For a badminton player, a racket is the single most important piece of equipment in the sport. And whether you are getting started or are already a pro, you need to have the best badminton racket to enjoy your gaming experience.
One of the beginner common question is how to choose a badminton racket for me. I have shown best badminton racket for beginners and I have picked best one for you. Badminton rackets commonly come in two different materials, namely, carbon fiber or graphite material. Graphite rackets add extra strength, whereas carbon fiber stiffens rackets for better shock absorption.
Whatever you get with your racket during gameplay depends on how you choose your racket. Choice of a badminton racket should drive by your strengths, gameplay level, and playing ability. Furthermore, getting it right with your racket can either hinder or complement your strengths. So, whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or pro player, follow us through this article as we take you over the factors to consider when choosing a badminton racket.
Factors to consider when on how to choose a badminton racket
Every badminton racket is customized with different tech and attributes that suit player types. But regardless of your level, here are four aspects to consider when choosing a badminton racket for the sport:
- The balance point of the racket.
- Weight of the racket.
- Grip size.
- Shaft stiffness.
Balance point
the racket balance point refers to the location where most of its weight is concentrated. And based on that, rackets can be categorized into three balance points, namely;
- Head Light balance (great choice for doubles gameplay) – this racket has less weight towards the racket’s head. Thus, it is easier to swing, maneuver and has a short reaction time overall. However, its downside is that it generates less power, and it has less solid feeling on smashing impact.
- Head-Heavy balance (great choice for single gameplay) – the racket has more mass towards the racket’s head. Therefore, it has a solid feeling on smash impact and can generate powerful shots. On the contrary, its downside is that it has a slow reaction time as it is hard to maneuver.
- Even balance point (great choice for both singles and doubles gameplays) – as the name suggests, this racket offers a middle ground between the headlight and head-heavy balance points. It is great for beginners who are yet to establish their playing style. It is an all-rounder-type racket that all levels can use. However, its speed and powering ability of shots are quite average.
Weight of the racket
Based on weight, there are four racket weight categories, namely.
- 4U (80 to 84 grams)
- 3U (85 to 89 grams)
- 2U (90 to 94 grams)
- 1U (95 to 100 grams)
Why is weight important when choosing a badminton racket?
For beginners in badminton, heavier rackets could be harder to use, especially as they haven’t built sufficient muscle memory to swing a racket. Conversely, if the racket is too light, it will take you more time to build strong muscle that can generate sufficient power.
But what is the ideal racket weight for your level?
For beginners, lightweight rackets in weight category 3U (85 to 89 grams) are recommended. That’s because such rackets are not only easier to control but also allow faster-stroking speed and recovery. And most importantly for beginners, lightweight rackets minimize the chances of injury.
Grip size
A racket’s grip size is the measure of how well a badminton player can get a grasp on its surface. It varies from one player to another, but the most common size is the G5, which is the smallest grip available on the formal sports market.
Some standard racket grip sizes include;
- G5 – it is the smallest grip size with a circumferential of 83mm.
- G4 – use a grip size of 89mm.
- G3 – has a circumferential of 95mm.
- G2 – uses a grip size of about 100mm.
Overall, if you want to establish the best grip size for your racket, hold one and feel how well you can get a grasp of the racket. It should be easy to grasp, and your fingers should cover the entire surface.
There are two types of badminton racket grips, namely:
- Towel grip – this is a soft grip that is well suited to absorbing sweat.
- Synthetic grip – this is a slick and less messy type of grip.
String tension
String tension refers to how tight the strings on your racket are laid out. A heavier tension means the strings are laid tightly, and the reverse is true. If your gameplay involves channeling more force into your strokes, then a higher tension is recommended for your racket.
For beginners, a string tension of between 17 to 20 pounds is recommended. On the other hand, a string tension between 24 to 30 pounds is recommended for advanced and pro players.
However, it is often recommended that you get custom-strung rackets. That’s because factory strings on lower-end rackets are less repulsive.
You can now settle on a badminton racket of your choice.
With this guide in mind, you can sieve through the pros and cons of all the aspects that come with a racket and choose the right one to make your gaming experience enjoyable for you.
Can I purchase a junior-sized racket for my kid?
Well, we have two standard racket lengths for badminton rackets. The regular size and the extra small one. Most kids use these rackets to started in the game. Whereas it may seem convenient to buy a junior-sized racket for your kid, it is not recommended as it may prove detrimental in the long run.
The bottom line
A racket is the most critical piece of sporting equipment in the game of badminton. And whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or are already a pro player, you need to have the best badminton racket to enjoy your gaming experience.
If you are badminton intermediate player you can check best badminton rackets for intermediate players and have picked 6 rackets for you.
With a perfect racket that suits your specific style of play, chances are you will play better and enjoy the game. From weight, shaft stiffness, string tension, and grip size to balance points of the rackets, these are the most important factors to consider when choosing the best racket for badminton.