Badminton is a sport that needs precision, skill, and stamina – all good things combined. Most of the people enjoy the game flow and are usually not concerned about different aspects that actually affect your game. The first and most important factor that affects your game is the racket.When you start choosing a racket, then there might pop-up some questions – which one should I choose, the variety of rackets is enormous. I personally did lots of research on different models and companies that are producing them. Of course, Yonex was the first company that shines bright.
Here’s the list of badminton rackets that perfectly fits for intermediate players:
#1 Arcsaber 11
It is hard to describe this racket – it is just one of the best rackets ever produced in the badminton world. No matter if you are male or female, like to play singles or doubles – this is the weapon of choice for you to be excellent on the court. The overall experience with this racket is out of this world!This racket features everything you would ever want from a racket. You can be amazing in the netplay, and a few seconds later, you can smash hard from the backcourt.
Let us not forget that it is also a solid racket in the defense thanks to the great overall performance.You might think that this racket is not right because it is suitable for all situations, but Yonex has developed a racket that really suits all the needs. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest rackets produced by Yonex because no matter who you are, it will still suit you really well.
PROS
- All around performance.
- Fast shaft.
- Great for both doubles and singles.
- Easy to control.
CONS
- Might be a bit too stiff for top level defense.
#2 Astrox 77
Yonex Astrox 77 is an excellent and fast racket just for your needs. Using this racket, I can assure you that you will be the most attacking player on the court and will not have any problems smashing it hard into the floor. I would like to warn you – this racket is causing addiction to smash, it is up to you if you want it or not!The smash will never be the same because you will feel the difference right away.
It is easy to swing and control, and as I said earlier, this racket is a smashing machine looking forward to being exploited inside the court. Use it to the maximum potential, and you will enjoy winning the matches.We have talked pretty much about the details of how it will help you smash, but we can not keep mentioned the fact that it is absolutely amazing returning your opponent’s smashes. As a lightweight racket, it is easy to move it to the right position to recover from the worst-case scenario.
PROS
- Great to control.
- Powerful smashes from around the court.
- Very lightweight.
- Fantastic look and design.
CONS
- Not suitable for beginners.
#3 Voltric 7
Voltric 7 is a perfect racket when you are looking for a budget-friendly racket with great overall stats. You do not have to be afraid of loss in power, speed, or performance. For most of you, it might fall under a budget-friendly price tag without worrying about the quality compromisation. This racket features a great price combined with solid technology and high-quality. It weights 80-84g and is more suitable for attacking players.
Of course, it can be used by all players, because some players enjoy playing with a stiffer racket, even if they find themselves as defensive players.To achieve the lightweight Yonex has produced a thin frame, it also helps with responsiveness during your play at the net, for example. The thin frame also lets you swing much faster compared to some other models – so a massive smash will be guaranteed if you hit the shuttle correctly.
PROS
- Again, incredibly lightweight.
- Budget friendly.
- Overall great performance.
- Easy to generate fast swings.
CONS
- Not suitable for advanced players.
#4 Voltric 5
This racket is one of a kind for players who like to smash hard. It has a weight of 85-89g – which means that when you have a strong hand, then the smash will be out of this world. Be aware that this racket might not suit you when you are used to lightweight rackets.Similar to Yonex Voltric 7, it has a really reasonable price without any drawbacks in the quality or features. It offers excellent value for the money – compared to high-end models, it does not have such a big difference in the overall experience, but it comes at a much lower price.
Most of the attacking players will enjoy the head-heavy balance and semi-stiff flexibility. If you like to smash at every occasion possible, then this is a must-try racket for you.
PROS
- Low pricing.
- Great for attacking players.
- Premium build quality.
- Easy control over shots.
CONS
- You might feel little heaviness during long rallies.
#5 Duora 7
This racket is introduced in the year 2016. After the release, it has been a favorite for many players all around the world. At the time of release, Duora 77 had many advanced technologies that are used till this very day. Some of the players have used it for many years and are still going.So why is it so special that everyone likes it? First of all, it is weighing at 88 grams that might seem a bit heavy, but thanks to the even balance frame, you can barely notice the difference. You should never judge a racket just by the weight given – there are also other factors.
Another characteristic that attracts this racket is all-round performance. No matter if you are more of an attacking or defensive player, this racket will suit for both of the styles. Usually, rackets with neutral balance are suitable for players who are more into singles matches. This racket helps you to survive long rallies without giving you the chance to fail. It is a safe choice for backcourt attacks, and it also has incredible control in the net area.
PROS
- You can defend effortlessly.
- Huge potential in netplay.
- Great for smashes.
CONS
- Not gained enough popularity like other high-end Yonex rackets.
#6 Duora Z Strike
When you are looking for a high-end racket, then Duora Z strike is the racket to buy. It is one of the greatest rackets ever made by Yonex and was also used by World Champion Viktor Axelsen. Sometimes the fact that professional players are using it does not mean anything – but this time, it does not apply.This racket is mainly used by players who like to play precise shots all over the court. Thanks to the stiff shaft and head-heavy balance, it gives you excellent control over the shuttle, and when needed, you can smash really hard.
We all know how hard Viktor smashes!Be aware that this racket might seem odd at first glance because it has a slightly smaller head. Don’t worry, it does not affect your gameplay. I have played with this racket many times and would highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about his badminton career.
PROS
- Abnormally accurate.
- Excellent for single players.
- You can be deadly on court with powerful smashes.
- Unique balance point.
CONS
- Might be a high price for many players.
#7 Duora 10
This racket is the weaker brother of the Duora Z strike. When Z strike is meant for players who enjoy smashing hard, then Duora 10 is a racket of choice for people who like to play more doubles. This racket is lightweight but still can deliver a strong smash from the back of the court thanks to its frame.Most of the players like the racket because it has a great balance between power, speed, and “touch.”
Under touch, we mean the union you create with the racket while playing. As you might have noticed, some rackets suit you better than the others – in this section Duora 10 is impressive.Thanks to the box frame, this racket is terrific in the front area of the court. Additionally, you will also be able to smash from the back of the court with consistent power. In the end, everything comes down to you and how well you are timing your shots. This racket has been Yonex’s top-selling racket for many years now.
PROS
- Easy to handle.
- Suitable for both singles and doubles players.
- Amazing control in every shot.
- Lightweight frame.
CONS
- Might not suit players who are thinking only about attacking.
#8 Astrox 88D
When Duora 10 is an overall great racket to play around the court, and you are looking for something more aggressive, then do not look further. Astrox 88 Dominate is the best solution for you. Its head- heavy balance helps you to generate power that has never been achieved by Yonex rackets before.Mostly this racket is meant to be super strong from the back of the court, but it will also not disappoint you in the front of the court.
It has incredible control over the shuttle and will even work great in defensive situations. At the end of the day, it comes down to the player to take maximum value from the racket.This racket is mainly used in doubles matches because that is the place where it belongs – you can smash hard many times from the back of the court. Most likely, you do not have many chances to smash because the power you are generating is enough to win the point with just a few ones.
PROS
- Amazing feel of power.
- Lightweight in nature.
- Massive swing speed.
- Premium look and design.
CONS
- Might not be suitable for beginners – a bit harder to control.
Few Things An Average Player Need To Consider Before Buying A Racquet
Many different aspects affect decision making.I would try to list the top 3 most essential things to consider before choosing your dream racket.
Shaft Flexibility
First, whether you are a beginner or intermediate player, you should pay attention to the flexibility of the shaft. The more flex the racket has, the more forgiving it will be on your technique. Stiff rackets tend to be harder to play with as they require more swing speed and power in your arms. Stiffer frames are commonly used by advanced players.
Balance
The balance of the racket is the next critical factor. When you are an offensive player, you should aim for a head-heavy racket, and when you enjoy playing more defensive, then a racket with good flex is the right choice for you. Keep in mind that most of the doubles players are using flexible rackets for better reaction time.
String Tension
We can not look past string tension, because it is one of the most important things when considering racket control. The more tension you have, the smaller the “sweet spot” you will have to hit the racket. When your strings have low tension, then it has more hitting area, recommended mostly for a beginner due to there high chances of mis-hitting shots during rallies.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In the end, I would like to say that this is just my opinion, and you just have to try different rackets to get the right one for yourself. I have tested many rackets and listed the best possible ones to save your time and energy experimenting. Some of the rackets might be great, but you might not like the design or the other way around.