Badminton racket weight advice

Buying a badminton racket is of course not that difficult, but choosing exactly the right one is much more difficult. Unless you know which specifications are completely suitable for your playing style. Still, you don't always know how the racket will react on the court, so even then advice is nice. Fortunately, we can help you with that!

To help you buy a badminton racket and to explain why certain factors influence your racket choice, we have written a series of blogs. Or currently in preparation. Here you will find a complete explanation of the weight from our KW FLEX badminton specialist! Always read this in combination with the Balanspoint blog!

How important are the following factors of a racket:

Badminton racket weight

Weight is just as important as the balance point, but it's much less discussed. Because otherwise it quickly becomes too complicated for an average badminton player. It counts for 15% when buying the badminton racket that suits your playing style and can result in a shuttle that lands half a meter further or shorter.

First, we give below a list of the available weight classes of the best known badminton brands:

7U = 65 – 69.9 grams (0.5%)

6U = 70 – 74.9 grams (4.5%)

5U = 75- 79.9 grams (6%)

4U = 80 – 84.9 grams (51%)

3U = 85 – 89.9 grams (36%)

2U = 90 – 94.9 grams (3%)

1U = 94.9 + grams

The percentages of the list are based on our range of approximately 200 advanced carbon / graphite rackets. As you can see, 4U and 3U badminton rackets are the most available. Major brands have come to the conclusion in the development process that these are the best weights for peak performance and are therefore the most made.

Rackets of approx. 100 grams are only available in the cheap price segment, suitable for sporadic use at the campsite. There are also training rackets on the market made of carbon that weigh between 110 – 150 grams.

What weight do I need?

To answer this question properly, we provide almost the same explanation as for the advantages and disadvantages of the balance point. Keep in mind that when choosing a badminton racket, you always pay attention to the balance point. It has the same weight and is always linked to the weight.

Advantages of heavy badminton rackets:

• it gives more power and offers the potential to hit the shuttle further
• it gives more control on a long stroke like the clear

Disadvantages heavy badminton rackets:

• it requires more muscle strength in the upper arm
• it slows down the stroke movement, so less useful for eg a smash catch.
• Less useful for trick shots, quick short strokes in doubles and backhand.

Advantages of light badminton rackets:

• Lots of speed at the net and useful for smash defense
• Often more power with short fast strokes
• Good to intercept the shuttle between a rally

Disadvantages of light badminton rackets:

• Limited maximum power from the back court

It is important to determine the weight of your own racket. Why?

You do not want a badminton racket to feel too heavy or too light compared to what you are used to. The racket will not feel nice, and you will not be able to play badminton well with it. A racket that is too heavy or too light is money wasted.

How do I determine the weight of my racket?

First, start by removing all the extra grips added and any lead tape. G4 = approx. 8.6 cm circumference, G5 = approx. 8.3 cm circumference. Every extra grip means extra weight.

Grips that have been removed can be reinserted afterwards. Are you not handy at this? Ask a friend or visit our badminton shop in Rijen.

Then you can place the racket on a precision or kitchen scale. Please note that strings weigh approx. 4.5 grams. Subtract this weight if you have also included this. You then have the frame weight.

Which badminton racket weight suits you best?

For children, we recommend lighter rackets such as 4U, 5U and 6U depending on the child's balance point and strength.

For ladies, we recommend 4U, 5U or 6U depending on her strength.

For adult men, we recommend 4U or 3U.

When you buy new badminton rackets, we recommend that you do not differ by more than 1U.

Exceptions are:

• If you want to build up strength, you take a racket of 2 weight classes extra.
• If you have played with a racket that is too heavy for years without good knowledge, then you take a racket of 2 or more weight classes less.

Badminton racket advice

When you buy badminton rackets online, make sure you are well-informed and get enough advice. Would you like to get additional information from our badminton expert? No problem at all! Our badminton specialist is always available for advice online, by phone/WhatsApp +31-616 501 686 or in our badminton store in Rijen! He will help you with the purchase of the right badminton rackets.