Senston N80 Badminton Racket Review

 

I’ve found that when it comes to competitive play, more emphasis is placed on powerful rackets than strategic ones. It could also be a problem for amateur players to find high-quality, professional-grade rackets. 

The Senston N80 is talked about a lot. It’s a favorite in badminton because it’s designed for casual players, amateurs or intermediate players looking to develop their style. If your focus is on control rather than force, or you’re still learning how to handle a racket, the Senston N80 is worth a closer look.

If you’re learning how to play, or are developing your defensive style, the Senston N80 racket will teach you how to control your racket. It also bridges the gap in strategy over power.

What to Consider Before You Buy a Badminton Racket

 

The design of the racket you buy has a significant impact on how well you play your game. If your strategy is to have control, speed, and accuracy, a flexible lightweight racket will suit you better. Conversely, if you’re searching for a hard-hitting racket that generates force, go for a heavyweight and more rigid racket.

Your racket should be built for either attack, defense or a blend of the two. There’s a wide range of materials, brands, shapes, and sizes to choose from, but you should always take time to look at the racket’s specs. 

When considering a new racket, keep the following in mind:

• Balance and weight distribution: Heavier heads make for more powerful rackets. Lighter heads give you more control. 
• Racket weight: For a defensive strategy, you will want a racket with a weight of 3U or higher. These are lightweight rackets that are easier to manipulate. 
• Stiffness: Flexibility can also influence how much control you have. If you are looking for maneuverability, choose a racket with a higher flex rating.
• Tension: You need lower string tension for more control of the shuttlecock. It’s recommended that you start with 20 pounds as a beginner. 

The Senston N80 is, technically, a moderate racket. While it’s extremely light as a whole, its balance is head-heavy, which gives you both power and control. 

It’s designed to be easy to wield and is a favorite for beginners. It’s quality appeals to seasoned players, though it lacks the conviction of other professional rackets. 

This racket is best suited for amateurs, and so makes a great starter for children, absolute beginners, and casual players.

All About the Senston N80

 

The first thing that you should understand about this racket is that it is surprisingly lightweight. It’s a graphite model, built to improve both your speed and handling. This is one of the reasons why it makes an excellent practice racket. It’s a good place to start if you’re still learning how to utilize badminton rackets in general. 

The lightweight status also means that you won’t have to overexert yourself. This means you can train for longer, as it keeps fatigue (and potential injury) away. 

Still, its head-heavy balance makes it good for power shots too. 

The aerodynamic engineering of this racket reduces interference and air resistance, making it easier to handle and swing. Your hits will be faster and more precise thanks to this feature. 

The Senston N80 is built to be versatile and well-rounded. Though it supports learning, training, and practice, it’s not the racket of choice for professionals or tournament play. 

Regardless, Senston is a well-respected brand that maintains its place in the world of badminton. It’s also an affordable option compared to competing brands. 

Pros:

 

• The Senston N80’s most valued feature is that it suits all skill levels.
• Though it functions as a starter racket, it’s of a professional standard.
• It’s extremely lightweight, making it ideal for optimal control.
• The reinforced design and head-heavy balance mean that the stability and power of this racket aren’t entirely lost.
• Senston is a revered brand.

Cons

 

• This racket might not be satisfactory for advanced players who are discerning in their style.
• The grip is surprisingly small, which might hinder some players.
• It’s not as powerful as other rackets.
• There are a few complaints of unexpected breakages, although though this could be due to mishandling issues.

Features and Benefits

 

The Senston N80 weighs around 0.17 pounds, making it a 5U racket. It has the standard G4 grip and the preferred isometric design. It also has a built-in t-joint for reinforcement and extra strength, stability and durability. This makes it sturdier without increasing the overall weight of the racket.

For Power

 

The isometric head creates an excellent sweet spot, so even though it’s designed for control, you can still make some powerful shots with this racket. Most rackets are designed to give you effective shots, but sometimes flexible rackets neglect to meet this requirement. The Senston N80’s isometric head contributes to its potential as an all-rounder.

As mentioned, there is a reduced chance of wind resistance thanks to the aerodynamic design. This makes your swings faster and stronger, a difference you should definitely notice. Your accuracy is also improved greatly so your shots will be solid. 

The Senston N80 can hold up to 30 pounds of string tension. There’s a lot of room to experiment with this model; yet another reason why it’s such a good choice for new badminton players. 

For Defense

 

The N80 is a great defensive racket because it’s lightweight, head-heavy and medium flex. This gives you better control and manipulation of the racket, without it being so flimsy that it loses all of its force. 

The reason why it’s so light is because of its material. Some rackets have metal in the frame, but this one is made entirely of graphite and carbon fiber. It’s a strong racket that is still light enough to give you faster swings and excellent control over your shots.

As with other aspects of the Senston N80, the racket’s build makes it versatile. The exclusion of heavier materials means that you can handle it effortlessly, whereas the graphite doesn’t take away from its power. 

This is also the reason why you’re less likely to experience muscle fatigue. Handling this racket is effortless. It’s reinforced build is a bonus, with the graphite becoming more durable as a result. 

Its slim shaft, and therefore medium-flex nature, contributes to how easy it is to control this racket. This is what makes it excellent for defensive players, though it doesn’t lack too much in aggression either. 

Gameplay Style

 

Although the Senston N80 can be used in tournaments, that’s not the ideal use for it. The racket has all the features of being classed as professional-grade, but it will probably falter if it’s ever matched against this class of, even more so those built for power. 

You can still play a great game with it though. Since there’s an emphasis placed on control, it will serve you well for net play. Surprisingly, smashes with this racket are better than they are with competitor rackets.

This makes it one of the best defensive rackets you can buy. It’s versatile and works well both in attack and retaliation. Even still, its strength lies in maneuverability. It’s fast, light and flexible, so you’ll reap the greatest benefit in defense.

Special Features

 

Though the Senston N80 doesn’t have many special features to boast about, there are two worth mentioning. 

The first is its pyramid rim, which is a unique feature. This is responsible for the racket’s excellent smashing ability as it reduces the resistance in your swings. 

The second is not so much a feature as it is a courtesy on Senston’s part. Upon purchase, you’ll have a convenient carry-bag thrown in. This makes it easier to transport your racket, keeps it safe from external conditions, and saves you money and time. 

Conclusion

 

The Senston N80 is, without a doubt, a high-quality racket. I appreciate the freedom to experiment with it, and how well it functions as a starter racket because of its flexibility. Its light weight, small grip and flexibility go above and beyond for beginners, and I highly recommend trying it if you’re just starting out. 

On the other hand, although it’s an all-rounder, it lacks the detail and discernment of professional rackets. I must make it clear that professionals can use this racket, but the very same versatility that makes it a gem could work against serious players. 

Ultimately, it makes for a fantastic practice racket. You can learn a lot about your individual style and capabilities in using it.

There’s a reason why Senston is a favorite. Great care went into this racket to make sure you get your money’s worth. You’ll have fun with this racket, so it’s worth a try. 

If you’re looking for a high-grade racket that emphasizes control rather than aggression, have a look at the Senston N80. You can buy it here.