Best Badminton Racket Reviews 2024 (Comparison Chart)

A good badminton racket could greatly enhance the quality of your game. It doesn’t matter if you’re a humble beginner or a seasoned professional, choosing a racket requires careful thought.

At the end of this badminton racket review, I’ll let you know what I believe to be the best badminton rackets and why. But first, here’s all you need to know about them and what to look out for.

How to Choose a Badminton Racket

Choosing your badminton racket might seem like a simple decision, but making sure you pick the right one takes time. The ideal racket needs to be compatible with your style, skill or rank. Likewise, if you’re serious about badminton on any level, try and focus on the racket that suits your needs rather than going for the cheapest available.

So what should you keep in mind while shopping for one? While budget, design and personal taste all matter, the racket’s specs are far more important. Consider the following:

Does It Fall Within Regulation?

It goes without saying that your racket should meet the official standard. This is especially important if you hope to play competitively or professionally. Badminton rules are in place so that gameplay remains fair for all players. According to regulation:

Your racket can’t exceed a maximum length and width of 27.7 inches and 9 inches respectively.
The strings must be flat, synthetic and interwoven.
Racket strings must follow a uniform and consistent pattern throughout the head of your racket.
There’s a limit of 11 inches in length and 8.6 inches in width for the strings.
The full racket, with strings included, must weigh between 0.17 and 0.22 pounds.
The racket must be free from attachments, decorations, and protrusions, unless they fall within reasonable and fair use.

If you’re playing badminton purely for leisure, these rules won’t be as important to you. Just remember that they’re in place for a reason. Adhering to them will improve your badminton experience in general and will save you money in the future if you were to become more competitive.

What Features Should Your Racket Have?

Deciding which racket suits you best will most likely be a process of trial and error. If it’s possible, trial all the rackets on your shortlist and test them out in a match situation. This will help you get a feel for the weight and power.

If you’re a beginner, here are some finer details that you should be aware of.

Material

Badminton rackets were originally built from wood. Modern rackets now come in a range of different materials, such as steel, composite or composite frames.

Aluminum and graphite are materials of choice for your frame. This is because they’re both lightweight and rigid. When it comes to your racket’s strings, most players prefer nylon, although there are many other materials available.

Multifilament strings might be more flexible, but they won’t last as long as nylon will.

Shape

Your racket’s head could be either oval or isometric. Oval heads are more affordable but aren’t as high in quality. Their sweet spot is smaller but can give you more concentrated power.

Isometric heads are preferred because they’re more powerful in general. Their sweet spot is larger and they’re easier to play with. Though isometric rackets have become the standard in badminton, you’re not constrained to this type of racket. The ultimate decision is totally up to you.

Elasticity

You can also choose between a rigid or flexible shaft.

Flexible shafts give you more control over your shots, so they’re recommended for novice badminton players. Rigid shafts give you more power in your shot, which is why professionals tend to prefer them.

If you’re unsure of which to get, you can always opt for a medium shaft. These will give you the best of both worlds but might make it more difficult to hone your technique.

Badminton racket shafts are incredibly durable, which is a key component for allowing the transfer of power from the player, through the racket and into the shot. Whether you choose to go for a racket with a flexible shaft or a more rigid one, always make sure the racket is of the best quality.

Here’s a great showcase of how durable shafts can be:

Grip

One other feature that can affect your game is the racket’s grip. They protect your fingers from friction and prevent your racket from slipping out of your hand, which can be hazardous.

Grips are mostly made of polyurethane. When you buy your racket, it will come with a standard grip. You should, however, look to buy a replacement grip since it can make your hold on the racket much more comfortable.

An overgrip is a style of grip that can wrap over your current one and increase the size of your handle. This is something to consider if the feel of the racket in your hand isn’t quite right.

You have a choice in material with grips. Rubber grips are more cost-effective and aren’t as thick as the towel version. Their drawback is that they can quickly become very sweaty, and, in some ways, this defeats the purpose of having a grip.

Towel grips are often more expensive, but they absorb sweat well and make for a great alternative to rubber. The downside is that they are much thicker and heavier than their rubber counterparts. This can alter the weight of your racket and affect how you hold the handle. As a result, your swing and performance might suffer.

What Are the Best Specifications?

Last, but certainly not least, you have to consider the specifications of your racket. This is where you can really fine-tune your racket to suit your needs.

Weight

Badminton rackets are classed by weight, which is denoted with the letter “U”. There are four units used to categorize them, and in this case, the lower the number, the heavier the racket.

The classes are:

2U (0.19-0.20 pounds)
3U (0.18-0.19 pounds)
4U (0.17-0.18 pounds)
5U (0.16-0.17 pounds)

As with the shaft, a lightweight racket gives you more flexibility and control, while a heavyweight version is more powerful. If you’re a beginner, go for a lightweight racket.

Balance

The balance of a racket indicates where the majority of your racket’s weight is distributed to.

Head-heavy rackets hold most of their weight in the racket’s head. They’re best for power shots.

Head-light rackets have most of their weight in the handle and offer more speed and control. They’re best used for shots right at the net.

Even-balanced means that weight is distributed equally throughout the entire racket, and so forms a middle ground between the head-heavy and head-light options.

Tension

Your racket can either be strung tightly or loosely. How your racket’s strings fit will determine its sweet spot, which is the point where your racket has the most power when it connects with the shuttle. A higher tension means that your strings are firmer, making your sweet spot cover a larger area.

Badminton Racket Recommendations

Now that you know the features to look out for, you can make an informed decision when buying a new racket. I’ve picked out five of the best badminton rackets just below.

Yonex Voltric Z Force II

This updated model of an old favorite is one of the rackets of choice for professionals. It’s predecessor gained popularity after Lee Chong Wei used it to win the All-England Super Series back in 2014.

It’s a head-heavy racket that’s best suited for experienced players. Having an isometric design makes the racket excellent for power shots. The tension is extra-stiff, which makes it even more of a forceful racket. If your focus is distance and power, definitely give this racket a try.

You can choose between two different weights: either 0.18 or 0.19 pounds. The Force II comes with a standard grip, which makes it easy to hold and control.

The impressive design filters out sound and a fair amount of vibration. At the design’s source is the Tri-Voltage System, so even though it’s head-heavy, your speed isn’t compromised too much. This is emphasized by its slim shaft.

This is one of the best rackets when it comes to smashes. It packs a punch, and if you have a window of opportunity, it’s unlikely that your opponent will be able to return your shot.

There is a slight drawback though. Since it’s so inflexible, you’ll need a lot of strength to control the shaft. If you are inexperienced or don’t possess a lot of power yourself, you might find that your smashes don’t carry enough power. You’ll only discover this to be the case if you give the racket a trial run.

You will also sacrifice a little bit of agility with the Voltric Z Force II. Although the racket is designed to compensate for a lack of speed, it’s still on the stiff side; a feature that could limit your maneuverability. This badminton racket might not be the easiest racket to use, but if you have the skill, it’s one of the most powerful ones.

Facilitates powerful shots.
Works well to gain greater distance with your smashes.
Designed to minimize loss of speed.
Extra features minimize interferences from sound and vibration.
The isometric design is preferred by professionals.

Yonex Voltric 7 Neo

Another racket by Yonex, this 2017 model was also designed as an upgrade. It’s a modified version of the well-liked Voltric 7, which lacked a few modern features.

The Voltric 7 Neo has the Tri-Voltage System, designed to increase speed and control without compromising on power. It’s built with improved aerodynamics, and air resistance is minimized. This allows for better swings with less interference.

This head-heavy model has a graphite frame and is medium in flexibility. It’s a lightweight racket, weighing approximately 0.17 pounds.

The Yonex Voltric 7 Neo is best suited for aggressive badminton players who are looking for a powerful racket that’s easy to control. Even so, it’s meant to be easily used by all skill levels and various styles of play. It’s a great choice for both singles and doubles players and makes just as good a defensive racket as it does an offensive one.

It enables fantastic long clears, is maneuverable enough to support net play and drives well.

The Voltric 7 Neo makes this list as a wonderful all-rounder racket. It’s a near-perfect middle ground between power and precision.

An improved version of an old favorite.
The racket is medium-flex, allowing for power AND control.
A lightweight racket, so ideal for beginners.
Excellent aerodynamics.
Designed to improve your swing.

Senston N80

The Senston N80 is an excellent racket for beginners, or as a starter option for children.

It’s a lightweight, graphite model with an isometric head. Where some rackets are constructed out of metal, the Senston N80 utilizes the lighter graphite, which increases your speed and improves your control.

This is a great racket, but I am emphasizing it as a starter racket because it’s so easy to learn and practice with. It’s light and flexible enough that you can properly control your shots and practice with it for extended periods without over-exerting yourself.

Weighing approximately 0.17 pounds, it comes with a standard grip and a built-in T-joint for extra stability and strength.

The aerodynamics are specifically designed to lessen interference from air resistance, which makes the racket easier to maneuver. It’s deliberately been reinforced during construction, making it durable without carrying too much extra weight.

The N80 is well-rounded enough to not only support beginners who are learning their way around the sport and exploring the different racket options but also to help prevent wrist and muscle strain. The flexibility offers optimized control and precision.

Senston is a popular brand with excellent customer service, which goes a long way when you’re first starting out in badminton. A nice bonus is that the racket comes with a complimentary carry-bag, saving you money and making both transporting and protecting your equipment more easily.

Suits all skill levels and is an excellent choice for beginners.
Fantastic quality.
Lightweight, giving you optimized control.
The reinforced design provides extra stability.
Senston is a fan-favorite, and support is there for beginners if they need it.

Smash Hit

If you’re a beginner, the models I’ve featured above are some of the best badminton rackets on the market. The information I’ve featured should give you a good idea of the range and styles that are available. Each of the rackets above provides value in differing areas. Although no racket is perfect, these stood out to me because of their utilization.

Of the five I’ve chosen, I pick the Yonex Voltric Z Force II as my favorite. It’s not a beginner’s tool, but that’s why I’ve chosen it as my number one; it was designed with professionals in mind. Unlike the other rackets in this review, which, for the most part, are more suited to training, this one focuses on game play.

The specs and features of the Voltric Z Force II meet the standard requirements and raise the bar when it comes to performance. Its head-heavy weight, isometric shape, and extra-stiff class make it a near-perfect racket for serious and high-power players.

If you’re a seasoned or advanced player, this heavyweight racket could be a game-changer. This is made even truer if you already know and understand what it is you need to make the most of your power shots. You will sacrifice an amount of control and flexibility, though.

Sure, there’s a learning curve, and you might find it to be difficult to use if you’re inexperienced, but it’s worth working towards. That’s not to say that beginners can’t wield this racket, of course, but perhaps one of the others is more suited to you. It’s designed for a specific style of play, which is powerful and aggressive.

I also feel that it’s the best of the rackets I’ve featured because any negatives are more related to the player, not the racket itself. Still, if you’d prefer a more flexible racket or one that is suited for beginners, you now have a list to choose from. Which one has caught your eye?

Beginner

Intermediate

Pro

What is the Best Badminton Racket? Reviews and Buyer’s Guide