Best badminton rackets reviewed: 15 rackets, Yonex to Dunlop

Are you looking for the perfect badminton racket?

Everyone knows how important it is to have the right racket.

If you are serious about badminton then you should eventually buy a good racket after learning a little how to play badminton so that you can stay ahead of your competitors.

Every player is different, but this page lists the top 15 badminton rackets the market has to offer, and we'll explain why with each review.

Our top pick is this Yonex Voltric 1DG. Very balanced and powerful smashing power. Still best suited for attacking players.

We've got quite a few more balanced play reviews in our top 15 top rated rackets that we'll get to in a moment, but if you're a strong defensive player, our top pick is for your situation this Yonex Voltric 0 with a heavy head for a lot of power and good control.

Since it is essential to choose it well, as it is the most important tool that you will purchase, you must be well informed.

And you are looking for other qualities in a racket for badminton than, for example, for tennis, or in a racket for squash.

Here I will help you on your way to learn all the differences and make the choice that suits your play style.

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Many of the rackets in our top 15 best badminton rackets list come from Yonex, and for good reason.

It is a great and affordable pro brand with a number of entry-level models as well. The whole range of models is explained here:

Read on and find out which one is the perfect match for you.

Let's first look at the top rated rackets in an overview, then I'll go deeper into each racket individually:

badminton Racket	Images
Best badminton racket for attacking players: Yonex Voltric 1DG	(view more images)
Best Heavy Head: Yonex Voltric 0	(view more images)
Best for Defensive Players: CARLTON FIREBLADE 2.0	(view more images)
Best cheap badminton racket: CARLTON AEROSONIC 400	(view more images)
Best kids badminton racket: Yonex Nanoray Junior	(view more images)
Best badminton racket for beginners: Yonex Nanoray 20	(view more images)
Best badminton racket for professional: Prokennex badminton racket Kinetic Pro	(view more images)

How do you choose the perfect badminton racket?

This is basically how to choose a good racket that suits your playing style and level:

You probably know how important it is to choose the right racket. If you don't know how to do it, don't worry, this guide will show you how.

Here's a warning: never pick a racket because your favorite top badminton player uses it.

For example, choosing the Arcsaber 10 just because it is used by many professional players or recommended by American badminton magazines would be a mistake.

Because you have to choose a racket that works for you personally and your playing style.

The first question to ask yourself is what do you prefer: control or power.

Control in your racket

It is impossible to have both things to the same degree, although you can have a so-called well balanced racket, which ensures a good balance between the two elements.

Are you a complete beginner?

If you're just starting out, it doesn't make sense to choose a determined style if you don't yet know what your options are.

That's why it's better to start with a cheap and beginner-friendly racket like the Yonex Nanoray 10 or Nanoray 20.

They are very affordable and well balanced, which is why they are a great way to get started and discover your style.

The 4 factors to consider:

• Balance point
• Weight
• Frame shape
• shaft stiffness

The balance point

• It's critical, depending on your style.
• If you want more power, the balance point of the racket should be towards the head.
• If you want more control, the balance point should be towards the handle.

But let's say you are a beginner who bought the Nanoray 10 and you have found that you prefer power over control.

Instead of buying a new racket, you can do the following:

• Buy a good light badminton grip
• Wrap it around the head of your racket
• The result is a heavier head and therefore more power.

But what happens if you prefer control over punching power? Then you can use this trick: adding more weight to the handle.

There are many ways to do this:

• Change the string of your racket for a lighter one
• Wrap a heavy badminton grip in the handle
• Wrap 2-3 light badminton grips in the handle
• This way you can balance things according to your own preference.

The weight factor

Weight plays a very important role.

Rackets come in different weight categories:

• 2U: 90-94 grams
• 3U: 85-89 grams
• 4U: 80-84 grams
• 5U: 75-79 grams

The heavier your racket, the more power it will deliver.

For example, the Voltric 0 is available in two versions: the 3U and the 4U. But you could make it harder by following the tips in the balance point section above.

The 3U is more suitable for singles, while the 4U, which is lighter, performs better in doubles.

The disadvantage of heavy rackets is that it is much more difficult to control. You fundamentally sacrifice control in favor of strength, and unless you are highly skilled, this could be a problem.

The shape of the frame

It is important to choose the right shape of the frame. The current models offer you two options: the traditional oval shape and the isometric frames.

There are important differences between the two and we will discuss them here. But what you need to know first is that the difference is in the sweet spot.

1. Oval shape: This conventional shape has a trickier sweet spot, but if you manage to land the shuttle on it, you'll get an excellent quality shot. Therefore, to get the most out of the oval shape, you need to be highly skilled so that you can achieve a high success rate by landing the shuttle in the desired spot on the racket.
2. Isometric or square shape: Compared to the oval shape, it has a higher success rate in landing the shuttle at the sweet spot. A good example of this is the Voltric 1DG, which has an excellent isometric frame shape and excellent tension, making it easier for you to make high quality returns.

Because of this characteristic, many rackets that are made opt to use a square frame shape, while the oval shape is becoming less popular.

Therefore, in our opinion, especially if you are a beginner, you should go for a racket that uses an isometric frame shape. In addition, oval-shaped rackets are harder to find these days.

The stem: flexible or stiff?

There are important differences between these forms. Each of these has its own pros and cons, but don't worry, you'll find the answers you're looking for here.

The stiff stem: It has less bounce, which is compensated with more powerful swing.

It is not recommended for beginners, therefore it is better suited for advanced players and intermediate level players.

Why?

Because a beginner will focus on generating more power while sacrificing technique. If you're trying to develop more advanced skills, this might be a good option for you.

It is much faster than a flexible steel racket. Although the power will be lower. If you want quick attacks and answers then this is a perfect choice for you.

This allows you to hit the shuttle back much faster, which can give you an edge over your competitors.

The shuttle placement is top notch. If you want total accuracy with your shuttle placement, this shaft will get you there.

The flexible handle: It's excellent for beginners because you don't have to focus more than necessary on generating enough momentum so you can focus on the technique.

The repulsion is notably better than a stiff stem, this allows you to deliver pretty good speed without too much effort.

One drawback is that shuttle placement will suffer in terms of accuracy. It's mainly due to the bounce, which makes it harder to find the perfect placement.

They are also slower than stiff-handled rackets. This can be a problem for many people as it reduces the speed of your returns and attacks.

Since you don't need to generate a lot of force to make powerful strokes, it won't tire your wrists as quickly as a stiff shaft.

Ultimately, it is a good choice for defensive style players. Because you don't have to whip very hard, you can focus more on defensive shots and your strategy in general.

Top 15 Badminton Rackets Reviewed

Best Badminton Racket for Attacking Players: Yonex Voltric 1DG

If you like affordable rackets that have enough repulsion, you'll love the Voltric 1DG. It is fabricated with Super High Elasticity High Modulus Graphite and here are its pros and cons:

Pros: Extraordinary tension and bounce, decent smashing power, very fast

Cons: It may fall short for some players as it is an all-rounder racket

This is one of the best budget-friendly Yonex badminton rackets that is well-manufactured in every way.

The most important thing to emphasize here is that it is a Tri-voltage system which gives you more power for excellent shots, but at the same time a very fast swing for accurate and fast returns.

Another feature to mention is the excellent tension. This racket comes with an excellent isometric frame, which keeps the vertical strings the same length and does the same with horizontal strings.

This allows you to find the right spot to hit the shuttle from any angle.

It is available here at bol.com

Best Heavy Head: Yonex Voltric 0

Probably one of the most powerful rackets ever made. This heavy-head racket comes with plenty of powerful and other useful features.

Let's take a look at its pros and cons:

Pros: Huge Power, Superior Control, Excellent Maneuverability, Great Defense

Cons: May tire your wrists in long games, it is not recommended for beginners

If you are looking for a racket that offers you a lot of power and control, along with excellent maneuverability, the Voltric 0 is perfect for you.

Thanks to the heavy and sturdy construction, you get more power than other rackets, which brings you powerful and sharp shots. 

And despite being a heavy-head racket, it's excellent when it comes to defense, making it a great choice for the mid-court game.

It is not recommended for beginners as it can tire your wrists quickly if you are not properly trained.

But if you're an experienced player looking for extra power and a lot of control, the Voltric 0 is perfect for you.

It is available here at bol.com

Best for Defensive Players: CARLTON FIREBLADE 2.0

At an affordable price, excellent defensive performance and serious power, the Carlton Fireblade is one of the best badminton rackets on the market.

Let's see why it's such a great choice by looking at its pros and cons:

Pros: excellent defense, great strength, does not tire your wrists

Cons: Control is just above average

This heavy-head racket, similar to the Voltric 0, has great smashing power. Even though the Voltric 0 is superior in power, you can get a very similar smash to the Fireblade at an affordable price.

One of the features that stands out is how well it performs in terms of defensive play.

Usually heavy-head rackets are weak in terms of defense, but the Fireblade does a great job, especially when you can play a great forehand from the rear.

Its stem is slim and its construction is very light, allowing you to perform very fast reactions.

This Carlton Fireblade is available at bol.com

Also check out our post for the best badminton shoes

Best Cheap Badminton Racket: CARLTON AEROSONIC 400

It is the most affordable of the professional Carlton line yet packed with incredible features and outstanding performance.

Let's take a look at its pros and cons:

Pros: Powerful shots, great balance, fairly fast, perfect for defensive players

Cons: Head could be a bit too light for some players

This is the most budget-friendly option of all Carlton rackets made. But it's an excellent choice nonetheless, as it offers powerful shots, offers good balance and is light enough for very fast reactions.

It plays well on the front half due to its design and light weight. And it also provides you with enough power for excellent returns.

And an important aspect to note is that this racket is extremely suitable for defensive players. It doesn't tire your wrists and is sturdy enough for solid and fast response time.

Check the current prices here

Yonex Voltric 7

Can you imagine delivering super smooth and powerful clears? This is exactly what you can get with the Yonex Voltric 7.

If you read every word of this short review, you will understand why it is an excellent racket.

Pros: Lots of power, fast swings, pretty fast, perfect for defensive players

Cons: the stringing could be better as it is a bit low in tension

It's similar to the Voltric 5, but the most important detail to note is that the head is a bit heavier, giving you an edge in power.

Although the stringing has little tension, it still delivers a lot of power, and you can feel that when you fix the problem, they behave powerfully and are easy to handle.

It is very light and offers you the possibility of super fast reactions, making it ideal for front court play and for defensive players.

The power of this racket cannot be compared to the Voltric 0, but let's face it, it's also 50% of the price.

Check the latest prices here

Dunlop Biomimetic II Max – Badminton Racket

Sexy, fast and deadly. If you want a super fast and beautiful racket, the Dunlop Biomimetic II Max - Badminton racket is exactly what you are looking for.

Let's discuss the pros and cons:

Pros: Incredibly fast head speed, decent power, excellent maneuverability

Cons: Not suitable for beginners

This lighthead racket is, as its name suggests, a top performer in terms of speed.

The super-fast head speed gives you the smoothest and deadliest swings you've ever experienced.

It has shown an incredible performance in drives and smashes. The slices are one of the best returns to smashes, making the Dunlop Biomimetic an excellent choice for defensive style players.

He really stands out when we look at backhand defense.

As for other recordings such as lobs and slices, it has shown an incredible performance.

If you want an incredibly fast, powerful and beautiful racket then you should go for this Biomemetic, especially if you use a defensive style.

It is available here at bol.com

Yonex Duora 10

The aspect that stands out about this racket is that it comes with a box frame and an aero frame.

The first is for delivering powerful shots and smashes, while the other is for quick responses with minimal drag.

Pros: Phenomenon is correct, great in defense, quick reactions

Cons: Expensive, not recommended for beginners

Even though the Duora 10 isn't one of the fastest rackets out there, especially when compared to the ultra-fast Nanospeed 9900, it still defends very well.

If this isn't the fastest racket, how fast can it react?

It's slightly above average in terms of speed, and to get those quick returns you need to have really good technique, so it's not suitable for beginners.

This racquet with two separate sides is a phenomenal choice, as the box frame allows you to shoot super powerful shots, while the aero frame allows you to give fast and accurate returns.

Check the latest prices here

Yonex Nanoray 9

It is important to make this clear right away: the Nanoray 900 and the Nanospeed 9 are not the same. This racket is heavier in the head and stiffer, but it has interesting features:

Pros: Increased power, perfect for defensive players, smooth swings

Cons: it may lack proper control for beginners

As a flexible racket, it is normal that it does not offer much control for beginners. However, if you are a seasoned player you will get used to it after some time.

The heavier head gives it more power for stronger hits. This feature also makes it better in your backcourt game, and don't worry, it's just as good in the midcourt and frontcourt.

Its smooth swing and great speed make it an ideal choice for experienced defensive-style players.

It is the cheapest here at plutosport.nl

Yonex Nanoray Z-speed

The Nanoray Z Speed ​​​​is a controversial racket, because it has a heavy head, but it does not deliver the same power as other rackets like the Voltric 0 (far from it) or actually most other Voltric models.

But it performs perfectly in terms of defense.

Pros: ideal for defenders, drop shots are perfect, less fatigue

Cons: Smashes aren't that good

Many people believed that this racket would perform better, but when it comes to delivering shots, it just isn't good enough. But when we talk about defensive shots like lobs, this is an excellent choice.

But honestly it is very expensive for the performance. However, if you are looking for one of the best rackets for defenders and want nothing else, you will be quite happy with this one.

Maybe the manufacturer's stringing is causing the lack of power with smashes, but that's just an idea.

It is available here from Amazon

Best Kids Badminton Racket: Yonex Nanoray Junior

Affordable, super light and powerful. This is the best racket for beginner kids, and again, it's made by a big brand like Yonex.

If you don't know how to play badminton yet, it's an excellent choice for you.

Pros: decent power, fast enough, excellent maneuverability

Cons: it is only for beginners

While you can't expect it to deliver the same powerful shots as a Voltric 0, this option will give your child a very good boost in their game development.

It offers a child enough power for great shots, without being too heavy that they can't last a whole match with it.

It plays well up front, center and back. Just keep in mind that it might not be a good choice for backhand shots, but again, it's not meant for advanced players.

Available here at bol.com

Best Badminton Racket for Beginners: Yonex Nanoray 20

The Nanoray 20, like the Nanoray 10, is perfect for beginners or casual players, as it has the necessary features for a good performance.

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of this graphite racket:

Pros: good power, excellent voltage, very fast, light weight

Cons: Not recommended for advanced players

If you're looking for something cheap with very good performance, the Nanoray 20 is exactly what you need.

He plays great in terms of defense as he is light and fast enough to allow for quick reactions, especially in the front part of the field.

The tension is quite good, giving it an excellent bounce. The smashes are decent, the clears go smooth, the lift feels great and the netshots are pretty good for the price.

Available here at bol.com

Best Badminton Racket for Professional: Prokennex Badminton Racket Kinetic Pro

Powerful, fast and solid. These are words that better define the Kinetic Pro. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of this incredible racket:

Pros: great power, solid control, superior maneuverability, excellent swing.

Cons: defense is a bit weak

What stands out about this racket is the handle that is very slim, with the aim of reducing air resistance to a minimum. And this is the characteristic that gives it its superior maneuverability.

So much work has gone into the design to give it the power and speed a pro needs to take their game to the next level.

Are you looking for great power and the smoothest and fastest swing? Then you will find it in the Z Slash, because thanks to its design it offers you an excellent swing.

Available here at bol.com

Perfly BR 990 S

This racket is a favorite choice of several professional players, and for good reason. Let's take a quick look at the pros versus cons:

Pros: excellent control and solid feel, superior maneuverability, super accurate.

Cons: the power is not that strong, not recommended for beginners.

Are you starting to see why so many professionals prefer this racket? The price may be a little high, but it's totally worth it.

The only downside is that the punching power isn't that strong, but you can greatly improve it by adding lead tapes to the head so you can make it heavier and get more power.

But that is purely a personal choice.

If you are looking for a racket with great design, incredible control and feel and superior accuracy, then you should buy the Perfly BR 990 S.

It provides you with everything you need to take your game to the next level.

This Perfly is available here at Decathlon

Yonex Arcsaber 11

The Arcsaber 11 is an improvement on the Arcsaber 10 in many ways: it's much easier to use and comes with an improved bounce.

These features make it perfect for experienced players and even beginners. Let's take a look at its pros and cons:

Pros: Well balanced in all aspects, excellent control and solid feel, excels in midcourt

Cons: Smash power is not the strongest ability

It shares many similarities with the Arcsaber 10, but it is superior in ease of use and offers greater control. In addition, it offers you a lot of comfort, so that your arms and forearms do not get tired quickly.

It excels when it comes to playing on the midcourt as its strongest features are its defense and attack. It's great in the frontcourt as it gives you plenty of power and speed for excellent Netshots.

In short, this racket is an excellent choice. It is well balanced, is perfect for the midcourt and gives you superior control.

The Yonex Arcsaber is available at Amazon

Yonex Voltric Force

The great successor to a great racket, the Voltric Force. This new version is slimmer in the head and shaft. In addition, the head is considerably narrower. Let's look at the pros and cons:

Pros: great smash power, excellent maneuverability, fast and smooth swing

Cons: Significantly less control when playing fast

This super slim racket cuts through the air without any problem.

It stands out on all fronts and is particularly excellent in the backcourt, as the fast and smooth swing allows you to hit with a lot of power.

It has a great performance on the midcourt as the design allows you to have very fast reactions.

In addition, its incredible power allows you to take powerful shots from this range without any problems.

And finally, it's a great performer in the frontcourt. Again, because it's super thin and light, you can react quickly.

In conclusion, this is an excellent racket with a lot of power, a fast swing, a slim construction that allows very fast reactions and a great performance on all parts of the badminton court.

It is available here at bol.com

Conclusion

Take our tips into account when choosing your racket. If you take these factors and tips into account, you will find the perfect match for yourself and reach a higher playing level, such as top badminton players.

We've reviewed the best badminton rackets in the world. You have an option that perfectly suits every type of player. In addition, you also have a manual that helps you choose the perfect match.

Don't forget to take your own time, because selecting your racket is very important. You don't want to waste your money on something that doesn't come with the features you want.

So follow this guide and decide which option suits you best. That's all you need to find a racket that will make you a better player.

We hope you liked our guide and reviews!

Joost Nusselder, the founder of referees.eu is a content marketer, father and loves to write about all kinds of sports, and has also played a lot of sports himself for most of his life. Now since 2016, he and his team have been creating helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with their sports activities.