The Players Guide to Selecting the Best Badminton Racket

We make our case for the 5 criteria you should keep in mind when selecting the best badminton racket for you. We also did a little research and included specific badminton rackets reviews for beginners, intermediate players and the best sets out there.

Picture	Racket	Level	Available
	Yonex Nanoray 20 Badminton Racket	Beginner
	Victor Thruster K8000 4u Badminton Racket	Intermediate
	Senston – 2 Player Graphite Badminton Racket Set	For Family

Badminton is a national pastime in some parts of the world, an Olympic sport, a game of skill and agility and a great workout. It’s no wonder that this sport has so many passionate followers.

Whether you are just getting started with this game, or have been at it for a while, you may be asking- “What are the best quality badminton rackets out there?”

That’s a great question, but before we can answer that we need to define what makes a great racket, and why.

Many factors come into play when selecting a racket and the reason behind these factors is information you need to know before choosing the right racket for you.

So, without further ado, let’s look at the 5 criteria to keep in mind, as well as a few other bits and pieces so you can decide which racket is right for you.

Our 5 Criteria for Selecting the Best Badminton Rackets

Head Balance

Head balance is arguably the most important consideration when selecting a badminton racket. To get started here let’s first define the three balance styles.

A head-light racket might be best for beginners because there are fewer burdens to the hand and wrist, which allow the beginner to adjust to the sport and gain the necessary strength while still learning proper techniques.

The head-heavy racket is for intermediate to experienced players, as this racket gives the power needed for back-court shots, smashes and drops.

The intermediate player will have the strength in the wrist and hand to manage the front end weight, so they will be able to take advantage of the added power this weight offers.

The balanced racket can be good for beginners who tend to rely more on power hits, because these have more power than light rackets. Or they can be used by intermediate to advanced players as they offer the most overall control by preserving the ability to defend more easily, often found with the light-head, and they give the best overall control of the shuttle.

Your Style of Play

Your style of play is an important factor to consider when choosing a racket. Again, the best badminton racket for a beginner might be a head-light racket, and a more advanced player with a head-heavy racket.

But this is not always the case when you also take style into account.

If you mostly play singles you may consider a head-heavy racket because their power makes them good for defensive moves, increasing the distance you can shoot. A balanced racket is also good for singles play because you will be moving a lot and need both the agility for fine maneuvers and the power for longer shots.

If you predominantly play doubles, you need a racket that is light and stiff, because you will need to be able to move rapidly and smash well. A doubles game will move faster than a singles game so you must also move faster, which is why a head light racket is recommended.

There are some players who feel they need more power so they might chose a balanced racket, but if you choose this option, realize your wrists will need to be up to the task.

Flexibility

There is a range of flexibility found among the best badminton rackets, from supple flexibility to very stiff. Generally at each end of the spectrum we have different properties.

Material

An aluminum frame is far more durable than these materials, but the tradeoff is that aluminum will bend and warp under the strain of even beginners play, eventually.

Even a lower end carbon racket will not be terribly expensive and will serve the player well for several years if they take care not to drop it or clash with other players.

Lower end carbon rackets are usually more flexible, which is better for beginners. The lower end models also usually have some non-carbon material incorporated into the shaft and frame and are more durable than advance level rackets.

Shape

There are several shapes a badminton racket may have. Ranging from Isometric to Oval.

Other Considerations: String Tension

Although strings will not likely be a deciding factor when choosing your racket, they are indeed something you will need. Some rackets come pre-strung while others you must have strung.

Some racket vendors will string your racket to your specifications so you want to know what those are before you buy.

Better to buy a set or individual rackets?

The Individual Racket

An individual racket is usually the best choice for a player who wants to take the game to the next level, plans to play frequently and plays for sport and competency, not only for recreation.

The Family Kit

A badminton kit is a good choice for families who want to play recreationally, with children or in groups. The rackets in these kits usually do not have the same quality standards as individual rackets, but they have the benefit of being far more durable and less expensive.

Badminton kits are good for backyard or summer picnic play, where a family might set up the net so people can play a game or two during a barbeque. These sets can be a good way to introduce children to the sport.

Two Player Kit

There is one other type of kit, a two racket kit. This type of kit is good for couples who want to play together recreationally, or for an avid player who might take a set while traveling to see if they might find a partner to play with while away from home.

They are great for a spontaneous game of badminton.

Best Badminton Racket Brands

There are several manufacturers of high quality badminton rackets that might be considered the badminton racket best brands. Among the top brands are Yonex, Li-Ning, Victor, Black Knight, Babolat, Minzuno, and Ashaway to name a few.

TOP 9 Best Badminton Rackets and Set Reviews

TOP 3 Best Badminton Rackets Reviews for Beginners

While choosing the best badminton rackets for beginners we focus on rackets that are head-light or balanced, with ample flexibility and a racket with a budget price that is not quality compromised. Here are our top three picks:

TOP 3 Best Badminton Rackets for Intermediate Players and Professionals

When choosing our top three recommendations for intermediate to advanced players we focused on those with stiffer flexibility with head-heavy frames.

Here are the top three recommendations:

TOP 3 Best Badminton Sets

Sets are great for family or recreational play. Finding the best badminton set for your family should be a breeze.

We made our recommendations based on those sets that had the features and quality and durability hobby players need.

Summary

Remember, there is no one racket that is right for everyone. Choosing a racket is a personal decision and the best way to find the right one is to try one out. There is a saying among badminton players. “You don’t find the best Racket, it finds you.”

So if you’re just starting out, don’t lose heart, the world best racket badminton for beginners is also out there, waiting to find you if you give it the chance.