech string material and durability while Victor is known for their solid build quality and fantastic sound. Can you choose one over the other? Yes. It would really depend on you and how you play.
Gone are the days when people would choose Yonex over Victor. Today, the best racquets would be a combination of both brands.
Is Yonex better than Li Ning?
Which Badminton racket to get is dependant upon your level of play, the strength of your arm, and the frequency and intensity of your game play. A good recommendation would be to get the Yonex Power Cushion if you are more of an advanced player, have a strong arm and play frequently. If you are weak and have a lot of endurance, you might want to go with the Li Ning Power Cushion. However, if you know that you have a short temper, in that case, you should get the Yonex Muscle Power because it is heavier with a lot of momentum.
Which Yonex series is best?
There are different series of Yonex badminton racquets for different types of players.
{1}. EZONE: Beginners looking to improve their badminton skills and increase their game heights should buy EZone series.
{2}. VEGA: For professionals who play on a regular basis, VEGA series will help them stay at the top of their game.
{3}. R-1000: Like Ezone, R-1000 series is for beginners/players who want to improve their game.
{4}. R-55: R-55 series is again for the professionals who want to improve their game to professional standards.
Conclusion
If you’re a beginner, you may want to get started in badminton by buying your own badminton racket for practice before eventually moving on to a social or casual game. Badminton is a very social and great sport to play with your whole family and friends. So if you don’t already own, but are planning to buy, a badminton racket to start with, then you’ve come to the right place as we’ve reviewed with you the 6 best of them. You can find the right one for your playing style and your skill level.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Yonex Badminton Racket | Best Overall | |
| Cannon Sports Badminton Racket | Budget Pick | |
| Yonex Astrox 99-Weight/Grip: 4U/G5 | Upgrade Pick | |