If I had a pound for every time I got asked what the best badminton racket is…The answer is simple, there is no mythical badminton racket that is ‘the best’, there is only the best badminton racket to suit your playing needs, style and budget requirements.
In this blog I have put together a quick guide to buying a badminton racket which runs through a few areas that you need to consider when making your next purchase.
But first I just want to say…the best way to ensure you get the best badminton racket for you is to find either a brand ambassador, sponsored coach or retailer that enables you to test before buying. You can read all the advice in the world but it doesn’t replace actually having a hit with a new racket.
Racket categorisation
Generally, you’ll find that badminton brands sub categorise their racket ranges into three broad sets:
• Power
• All Round
• Speed
And within each of these ranges there will be variations in the racket specifications which alter how a racket feels and performs, and which sort of player it is suited to. So let’s take a look at a few.
The Balance Point
The balance point of a badminton racket is essentially where the weight is distributed within the frame. And there are three categories:
Head Heavy – This is where the balance point measures 300mm or higher, and therefore the weight distribution is in the head. Generally, you’ll find singles players and doubles players who favour the rear court opt for a head heavy racket to give them extra power. However, if a player struggles to generate power, a lighter frame with a head heavy balance is a good option
Even Balance – this is where the weight sits right in the middle of the racket and is therefore distributed evenly. The balance point measures somewhere between 285mm & 300mm. Again this sort of racket would be suitable for players looking to generate decent amounts of power from the back, without sacrificing too much speed in the midcourt and forecourt.
Head Light – this is where the weight is distributed towards the handle with a balance point of 285mm or below. These frames tend to be very quick and suit doubles players who enjoy fast flat exchanges and dominating the net area. However, you do tend to find you sacrifice power for speed, especially if it is a very head light racket. A head light racket can also be suitable for a junior’s first adult racket.
Racket Flexibility
Badminton racket manufacturers split racket flexibility into three categories; flexible, medium and stiff. It is really important for a player to understand the differences in order to purchase a racket that suits their own swing speed, and will therefore help improve their game. So let’s explore the characteristics of each.
Stiff
A racket with a stiff or extra stiff shaft is suited to a player with good technique, a strong wrist and fast swing speed in order to be able to extract the power from it. The shuttle stays on the string bed for a shorter period of time and therefore provides more accuracy and control.
However, a stiff racket can have the reverse effect if a player does not have the speed and power to bend the shaft sufficiently, and ultimately can lose power and cause potential injuries.
Flexible
A racket with a flexible shaft will bend, and rebound more easily, making the power much more accessible. This sort of flex is perfect for players new to the sport or juniors who made need help gaining power from their racket.
The downside of a flexible racket is that you will sacrifice accuracy for the extra whip in the shaft.
Medium
This sits somewhere in the middle and is a good compromise between making the power from the racket easier to obtain, but also keeping a higher level of accuracy and control compared with a flexible shaft.
Grip Size
The grip size of a badminton racket is denoted by the ‘G’ number on the cone:
Racket Grip Size Size
G7 Extra Extra Small
G6 Extra Small
G5 Small
G4 Medium
In the UK most adult rackets will come in either a G4 or a G5 grip size. It is possible to alter the size of a grip by using different gripping techniques – you can check out my video here on how to make a badminton grip feel thinner.
As I work with a lot of junior players I always recommend where possible to go for a smaller grip size as it enables them to manoeuvre the racket more easily in their fingers. Then when they grow they can apply a slightly thicker grip to bring the size up proportionately to their hand size.
For adults, it’s purely a case of what feels better. My advice is usually to go smaller and then build it up where necessary. You can use things like cushion wrap to make the grip thicker without dramatically changing the balance point of the racket.
Weight
The weight of a badminton racket is denoted by the ‘U’ number on the cone on the cone:
Racket Weight Weight in Grams
3U 85 – 89g
4U 80 – 84g
5U 75 – 79g
6U 70 – 75g
7U 60 – 69g
The overall weight of a racket can have a significant impact on playability. A racket that’s too heavy for a player can be too demanding and affect speed of movement during fast rallies. On the other hand, a racket that is too light may not produce enough power for a player. It’s about finding that balance.
In the UK most rackets will come in either a 3U or a 4U model. Singles players tend to opt for the 3U weight as this provides them with a bit more power when needed. Most doubles players opt for something a little lighter and quicker and opt for a 4U model.
For junior players transitioning to adult rackets, or adults who prefer the feel of a really light racket, most manufacturers have a light weight series, such as the Yonex Voltric Flashboost range.
Summary
So those are the four main categories a player must consider when purchasing a new racket. Of course there are a real mix of all of these available on the market so below I have put together a quick table that illustrates the sorts of rackets that sit within each category.
I hope you find this useful.
Example Racket Matrix
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