BADMINTON RACKET

Buying a Badminton Racket: Selection Guide 

With so many alternatives available on the market, it can be difficult to find the right badminton racket for you. STIGA offers a smaller range of rackets that have been carefully selected and developed for all skill levels. Nevertheless, some racket characteristics are more important than others when you’re thinking of buying a badminton racket. We hope this brief guide will help you make a choice. As a beginner, you may not have had time to think about the various qualities of a badminton racket, but when you find a racket that suits you and your playing style, you’ll enjoy the game even more.  
 
Read more about STIGA’s badminton rackets.  

Weight Distribution or Racket Balance 

The racket’s so-called balance, or weight distribution, influences the play characteristics and thus your choice of racket. Here, we usually talk about three types of balance: Head Heavy (high balance), Head Light (low balance), and Even (equal balance). 
 
High balance means that the balance point is located at a higher point on the racket. This suits a player who hits powerful shots. While somewhat heavier to use in low-angle, defensive play, this racket offers significant power in offensive play. The STIGA Aviox Pro is an example of a badminton racket with high balance.  
 
Low balance lends plenty of speed to your game, which is especially useful in low-angle, defensive play. Because the racket head is lighter, you must provide the power, but the low balance gives you control and quick returns. The STIGA Aviox Advance badminton racket features low balance.  
 
Rackets with even balance have weight distribution in the racket centre. This delivers both power and control. The even balance racket is thus ideal for many types of player. The STIGA Avios Progress badminton racket offers even balance. 

Flexibility in the Racket Shaft 

An important factor in selection of a badminton racket is the racket shaft’s degree of flexibility. A good rule of thumb is this: the more experienced the player, the stiffer the racket shaft should be. Many competition rackets are very stiff and thus very difficult to bend. For beginners or enthusiasts, it can be challenging to maintain the speed required to be able to take advantage of the racket’s flex. Therefore, if you’re just starting out or have a slower stroke, a flexible racket shaft is the best choice, so you get more power and distance in your shots without sacrificing control. 
 
A medium-stiff racket shaft is good for most players, but especially those who have a little more badminton experience and who use a faster stroke. The medium-stiff shaft offers a little more power in shots. 
 
The stiff racket shaft is great for advanced and competitive players who have developed a powerful stroke. This delivers more control and feel in play, but also requires good technique because the racket sweet spot is smaller. The extra-stiff racket shaft is designed for pro players who need exceptional control and can generate good power on their own. You won’t get the same power as with a more flexible shaft, but you will gain precision. 

Badminton Racket Weight 

Modern badminton rackets are much lighter than earlier models. Most rackets fall within a weight of 80 to 90 grams. For the enthusiast, a somewhat heavier racket may feel more stable, while the experienced player will usually want a lighter racket that’s easy to manoeuvre in rapid play. 

Grip Size 

The handle or grip size is another important factor in your choice of badminton racket. This can affect the racket’s balance and feel. The racket grip should fit your hand and feel comfortable enough for you to control it well without causing pain or cramping or making it difficult to keep a good grip on the racket. Check out our guide if you're unsure which size is right for you!

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.

At STIGA, you’ll find rackets for women, men, and juniors, in a variety of balance and flex types so you can find the ideal racket for your playing style and skill level. Good luck with your racket selection!