This might come as a surprise for some but badminton as a game is also played at a competitive level. It is a sport like any other, and it has its fans although the competitions are not that popular on mainstream media. For the average person, it is a game that can be enjoyed on numerous occasions with friends and family. It is also an excellent game for the young ones, and it does not require much of an investment. The equipment is cheap and learning it quite easy. In fact, it is much easier than regular tennis. Its design of the birdie makes them travel at a slower speed, and the rackets themselves are very light and easy to handle. Even kids will have an easy time learning to play the game.
To start things off, gear is essential. The good news is that there is not much to it. All that is needed is a pair of badminton rackets and a birdie or two. A regular set should not be that expensive, and for beginners and casual players, there is no valid reason to spend too much money. The ones that are serious about playing the game have the option to spend some extra money on better quality rackets, but for an average person, the difference between the more expensive ones and the cheap ones should not be significantly noticeable.
Best Badminton Rackets in 2020
Now that we got the intro out of the way it is time to have a quick look at 10 different models of badminton rackets. We decided to include both cheap and expensive models as well as full kits that come with everything needed to get into a game with two or more people. To keep things short let’s get right into our list of the top 10 best badminton rackets.
Last update on 2020-10-25 / Affiliate links / Price / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10. Wilson Ti Smash Badminton Racquet
Wilson Ti Smash badminton racket is a good pick for a beginner. It is not particularly cheap, but it is a decent product with high-quality construction. It has a one-piece shaft that significantly improves control and durability as well as a titanium construction that further improves its rigidness. Using a quad head shape the model has a larger sweet spot that provides better contact. A major plus is the low weight of the model. It is a 100-gram badminton racket and has a stiff flex that makes it better than most generic models.
There is not much to complain about the model. It is rigid, durable and reliable. What might make it unappealing is the price tag? It is a rather expensive racket for a model that is designated for casual players. It is still a good option but there are also cheaper models available.
- Durable titanium construction
- Stiff flex
- Larger sweet spot
- The price tag
9. Wilson BLX Blade Badminton Racquet
The Wilson BLX Blade badminton racquet is a premium model that was designed for the ones that want to take the game more seriously and wish to move up from a generic model. It has a new isometric head shape that improves maneuverability and better frame stability. The tension in the frame provides a larger sweet spot that translates into a crisp feel and better control. Last but not least, the racket is surprisingly light with a weight of about 86 grams.
The flexibility of the staff feels a bit awkward in the beginning for someone that has used only cheap badminton rackets. This also gives the false impression that it is not durable enough which is not the case.
- Lightweight
- Larger sweet spot
- Durable construction
- Staff is a bit too flexible
8. Franklin Sports Replacement Badminton Racket
Franklin Sports replacement badminton racket is an ideal choice for a beginner. It comes in the form of a single racket with a decent construction and a low price tag. It uses steel allow construction that is durable enough but makes it a bit heavier. The model has a comfortable handle and a certain stiffness that makes it easier to handle. It has a decent sweet spot and it is reasonable in size making it a good pick for all player levels.
It seems that there are some mixed up lots. The manufacturer has been shipping a few different models instead of this one as that can be a bit annoying. People expect to get what they ordered and not something else but since it is one of the cheapest racquets, a mistake on their end might actually turn into an upgrade.
- Very cheap
- Decent construction
- Comfortable handle
- Mixed products, some customers received a different model
7. FiberFlash 7 Badminton Racket Set by RiteTrak Sports
FiberFlash 7 is a simple kit that will appeal mostly to beginners or the ones that never owned a badminton racket before. It has a great price tag and comes as a pack of two racquets, 3 birdies, and a carrying bag. The rackets themselves are quite decent and have sturdy construction. The handle feels comfortable. While they might not be the best option they are surely a decent upgrade from a cheap badminton racket.
While the construction of the rackets is decent they will not be able to please an avid badminton player. They are good for beginners but even intermediate players might not like them all that much. One of the complaints is that the birdies they come with are quite bad.
- Affordable
- Great value set
- Lightweight construction
- Poor quality birdies
6. RiteTrak Sports FiberFlash7 Badminton Racket Set
The RiteTrak Sports FiberFlash7 Badminton racket set is a great pick for the ones that are interested in the sport. It is inexpensive and comes with everything needed for a two-player game. It comes with a nice carry bag that can hold the two rackets included in the kit. It also comes with 3 birdies. The handles and the construction of the rackets make them feel sturdy and easy to handle. With a lightweight construction and a low price tag, the racket set managed to earn a reputable spot in our list.
The racket set is an excellent choice for beginners. It received a lot of positive reviews. What it is not recommended for is intermediate players. Also the birdies it comes with are of poor quality. It might be a good idea to get different birdies for the set.
- Inexpensive
- Comes as a kit of two rackets and a carry bag
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Not for intermediate players, birdies are of poor quality
5. Yonex B-350 Badminton Racquet
Yonex B-350 Badminton Racquet is a reasonable pick for an intermediate player. For beginners there are cheaper badminton rackets in our list that are worth spending money on. Looking at the model it becomes immediately noticeable how lightweight it is. It is a 100 g model with a solid construction, an oval head, and great durability. According to the manufacturers, the model is an excellent pick for gym classes. It can be purchased in several different sizes and can also be found as part of a set.
Some users noticed that their rackets came with strings a bit loose. In order to enjoy a proper game of badminton the strings need to be as tight as possible otherwise the racket becomes almost unusable. Fortunately only a few users reported this issue.
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Durable construction
- Questionable quality control, some users received rackets with strings that were not tight enough
4. Wilson Matchpoint Badminton Racket
Wilson Matchpoint badminton racket is a mid-range model that can be an upgrade for an intermediate player that is looking for something more reliable than the cheap ones that come in kits. It uses an aluminum frame with flared inside grommets that improve durability. They have a medium flex with a comfortable handle that offers better precision and control. The racket weighs about 105 grams and has an oversized sweet spot.
A common issue of the Wilson Matchpoint badminton racket is the handle. It seems that the quality of the handle is something to brag about. It will wear and tear quite fast. Even after the protective layer peels away it still remains usable.
- Good price tag
- Lightweight
- Oversized sweet spot
- Poor quality handle
3. Senston Graphite Badminton Racket
Senston Graphite badminton racket is a great product despite not being such a hot seller. It is one of the few rackets in its price range that is made using a graphite frame and shaft. This makes it significantly more durable than the models that are made out of aluminum. Also it has extra strong strings preinstalled and it includes a protective bag. The model can be found in multiple colors but only one universal size.
While being made out of graphite, having a lightweight design and excellent durability the model is not recommended for professionals. Very few people complained about the model but if there was one thing to be counted as a con it is the fact that it can be found only in one size.
- Graphite frame
- Lightweight
- High durability
- It is made only in one size
2. Senston Badminton Set
The Senston badminton set is one of their more affordable models designed for beginners and for intermediate players. It is a simple kit that consists of two rackets and a carry bag. Unlike other badminton sets, it does not come with birdies. The model has a slim shaft with a thin frame that offers better performance. It has an oversized sweet spot and has a very lightweight design with a weight of just 85 grams. This makes it one of the lightest badminton rackets in our list and also one of the more affordable mid-range ones.
While being an overall great racket the model is not perfect. Some might argue that the string tension is not taut enough. This is more of a matter of personal preference but it is true that there are a lot of models that have better string tension.
- Sturdy construction
- Lightweight, just 85g
- Excellent value for money
- String tension is not taut enough.
1. Franklin Sports 2 Player Badminton Set
The Franklin Sports 2 player badminton set is one of the best options in our list for several reasons. First of all it is very affordable. Second, the build quality is quite impressive for such a cheap pair of rackets. It has an aluminum frame with tight preinstalled strings and a comfortable handle. The model comes as a kit that consists of two rackets and two birdies. It is a beginner set but it can serve an intermediate player well as well. The model is available in multiple sizes and features A-grade shuttlecocks.
What could have been improved about this model is the quality of the handles. They will peel off after some time which is to be expected but they tend to be worse than with other models. Also the birdies are quite bad and will need to be replaced with something more decent.
- Affordable
- Comes as a kit consisting of two rackets and two birdies
- Durable aluminum frame
- The handle will peel off and the birdies are of poor quality
What Is Worth Spending Money On And What Is Not?
Like with any other type of product, spending too little on a badminton racket means getting something of poor quality which can manifest in a flimsy frame and strings that are not tensioned properly. The truth is somewhere in the middle because there is also no point in spending too much on a racket. Maybe for professionals, an expensive racket makes more sense but for the average individual, something from the mid-range is a much better choice.
One important thing to look out for is taut of the strings and the weight of the rackets. A heavy racket will make it more difficult to play with while the lightweight ones offer better control. We managed to compile a list of 10 different rackets that are worth spending money on. Their prices can vary a bit but in the end, they are all affordable.
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