Yonex Voltric Z Force II Badminton Racket Review

 

When I first got started in badminton, I was blissfully unaware of the impact that having a decent racket could have on my game. Once I invested some time into finding one that fit my style of play, my skills improved and badminton became so much more enjoyable. 

The Yonex Voltric Z Force II is often talked about, but is it really worth the hype?

Things to Consider Before Buying a Badminton Racket

 

Buying a new racket is not something you want to do blindly. Before I tell you what I think of the Yonex Voltric Z Force II, we should cover our bases. What makes a good badminton racket, and what features should you look for when purchasing one? 

You’re spoiled for choice both in functionality and aesthetics. There are so many rackets on the market that it can be daunting. But how your racket works is the most important factor. Not any racket will do. Whichever one you pick should be designed to supplement what you focus on in play; power, control, or a blend of both.

If you’re looking for a racket that enables powerful shots, an aggressive strategy, and unreturnable smashes, you should be aware of the following qualities:

• Head-heavy balance. This means that your racket’s head carries most of its weight, so more power is exerted onto the shuttlecock.
• 3U weight. This is recommended because there’s enough weight to allow for powerful smashes without slowing you down.
• Medium or high stiffness. The stiffer your racket, the more force that will be generated in your shots.
• Higher string tension. Standard string tension is between 20 and 24 pounds. This can be increased to accommodate aggressive play. Try going for tension between 26 and 28 pounds. Go for thinner strings too. 

The Yonex Voltric Z Force II 

 

The Yonex Voltric Z Force II is designed for vigorous play, so if power is your style, it’s well worth your consideration. If you’re more interested in control, this particular racket might not serve you as well. 

It’s also designed for advanced players; beginners are likely to find it too difficult to work with. If you class yourself as a beginner, consider looking at head-light rackets, with higher flexibility and less tension in the strings.

The original Z Force was made popular by Lee Chong Wei who, back in 2012, used it in tournaments with great success. Though the racket gained in popularity as a result, Yonex decided to make an update regardless. This was the right choice to make since the Z Force II is a fine example of what a badminton racket should be. 

Yonex made an effort to make this racket an all-rounder. It’s the first racket to include the exclusive tri-voltage system, which gives you a good balance of power, speed and handling. There are claims that this racket has the thinnest shaft ever, making it ideal for faster swings. 

The design makes your smashes more forceful and energetic, so suiting aggressive players well.

Pros:

 

• Tailored for tournament play.
• The dynamics are excellent for power
• Has a proven track record with professional use.
• The design increases the speed of an otherwise heavy racket.

Cons:

 

• You will sacrifice some control due to the inflexibility.
• It’s not intended for amateurs, beginners or casual badminton players.
• There’s a learning curve and it will take some getting used to.

Features and Benefits

 

Does this racket live up to expectation? Personally, I think it does, but you should know of the core features before making a decision.

Specifications and Build

 

• Weight: 0.18 or 0.19 pounds.
• Grip: G4.
• Flex: Extra-stiff.
• Tension: Recommended between 20 and 28 pounds.
• Shape: Isometric.

The Z Force II is available in two weights; 0.18 pounds and 0.19 pounds. It’s great that you can choose a weight since that 1 pound can make a huge difference. If you choose the heavier of the two, you will get that extra bit of power. 

This racket comes with a G4 grip, which is a standard grip of choice for Yonex rackets.

It’s a head-heavy racket, which only adds to the force of your hits. This, combined with the racket’s extra-stiff flexibility, makes it extremely rigid. What you lose in control, you will gain in sheer force. 

It may be disputed whether or not this truly is the thinnest shaft you can find, but one of the racket’s best features is that it’s extra-slim. This reduced weight, regardless of the heavy head, makes a noticeable difference in how you handle the racket. It also means that you won’t have to strain as much when playing your shots.

The extra-slim shaft also significantly improves this racket’s aerodynamics. It’s all thanks to nanometric carbon technology, which makes the racket lighter, faster and stronger. Though this racket is made for power, the reduced weight and increased speed compensate for some of the control you will miss.

The high sweet spot of the Z Force II will leave you with a greater sense of control too. This is all thanks to the expertly crafted isometric head. You have a larger area for getting precise and strong shots. If you’re focusing on power and aggression, this specification is one you can’t go without.

Gameplay with the Voltric Z Force II

 

The aerodynamics of the Z Force II will make your clears feel seamless. They’ll travel further and have more power.

The racket’s design really takes center stage when it comes to drives, though. One of the reasons why it’s so appealing to aggressive players is because it will boost the speed of your overhead shots. 

Being head-heavy and of an extra-stiff build, this racket is near perfect for net play too. You’ll pack more power and precision into each shot, with less effort on your part. 

As for smashes, the Z Force II makes them extremely difficult to return; again, this is mainly thanks to its design.

Another important benefit to the Z Force II is that it won’t require as much exertion as some competitor rackets, or even its own predecessors. Yonex has seriously improved the speed of this racket, so you’ll exert less energy when you wield it. 

Unlike some other head-heavy rackets, the control and maneuverability of this are pleasantly surprising. Quite honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from it, and I’m glad to say I was wrong.

It won’t give you perfect defense or accuracy, but for a head-heavy, extra-stiff racket, it’s a godsend for power players, who are likely to have made sacrifices in this area of their game with other rackets. 

That said, excellent as the Z Force II may be, it won’t improve your game unless you make an effort to learn how to use it to your advantage. Seasoned players won’t have any trouble here, but this racket won’t compensate for a lack of skill. 

The racket feels good overall but doesn’t work with the shuttle quite as well as the original did. 

Special Features

 

The Z Force II comes with the Yonex Control Support Cap. Think of it as reinforcing your racket to improve its stability, grip, and speed. It also includes a sound filter and can reduce vibrations by up to 31 percent. This means that there’s less opportunity for interference and distraction while you play. 

Let’s not forget about the tri-voltage system, found exclusively in Yonex rackets. This innovative engineering is why you won’t experience a great loss of speed, even though the racket itself is head-heavy. There’s also an added bonus that you’ll benefit from improved control.

The nanometric carbon technology is worth another mention here. It improves the aerodynamics and handling of the racket immensely. It prevents muscle strain and also compensates for the slight decrease in maneuverability. 

The best part of this is that Yonex managed to achieve these improvements without compromising the power or strength of the racket. 

Conclusion

 

Finding a powerful, yet maneuverable racket can be a challenging task, but Yonex has done well in bridging the two. If you’re struggling to find a racket that suits your offensive style without dampening too much of your control or speed, give the Z Force II a try. 

It’s designed for professionals, and that should tell you all you need to know. Its head-heavy, ultra-slim shaft dynamic makes it a great choice for fast and forceful shots. 

This racket is excellent for distance too. Advanced players have a lot to gain in utilizing its core components. It has a lot of potential in improving your game and is worthy of being considered for tournament use. 

If you’re interested in this racket or just want to explore it further, it’s available right here.