How to choose badminton racket

The grip size of a badminton racket affects how it feels in your hand and the balance of the racket.  

A correct grip will allow you to play longer and more effectively, while reducing the risk of injury and improving your control over the game. The badminton racket should fit your hand and feel comfortable so that you can control it effectively, without cramping your hand.  

You can determine if the grip fits your hand by gripping the racket and checking the distance between your fingers. When you hold the racket, there should be room for one finger between your thumb and the other fingers. If your fingers overlap, you have too small a grip. The gap should also not be too large, otherwise you risk dropping the racket.   

If you are choosing between two sizes, consider taking the smaller grip. You can always add an extra overgrip to increase the size if needed. It's best to try out the different grip sizes to see which one fits your grip and feels best.   

Grip sizes are given in millimeters (mm) and are available in the following sizes:  

• G5- 83 mm. Small grip. Suitable for children and teenagers.   

• G4- 86 mm. Medium grip. Suitable for teenagers and adult players with a smaller grip.   

• G3- 89 mm. Large grip. Suitable for players with a normal-sized grip.    

• G2- 92 mm Extra large grip. Suitable for players with a large grip.    

• G1- 95 mm. Very large grip. Suitable for players who use our largest grip.  

Weight  

The weight and balance of a badminton racket is crucial for feel and performance. Most badminton rackets are somewhere between 80-90 grams. A good rule to follow is that the faster the game, the lighter the racket needs to be.  

Lightweight rackets are easier to swing, making them ideal for quick movements and reactions. During long playing sessions, they are also less stressful on the arm and wrist. However, they generate less power in the blows because they do not have the same weight behind them. This requires the player to generate more power with their swing.  

Heavy badminton rackets generate more power in the strokes and provide better stability. A heavier racket absorbs power from the opponent's strokes and provides a steady feel in powerful strokes, giving the player better control. A heavier racket, on the other hand, is more difficult to swing quickly and can be more strenuous on the arm and wrist.  

• Lightweight rackets: Good for fast movements, require more effort.  

• Heavy rackets: Generate power and stability, more difficult to swing quickly.  

Balance  

The balance of the racket affects the playing characteristics. There are three types of balance, which describe where the balance point in the racket is located.  

Head Heavy is high balance, and has the balance point high up in the blade. Therefore, it suits players who hit hard, such as smashes and long-distance shots. STIGA Aviox Pro is an example of a high balance badminton racket.    

Even is called an even balance and has the weight distribution in the center, which brings both power and control. This gives the player flexibility to adapt to different game moments.  

Head Light is a low balance and means that the weight is concentrated towards the handle, making the blade feel lighter. The low balance allows you to add speed to the game. Because the blade is light, you need to add power yourself, but the low balance provides control and allows you to hit the ball back quickly. The STIGA Aviox Advance badminton racket has a low balance.   

Keep in mind that the weight of the badminton racket's head increases slightly when you string it, causing the balance point to increase. The same applies when you wind the handle, the weight against the handle increases and the balance point is reduced.  

• Head Heavy: Balance point high up, powerful strokes.  

• Even: Even weight distribution, power and control.  

• Head Light: Weight towards the handle, faster play and control.  

The stiffness of a badminton racket refers to the flexibility of the shaft- and affects how much the racket bends during impact. It is an important characteristic that affects both feel and performance on the court.   

A rigid shaft bends very little, while a flexible shaft bends more. This affects how much energy is stored in the shaft during a swing and how this energy is released at impact.  

A rigid shaft transfers energy directly to the ball without much loss. This means that the player gets an immediate and powerful response at impact. It offers more control and precision because it doesn't bend much, meaning the head of the racket follows the player's movements precisely. This can be especially useful in precise placements and faster game moments.  

A flexible shaft stores more energy as it bends and releases this energy at impact. This can add extra power to the stroke even if the swing speed is lower. However, the flexibility can provide less control because the bending can create a slight delay between the player's movement and the response of the racket.   

A flexible shaft is often advantageous for players with slower swings, while rigid shafts require faster swings. Many competition models are very stiff and are thus difficult to bend.   

• Rigid shaft: Bends a little, control and precision, good for fast play.  

• Flexible shaft: Bends more, extra power for slower swings.  

String tension indicates how tightly the strings are stretched across the racquet frame and affects both power and control. String tension is normally measured in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg). String tensions usually range between 8-12 kg.  

A lower string tension means that the string bed will be looser. The hit surface will then be larger, resulting in more forgiving hits. A lower string tension means that the strings absorb the force from the shuttlecock, giving more power but also less control.   

A higher string tension means that the string bed is harder and provides more control and precision for clean hits. The hitting surface, on the other hand, becomes smaller with higher tension, and does not generate the same force as a lower string tension.   

String tension can also be affected by factors such as temperature and humidity. High temperatures can make strings more flexible, while low temperatures can make them stiffer and more prone to breakage. Therefore, remember to adjust the string tension according to the playing environment.  

The higher the tension of the racket, the faster the strings are likely to break. In addition, if the tension is too high, the risk of breaking the frame, for example in a collision between rackets, also increases. When choosing string tension, there is a trade-off between achieving the desired playing feel and preserving the durability of the racket.   

• Lower tension: Looser string bed, larger hitting surface, more power but less control.  

• Higher tension: Harder stringbed, smaller hitting surface, more control but less power.  

The material of the racket affects its durability and performance.   

Carbon fiber and graphite are both light, strong and flexible materials. This gives rackets made of these materials a high durability and good feel. Carbon fiber rackets are also lightweight and can be adjusted to different flex levels to suit different playing styles. The materials are commonly used in high-quality rackets, and are therefore usually a little higher in price. All badminton rackets in the Aviox series are made of carbon fiber. Max Svensson, ranked fourth best player in Sweden, comments on the quality of the series in a press release from STIGA:  

“I think the three Aviox models are exactly the quality you would expect from a world-class sports brand.”  

Aluminum is a relatively lightweight and strong material, commonly used in beginner rackets. However, rackets made of this material are not as durable and less flexible than carbon fiber rackets, for example. Many rackets made of this material cannot be restrung either.  

Steel rackets are durable, long-lasting and cheap. However, they are the heaviest of the materials, and are therefore not very comfortable to play with. There are also badminton rackets made of combined materials. 

Beginner  

As a beginner, it's important to choose a racket that's easy to handle, and that will help you develop basic techniques without overexerting yourself. A lighter racket with a lower balance (Head Light) is easier to maneuver. It also reduces the risk of arm fatigue.  

 A lower string tension with sweet spot is beneficial when you are new, it reduces the risk of mis-hits and helps to keep the shuttlecock in play for longer. In this way, you get the opportunity to practice your technique.  

As a beginner, it can be difficult to maintain the speed required to utilize a stiffer flex in the shaft. If you haven't played much badminton or have a slower stroke, a flexible shaft is best. This will give you more power and length in your shots without losing control.    

If you don't already know your grip size, it's a good idea to test it, a good grip contributes to a good playing experience.  

• Lighter racket with lower balance.  

• Lower string tension.  

• Flexible shaft.  

• Test grip size before purchase.  

Experienced players  

A rule of thumb is that the more experienced badminton player you are, the more stiffness the shaft should have.  

A medium stiff shaft will suit the vast majority of players, but especially those who are a slightly more experienced badminton player and have a fast stroke. The medium stiff shaft gives you a little extra power in your shots.    

The stiff shaft is suitable for those who are used to the game, compete and have good hitting strength. It gives you more control and feel for the game, but also requires you to already have a good technique as the sweetspot will be smaller. Extra stiff shafts suit elite players who want a lot of control, and who can generate a lot of power on their own. You won't get the same power as with a more flexible shaft, but you will get significantly more precision.  

As an experienced player, you've usually developed a playing style and technique, which means that the characteristics of the racket need to match your specific needs. Read on to find out how to choose the right racket for your playing style.  

• Stiffer shafts for more experience.  

• Medium shaft: Provides extra power, for players with faster strokes.  

• Stiff shaft: Provides control and precision, requires good technique and is ideal for intermediate and competitive players.  

• Choose your racket according to your playing style.

Offensive playing style:  

If you prefer to play offensively with powerful smashes, a racket with high balance, head heavy, is ideal. The weight in the head of the racket helps to generate more power, which is ideal for strong, offensive shots. The STIGA Aviox Pro is an example of a high balance badminton racket. A slightly heavier racket can contribute to more power in smashes, but it should still be manageable so as not to slow down the swing speed.   

Offensive and skilled players can also benefit from a stiffer shaft, which provides more control and precision on powerful shots.  

• High balance racket for power.  

• Slightly heavier racket for power.  

• Stiff shaft for control and precision.  

Defensive style of play:   

For players who prioritize speed and control in their defensive game, a racket with lower balance (head light) is more suitable. The lower balance makes the racket easier to maneuver quickly, helping you to react quickly and place the ball with precision. The STIGA Aviox Advance has a low balance. A lighter racket is often preferable for defensive players as it allows for faster movements.  

A more flexible shaft can provide extra power even at lower swing speeds, which is useful in defensive games where quick reactions and the ability to generate power with less effort are crucial.  

• Lower balance for speed and control.  

• Lighter racket for faster movements.  

• Flexible shaft for quick reactions.  

All-round playing style:  

If you switch between offensive and defensive play and need a good balance between power and control, a medium-weight racket with even balance is a good choice. These rackets give you the flexibility to adapt to different game moments, without compromising on power or speed. A medium-stiff shaft also offers a good balance between power and control.  

• Medium balance and weight for power or speed.  

• Medium stiff shaft for power and control.