After watching the Olympics last year, Kabir got inclined towards badminton. His interest in the sport grew and he decided to start training. To begin with, he knew that choosing the right badminton racket is an important part of the sport and thus, he began reviewing beginner-friendly rackets. He looked into the weight, size, grip, string tension, and all the other significant factors of a racket. It was crucial for him to pick a good badminton racket for beginners so that he could start his journey in the sport smoothly. While researching, he found rackets from some of the top brands like Yonex, Li-Ning, and Apacs and made note of their features. Picking an appropriate beginner-friendly racket is a key factor for anyone looking to kickstart their badminton adventure. So if you have doubts about ‘Which badminton racket is best for beginners in India?’ or ‘How much should a beginner spend on a badminton racket?’, don’t worry, Kabir’s review has got you covered. Ahead are some of the best beginner-friendly badminton rackets for you.
Top 9 Best Beginner-Friendly Badminton Rackets in India
Chevalier Sports
1. Yonex ZR 101
The Yonex ZR 101 is an aluminum racket that is recommended for beginners for its lightweight and versatility. It can also be used for recreational purposes or for players looking to play casually. It has an isometric head shape with a steady shaft. This badminton racket allows players to play with power and control. The Yonex ZR 101 is beginner-friendly and is a great pick for players to start their badminton journey. Its weight makes it an ideal choice for beginners who are trying to get their hands on the game. Additionally, it is durable and well-finished. This is a budget-friendly racket which is priced at around ₹650-₹900.
2. Yonex GR 303
The Yonex GR 303 is made with a combination of aluminium and steel. It provides a strong grip, giving more control while hitting shots. It is a head-heavy racket with a string tension between 15-18 lbs. Its isometric head shape makes a larger sweet spot, giving players more room to play shots even if they hit inaccurately. Despite being a head-heavy racket, it has a light frame that allows players to be flexible and manoeuvre on the court, especially during fast rallies. The Yonex GR303 has a very stiff flex that provides strength while hitting shots. This makes it useful for players who have an aggressive style of playing or for players who prefer playing smashes. The cost of this racket is approximately ₹700-₹1,000.
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3. Yonex Arcsaber 73 Light
This badminton racket is a top choice for beginners who want to get used to playing fast rallies and quick reflexes. As the name suggests, it is one of the lightest rackets made by Yonex. The weight of the racket makes it suitable for new badminton players to get used to moving around the court to hit shots with speed. It has a slim shaft and its design minimizes air resistance, giving players more swing and increasing their ability to move the racket swiftly. The Yonex Arcsaber 73 Light badminton racket is an ideal pick for players to improve their reaction time. Additionally, this racket gives players maximum feel, allowing them to hit the shuttle precisely and with ease. The cost of this racket is nearly ₹2000.
Shop Now: Yonex Arcsaber 73 Light
4. Li-Ning GForce
The Li-Ning G-Force series is one of the most favoured rackets among players who desire a combination of power, speed, and accuracy. These rackets are built using ultra-carbon technology, making them stiff and giving more power. The lightness of these rackets makes it easier to move about quickly and perform effortless smashes. Its high-tensioned frame offers superior repulsion, which is suitable for aggressive playing styles, and its aerodynamic structure minimizes air resistance. The overall design of the rackets helps with faster swings and improved control. Additionally, whether you’re an intermediate player trying to find your style or a beginner trying to get your hands on the game, Li-Ning’s G-Force badminton rackets provide a well-balanced mix of power and playability, making it a popular choice among badminton players. The price range of these rackets is between ₹1,500-₹3,000.
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5. Apacs Finapi 232
The Apacs Finapi 232 badminton racket is one of the best beginner-friendly rackets in India. It has a string tension of 25-30 lbs which is the ideal badminton racket tension for beginners. This is a head-heavy racket made by Apacs to provide power and swing while hitting shots, especially smashes. The uniqueness of the Finapi 232 racket is its aerodynamic shape, which makes it an absolute option for offensive players. Although it is a head-heavy racket, it is crafted in a way that gives players a light feel, allowing them to hit the shuttle accurately. This badminton racket is priced at approximately ₹2000. The Apacs Finapi 232 badminton racket is very suitable for beginners who want more power while smashing or are looking to get more control in the game.
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6. Yonex Astrox 43i Lite
The Yonex Astrox 43i Lite badminton racket is recommended for players who want to work on their performance and upgrade their game. This racket has a light frame, which makes it easy to control for beginners. Moreover, it is easy for beginners and intermediate-level players who are looking for better speed and control. It’s crafted with Yonex’s trademark isometric head shape that increases the sweet spot in the center which in turn helps provide better accuracy and power even on off-center hits. The Astrox 43i Lite has a graphite shaft that carries a good balance between flexibility and stiffness, which helps players control their swings while generating power. The cost of this racket is between ₹1,700-₹1,900. Altogether, this racket has been designed specifically for new players and recreational players looking for an affordable yet powerful and easy-to-use racket. Overall, the Astrox 43i Lite offers a good blend of control, power, and swing.
Shop Now: Yonex Astrox 43i Lite
7. Li-Ning Turbo XG5
This racket is made with carbon fiber and it has a flexible shaft. It weighs 87 grams which is a suitable badminton racket weight for beginners. The racket has a heavy head, however, it gives players a light feel on their hands. The Li-Ning Turbo XG5 is created with modern technology that gives maximum power and force while hitting the shuttle. Moreover, it provides players with a swing while playing smashes. This badminton racket is ideal for players who have an attacking game style. Its features also suit players who want to get used to playing fast rallies or want to work on their reflexes. The racket is durable and strong as well and it is priced between ₹1,500-₹1,900. All in all, the racket is worth every penny and it provides maximum performance.
8. Apacs Nano Fusion 722
The Apacs Nano Fusion 722 badminton racket is crafted in a way to give you better speed and swing. It is a top pick among beginners and intermediate players for its versatility. This racket provides maximum feel to play smashes as well as close net shots. It has a very slim frame and a string tension of 30 lbs. Moreover, its isometric head shape enlarges the sweet spot and gives more accuracy. As the name suggests, it is built with Nano Fusion technology, thus, providing more power when hitting the shuttle. The Apacs Nano Fusion costs ₹2,000-₹2,700. Additionally, the lightweight of the racket offers more swing and in turn enhances maneuverability. Players can be flexible and move around on the court without feeling heaviness in their hands.
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9. Yonex Astrox Attack 9
The Yonex Astrox 9 Attack is an aggressive badminton racket suitable for players who enjoy strong smashes and quick play. It is part of the Yonex’s Astrox series which is created with Rotational Generator System technology that gives an even distribution of weight along the racket to improve control and faster recovery. This allows the player to play swift attacks without sacrificing stability. This badminton racket is one of the best for beginners who want to play an attacking game or are trying to adapt to making fast moves. The head-heavy weight balance of the racket adds smash power, and it is highly recommended for attackers. Moreover, its aero+box frame design minimizes air resistance, resulting in higher racket speed and response. So Whether you are an intermediate player or a beginner the Yonex Astrox 9 Attack is made to enhance your attacking game, enabling sharper smashes and improved control on the court. The price of this racket is nearly ₹1,700.
Shop Now: Yonex Astrox Attack 9
10. Yonex Nanoflare Speed 7
The Yonex Nanoflare Speed 7 is a fast and light badminton racket ideal for speed-oriented players. It provides control and agility during quick rallies. Yonex’s Nanoflare series rackets have been constructed with Yonex’s latest technology to provide accurate shots and reaction time while hitting powerful smashes. One of the best features of this racket is its Sonic Flare System which creates a solid frame to provide explosive speed and stability. It is, therefore, ideal for players who utilize fast drives, quick defense play, and speedy net shots. Its aerodynamics also lower air resistance, thus enabling smooth swings and quicker recovery of the racket. The Nanoflare Speed 7 racket also has an isometric head shape, which provides a larger sweet spot for improved shot consistency. It carries a weight of 77 grams and a string tension between 17-32 lbs. Its balanced design and flexible shaft make it perfect for beginners and intermediate players who are looking for a combination of control and power without too much stiffness. The price of this racket ranges between ₹1400-₹1900. So whether you’re looking to play singles or doubles, the Yonex Nanoflare Speed 7 is an ideal racket if you’re keen on increasing your speed and performance on the field.
Shop Now: Yonex Nanoflare Speed 7
As a beginner, it is necessary to understand the importance of choosing the right badminton racket. Various factors could lead to different choices, however, it should be suitable for you. A few points to look at when buying a badminton racket are as follows:-
- Weight of the racket.
- String tension of the racket.
- Style of playing, whether attacking or defensive.
- Grip of the racket.
- Flexibility and durability of the racket.
- Materials from which the racket is made.
- Balance the racket carries.
There are plenty of options available in the market today and it could be a challenge to pick the appropriate racket. However, it is important to put in the effort to choose the right badminton racket. Playing with the right racket can kickstart your game as a beginner. Moreover, using the right badminton racket can help elevate your game and take it to the next level. A badminton racket that helps you take control of the game and offers power while hitting the shuttle, could strengthen your style of playing as well. So get to the chase, choose the best suitable badminton racket for you, and start your badminton journey now.
