Looking to take on a new sport and you’ve settled on badminton? Nice choice! Performed well, it can offer an intense full-body workout, and playing with the right racket for you will increase your chances of success when you first hit the court.
Ranging from relatively affordable to professional and expensive, you’ll find there’s a lot of sports equipment out there, and you might be wondering what makes a good racket, which one is suited to a new player, and how much to spend. Never fear, we’re here to help!
Having already done the research for you, we’ve picked out five quality rackets with a range of characteristics, each benefitting someone who hasn’t experienced much badminton before, helping you as a customer find the product most suited to your needs.
Our convenient Buyer’s Guide deconstructs a racket, highlighting key features to consider, and what to look out for as a newbie, so if you prefer to make an informed decision you’ll find all the information you need to know.
Raring to go, but hesitant to commit because you’ve still got a question or you’re having second thoughts? Peruse the frequently asked questions section, in which we bring answers to the most common queries from badminton beginners. Good luck!
OUR TOP PICK
EDITORS CHOICE
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
Wilson Recon 250
Want to hit the court ASAP, without wasting time weighing up your options? Wilson’s Recon 250 racket is an excellent choice for beginners and an affordable investment that doesn’t scrimp on quality.
An isometric, 675mm racket, ranked 3U for its weight, newcomers to badminton appreciate its lightweight nature, built for quicker reactions; this is reinforced by a 19-24lb string tension that makes for deft, nimble swings.
Although it’s slightly head heavy, this offers a bit more power behind your swing that will come in handy when you’re more experienced, and a flexible shaft means you’ll still have plenty of bend in your manouvres.
With a G3 grip, its handle slightly bigger than the average racket, so younger players who haven’t played much before will find the extra space for placing and moving their hands useful as they learn the best techniques.
Pros:
- Lightweight, 3U racket
- Large grip for added stability
- Free cover included
Cons:
- Factory prestrung – somewhat irritating if you’d prefer to do your own
EDITORS CHOICE
Yonex B-350 (Strung)
As one of the most popular manufacturers of industry-standard, well made badminton rackets, Yonex are a brand you can trust; though their rackets are on the pricer end of the spectrum, the B-350 brings you quality equipment at a budget-friendly price.
If you’re a new player on the larger side, you might benefit from the extra weight this model carries, as although it ranks at 1U, it’s still targeted to the inexperienced; composed of sturdy aluminium with a steel shaft, its likely to withstand whatever you put it through.
With an inbuilt t-joint at the racket’s cone, users are offered extra reassurance of its lifespan, as the shaft and head are affixed as tightly as possible. This does mean, however, that the shaft is stiffer, but again, players carrying more timber will be grateful of this.
Despite being on the heavier side, the B-350 is more than affordable, especially from a brand as well-regarded as Yonex. Though it might take more getting used to, you’ll be able to use it for a longer period as you learn to generate more power behind your shots.
Pros:
- Built from tough metals
- Additional t-joint for added durability
- Stiff shaft can tolerate more impact from harder hits
Cons:
- At 26 inches, its shorter than traditional rackets
BEST VALUE
Wilson Matchpoint
Another offering from Wilson to make the list, their Matchpoint racket comes in luminous yellow, so you’re not likely to lose this one any time soon, and its lightweight titanium and aluminum body is well-suited to those just starting out.
At only 4.2 ounces, it’s feather light and effortless to swing, so even the least confident of players will have no trouble at all getting to grips with usage, their confidence increased by an oversized 53” sweet spot created by an equal balance point.
Braided nylon strings have been designed using several filaments, as opposed to monofilament strings, promising more strength and durability whilst you’re learning how best to hit that shuttlecock.
Frame-wise, this racket is only 26 inches long, so it’s excellent for kids who are interested in taking up badminton, and its surprisingly reasonable price tag won’t sting, even if they give up after two matches as our little darlings often do.
Pros:
- Low price for players on a budget
- Incredibly lightweight
- Reinforced strings
Cons:
- May need to upgrade to a heavier racket sooner
RUNNER UP
Li-Ning Turbo Force 1000
Yet another big name in badminton manufacturers, Li-Ning’s Turbo Force 1000 presents customers with the quality you expect from their rackets at a price you won’t begrudge paying, especially as a newbie.
One hundred percent carbon fiber finished in bold blue, green and white makes for an attractive design, and weighing in at a 3U, it’s the perfect weight for fresh meat, light enough to prevent strain but still pack a punch.
A medium flex shaft, 300mm balance point and long grip work well alongside it’s lithe frame; users will find they pick up techniques quickly, learning the best way to play for them using this versatile but accommodating racket.
Thanks to the 22-26lb vertical string tension, this racket retains its lighter nature but won’t fall apart when you begin to put some momentum into your swings, taking more aggressive hits with ease.
Pros:
- Ideal for new players
- High tensile slim shaft
- 6 month coverage from Li-Ning USA guaranteed
Cons:
- Cover in image not included
RUNNER UP
YoungLA Badminton Racket
Created by design pros to be suitable for kids and adults alike, this YoungLA racket offers grip, power and shot spin, promising superior maneuverability, high levels of control and a durable design that’s made to last.
Although it’s not carrying the weight and influence that more popular brands have in the badminton market, customers report a satisfactory experience all around, crafted from quality materials for the price point, with a tough aluminium head and tempered streel shaft.
Excellent in the backcourt, it’s a lithe, slender design to generate a fast smooth swing for those well-timed reactions, you’ll also find it’s a powerful piece of equipment, though it’s probably best suited to younger players.
Including a handy carrying case as part of the price, you’ll have everything you need to start attending classes at your local court or gym, without needing to pay any extra to rent their used, old, worn-out equipment.
Pros:
- Composed of sturdy metals
- Light but powerful
- Free carrying case
Cons:
- Best for younger players
Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners Buying Guide
Since you’re new to the game, you might not be familiar with all of the components that, combined, make a racket; the following characteristics each determine how well you’ll play or the value for money the model you choose will offer, so think carefully.
String Tension
Beginners should opt for a medium tension in their strings; if anything, to save money, as you have no need for the racket to be able to take the greater force that a highly tense set of strings can tolerate – your game won’t be that exciting yet!
Instructors suggest that players new to their clubs have rackets strung between 20-24lb, moving to a more durable 24-28lb once they’ve improved – thickness is also a consideration, as thinner strings can allow a user more control in play.
Shaft Flex
If you’ve ever played golf, you might be familiar with this term. Your racket’s shaft, or the long, thin connection between the handle and the head, can range in flexibility and is measured by its stiffness, usually in four categories: flex, medium flex, stiff and extra stiff.
Newer players should stick to more flexible shafts, as their swings are slower and will benefit from the extra speed a bendier racket can generate without missing the additional power a stiffer shaft is able to produce for those more experienced.
Balance
Each racket will have a different balancing point depending on its design, which refers to where the majority of its weight can be found – by placing your finger below the head of your racket and watching to see which direction it tilts, you can determine its location.
Evenly balanced rackets supposedly find that sweet spot between a light and a heavy head, which is great when you’re a beginner, as it allows you to determine your technique and style of play before deciding where your swing’s balancing sweet spot lies.
Head-heavy balanced rackets are, as you may have guessed, weightier towards the head, boosting your swing’s power; particularly good if you like landing an almighty serve from the back of the court, great for establishing rallies also.
Head-light balance places more weight in your racket’s shaft and handle, and although it won’t offer additional force, it will certainly reduce your reaction time, so if you’re a quick-thinking doubles player you’ll appreciate its swiftness.
It is possible to alter the balance of an existing racket somewhat: you can increase the number of layers your grip consists of for more head-light, whilst adding more lead tape to the head of your racket will create a head-heavy balance point.
Weight
In badminton, rackets are classified by most manufacturers according to the following categories, with U serving to represent weight.
- 1U – 95-100g
- 2U – 90-94g
- 3U – 85-89g
- 4U – 80-84g
For beginners, the ideal racket is as light as possible, with most opting for a 3U; these are easier to control, allowing you to try out and switch between different shots with ease and make a quicker recovery when you fumble.A sleeker racket will be much easier on your shoulder and your wrist, the main body parts involved in delivering good technique, preventing strain so you can practice for longer and minimizing the opportunity for injury.
Once you’ve got some wins under your belt, you can progress to heavier rackets, accumulating greater power behind your swing after you’ve successfully mastered the basics. Don’t rush it, you’ll get there in the end!
Handle/Grip
Whilst ranked mainly by weight, your racket is also categorized by the size of its grip; this information is typically printed on its cone, which is the connection between the shaft and the handle, measured by manufacturers according to the following sizes:
- G1 – 4 inches
- G2 – 3.75 inches
- G3 – 3.5 inches
- G4 – 3.25 inches
- G5 – 3 inches
- G6 – 2.75 inches
The majority of rackets have G4 and G5 grips, which beginners will find more comfortable to use as they offer more space for adjusting hand placement.
Price Point
There’s no shame in admitting that you can’t be good at everything, and if you’re just starting out at badminton, while you may well improve over time, committing to a higher end racket straight away is putting the cart before the horse a little, so to speak.
Whilst picking the cheapest racket you see is a one-way ticket to having to buy a replacement or, worse, injuring yourself, there’s no need to break the bank with your first-ever purchase – you should look to pay between $30 and $60 on average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best brand of badminton racket?
As of writing, the most popular manufacturers of badminton rackets are Yonex and Li-Ning, as most customers seem to ask which is the better of the two; these can be pricey, though, so avoid their fancier designs when you’re just starting out.
How heavy should my beginner’s badminton racket be?
Okay, maybe you skipped to the FAQ for the answer to this question, which you could have found in the buyer’s guide… but we get it, everyone wants their information ASAP nowadays, so we’ll stop rambling.
A beginner’s racket should be a 3U weight or between 85 and 89 grams.
