Choosing the right badminton racket for a beginner can be a daunting task. The sheer variety of rackets available on the market can overwhelm you. But fear not, choosing a badminton racket is much simpler than it looks.
In this blog post, we will explore the best badminton rackets for beginners, offering insights into the key factors you should consider when making your selection.
Factors To Consider When Choosing the Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners
Before delving into specific recommendations, let’s understand some key factors to consider when choosing a badminton racket.
The first factor is the racket’s weight. Beginners generally benefit from lightweight rackets as they are easier to maneuver. Rackets typically range from 80 to 100 grams, with lighter rackets more suitable for novices.
Another critical factor is the racket’s balance. There are three main balance points: head-heavy, even balance, and head-light. Beginners often find head-light rackets more comfortable, offering better control and maneuverability.
If you don’t buy pre-strung rackets, you will also need to consider your stringing tension. String tension affects the control, power, and feel of the racket.
For beginners, a string tension of around 20-22 lbs (9-10 kg) is a good starting point. This tension provides a good balance between control and power, making it easier to adapt to different playing styles.
At the end of the day, however, the racket’s price should be the most crucial factor to consider. As a beginner, it really doesn’t matter what racket you use.
Generally, lightweight, flexible rackets are the easiest ones to learn badminton with, but your badminton technique will improve if you love the sport and focus on improving. You can switch to a new, better racket when it starts to matter.
You really can’t go wrong with any racket labeled “Play” or “Game” under Yonex or other rackets designed for beginners, but for more specific recommendations, here are the best badminton rackets for beginners.
Best Badminton Racket For Beginners Overall: Yonex Nanoflare 1000 Play
The Yonex Nanoflare 1000 Play is an excellent choice for beginners looking for a lightweight, user-friendly racket. It offers a head-light balance, making it easy to control and maneuver, especially for those just starting.
The racket’s medium flexibility also allows you to generate power without straining your arm, making it ideal for learning different shots. Its overall design is tailored to enhance the performance of beginners, making it one of the best badminton rackets for novices. Plus, it comes pre-strung, so you don’t have to worry about choosing strings.
Best Badminton Racket For Beginners Younger Than 6 Years Old: Victor Auraspeed ARS-1JR-O
The Victor Auraspeed ARS-1JR-O is another fantastic option for beginners who lack strength. This is because the Victor Auraspeed ARS-1JR-O is not a full-sized racket. It’s significantly shorter, which makes it a lot easier for beginners without the necessary strength to play badminton.
I only recommend this to kids younger than six years old. When a player has enough strength to swing a standard full-sized racket, it’s highly recommended to use the full-sized one instead.
Best Badminton Racket For Beginners With More Strength: Li-Ning Wind Lite 700
For beginners who prefer a head-heavy racket that offers power-packed shots, the Li-Ning Wind Lite 700 is an excellent choice. Its weight and balance suit players looking to add more strength to their game.
The Li-Ning Wind Lite 700 is also more durable compared to other rackets, making it an excellent option for very strong beginners. I’m thinking of active adults who are just getting started playing badminton. The racket offers more power, making it ideal for aggressive players who want to develop their attacking skills.
Best Badminton Racket For Beginners Lowest Cost: Franklin Sports Badminton Racket + Birdie Set
If you were going for the absolute cheapest option without going onto the used market, I would recommend looking at the Franklin Sports Badminton Racket + Birdie Set. This set comes with two rackets and birdies, all for under $30.
However, know that you get what you pay for. These rackets are very easy to break, and you will not go far in badminton with them. I only recommend buying this if you only plan to play badminton occasionally with your family as a hobby and not work on developing technique.
The Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners To Get Started Playing Badminton
Selecting a badminton racket is a crucial step to start playing. I hope this article on the best badminton rackets for beginners gave you some ideas on what racket to buy.
Consider factors such as weight and balance when deciding, but don’t overthink it. Choose a relatively inexpensive one because you can always get a new racket as you develop your skills. Speaking of skills, here’s another article you may be interested in:
6 Badminton Tips For Beginners – An Introductory Guide For New Players
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to badminton rackets. Testing multiple options and seeking advice from experienced players can help you find the racket that complements your style and maximizes your potential on the court. So, equip yourself with the right racket, and get ready to unleash your badminton prowess!
I love Badminton! I haven’t been playing that much in the last years since we have small children, but every time i see info about badminton I feel how much I like it 🙂 This is a super post for me since my last racket broke some time ago, and i love that you gave a tip on a racket for children under 6 years, i’ll definatly look into that one for my youngest!
Thank you for commenting! I hope you’ll be able to get out on court with your children soon 🙂
Every time I go to my gym, I always catch these older men playing Badminton. I always laugh because they play like it’s a life-or-death situation. They go really hard. And to be honest it looks like a pretty fun game. I was considering playing myself so this article is very helpful for me.
Yes, lots of people think badminton is a backyard sport, but it can definitely get really intense. Give it a try sometime!
Wow I had no idea there was so much to badminton! I enjoyed your content. I can’t wait to see what else you have to say about the sport! I’d like to maybe learn about the different levels of the sport. Are you able to play it in high school, college, etc?
Thank you for commenting! Yes, there is high school and college badminton at least here in Canada as well as international level of play. The sport definitely isn’t as developed in North America, but it’s quickly rising in popularity, getting close to that of basketball, football, and other sports.
I remember my Mom used to go to a sports recreation center each week to play Badminton with her friends. Since then I have never seen this game being played again, so I thought maybe it was a dying sport. Now seeing this article, I see the game is still very much alive and even has a whole host of beautiful rackets to pick from.
How do Badminton rackets differ from tennis rackets, apart from the shape?
Thank you for commenting! The main difference is the weight as well. Badminton rackets are much lighter and easier to swing.
Thank you for this post! It brought back incredible memories when I was only about 10 years old my grandparents had a badminton set in their backyard, we made the best memories playing.
Awesome! Thank you for commenting.
Great article about badminton rackets! I appreciate how you shared appropriate recommendations for age groups & experience levels. I also appreciate that you recommended to the readers to be affordability-focused. It’s always a tendency for comparison authors to recommend the most expensive and not consider the reader’s budget. Not everyone is getting into the sport with a wad of cash so it’s nice to see some good advice.
Thanks for the solid content!
Thank you for commenting!
I found this post to be quite educational, especially, when it came to the different rackets you have listed. For an uneducated individual like myself, I would not have given a second thought to taking into consideration the weight of a racket before purchasing it because I thought they all were the same despite the size difference. Thank you for taking the time to educate everyone on what to look for when going out to buy a badminton racket 🙂
Thank you for commenting!
Great guide for beginners! The post breaks down critical factors like weight, balance, and string tension, simplifying choosing a badminton racket. The recommendations cover a variety of needs, from the Yonex Nanoflare 1000 Play for overall use to the Victor Auraspeed ARS-1JR-O for younger players. Including a budget option, the Franklin Sports Badminton Racket + Birdie Set has a practical durability warning. The advice to start with a less expensive racket and upgrade as skills develop is a reassuring takeaway. Overall, it is a helpful and concise resource for those diving into badminton!
Thank you for commenting!
Hi Kevin,
Just read your post on the best badminton rackets for beginners, and I must say, it’s a great resource for newbies like me! Your detailed breakdown of different rackets and what makes them suitable for beginners is super helpful. I especially appreciate the focus on rackets that are forgiving yet allow for skill growth.
I’m curious, in your experience, how much does the string tension affect playability for beginners? Is it better to start with lower tension for easier control and then gradually move up, or should one dive in with the standard tension used by the pros?
Thanks for your work and for sharing this beginner-friendly guide.
Best regards,
Makhsud
Thank you for commenting! Definitely start with a lower tension as a beginner. High string tensions make it the strings too easy to break when one doesn’t have good technique.