Selecting the best badminton racquet for yourself can be difficult at first. It can be difficult to know where to begin when there is such a large selection of rackets from various brands to choose from.
We believe that this decision can be narrowed down to two key questions: the type of balance the racket has, and how flexible the shaft is. Aside from that, many of the brands have rackets that cater to each of these factors, and you can then filter them based on price and other factors.
Read our badminton racket guide to learn about some important factors to consider when purchasing a badminton racquet.
Something you need to know about badminton rackets
While amateurs can choose from a variety of racket sizes, professional players must adhere to strict guidelines.
In Asia and parts of Europe, badminton is popular among young people. A fast-paced encounter is simply a lot of fun. However, one must be prepared for it. The badminton racket is at the heart of all the excitement.
The badminton racquet or racket, as the Badminton World Federation (BWF) refers to it, is a lightweight, easy-to-handle piece of equipment that serves as the sport’s foundation.
While there are different lengths and widths of badminton rackets for children, adults, and casual use, professional badminton players must use rackets of a specific length and width.
Let’s take a look at the BWF’s specifications.
The stringed area, the head, the throat, the shaft, and the handle are the five major components of a badminton racket. The racket as a whole is referred to as a frame.
The frame’s maximum length is 680mm, and its overall width is limited to 230mm.
Read More: Does Height Matter in Badminton? [Pros & Cons of Height]
#1. Stringed area
The stringed area is the netted part of the badminton racket that the player intends to hit the shuttlecock with.
The stringed area must be flat, and the cross string pattern must be alternately interlaced where it crosses.
It is recommended that the string pattern be uniform and not dense – more string means less string tension – at any point along the stringed area.
The string’s overall length should not exceed 280mm, and its overall width should not exceed 220mm.
#2. The head
The area that surrounds the stringed area is referred to as the badminton racket’s “head.”
Now, the head shape is generally oval – which is used by professional players who prefer more power on their shots.
However, there is another shape known as an “isometric head”, which means the racket is wider at the top.
Because of the wider nature, there is a larger “sweet spot” – the part of the racket that best meets the shuttle – giving players more chances of hitting the shuttle better. However, this is more commonly used by amateur badminton players than by professionals.
Read More: Badminton trick shots – Detailed Guide for Beginner 2023
#3. The throat
This is the part of the racket that provides a stable base for the head and connects the head to the shaft.
This is an optional component, as some badminton rackets connect the head directly to the shaft.
The stringed area of rackets with no throat can be extended. The extended limit, on the other hand, can have a maximum width of 35mm while ensuring that the overall length of the stringed area does not exceed 330mm.
#4. The shaft
The shaft is the part of the badminton racket that connects the handle to the head or, in some cases, the throat.
There are no specifications for the shaft’s length or width.
#5. The handle
The handle, the bottom-most part of the racket gripped by the player, is arguably the most important cog.
The ease with which a player grips the handle often determines how comfortable the player is with the racket and can determine professional players’ performance on the day.
There are no specifications for the length or width of the handle, so each player can tailor it to their specific needs.
Aside from these, the BWF laws state that the racket should not have any attached objects or protrusions other than those used to prevent racket wear and tear, such as applying short tape to the stringed area to distribute weight or to secure the handle by a cord to the player’s hand, provided such measures are reasonable in size and placement.
The badminton racket should also have a fixed, elongated shape and should not be attached with any devices that can change the shape of the racket materially.
Read More: Everything New Players Need to Know about Badminton String Tension
What to think about when selecting a badminton racket?
#1. General weight
When the weight of two rackets is compared, the heavier one will provide more power. I’m guessing we all learned in high school physics that Force = Mass x Acceleration!
The disadvantage is that a heavier badminton racket is more difficult to maneuver and causes more arm/shoulder fatigue.
Racket weights are classified into several types:
95-99g U
90-94g for 2U
85-89g for 3U
80-84g for 4U
75-79g for 5U
70-74g for 6U (F).
The weight of a racket can be found on the cone and is frequently seen in conjunction with grip sizing. (Eg.3UG5) The most common weights for most rackets are 3U and 4U.
Rackets are becoming lighter and will be available in 5U and 6U sizes. U and 2U are less common and are typically found in training rackets designed to strengthen the wrist and forearm muscles. Some training rackets can weigh more than 100g!
#2. Balance
There are three types of balances in badminton rackets. A racket’s balance is usually written somewhere on the shaft.
Balance of the head heavy rackets for badminton:
Head heavy rackets give you an advantage when hitting a smash because the head weight contributes to a player’s swing momentum and gives them more power in their shots.
The disadvantage of a heavier head is that your reaction to shots may be sluggish when on defense. When hitting quick drives and defensive blocks, the extra head weight will put a strain on your wrist.
Balanced of the head light badminton rackets:
Headlight rackets will give you an advantage in fast drive exchanges. A lighter head allows players to react to shots more quickly, which improves their defensive abilities.
The disadvantage of a lighter head is that you will have less power in your smashes, but you will have better control and placement of your half smashes with a quick flick of the wrist.
Badminton rackets with even balance:
These rackets fall somewhere between the other two types. They are quite versatile in the sense that they can still pack a punch when smashing and react quickly to defensive shots. They are versatile and suitable for a wide range of players.
A racket’s balance point can be adjusted by: adding lead tape to the head of a racket to make it more head heavy or adding more grip layers to make it more headlight.
#3. Shaft Flex
Badminton Rackets are classified as flexible, medium flex, stiff, or extra stiff. When selecting a racket, consider the speed of your swing and how well it matches the flexibility of the racket.
The ideal stiffness is proportional to the maximum racket speed. A flexible racket will not fully recoil before being hit by the shuttle, so the energy expended in flexing the racket is essentially wasted.
However, if the racket is too stiff for your swing speed, it will not be flexed sufficiently and thus will not contribute any extra power. A stiff racket should be used by an advanced player with excellent technique, whereas a beginner with a slower swing should use a more flexible racket.
Shaft with flexibility
Advantages
- A flexible shaft allows the player to easily access power without having to exert much strength. As a result, only a small amount of energy is required to bend the shaft.
- Suitable for beginners because they won’t have to concentrate on generating enough power for their shots.
Because you have little time to put strength into your shot, you can easily defend smashes.
Disadvantages
- Lower control over shuttle placement because the shaft is easily bent, resulting in uncertainty about the shuttlecock’s flight direction.
- Shot returns are slower because the shuttle stays on the string bed for a longer period of time due to shaft flex.
- Low power potential.
Stiff shaft
Advantages
- Shot returns are faster because the shuttle does not stay as long on the string bed due to the stiff flex of the shaft.
- More control over shuttle placement due to the stiff shaft, which provides instant rebound of the shuttle.
- Increased potential power.
Disadvantages
- A stiff shaft necessitates a stronger swing and proper technique to generate power.
- Requires good wrist movement.
- Suitable for intermediate to advanced players.
#4. The shape of the head
Badminton rackets can have an isometric (square) or conventional head shape (Oval).
The size of the SWEET SPOT is the only difference between an isometric and a conventional frame.
The sweet spot is a specific area on the racket’s string bed (usually the center of the string bed). Hitting the sweet spot will provide you with the most power.
The sweet spot in isometric frames is larger than in traditional oval frames.
Isometric frames have largely replaced conventional frames in recent years.
Read More: Badminton Racket Weight – Detailed Buying Guide in 2023
#5. Size of the grip
Grip sizes vary in the same way that racket weight does. They are typically found on the racket’s cone, along with the racket’s weight. The grip sizes (the circumference in inches) that Yonex and Victor use are as follows:
4 in for G1
3.75 in for G2
3.5 in. for G3
3.25 in for G4
3 in for G5
2.75 in for G6
Every player has a different grip size because it is a personal preference. Smaller grip sizes allow for more finger power/wrist action, whereas larger grip sizes require more arm action.
The majority of rackets are available in G5 and G4 grip sizes, with larger grip sizes G3 and G2 available in European countries.
If you’re not sure which size to get, it’s best to go with the smallest grip size available because you can always add an overgrip to make it bigger if necessary. Also, you are limited in how much you can reduce the grip size.
#6. Doubles or singles
Another factor to consider is the type of game you enjoy playing. For example, if you mostly play singles, you should opt for more head-heavy rackets. Because singles are slower-paced than doubles, you have more time to react to shots, so the extra weight of the head would not be an issue.
For those of you who mostly play doubles, an even-balanced racket or a head-light racket is preferable. This will allow you to keep up with doubles’ fast-paced rallies.
Read More: Badminton Skills And Techniques You Need When Beginning
FAQs:
#1. What materials should my badminton racquet be made of?
Some entry-level badminton racquets are made of aluminum or steel, making them more affordable for budget-conscious buyers. However, it is also recommended to invest in a carbon fiber or ‘graphite’ racquet, such as the Yonex Carbonex 7000 or the HEAD Inferno 70. (Recreational Racquet made from Graphite).
All intermediate and advanced racquets are either ‘Graphite composite’ or ‘100% Graphite.’ These racquets feature advanced material technologies such as Nanocarbon. These racquets are more durable, lighter in weight, and perform better than aluminum or steel racquets.
#2. What is the stiffness of a badminton racquet’s shaft?
The flexibility provided by the racquet is referred to as stiffness. On racquets4u.com, you can compare racquet features and specifications to determine the stiffness of your badminton racquet.
Stiff shafts are ideal for players who have a refined technique as well as a fast and powerful swing.
Medium stiffness racquets are ideal for players who are still developing their technique and have a slower arm speed.
For beginners, flexible shafts provide more power and speed, while slow arm speed players benefit from longer shafts. These are simple to use.
#3. What should my badminton racquet’s Isometric Head Shape be?
Most badminton racquets have an ‘Isometric’ head shape, which means they have a wider top half of the head than traditional ‘oval-shaped racquets. This square or isometric shape of a badminton racquet provides players with a larger sweet spot, whereas traditional racquets provide a more concentrated feel and control over the shuttle.
Read More: Li Ning N90 III Review: Best Racket for Excellent Command
#4. Which string should I use, and how tight should I make it?
Depending on your playing technique and style, you can use different strings or different tensions to optimize the combination of power and control.
Synthetic multifilament strings are popular and long-lasting. These are the most commonly purchased strings on the market. Yonex BG65 String, for example.
Professional players use Natural gut, which is expensive but provides the players with an extreme ‘feel.’
High Tension: Advanced players and hard hitters should use high-tension badminton racquets. Players can have their racquets strung at a high tension of 25 pounds or more. With this increased tension, your badminton racquet will be in contact with the shuttle for a shorter period of time, transferring less power and more control to your shots.
Lower Tension: If you are a beginner or intermediate player, you should use a badminton racquet with a lower tension. Beginners should get their badminton racquets strung at a low tension of 18-20 lbs. or 21-23 lbs. Badminton racquets with lower tension provide more power in shots.
Conclusion
Our badminton racket guide was created to serve as a resource for people who are new to badminton or have limited knowledge of the sport. Keep in mind that the information in this guide is only intended to serve as a guide.
You may notice people doing the exact opposite of what was mentioned in this guide, which is fine because everyone has their own personal preferences. You can use whatever racket you want as long as it is comfortable for you and does not hinder your performance or cause injury.
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