Badminton Rackets

You can recognize a good badminton racket by several factors that need to work together. The weight, the balance, the stiffness of the shaft, and the quality of workmanship – all of these influence how the racket feels in your hand and how it supports your game.

Weight: Most badminton rackets weigh between 80 and 95 grams (without strings). Lighter rackets around 80 grams allow for faster reactions at the net, while heavier models around 90 grams deliver more power for clears and smashes. The right weight depends on your playing style and fitness level.

Balance: Here, three types are distinguished:

• Top-heavy – more power in attacking shots, ideal for offensive players
• Handle-heavy – better control and faster handling, perfect for doubles and defensive play.
• Balanced – a good compromise for all-rounders

Shaft stiffness: A stiff shaft transfers power more directly, but requires precise technique. Flexible shafts are more forgiving and help beginners learn the swing.

In our explanatory video on racket selection, we clearly show you how weight, balance, flex and grip size work together and what you should specifically pay attention to when buying.

As a beginner, you should look for a lightweight racket with balanced weight distribution and a flexible shaft. These characteristics forgive technical errors and help you learn the basic strokes. Models from the beginner category are specifically tailored for newcomers.

Beginners

As a beginner, you don't need a high-end racket. What's important is a well-made model with a flexible to medium shaft and balanced weight distribution. This will help you learn the basic technique properly and develop a feel for the sport. Rackets in the €30 to €80 price range are perfectly adequate for this purpose. Our racket quiz will help you find the right model.

Advanced

If you play regularly and your technique is solid, it's worth investing in a mid-range racket. These offer better materials (often full carbon), more precise balance, and you'll definitely feel the difference compared to an entry-level racket. Expect to pay between 80 and 150 euros.

Competitive players

In competitive badminton, every gram and every nuance of balance counts. Professional badminton rackets cost between €150 and €250, sometimes even more. For that price, you get top-quality materials, perfect weight distribution, and rackets optimized for specific playing styles. In our shop, we're happy to advise you personally so you can find the perfect racket for your game.

This question comes up often, and the short answer is: Yes, a big one. What's commonly known as "badminton" usually refers to a casual game in the garden or park with inexpensive sets from a department store. Badminton, on the other hand, is an Olympic sport with clear rules, a standardized court, and enormous physical demands.

The rackets differ significantly. A recreational badminton racket often weighs over 100 grams, is made of steel or aluminum, and has a relatively loose string tension. A proper badminton racket weighs under 90 grams, is made of carbon or graphite, and features high-quality stringing tailored to the player.

In short: For occasional play in the garden, an inexpensive recreational racket is sufficient. However, anyone who wants to take the sport seriously should invest in a proper badminton racket.

At Bash Badminton Shop, we focus on brands we play with ourselves and trust. Yonex is undoubtedly one of the world's leading manufacturers – the Japanese brand equips many world-class players and offers rackets for every skill level. But Yonex isn't automatically the only right choice for every player.

We also carry rackets from Li-Ning, Victor, Hundred and Oliver , who have really caught up in recent years and have some truly exciting models on offer. It's impossible to say definitively which brand is the best – it always depends on the racket model, your playing style, and your personal preferences.

String choice affects feel, control, and power. Thinner strings (0.65–0.68 mm) offer more power and better feel, while thicker strings (0.70 mm and up) are more durable and last longer. Popular strings include the Yonex BG65 as an all-round classic and the BG80 for more power. You can find all options in our String Overview.

A solid badminton racket for regular use costs between 50 and 150 euros. In this price range, you can get well-made carbon rackets that are durable and perform noticeably better than cheaper recreational rackets. For beginners in club play, models around 50 to 80 euros are often sufficient.

It depends on how often and at what level you play. If you play once a week at a club, €60 to €120 is a good starting point. Ambitious players who train several times a week will benefit from rackets costing €120 and up. Important: Don't skimp on the string tension – it has at least as much of an impact on your game as the frame.

Professional rackets typically cost between €150 and €250. Top-of-the-line models from Yonex, Victor, or Oliver can cost even more. The price difference compared to mid-range rackets is primarily reflected in the materials, weight distribution, and precision of the workmanship. Whether the investment is worthwhile depends on your skill level. For competitive players, it's a sensible investment.

To give you a general idea: recreational rackets start at €15, entry-level models for clubs cost between €30 and €80, mid-range rackets between €80 and €150, and professional rackets between €150 and €250. As a rule of thumb: you can get a racket that's perfectly adequate for playing badminton for around €50.

Rule of thumb: Restring as many times per year as you play per week. If you're on the court twice a week, you should have your racket restrung twice a year. At the latest, when the tension decreases, the string shows cracks, or the racket feels "dead," it's time for a new stringing. At Bash, we offer our stringing service directly with the purchase of a racket.

Pay attention to the material (carbon or graphite instead of steel/aluminum), the weight (under 90g), consistent workmanship, and a clean string tension. A good racket feels balanced when swinging and sits comfortably in the hand. If in doubt, it helps to try out different models – the feel of the racket is ultimately very individual.

There's no single best racket. What's ideal for you depends on your skill level, playing style (offensive, defensive, all-round), and physical attributes. A head-heavy power racket that's perfect for an attacking player might be completely unsuitable for a doubles specialist. That's why personalized advice is so important – or you can use our racket quiz , which suggests suitable models in just a few steps.

Yonex and Victor are the two major brands in badminton. Yonex has the longest tradition and the widest product range. Victor offers excellent value for money, and Oliver has secured a firm place at the top with innovative technologies. All three manufacturers build rackets of the highest quality – the choice is a matter of personal preference.

The lightest badminton rackets weigh around 73 to 78 grams. These ultra-light rackets are particularly suitable for fast-paced doubles or players who value maximum maneuverability. However, keep in mind that less weight also means less power when smashing. It's always a trade-off.

The most important points: the frame's material and weight, balance (head-heavy, handle-heavy, or balanced), shaft stiffness, grip size, and of course, the string tension. Your skill level plays a major role – beginners need a forgiving racket, while advanced players need one that supports their playing style. And very importantly: the racket must feel good in your hand. In our explanatory video (soon also available in english), we show you step by step what to look for.

Yonex is undoubtedly one of the top brands and equipment suppliers for numerous professional players worldwide. The quality and variety of their product range are outstanding. Nevertheless, Victor and Oliver are not far behind and offer some superior models in certain price segments. Ultimately, the "best" brand depends on the specific model and your individual requirements. In our blog article "Yonex Rackets Compared," we compare the different series – this will help you decide.

The three dominant brands in badminton are Yonex (market leader, played by the majority of top 100 players), Victor (Taiwanese brand with excellent value for money), and Li-Ning (supplier of many world-class Chinese professionals). All three brands are available at Bash and are regularly played and tested by us.

String tension is measured in kilograms and typically ranges from 8 to 13 kg. Beginners are well-served with 8 to 9.5 kg – this offers more forgiveness and a larger sweet spot. Intermediate players often choose 9.5 to 11 kg for more control. Professional players sometimes have their rackets strung at 11 to 13 kg or even higher, which allows for maximum precision but requires very clean technique.

Most high-quality badminton rackets weigh between 80 and 90 grams without strings. Here's an overview of the weight classes: 4U (80–84 g) is the most common standard, 3U (85–89 g) offers a bit more power, and 5U (75–79 g) is the lighter option for maximum speed. The ideal weight depends on your playing style and arm strength.

Most modern badminton rackets weigh between 78 and 92 grams. Beginners usually play with lighter rackets weighing between 75 and 84 grams – they are more maneuverable and are gentler on the wrist when learning hitting techniques. Professionals and power players often opt for heavier models weighing 85 grams or more, as the increased mass behind the shuttlecock allows them to generate harder smashes.

Yes, the strings lose tension over time – even if you're not playing. If you train regularly (two to three times a week), you should have your racket restrung every two to three months. A good rule of thumb: you should restring your racket as often per year as you play per week. At Bash Badminton Shop, we offer a professional restringing service to ensure your racket always performs at its best. You can find more tips on string care and racket maintenance in our blog article "Properly Caring for Your Badminton Racket" .

The balance indicates where the racket's center of gravity lies. There are three categories: Head-heavy for more power in smashes and attacking play, head-light for quick reactions, fast shot sequences, and defensive play, and even balance as an all-rounder for every playing style. Which balance suits you depends on your playing style – our racket quiz will help you choose.

Badminton rackets are made of carbon or graphite, weigh less than 90 grams, and are designed for heavy use. Shuttlecock rackets (recreational rackets) are usually made of steel or aluminum, are significantly heavier, and are strung less precisely. With a shuttlecock racket, you'll quickly reach your limits in club play – both in terms of power and control.