If you want to know the best racket upfront, our selection is the Senston Graphite Badminton Racket Set. For something less expensive, try the Trained Badminton Racket Pair.
Any athlete knows the equipment can make or break you. To keep ahead of your competitors, you need the right tools to help, so the best badminton racket you can find is a must.
Your racket needs to have the right combination of a solid grip, suitable string tension and the weight you desire. Getting these elements right makes a racket the best for you that it can be.
The best badminton rackets around are:
- Senston Graphite Badminton Racket Set
- Trained Badminton Racket Pair
- BSN Badminton Racket (Prism Pack)
- Senston Two-Pack Badminton Rackets
- Dynamic Shuttle Sports Hyperion KV-100
- Champion Sports Badminton Racket
- Young Enviro Star 90
- YONEX Duora 77
Best Badminton Rackets
If you’re looking for rackets and someplace to store them, Senston’s got you covered. This pair of high-quality rackets come with a case and two grips. Including the grips is a genius move for people who play hard and break a sweat — your racket shouldn’t go flying out of your hand with grips on. Unstrung, the rackets weigh 5U (75-80 grams), so they are incredibly light for fast play. Despite this, they’re strong and stable, made with full carbon fiber materials. The string tension for these rackets is 28lbs. They can deliver a perfect smash but still have a little give. This is ideal for players who don’t want to feel like they’re using a paddle as a racket. This racket is suitable for most grips, as the handle is G4. If you’ve played well in the past with G4, you should be able to trust G4 on other rackets. That’s good to know when you’re selecting new equipment. Senston designed these rackets with stability and durability in mind. They feature a one-piece design with a resin t-joint inside to support that. They designed the cone cover to make the racket conform to the scientific theory of fluid dynamics. This enhances flexibility and the ability to control the shuttlecock when you swing or flick — perhaps you should be the judge whether the designers achieved that goal. Last, the handle is non-slip. You can rid yourself of the worry that the grips will slip off the handle. Your racket should stay in your hand no matter what happens. All this, along with the additional chic look, leads us to believe that these rackets are the best for a player aiming to improve their game. The bag and grips only make it a better deal.
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This pair of rackets by Trained are excellent for someone who wants to get their badminton journey off to a good start. We feel they’re the best you can buy for the price — incredible value on the kit, with high-quality rackets included. If you’re a more experienced player who likes a heavy racket, these will fit, as each one weighs around 115g, which is hefty. Getting accustomed to a heavy racket may even be of benefit to a keen novice. If you can play fast and well with heavier rackets, think of the speed and skill you’ll have when you play with lighter ones. The rackets feature strings made of nylon filament, which should have a workable amount of give, more than other materials, such as steel. They’ll get the birdie moving but will not do all the work for you. There are five LED-lit shuttlecocks in this kit. A bit of a gimmick, but they should look stunning at night if you want to play a match under the stars! They don’t flash, but they’ll stay lit up and pretty. The set incorporates a case that you can use to cart kit from match to match. Highly convenient.
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If you like variety on the court, why not try this pack of six rackets in different colors? The whole team or family can have the same racket and never get them mixed up. They also work great if you’re a teacher and your beginners don’t have their own equipment yet. Inexpensive but great rackets with the light weight to suit beginners just getting used to wielding them. These rackets feature tightly strung nylon strings. They should give your strokes an oomph even if you don’t hit too hard yet. They have more flexibility than steel strings — given that metal is less moveable. This gives a little more control when hitting the shuttlecock, helping to ensure the novice a clean follow-through without the shuttle flying out of the court. BSN uses steel in the racket’s frame, and the grips are vinyl polyurethane, which is strong but light. The specs don’t specify the exact weight of the rackets. However, the thin strings and sleek twin shaft leads us to believe these to be light ones, and a light racket is ideal for players just getting their bearings in badminton.
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A trend with many of these rackets is that they come with a companion. Excellent for couples or friends wanting to double up or face off. At about 3U unstrung, the rackets are lightweight, which works for players with a quick game wanting to obliterate an opponent. They feature a soft and comfortable grip, which is size G4. A beginner can get a feel for how they like to play with these evenly balanced rackets. There are no heavy or light head concerns to get in the way on this journey of play-discovery, allowing them to practice smashes, flicks and drop shots with equal ease. They also have 20–22lbs of string tension, which is a decent amount for non-experienced players. The lightness also makes these great rackets for kids. The fact that there’s two of them adds to this — one for the teacher, one for the student.
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The Hyperion KN-100 is an excellent racket if you want something compact. It’s smaller than some others on the market, but it’s still a hard-hitter. The head-heavy design makes this clear. The woven-titanium in the frame’s head gives it its punch. This design makes this an excellent choice for intermediate players finding their style. It’s still a lightweight (3U) racket, which you may have used as a beginner, but it has the power in the right place to suit someone with a level of gained skill and strength of play. If you can’t string a racket, don’t worry. This one comes pre-strung. The strings have 24–25 pounds of string tension. This seems to be the general range of most of the rackets we’re reviewing today. Sports enthusiasts founded dynamic Shuttle Sports, and it shows in the quality. The makers of the equipment use what they make to play their own games. Plus, there are extras included with the purchase — showing you that the company knows you need more than just the racket. You also get a case and two grips for a steady hold on your racket. This makes for excellent value and highly convenient transportation. Users have found that If anything goes wrong with your order, the company will be happy to help or give a refund. There are also special discounts for students.
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Champion Sports brings you affordability without compromising on quality. A double steel shaft, dimpled leather grip and heavy-duty nylon strings come together into a fantastic racket. Users say this a little on the heavy side. This makes it an inexpensive way for a less experienced player to get a feel for a racket weight that the pros use or build up a powerful swing while they’re learning. Experienced players know their, and often their opponents, style, so they can use heavier equipment effectively. However, this racket is not too heavy to play with while still a beginner, and if you practice often, you can use it to build up a powerful swing while you’re learning. It will remain a suitable racket for a while to come. This is also a great pick if you’re on a budget. There’s no need to stress about investing too much cash in a sport that you’re still just getting to know. Champion Sports understands the importance of a solid grip, string tension and appropriate balance. They have crafted this racket to the highest standards in those departments.
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There are several rackets in Young’s Enviro range, with the Star 90 as the latest addition. It’s unstrung for those who want to string them to their preference. The racket frame can withstand up to 30 pounds of string tension. It weighs 4U and has an even balance. Being evenly balanced means that there’s no extra weight in the head or handle to influence your playing. Combined, the light weight and even balance lets you use it for all play styles and will suit all levels of leisure player. This racket comes with a carrying bag, grip and the strings to get you started. Including the strings is a nice thought — or you could string the racket with your favorites. Young’s Enviro Star 90 should suit most peoples’ needs while improving your game. The manufacturer has designed the frame for anti-torsion, elasticity, vibration resistance and flexibility. All the qualities that can help you improve your playing by providing a balance of rigidness and flexibility.
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The Yonex Duora is an excellent racket with two color options: red and black or yellow and black. It comes ready with a dual optimum system—a dual-shape frame design to boost power on the forehand, distance on the backhand. One side of the racket head is boxy, designed to power smashes. The back is aero-shaped, designed for speedy returns. At 3U, the weight should be a workable fit for most players and playing styles. With 24 pounds of string tension, it can adequately produce a violent smash while still allowing some give. This is a versatile racket. It’s mid to light weight, combined with string tension that’s powerful enough for skilled players, but not too tight for beginners to lose control. This makes it suitable for all playing levels. The grip size is G5, which is Yonex’s smallest. This, paired with the light weight, makes the racket suitable for both kids and diminutive adults. It may suit women well, as they tend to have littler hands than men. The smaller grip could be more comfortable than a bigger one. There’s a black Yonex carry case included with the purchase to get you and the racket from point A to B. The bag is subtle but classy and features a shoulder strap. It’s also large enough to accommodate a tube of shuttlecocks if you need to transport those too.
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Things to Look for in a Badminton Racket
The relationship between racket design and performance isn’t fully understood. Despite that, there are still some elements to take into consideration when making your purchase.
We would recommend trying a variety of weights, balances and grips at your nearest sports shop or badminton club, if possible, before deciding what to buy. These are the elements that will influence your game and playing style.
Weight
They measure the weight of a badminton racket in “U” to define a range of weights.
- 5U is 75–79g.
- 4U is 80–84g.
- 3U is 85–89g.
- 2U is 90–94g.
- 1U is 95–100g.
Manufacturers and experts recommend different weights for different players. For instance, it’s often recommended for beginners to use a lighter racket. This helps them get accustomed to the sport without being weighed down by the equipment.
Lightweight rackets are also great for fast playing. Your serves will be quick, and it’ll be easy to switch between strokes. Plus, the lighter the racket, the easier it should be on your wrist and even your shoulders.
Single vs. Double Play
When playing singles, a racket weighing around the 3U mark can be great for stability. It’s not too light or heavy, so it’s easy to control, but it will not fly away. It’s a great “middle-way” for fast and stable play.
In doubles, someone’s watching your back, so you don’t need to move around the court as much. Doubles players may prefer a 4U racket, slightly lighter so you can react more quickly. After all, there’s double the competition.
String Tension
There can be a lot of pressure put on your racket’s strings when you give the shuttlecock a whack. The more reactive your opponent, the more tension you may need.
There’s no professional standard on string tension; it depends on the region. Temperature can impact the tension, so setting a standard is difficult.
If you’re a beginner, you may like to start with 22–23 pounds of string tension. This gives you ample opportunity to smash the shuttlecock hard without the racket being solid as a rock.
Grip
The manufacturers of badminton rackets understand everyone’s hands are different. However, we run into some trouble once again, with there being no standard for grips.
Some companies set G3 as large, G4 as medium, G5 as small. However, the opposite may also be true, with the number increasing with the size.
From large to small, the common badminton racket grip circumference sizes are:
- 95 mm.
- 89 mm.
- 83 mm.
Consider the size of your grasp and look for a grip size that matches. Larger hands will most likely need a more substantial grip, regardless of their expertise in the sport.
We recommend the Stenston two-pack if you’re looking for a moderately sized grip. It’s G4, which should always be the medium no matter how they arrange the sizes.
Balance
Unfortunately, most of the products we’ve reviewed disclose little about balance. However, with further research, we found out small pieces of information about some of them and added them to the reviews.
The balance of badminton rackets comes in three variations:
- Head-heavy.
- Head-light.
- Even.
They each have their uses and unique advantages.
A balance point of 285–290mm is even. Above that is head-heavy, below is head-light. This measurement is taken from the bottom of the handle — however, any added replacement grip doesn’t count and can knock this balance off.
Head-Heavy
The heavier the head, the more force it can put behind the shuttlecock. However, they also need more power behind the swing. You might enjoy rackets like these if you have great upper body strength and like to smash your shots whenever possible.
If you prefer to play tactically with more flicks and net shots or don’t feel strong enough, consider a different racket. But if you want to shock people with the force of your slam, you could build your strength and go for a head-heavy racket.
For a head-heavy racket, the Hyperion KV-100 is an excellent choice.
Head-Light
A racket with a lighter head carries its weight in the handle. This enables a more stable grip. The light head lets you swing faster, making it a great choice for playing doubles. Remember, double the competition from earlier?
You can use head-light rackets for singles-play too. If you focus your playing style on high, baseline shots, tight net shots and flicks, a head-light racket may be the right choice for you.
Even Balance
This is a racket to go for if you like a middle-ground. An evenly balanced racket shouldn’t fall in either direction laid flat in the palm of your hand. You get an equal offer of power and finesse. There will be no dramatics on either end of the spectrum.
Even balance rackets are an excellent choice for a beginner. You don’t have a technique yet, so with an unbiased racket you can discover your play-style.
If you find yourself favoring force, you can switch to a heavier head. If drop-shots, flicks and stability in the grip are your thing, you can stay with balanced or switch to head-light.
An example of a balanced racket is the Senston, which has a balance point at 288mm.
RELATED: Top Badminton Shoes Reviews for All Levels
Conclusion
We reviewed rackets for beginners and intermediate players and beyond, the best badminton racket choice we found overall is the Senston Graphite Badminton Racket Set. They’re affordable, and you get two for your trouble.
It may be incredibly lightweight, but that makes it more versatile. Adults and kids alike can use it.
The grip size is a happy medium. If you’re comfortable with the size, this is great. Now you don’t have to worry about companies flipping their size ratings ever again. You’re always safe with G4!
However, if your budget is tighter, the Trained Badminton Racket Pair should suit most peoples’ needs. Two rackets on the opposite end of the weight spectrum, but working just as well for the pastime player.
The additional bag and shuttlecocks is an excellent feature of that package. Perfect for beginners starting out. Plus, the LED lighting on the shuttlecocks gives this set an extra edge over others. Nighttime badminton — who’d have thought?