BADMINTON RACKET BUYING GUIDE

HOW TO CHOOSE A BADMINTON RACKET

Badminton, a sport with ancient origins in Greece, China, and India, experienced a surge in popularity in the UK during the mid-19th century. The game has undergone substantial evolution, particularly in terms of equipment technology since then.

Badminton rackets, initially crafted from wood, have progressed to incorporate advanced materials like aluminium/steel, carbon fibre, and plastic, significantly enhancing performance and durability.

In this comprehensive guide we will be covering everything you need to know about badminton rackets ahead of making a purchase. We’ll cover badminton racket sizes, types, materials and much more, so you can make an informed purchase and buy a badminton racket that suits your needs.

Badminton racket share many similarities with tennis rackets but although both types of rackets include a head, strings, shaft and handle there are noticeable differences which differentiate the rackets used in each sport.

The main difference between the two is the throat which distinctively has no opening and the shaft which is much longer on the badminton racket. The head size of badminton rackets is also much smaller than tennis rackets.

The size of badminton rackets for adults does not change too much, with most senior players using badminton rackets that are around 27 inches (68cm) long, the maximum allowed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The dimensions of a badminton racket head are typically around 8 inches (20.3cm) wide and 9 inches long (22.9cm). This can vary slightly between different racket brands/models, but those measurements don’t drastically change by much from one racket to another. The maximum overall width of a badminton racket head allowed by the BWF is 23cm.

Although badminton racket sizes don’t tend to change too much for senior players, different rackets sizes are used by junior players to make the game easier and more enjoyable. 

The smallest rackets used are 19 inches (48.3cm) in length and they are designed for players aged 3 and under. Rackets then get gradually longer as players get older with 4-6 year olds using 21 inch (53.3cm) rackets, 7-8 year olds using 23 inch (58.4cm) rackets, 9-10 year olds using 25 inch (63.5cm) rackets, 10-11 year olds using 26 inch (66cm) rackets, and players aged 12 and older using full size 27 inch rackets.

The image below shows the recommended badminton racket size by age. This is a good guide if you’re unsure about what size badminton racket to buy, but you should also consider the height of the player. If a player is tall for their age you may opt for a slightly bigger racket, whilst if a player is small for their age a smaller racket may be more suitable.

Whilst senior racket sizes don’t vary too much in size, the weight of badminton rackets can differ significantly from one racket to another. The weight of a badminton racket will depend on the type of racket you choose and the material it is made from.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) doesn’t have a specific weight requirement for badminton rackets which is why badminton racket weights can vary so much.

Badminton racket manufacturers categorise racket weight using a “U” System. Perhaps surprisingly, the lower the U unit the heavier the racket, with 2U rackets being the heaviest and 8U rackets being the lightest. Heavier rackets are typically used by professional players to generate more power, whilst lighter rackets are usually best suited to junior players and beginners.

The table below shows the different badminton racket weights available.

As mentioned above the material of a badminton racket will impact the racket weight. The material will also impact the performance of the racket, as well as the cost.

Badminton rackets are available in various different materials, but the most common are aluminium, graphite and carbon fibre.

Aluminium is an extremely popular material for badminton rackets, and it is used to make rackets for all ability levels and ages. Light in weight, aluminium rackets are usually more budget friendly than other types of rackets meaning they are a popular option for beginners and recreational players.

Graphite is a lightweight, durable, and flexible material which makes it perfect for badminton rackets. First introduced in 1976, graphite rackets changed how badminton was played and have gone on to become popular with players all over the world. More durable than aluminium, there are different types of graphite used to make rackets which means prices for graphite rackets can vary significantly.

Carbon fibre rackets are the most popular option for professional badminton players. As you’d expect, carbon fibre rackets are light, durable and flexible, but it’s the strength-to-weight ratio that allows players to play with higher string tension that makes them so popular with pro players. This string tension allows players to hit shuttlecocks with more force and generate more power. Carbon fibre rackets tend to be the most expensive due to the high cost of materials and manufacturing, and they are also more fragile than aluminium and graphite rackets.

As well as considering the weight of a badminton racket you’ll also need to consider the balance point. The balance point of a badminton racket has a major bearing on how a racket performs, with different balance points suited to different types of players.

Most badminton rackets have a balance point of between 11.2 and 11.6 inches (28.5 and 29.5cm) from the base. Where that is the case, the racket is classed as an even-balanced racket.  If the balance is higher than that, the racket is classed as a head-heavy racket, and if the balance is lower than that, it is classed as a head-light racket.

A quick and easy way to find the balance point of a racket is to balance it on your finger.

For most players, an even-balanced badminton racket will be the best option, as it combines the performance characteristics of head-heavy and head-light rackets to deliver a racket that offers both power and speed. Whilst well suited to inexperienced players, many professional players also opt to use even-balanced rackets because of their all-round benefits.

Head-heavy badminton rackets are mainly used by experienced and professional players who want to optimise power over control. The extra weight in the head of the racket allows for powerful hits. Advanced players can still maintain control due to their technique and experience, but inexperienced players may struggle to showcase the same level of control which means head-heavy rackets might not be suitable for them.

Head-light rackets are designed for speed and agility which may sound perfect for inexperienced players. That isn’t the case though, and as with head-heavy rackets head-light rackets are best suited to experienced and professional players. The reason for this is that inexperienced players are likely to struggle to generate power with a head-light racket. Experienced and professional players won’t have this issue due to their advanced technique, and the benefits of the head-light rackets allow them to

When it comes to badminton head shapes there are two types of head shape; classic (oval) and isometric.

As the name suggests, the classic shape is the traditional badminton racket head shape. Oval in appearance, classic head shape rackets allow players to hit powerful shots, but they have a smaller sweet spot than isometric head shaped rackets which means they are more suited to professional players don't need a large sweet spot and instead want to maximise power.

Now established as the go-to head shape for the majority of badminton players, isometric shaped rackets are squarer at the top. The flatter head shape increases the size of the sweet spot, increasing the forgiveness of rackets and making it easier for amateur and inexperienced players to hit the shuttlecock successfully. While slightly less powerful than classic head shaped rackets, they still have sufficient power, and the increased forgiveness means most players should look to buy an isometric head shaped badminton racket.

Now that we have covered all of the key aspects of a badminton racket you should be well placed to decide on which badminton racket you should buy. To recap, the main points for consideration are:

• Player age/height
• Experience and skill level
• Preferred style of play
• Budget

At Net World Sports we have a wide range of badminton equipment for sale including badminton rackets in different sizes and materials and shuttlecocks.Whether you’re looking to buy a child’s first badminton racket or a racket for an experienced senior player, we have you covered with our Vermont badminton rackets.

We also stock other badminton essentials including badminton nets and posts, so you’ll find everything you need here. See also our badminton shuttlecock guide and badminton court guide.