How to choose the perfect badminton racket

How to choose the perfect badminton racket?

Many badminton players face problems while selecting and opting for a suitable racket, especially beginners. Due to this, they have to face many problems while learning basics and playing.

Also, due to a lack of proper racket knowledge, some players make silly mistakes like buying expensive badminton racket, which is of no use, and sometimes using the wrong string tension and faces wrist injuries.

Therefore, here I’m with a badminton racket buying guide, which will help the players to choose a suitable badminton racket accordingly to their game level.

So, let’s dive in and begin with:

1) Weight of a badminton racket 

A normal badminton racket weighs approx 80 to 100 grams, and you must always choose a racket weight according to your game level, and usually, the weight and balance of a racket may vary when you string it or add an extra grip on it.

If you are a beginner, you must opt and play with a lightweight racket weighing 85-89 grams that are easy to control and swing. Intermediate badminton players must play with a racket that weighs between 90-94 grams, whereas professional badminton players opt for heavy rackets that weigh between 95-100 grams.

The badminton racket weighting list mentioned below will help you to understand better and remember the weight of a badminton racket is denoted by U:

• F: 70-74.9 grams
• 5U: 75-79.9 grams
• 4U: 80-84 grams
• 3U: 85-89 grams
• 2U: 90-94 grams
• 1U: 95-100 grams
   

2) Balance- point of racket

Rather than the weight, badminton rackets also hold different balance points, which help the players to select a suitable racket.

And in case you want to check the balance point of a racket, there’s a simple method, place your finger below the racket head and see which side the racket tilts more.

And according to the balance point, the rackets are categorized into three categories:

• Head-Heavy (Balance point on the racket: Over 300mm)

Head-heavy badminton rackets are mostly preferred by professional players who love to play some powerful shots from the backcourt, as these rackets have more weight in their head and allow you to play powerful and lengthy shots.

• Head-Light (Balance point on the racket: Between 280-300 mm)

Head-light badminton rackets are mostly preferred by intermediate and double players who love to perform quick moves on the court. These rackets have less weight indulged in their head and hold more weight in the handle, providing more speed and allowing you to perform explosive shots on the front court.

• Even Balanced (Balance point on the racket: Less than 288 mm)

Even balanced badminton rackets are mostly preferred by beginners and those players who remain confused with their gaming style and can’t choose a suitable racket for themselves.

Rather than this, the weight is equally distributed within the even-balanced badminton racket.

3) Head shape of the racket

Badminton racket generally holds two different types of head shape, which includes:

• Isometric head shape

An isometric head shape has a more squarish shape and provides a larger sweet spot, which helps the players, especially beginners and newcomers, handle the shuttlecock easily.

Rather than this, it helps the players to perform a powerful and lengthy shot without expending too much energy.

• Oval head shape

Oval head-shaped rackets hold a small sweet spot, but that small sweet spot provides amazing power, the best sound, and the least vibration while hitting the shuttle.

Rather than this, it also provides more control and stability to the player while performing a shot.

4) String tension

Usually, badminton rackets come pre-strung so that you can buy them and start playing. But some players re-string their rackets and indulge in wrong string tension.

So here I’m to help you out with this problem. As here below, I have mentioned a list that will help the players to indulge a perfect string tension to their racket according to their game level and skills:

• For beginners: 18-21 lbs
• For intermediates: 22-24 lbs
• For advanced: 25-28 lbs
• For professionals: 29-35 lbs
   

5) Flexibility of the shaft

The racket shaft is the area between the handle and the frame. It is made of different materials and can be stiff, medium, and flexible.

So, let’s discuss the flexibility of these shafts and find out which type of shaft flexibility is suitable for beginner, intermediate, and professional players:

• Flex Shaft

Flexible shaft rackets are mostly preferred by beginners, as they give players amazing power and speed. Also, it is easy to maneuver.

• Medium Shaft

Medium shaft rackets are mostly preferred by those players who are learning advanced skills and have lesser arm speed.

• Stiff Shaft

Stiff shaft rackets are mostly preferred by professional badminton players, who love to perform powerful shots with fast swings.

6) Material

Badminton rackets, shafts, and frames are made of carbon wood, steel, graphite, aluminum, and many more.

The racket handle is indulged with some comfortable grips made of rubber, nylon, and cotton, which makes the shot handling better.

So, you must always choose a racket made of a strong and durable material with a suitable hand grip.

Final Words

So, these are some important features you need to remember while buying a badminton racket from the market or online for yourself or your loved ones.

All you need to do is check out these features in a racket and buy it according to your skills and game level.

It is so because if you choose a racket that doesn’t suit you, it can also make you lose points.

So, I suggest you always choose a badminton racket according to your game level and skills.