In the game of badminton, the right selection of racket plays an important role to bring out the best performance in a match. Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners. Costly rackets don’t always bring the best results. Rather, in many situations, they actually worsen the performance due to wrong selection. The selection of a racket is even gets more important for beginners as they don’t have the right technique to handle an advanced racket.
It is essential that they start their journey in badminton with the help of proper equipment and then upgrade afterwards as they jump into the next playing level. So to make your selection procedure easier, I am depicting the 8 best badminton rackets for beginners in India that are not only the most suitable for developing skills at the early stages but also give the best results in terms of price-performance ratio. Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners.
Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners
Yonex Nanoray Light 18i
The Yonex Nanoray Light 18i is among Yonex’s popular rackets and is well-suited for beginners. This racket falls in the 5U category, weighing between 75 and 79.9 grams, making it exceptionally lightweight. It has a head-light balance, which is advantageous for novice players who are still developing their arm strength. The use of nanometric technology in both the frame and shaft enhances the racket’s repulsive power. The Nanoray Light 18i excels in quick rallies, fast drives, and net drops. It’s effective for defending smashes, allows for faster racket swings to respond to opponents’ shots, and offers good shot control – a crucial aspect for beginners. Yonex’s trademark isometric head shape ensures consistency by providing more sweet spots. What’s more, this high-value racket is reasonably priced at ₹1799 on Amazon.
In summary, the Yonex Nanoray Light 18i stands out as the top choice for beginners in India. Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and easy to manage.
- Excellent for quick rallies.
- Ideal for executing drop shots.
- Offers excellent shot control.
- Reduces the risk of shoulder or elbow injuries.
- Provides great value for the price.
Cons:
- Limited smash power, though this is not a requirement for beginners.
Yonex Astrox 01 Ability
Yonex’s newly released racket, the Astrox 01 Ability, boasts a full graphite construction. This badminton racket belongs to the 4U category, weighing in at an average of 83 grams, making it quite manageable for beginners. With a head-heavy balance (305 mm) and a slim shaft enhanced by Nanomesh Neo technology, it’s well-suited for delivering powerful smashes with ease. The unique Rotational Generator System ensures effective weight distribution throughout the grip, T-joint, and upper frame, resulting in better energy transfer to the shuttlecock while maintaining control at steeper angles. Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners.
Priced reasonably at ₹2299 on Amazon, the Astrox 01 Ability ranks as the second-best badminton racket for beginners in India, offering the capability to unleash powerful smashes with good control.
Pros:
- Capability for steep and powerful smashes.
- Effective control.
- Suitable for executing drop shots.
- Easy to handle.
Cons:
- More appropriate for advanced beginners.
Yonex Nanoray 7000I
The Yonex Nanoray 7000I is a badminton racket with a head-light configuration, featuring an aluminium frame and a graphite shaft. This racquet falls within the 2U category, with an average weight of 93 grams. Its Isometric head shape is beneficial for beginners as it allows for hitting the shuttle over a larger sweet spot. The head-light balance and medium flexibility not only make it suitable for beginners but also ideal for doubles play. Additionally, the string tension is limited to 16 – 20 lbs, making it easier for beginners to generate more power when hitting the shuttlecock. With an affordable price of ₹1400 on Amazon India, the Nanoray 7000I secures the third spot as the top badminton racket for beginners in India. Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners.
Pros:
- Easy to handle and manoeuvre.
- Effective for executing drive shots.
- Suitable for defensive play.
- Includes a good quality full racket cover.
Cons:
- Slightly on the heavier side.
Yonex Voltric Lite
The Yonex Voltric Lite is a full-body graphite racket with an average weight of 83 grams. It combines an Aero + Box frame, with the aerodynamic frame shape significantly reducing air resistance and the box frame technology providing necessary stability. Additionally, the isometric frame shape is especially advantageous for beginners. However, the standout feature of this racket is the innovative “Tri-Voltage System,” which delivers exceptional power without compromising fast racket handling.
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to handle.
- Excellent for generating smash power.
- Durable and robust construction.
- Available at a reasonable price.
Cons:
- More appropriate for advanced beginners.
The Yonex Astrox Smash is an exceptionally lightweight racket with a head-heavy balance. It incorporates Astrox’s cutting-edge technologies to enhance power, quick recovery, and efficient transfer of energy between shots. The innovative grommet pattern concept extends the string life by reducing friction between the frame and strings. Additionally, the control support cap offers the advantage of a comfortable grip while providing extra power for your smashes.
Pros:
- Delivers sharp and powerful smashes.
- Extremely lightweight for ease of handling.
- Offers good control.
- Effortless manoeuvrability.
Cons:
- Generating power for long clears from the backcourt can be challenging.
Yonex ZR 100 Light
The ZR 100 Light, Yonex’s first Indian-manufactured racket designed for beginners and recreational players, offers a budget-friendly option. This badminton racket features an isometric head, which is beneficial for beginners as it allows them to hit the shuttlecock over a larger string bed. The low string tension is advantageous for beginners, providing more power while reducing the chances of string damage from mishits. The shaft is constructed from steel to resist twisting due to mishandling. Additionally, the use of an aluminium frame makes the racket relatively lighter compared to the earlier ZR 100 model.
The ZR 100 Light’s widespread popularity is attributed to its attractive price point. This racket is available at a highly affordable price of just ₹499 on Amazon India. It serves as the starting point for many beginners in India as they embark on their badminton journey.
Pros:
- Sturdy and long-lasting construction.
- Isometric head shape.
- Budget-friendly option.
- Available in various colour choices.
- Comes with a full racket cover.
Cons:
- Not a racket with a seamless joint.
Head Inferno 70
The Head Inferno 70 is a mid-weight badminton racket that features a sturdy aluminium frame and a robust graphite shaft. This combination of a head-light balance and medium flexibility makes the Inferno 70 well-suited for beginners, facilitating easy shot execution during their initial stages. The isometric head shape is also advantageous for novices as it allows them to hit the shuttlecock over a string bed with a square shape, offering good control and reducing the margin of error. The string tension is maintained at 19 – 24 lbs, emphasizing its beginner-friendly design.
Pros:
- Durable and robust construction.
- Effective for doubles play.
- Offers good value for the price.
- Comes with a full racket cover.
Cons:
- Slightly on the heavier side.
Li-Ning XP-80-IV (Set of 2)
The Li-Ning XP-IV is a midweight badminton racket created using duralumin technology. It features an aluminium alloy frame and an aluminium composite shaft. The racket allows for a maximum string tension of 20 lbs, which is advantageous for beginners. The frame design also enhances the effective hitting area, aiding beginners in achieving more consistent shuttle hits. This beginner-friendly racket is affordably priced at ₹899 for a set of two on Amazon India.
Pros:
- Delivers power in shots.
- Sturdy and long-lasting.
- Provides value for the price.
- Includes a high-quality racket cover.
Cons:
- The string quality is somewhat lacking.
Read More:
Best Badminton Racket Under 2000.
Selecting the right badminton racket for beginners involves considering several crucial factors:
Weight
Badminton rackets typically weigh between 70 and 100 grams. The Yonex Badminton Racket Weight Chart categorizes them as follows:
- Group F (70 – 74.9 grams)
- Group 5U (75 – 79.9 grams)
- Group 4U (80 – 84.9 grams)
- Group 3U (85 – 89.9 grams)
- Group 2U (90 – 94.9 grams)
- Group U (95 – 99.9 grams)
Heavier rackets in the U and 2U categories can provide more power, but they require greater shoulder strength for swift racket handling. Lighter rackets (those weighing 85 grams or less) are more manoeuvrable, allowing for quick recovery between shots. Beginners are advised to opt for lighter rackets to reduce the risk of shoulder and wrist injuries.
Balance
The “Balance Point” refers to the racket’s centre of mass, indicating the equal weight distribution between the head and handle. Balance points can be categorized as head-heavy, head-light, or even balance:
- Head Heavy: These rackets have more mass toward the head, generating more power but demanding greater arm strength.
- Head Light: Headlight rackets have more mass toward the handle, making them more manoeuvrable and suitable for fast racket swings.
- Even Balance: These rackets fall between head-heavy and head-light, offering all-around play suitability and are often recommended for beginners. Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners.
Flexibility
Stiff rackets deliver more power and good control but require refined techniques. They are better suited for experienced players. In contrast, flexible rackets may not offer as much smash power but are easier to generate power and speed with due to their adaptability to slower arm speeds. Beginners are encouraged to start with a flexible racket to easily access power. Best Badminton Rackets For Beginners.
String Tension
Rackets strung with higher tension provide better control but are less effective for power. Beginners are advised to begin with lower string tension, around 18 – 20 lbs, to maximize power from the racket while developing their skills.
