Badminton, as a sport, has been around for several decades, and in the recent past, it has become extremely popular amongst people of all age groups. With more and more housing societies having their own badminton courts and several common courts popping up, there is a genuine interest rising. What makes badminton so popular is that as long as you have a proper badminton racquet, you can play! However, if you intend to play seriously, then you need to pick your racket with a lot of thought and care.
When you choose to shop at SportsBunker, you can be sure that you will get to pick and choose from a wide variety of sports accessories, including the best quality badminton racquets. Moreover, this is your one stop shop for everything else too – so whether you want to buy shuttlecocks or grips, whether you are looking for non-marking shoes or a kit bag, at our store, you will be able to find it all.
All that you need to know when picking a badminton racquet
Choosing a racquet goes beyond just looking at the brand – you need to pay attention to a whole variety of aspects including the material with which it is made, the weight, the grip and even how flexible it is. Someone picking professional badminton racquets would probably be aware of all this, however, a newcomer to the sport will need to know a range of details. Here are the main factors that need to be considered while shopping for a new racket.
- You have to consider the racket weight
- Should you invest in a head heavy or balanced racket
- How important is the flexibility of the racquet
- Will the material of the racket change your game
- What string tension should you consider
- Do you really need to add another grip size to your racket
Does the badminton racket weight matter?
If you thought that the weight of the racquet doesn’t matter much, you have to think again, because the weight could make a big difference in your game. Your choice needs to be based on not only your level of playing, but also the style in which you play. The weight of a badminton racket can be checked by the ‘U’ ranking – the smaller the number that appears with the U, the heavier the racket will be.
- The heaviest racquets are usually entry-level models, weighing between 100 and 110 grams, and are suitable for beginners or kids.
- The traditional weight range for racquets is 90 to 95 grams, which is typically used by players who desire power in their shots.
- Racquets weighing between 81 and 89 grams are classified as medium weight and are frequently chosen by casual players, who do not intend to play professionally. These are generally quite manoeuvrable and very comfortable to operate.
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Lightweight badminton rackets, defined as one weighing less than 80 grams, are intended for serious players seeking power and speed. But since these are often delicate, handling them requires a great deal more caution.
Should you look at head heavy badminton racquets or lighter ones?
Since it alters the balance of the racquet, the head's weight also has an impact on your choice. The balance will definitely affect your game, and while novices or amateurs may not give it much thought, serious and professional players will.
- Although head-heavy racquets tend to be heavier, they provide greater force for smashes. Players that like to smash and employ power shots are the ones who are most likely to use these.
- Those who play a lot of net tennis can benefit greatly from a light head racquet because they are lighter and provide better control. Defensive players who want to play drop shots at the net are more likely to choose this type of racket.
- A balanced racquet will be preferred by those who are more of all round players, because in these, the weight is evenly distributed.
The balance of most badminton racquets online would vary between 282mm to 299mm. The rule related to this is simple – the lower the scale, the more the balance that you will find in the grip; the higher the scale, the more the balance in the head.
Flexibility of the badminton racket has a role to play in your game
A racquet's flexibility is determined by its shaft, which can range from being extremely flexible to being stiff. When you are looking to buy a badminton racket, it is important that you consider this factor as well.
- If you are a player who needs ease of play and have just begun playing or are still learning the techniques, then you will need an extremely flexible racket.
- Versatile players who require a blend of speed, power and accuracy will prefer the medium flexible racquets.
- For offensive players who are looking for a racket that can fulfil all their requirements, the stiff and medium stiff flexibility racquets are excellent options.
- The extremely stiff racquet is designed for players who are very aggressive, enjoy attacking, and are proficient in all the main strokes.
Material matters – find the right material for your badminton racquet
The material that your badminton racquet is constructed with, will also determine how heavy it is. In olden times, badminton racquets were made of wood, which would have made them extremely heavy. These days, carbon fiber, steel, and aluminum are the most popular materials being used to make these racquets.
- Entry-level racquets are typically made of steel and aluminum, which are more affordable but tend to be heavier.
- The most common option is carbon fiber, sometimes referred to as graphite. If you are an advanced or intermediate player, you should choose either a graphite composite or 100% graphite. Not only are they incredibly light, but they are also strong and provide excellent performance.
Understanding string tension and grip size in badminton racquets for beginners and professionals
Two more considerations while purchasing a badminton racquet are grip and string tension.
- To provide different styles of play, the racquet head's stringing must be done at specific tensions. For example, advanced players who prefer to hit hard will choose high tension (25 pounds or more) because it will require less force and provide them with more control.
- Lower tension (18–20lbs or 21–23lbs) is preferable for badminton racquets for beginners or intermediate players as it will provide you with much more power.
Despite the fact that every racquet has a grip, players frequently prefer to purchase an additional grip. Although not mandatory, this is a decision that is based on personal choice and the style of play.
- A full grip, which is typically composed of polyurethane, gives you a firm grasp as well as more shock-absorbing padding in between your fingers.
- The overgrip is a thin grip with a hint of stickiness. While some prefer to use the overgrip just as it is, others like to add thickness to the handle by placing it on top of a full grip.
- The cotton grip will provide perspiration protection and guarantee the racquet does not slip out. Similarly, the towel grip is meant for individuals who perspire heavily.
The wide variety of professional badminton racquets on offer at SportsBunker
When you shop at SportsBunker, you get access to some of the best global brands and these are some of them:
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YONEX – If you know anything about the sport, you would know of Yonex; a brand that lives and breathes badminton!
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Li-Ning – Another reputed brand in the world of badminton, Li-Ning racquets are known to offer quality play.
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Victor – Victor is a good brand when you want true value for your money; you can choose from a range of options too.
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Apacs – These rackets are known to allow comfortable play, while ensuring value for money.
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Babolat – Although Babolat is better known for tennis rackets, they do offer some good quality badminton rackets too.
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Carlton – An up-and-coming name in the world of badminton racquets, these are known to be good quality options for newcomers.
FAQ
- Is graphite shaft better in a badminton racquet?
Graphite is always the better choice because it is lightweight and stronger.
- Which brands offer the best badminton racquets?
Yonex, Li-Ning and Victor are perhaps the best-known brands in the world of badminton racquets.
- How long will my badminton racquet last?
That depends on how well you take care of it and your playing style – aggressive players might go through a racket a month!
- Is a lightweight badminton racquet good?
Lightweight badminton racquets are good for beginners, but you will not get a lot of power while playing with them.
- How do I maintain my badminton racquet?
You should make sure that you clean the badminton racquet after every play session. Check the gutting and the grip regularly and get them changed as and when needed. Store your racket with care inside a kitbag.
- Is a one-piece badminton racquet better than a two piece?
A one-piece badminton racquet is always the better option!
- How do I buy my first badminton racket?
If you are a beginner, then you should invest in a lightweight racket and you should consider your budget as well.
- What is G5 in badminton?
G3, G4, and G5 are the most common sizes that you can find in the racket handles. So, a G3 means a larger racket handle while G5 is the smallest.
- Which racket is used by PV Sindhu?
Although professional players change their racquets, PV Sindhu’s most commonly used one is a Li-Ning Axforce 80.
- How many rackets should I carry?
If you are a newcomer than a single badminton racquet or at the most, two would be more than enough. Professional and serious players might carry more than 5 badminton racquets at a time.
