Although the sport of badminton has been around for a long time, in recent times, there has been a resurgence in terms of interest and more and more people are choosing to take up the sport. While some people are choosing to play the sport, because it allows them to stay active, there are those who are playing it at a more competitive level. With the rise of multiple courts, across the country, finding other players and high paced games is becoming easier.
If you are in the market for a beginner or a professional badminton racquet, then you need to spend a little time researching the best choice for your style of playing.
What are the types of badminton racquets
Before we get into the deeper details of the types of rackets, the first and most basic classification would be beginner, intermediate and experienced player. Your choice needs to be based on what type of player you are – if you are someone who plays occasionally, you can choose something simple, but if you are someone who plays professionally or seriously, then you will want to pick a more specialised racquet for yourself.
Racquets are often classified on the basis of weight, balance, flexibility and material and understanding each will allow you to make a more informed purchase.
How important is the badminton racquet weight?
Choosing the right weight can make all the difference in your badminton game, and there is no blanket size. The choice of size needs to be based on your level and style of playing. When you are looking for the weight, you will need to check the U ranking. The smaller the number along with the U, the heavier the racquet.
- The heaviest racquets, which could range between 100 to 110 grams are generally the low end versions, which are fine for children or absolute amateurs.
- Racquets that weigh in between 90 to 95 grams are a classic weight range and are normally chosen by those who want power in their shots.
- Any rackets that falls in the 81 to 89 grams category would be considered medium weight and is often the choice for those who like to play regularly, but not in a professional capacity. These tend to be extremely comfortable to use and offer good maneuverability.
- Under 80 grams would be categorised as a lightweight racquet and is meant for those who play religiously and are looking for speed and power. However, these tend to be fragile, which is why a lot more care is needed with them.
Why balance needs to be considered in a badminton racquet comparison
The weight of the head also plays a role, because that is what changes the balance in the racquet. Your game is sure to be impacted by the balance and while it might not matter much for amateurs or beginners, professional and serious players will pay attention to the same.
- The head heavy rackets offer more power to smashes, but they tend to be heavy. These are meant more for aggressive players, who like to smash and use power shots.
- A light head racquet is great for those who indulge in a lot of net play, because they are light and offer better control. These are generally the choice for defensive players, who like to play the drop shots at the net.
- All round players tend to choose the even balanced racquets, and in these, the weight is distributed throughout the body.
The balance scale tends to vary between 282mm to 299mm – the lower the scale, the more balance in the grip, while the highest scale will offer greater balance in the head.
Should you pick a flexible badminton racquet?
When you compare badminton racquets, you will also have to take into consideration the flexibility – the flexibility of a racquet comes from the shaft and can vary from very flexible to stiff.
- The very flexible racquet is meant for players who have just started playing or are still learning the techniques and need an ease of playing.
- The medium flexible racquets are suitable for versatile players, who need a combination of speed, power, precision and a certain amount of forgiveness.
- The stiff and medium stiff flexibility racquets are great for the offensive players, who are looking for a racquet that meets all their needs.
- The very stiff racquet is meant for highly aggressive players who like to attack and are experts in all the major techniques.
Importance of string tension and grip size in badminton racquet
The weight of your badminton racquet will also be based on the material with which it is made – in the olden days, badminton rackets would be made using wood, which would have made them really heavy. In present times, you can choose from aluminium, steel, and carbon fiber.
- Steel and aluminum are generally used to make entry level racquets and tend to be more cost effective, but on the heavier side.
- Carbon fiber, which is also known as graphite, is the most popular choice – if you are an intermediate or advanced player, you will want to pick either a graphite composite or 100% graphite. These are not only really lightweight but also durable and offer superior performance.
Importance of string tension and grip size in badminton racquet
When buying a racquet, you will also need to pay attention to 2 other factors – string tension and grip.
- The stringing on the racquet head needs to be done at specific tensions to offer types of play – so, advanced players who like to hit hard will go for high tension (25lbs or more) because it will take less power for more control.
- Beginners or intermediate players should prefer lower tension (18-20lbs or 21-23lbs), because this will give you a lot more power.
While every racquet comes with a grip, players often like to invest in another grip and the choice is personal and play based.
- A full grip, generally made with polyurethane, offers you a complete grip, and cushioning between the fingers, which can take care of any extra shocks.
- The overgrip tends to be a thin grip, which is designed to be slightly sticky. Although some people use the overgrip as is, others like to put it on top of a full grip and increase the thickness of the handle.
- The towel grip is designed majorly for people who tend to sweat a lot; the cotton grip will offer sweat protection and ensure the racquet does not slip out.
Now that you know how to pick a badminton racquet, you can come to SportsBunker, where you can pick and choose from a huge selection of badminton racquets and accessories.