6 Buying Guide Tips for Buying Badminton Racquet

How to select a badminton racquet which suits your style of play and playing technique, is the most important which can improve your skills in the game. Read our Badminton Racquet Buyer's Guide below to understand some crucial & considerable points while selecting your badminton racquet.

I) What is ‘head-light’ or ‘head-heavy’ balance of badminton racquets? 

Racquet Balance or ‘Balance point’ refers to the weight distribution of the racquet and is determined by where the center of balance lies in the racquet, starting from the base of the handle. 

1. Head-heavy Racquets: This kind of badminton racquets helps in providing more power in your smashes. These racquets offer a heavier feel on the racquet with a high balance number. E.g. Xenon and Voltric series badminton racquets.
2. Head-light Racquets:  These badminton racquets are ideal for those players who play at the nets. These racquets are lighter and more maneuverable than Head heavy racquets. E.g. Yonex Nanoray and HEAD Falcon Badminton Racquet Series.
3. Even balanced Racquets: This type of badminton racquets is ideal for all-rounder players and gives an ultimate feel and flexibility. The weight of the racquet is distributed across the racquet. E.g. Yonex Arcsaber and Head Ignition series Badminton Racquets.

Note: Addition of a string increases the weight of the racquet head by 3-4 gm. Addition of a grip to the racquet handle increases weight towards the handle and reduces the balance point. 

• If you are an expert singles player, then choose head-heavy racquet.
• If you are a doubles player, then choose head-light or even-balanced racquets.

Also Read - Types of Badminton Racquets [with Material Type]

II) How should I select the weight of a racquet?

Selecting the weight for your badminton racquet depends upon your playing technique and skill of play. The weight and balance of the racquet changes when it is either strung or any extra grip is added. The unstrung weight of badminton racquets is usually in the below-given range: 

• Lightweight Racquets (<85 gm): These racquets are ideal for many amateurs and advanced players. At racquets4u.com, we have a wide variety of lightweight badminton racquets. These racquets are more maneuverable in the court and offer a faster swing speed. E.g. HEAD Airflow 3000 Racquet (73 gms) or Yonex Arcsaber FB Racquet (73 gms). 
• Heavier Racquets (>86 gm): These racquets provide more momentum & speed to the shuttle. These badminton racquets are well-suitable for players with strong shoulders and for those who can handle heavy racquets for their power-packed game. 

On Racquet4u.com, select your desired racquet length option of 3U, 4U, etc. in the badminton racquets search menu and can also compare a list of options available in that weight category.

III) What should be the material composition of my badminton racquet? 

Some entry-level badminton racquets made up of aluminum or steel, which are cost-effective for money-conscious buyers. However, it is also advisable to invest either in carbon fiber or ‘graphite’ racquet, E.g. Yonex Carbonex 7000 or HEAD Inferno 70 (Recreational Racquet made from Graphite).

All intermediate and advanced racquets are either ‘Graphite composite’ or ‘100% Graphite’, These racquets come with advanced material technologies like Nanocarbon. These are light in weight, more durable and high-performance racquets than the aluminum or steel material compositions.

IV) What should be the Isometric Head Shape of my badminton racquet?

Most badminton racquets come with an ‘Isometric’ head shape, i.e. with a wider top half of head rather than conventional ‘oval’ shaped racquets. This square or Isometric shape of badminton racquet offers an enlarged sweet spot to the players whereas the conventional racquets offer a more concentrated feel and control to the shuttle.

V) What is shaft stiffness in badminton racquet?

Stiffness refers to the flexibility that racquet offers. Compare the racquet features & specifications on racquets4u.com to select your choice of stiffness in the badminton racquet.

1. Stiff shafts are well-suitable to the players with refined technique along with fast and powerful swing. 
2. Medium stiffness racquets are ideal for the players with a developing technique along with lesser arm speed. 
3. Flexible shafts for the beginners and offer more power and speed along with slow arm speed players. These are easy to maneuver.

VI) Which String should I choose and at what tension?

One can play either with different strings or varying tensions to optimize the combination of both power and control according to your playing technique & style. 

Multifilament strings are synthetic, popular and durable. These are the most commonly used string in the market. e.g. Yonex BG65 String.  

Professional players use Natural gut which is expensive but provides the extreme ‘feel’ to the players. 

1. High Tension: If you are advance players & hard hitters then you should use high tension badminton racquets. Players can acquire get their racquets strung at high tension of 25 lbs. or more. With this higher tension, badminton racquet will be in touch with the shuttle for a short duration of time and will transfer less power and more control to your shots.
2. Lower Tension: If you are a beginner or intermediate players then you should have lower tension in your badminton racquet. Beginners should acquire their badminton racquets strung at low tension either around 18-20 lbs. or 21-23 lb. With this lower tension, badminton racquets offer more power in the shots.