Best Badminton Racket for Beginners: What to Consider?

With such an array of choice, many novices may be tempted by such simple characteristics as color and design. However,the most important factors when selecting your first long term racket, beginner or not, is the following: the balance of the racket, shaft stiffness, weight and grip size. I will be going over each category in this article.

1.Balance

The balance point of a racket, also known as the center of the badminton racket, is the point on the racket shifts, is a very important defining factor when you are an intermediate or advanced player, however, as a beginner, the impact is relatively small. 

All Badminton racquets can be categorised based on their balance, or where the weight of the racket is largely located. The three categories are: Head-Heavy, Even-Balance and Head-Light. There are also in between ones of course, but most players refer to them as these three. The balance of a racket can usually be found written somewhere on the shaft.It is either laser-printed, embossed, or engraved.The following chart highlights each types strengths and weaknesses:

2.Shaft Stiffness / Flexibility

Another important consideration is shaft flexibility (this is the long thin bit which connects the handle and racket head).There's general 3 categories – Stiff or Medium and Flexible. 

• Stiff shafts are suited to players with refined technique and fast and powerful swing. 

• Medium stiffness rackets are ideal for players with a developing technique and lesser arm speed. 
  

• Flexible shafts offer more power and speed for the beginners or slow arm speed players and are easy to maneouvre.

The stiffer the racket, the shorter the reaction time left for shuttlecocks to hit and bounce back from the racket, hence more kinetic energy would be retained, which would result in a more powerful and explosive smash. However, it would require a higher level of technique to control the swing too, and vice versa.

For beginners you probably aren’t generating as much swing speed, meaning that the racket shaft won’t bend as much during your shots. Opting for a more flexible racket will help with this, giving you more power. Beginner players should start with either a flexible or a medium shaft. 

3.Weight

Weight can make a real difference to reaction speeds and power: Too light and the racket may not be powerful enough; too heavy and quick movements needed for defensive or flat exchange can become difficult. 

Why is this important when selecting your racket? For starters, a heavier racket may be very hard to use when you have not built the muscle memory to swing a racket yet. On the other hand, if it’s too light you will find it difficult to build the muscle required to generate power.The majority badminton manufacturer uses “U” as the indicator for the weight, while Li Ning, is using “W” as the indicator. Racket weights can be categorized into several categories:

A good badminton racket usually weighs around 80g to 100g.Lightweight badminton rackets are highly recommended for beginners. They should weigh between 85g to 89g (3U) as such rackets are usually easier to control.Single players usually use a slightly heavier racket such as 3U rackets to ensure stability while doubles players use 4U rackets for more speed allowing them to react quicker against their opponents.

4.Grip Size

Just like the weight of a racket, grip sizes also vary.  They are usually found on the cone of the racket along with the racket's weight.Grip Sizes are measured by “G + Number”, the smaller the number, the larger the handle.Grip size varies amongst brands and also between Asia and Europe as Asians do tend to have smaller hands!The following are grip sizes (circumference in inches) that Yonex and Victor follows:

• G1: 4 in

• G2: 3.75 in

• G3: 3.5 in

• G4: 3.25 in

• G5: 3 in

• G6: 2.75 in

.If you don't know which size to get, it is recommended that you get the smallest grip size available to you as you can always add on an over grip to make it bigger if necessary.  We would recommend G5 for beginners since it’s always easier for you to adjust the grip size by adding more types than shaving down the handle part unless you have a huge hand.

5.Other Considerations

Price: If you’re a beginner you won’t necessarily benefit from a more expensive racket. In general, lower priced rackets are lighter and more flexible which are therefore more suited for beginner players!

Brands: Anything from reputable brands, such as Yonex, Victor, Senston, Karakal, Carlton, Babolat, Ashaway and Wilson will be decent quality and suitable for beginner players.

Stringing: For beginner and intermediate players string tension of 15 - 22 lbs. is recommended; advanced players should use 22-28 lbs. The higher the tension on the frame the more fragile it becomes. String breakage also becomes more likely. Thinner gauge and rougher micro texture string gives superior feel during play but much reduced durability and is therefore best suited for professional players. Thicker gauge, smoother string will be longer lasting but is correspondingly less responsive.

Frame: Low-torque performance and a solid feel on impact come from a high-tension graphite composite frame. More expensive racquets generally use higher yield modulus graphite to reduce frame torque.

Where to Buy Badminton Racket?

• Amazon
  

• Badminton Warehouse

• Dicks Sporting Goods

• Badminton Alley

• Sports Direct: up to 5% super cash back

• Walmart: up to 4% super cash back

• eBay: up to 4.6% super cash back

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6 Best Budget Badminton Rackets for Beginners

1.Senston N80 Graphite Carbon Fiber Badminton Racket(@Amazon)

Price: $38.99

The Senston N80 is probably one of the cheapest rackets you can purchase in the market which comes with fine quality.Senston N80 is made of full carbon fiber frame and shaft. Racket weight unstrung 75 grams, it is light. You can enjoy the badminton game longer and do not have shoulder pain caused by other heavier racket. It fell better when you playing. Carbon Fiber materials also enhance the strength of the racket, reduce to the risk of frame deformation.

The racket has SOLID construction with ONE-PIECE design outside and built-in T-joint inside. It have been further improve the STABILITY, achieve high-precision control performance. It also avoid the deformation caused by playing badminton, make racket more stable, play unparalleled power.The design of cone cover make the racket more in conformity with scientific theory of fluid dynamics to enhance the flexibility of controling the ball. Non-slip handle grip improve comfort, not easy to slide.

2.YONEX Nanoray Light 18i Graphite Badminton Racquet(@Amazon)

Price: $47.90

The YONEX Nanoray Light 18i Badminton Racquet is a new and technologically advanced racquet that delivers fast handling and high repulsion, responding to high-speed rallies with lightning-fast movement.  Nanoray Light 18i is the latest ultra-lightweight badminton racket that belongs to Yonex iseries which offers a lightweight racket feel to give you super-fast racket handling.

This is a racket suitable for people starting to learn net play and smashing. The 75g weight makes it an easy-to-control, maneuverable racket. The racket frame is made from carbon graphite, so it’s strong and impact-resistant while remaining lightweight. 

3.Yonex Badminton Racket Muscle Power(@Amazon)

Price: $59 - $74.99

This racket has a graphite shaft and frame that is lightweight for faster swing speeds. It’s also impressively durable. Thanks to the built-in T-joint, the frame is very stable. The strings are wound tightly into the racket head to enable greater durability (30 lbs of tension support). This makes the strings less likely to break during use. YONEX has also provided a non-slip grip on the handle to help beginners achieve better control over the movements of the racket. 

4.Dynamic Shuttle Sports Titan G-Force 7 Badminton Racquet(@Amazon)

Price: $69.90

Titan G-Force 7 is formulated for players who like to mix up their games. If your style is to keep your opponent guessing by alternating offense with defense, this racket is for you.It was designed for advanced players, but it’s also ideal for players just starting out. 100% Japanese Toray carbon fibers (graphite), lightweight yet strong. 

Something else that makes the Titan G-Force 7 a good choice for beginners is the medium-flex shaft, which provides the highest level of natural control with each swing. It is 82 grams with a medium shaft flex, which enables a player to smash from the backcourt, and also to have better control at the net. It has a G5 grip meaning that it is easy to hold and control, and also gives a player a better rebound and consistent grip when playing defensive shots.Additionally, the racket comes with a protective cover, so the risk of damage between uses is less likely.

5.Yonex Arcsaber Lite Badminton Racket(@Amazon)

Price: $68.21

Another incredible beginners’ badminton racket from YONEX is the Arcsaber Lite. All racquets in the Arcsaber range are evenly balanced racquets which are perfect for beginners.The racket is engineered to last long. In addition, it has stiff flexibility coupled with a lightweight body that ensures better smashes. Besides, it employs the Ning badminton racket technology that ensures dynamic optimum frame, which can endure the higher string tension when making strokes. It ranks as one of the best graphite badminton racket.

Featuring an isometric head, the YONEX Arcsaber Lite has a large sweet spot that makes it easy to hit the shuttlecock accurately. The nanoair spring inside the frame also increases its flexibility, which will help you to put more power behind your shots. All in all a top quality racquet at a modest price. A no brainer recommendation for beginner players.

6.Trained Premium Quality Badminton Rackets(@Amazon)

Price: $44.50

This is a pack of 2 badminton rackets that includes a set of LED shuttlecocks as well as a protective cover. The design of the racquet is such that any player can use it during the games. It’s a perfect product for both practice and casual matches, all thanks to the premium quality construction of the racquets. Since it’s made of alloy steel, you won’t have to worry about the weight. You can easily handle and control it due to its lightweight feature and anti-slip grip.

In addition to being protected between uses by the cover, the steel frames increase durability for maximum wear-resistance while giving the rackets a lightweight feel. 

 Conclusion

A beginner badminton racket won’t be a racket for life. Do not limit yourself to the one that seems like fitting your style the most, instead, keep trying models with different features and specs and after years, you will find the perfect racket that suits you the most.And there is no need to go for expensive badminton racket at the start. The best badminton racket for the beginner is even balanced, flexible to medium shaft flexibility with weight 4U (80 – 84g) at a reasonable price. After you play few games you will find out what kind of play you like most. 

Yonex vs. Li-Ning vs. Victor: Which One Wins the Badminton Racket Brand Showdown?

Best Badminton Shoes: Yonex vs. Asics vs. Li-Ning?

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