One of the hottest rackets of 2023 was the new Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z. This racket got so much attention because it is the successor to the famous Nanoray Z Speed and was designed to set the record for the world’s fastest smash. In July 2023, Yonex announced that Satwiksairaj Rankireddy of India established the world record of 565 km/h using the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z.

With all the attention and hype around this racket, it begs the question, Is the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z worth it? Welcome to my Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z badminton racket review, where you’ll find out why some will like this racket, but it’s not for me.

Table of Contents

Summary

Power: 7/10

Speed: 10/10

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Recommended For: Singles players who like to drive a lot and doubles players

Extras: HM Graphite / NANOMETRIC DR / M40X / EX-HYPER MG Frame, Extra Stiff Shaft

Where To Buy: Amazon

Review Model: 4U G5, Victor GR334 Towel Grip, Yonex BG80

Power – Hard To Get The Feel

Yes, I know, the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z currently holds the record for the fastest smash in the world. So why did I give it a 7/10 for its power?

Well, it just didn’t feel right when I played with the racket. I found it extremely difficult to play my smashes, clears, and lifts with good power. I would have honestly given it an even lower rating if it weren’t for some of the pros hitting massive smashes with this racket.

To be fair, I am someone who is used to head heavy rackets. For all my life, I played with rackets such as the Yonex Voltric Z Force II and Astrox 100ZZ. I love head-heavy rackets because the sensory response is excellent. You can feel the shuttle contacting the racket much better, which makes it easier for me to control how much power I’m using.

When playing with an even balance racket like the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z, I often shank and mishit because the response from hitting a shuttle isn’t as good as the head-heavy rackets. It puts me in a situation where I’m trying to hit harder and ultimately hit weaker shots due to bad timing.

The smaller head on the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z doesn’t help either. It makes the racket feel like a sweet spot trainer and is just a little too small for my preference.

Speed – The Fastest Racket Ever

Although the smaller head and even balance make it harder for me to generate good-quality shots and power, it does make the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z the fastest racket I’ve ever played with. The racket is unlike anything I’ve used. It cuts through the air so fast, and you feel like you can defend any drive regardless of where your racket was last.

Lakshya Sen’s play at the 2023 Yonex Canada Open showed what the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z could do in the right hands. By playing quick drives and stick smashes, Lakshya Sen eventually won the entire tournament. Undoubtedly, the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z’s speed helped Sen play his quick, flat style.

The doubles players from Taiwan at Canada Open told a similar story. It was less about full smashing a high lift but rather about being able to hit quick drives and then quickly smashing the flatter lifts.

Even my mixed doubles partner showed noticeable improvement when switching to the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z. She became much better at hitting drives and attacking the net overnight.

So, if you love to play fast with drives and quick stick smashes, the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z might be for you.

Price

At its current price of around $310 CAD, the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z certainly isn’t cheap. It is the same price as many other Yonex flagship rackets, such as the Yonex Astrox 99 Pro, with various high-end Yonex models slightly more affordable or expensive, depending on popularity.

For big purchases, such as badminton rackets at higher playing levels, it’s recommended that you try out the racket before you purchase. Ideally, try to find a friend who already owns a racket that you are thinking of getting and give it a test.

==> Buy The Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z Badminton Racket Here

Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z Badminton Racket Review Conclusion

So, is the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z worth it? For me, no, but depending on your playstyle and preference, it could be a phenomenal racket. For head-heavy users, the Nanoflare 1000Z lacks the sensory response that we’re used to, but for those who are used to even balance rackets and prefer playing fast, this racket could be a good option.

Have you tried the Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z? Let me know your thoughts on it! As always, thank you for reading my Yonex Nanoflare 1000Z badminton racket review, and if you have any questions, I’ll happily answer them in the comment section below!