Top 5 badminton rackets for beginners

Have you just started playing badminton and would like to buy your own badminton racket? Here you can read what to look out for and which beginner badminton rackets we recommend from KW FLEX.

What do I need to be able to play badminton?

Often you can borrow a racket during the first lessons/training evenings at your new badminton club, with which you can try and experience the sport. Do you like it enough to buy all kinds of things for it? Of course, you do, because it is a wonderful, intense and fun racket sport! You can test your reflexes, speed and timing and of course try to improve through developing your technique.

Once you have experienced this, you will eventually have to buy your own equipment. Obviously, a badminton racket is essential, as is the right pair of badminton shoes. It is also very convenient and nice to buy comfortable sportswear and possibly a badminton bag to carry all your stuff.

What should you pay attention to when buying a beginner's badminton racket?

When buying a badminton racket, you should pay attention to a number of characteristics. The most important three are balance, flexibility and weight. These determine to a very large extent the properties of your new beginners badminton racket.

Balance of a badminton racket

We divide the balance of badminton rackets into 5 different categories:

• Extra head light
• Head light
• Balanced
• Head heavy
• Extra head heavy

With a head light badminton racket, the weight of the frame is mainly in the handle. This means that you are faster and more maneuverable, which is useful if you play a lot of short at the net. The head heavy rackets have weight in the top of the frame/blade and this offers more power while hitting the shuttle in the backfield. It also gives more control during long strokes. A balanced badminton racket is all-round and possesses the characteristics of both a head light and head heavy badminton racket.

You can read more explanation at the bottom of the page: Balance

Which balance point is best for beginners?

The balance of a racket refers to where the weight is located in the racket. We recommend starting with a racquet with an even balance. Why? As a beginner, you have not yet developed your playing style, and you do not yet know how much you will play in singles or doubles. So an even-balanced racquet is a safe choice to start with because it allows you to play both close to the net and at the back of the court.

As you get better, you may decide that you need a head heavy or grip heavy racquet. Or you may end up buying different types of racquets. But you will get a better sense of what you need if you start with a racquet that is balanced.

Above all, let us advise you when buying your first racket, because no one is the same and sometimes it is obvious to us that you don't need a balanced racket.

Flexibility of badminton racket

Another important feature is the flexibility of the handle.

We divide the flexibility of badminton rackets into 5 different categories:

• Extra stiff
• Stiff
• Medium flexible
• Flexible
• Extra flexible

In general, experienced and advanced players with a fast swing speed usually use a stiff badminton racket, because they can benefit from the snapping effect (fast bending/unbending) of the shaft. Thereby, you have a lot of control over your strokes, but mistakes strokes are also punished more severely. A flexible racket allows you to hit harder more easily, and these rackets punish strokes that are "wrong" less harshly.

You can read more about flexibility at the bottom of the page: Flexibility

Which flexibility is suitable for beginners?

Personally, we think beginner players should start with a flexible or medium flexible shaft. As a beginner, you probably hit slower and could use some extra help with the power in your strokes. A flexible shaft has these features, which will make it easier for you to learn the game.

What type of beginner badminton rackets do we recommend?

In short, we recommend a novice badminton player a badminton racket with an even balanced and medium flexible or flexible shaft. With this racket, you can learn this beautiful sport and further develop your technique+playing style. By training a lot and playing matches, you can take the next step in the future. Let us advise you (again) about which racket suits you best, so you can further improve your playing level.

How much does a beginner badminton racket cost?

The good news is that you certainly don't have to spend super much money for a decent beginner's badminton racket. You can buy a decent racket from €30 to €45. At KW FLEX you can choose from several renowned brands such as Yonex, Victor, Dunlop, Carlton and FZ Forza.

Choose from the beginners badminton rackets

1. Victor Rap Black/Red
   The power frame provides extra stability, precision and gives a solid feel for smashes, clears and drives. The Ultra High Modulus Graphite material creates some extra feel in your strokes, allowing you to hit the shuttle better.
   
2. FZ Forza Amaze 400
   The Forza Amaze 400 Badminton Racket is a high quality badminton racket with a relatively low weight frame with carbon nanotubes and a shaft made of high-modulus graphite. The racket is balanced and has a medium flexible shaft resulting in a faster feel.
   
3. Victor Wavetec Magan 5
   It is a relatively light racket, has an extra flexible shaft, extra head heavy balance and a larger sweetspot (hitting zone to hit the shuttle). Ideal for the beginning badminton player.
   
4. Carlton Powerblade Zero 200
   Features of this racquet are medium flexibility and equally balanced balance, which supports stability and all-round qualities well. The frame has an aerodynamic shape, which makes hitting speed and handling easier. The weight is about 84 grams, making badminton racket it better and faster to handle.
   
5. Yonex Astrox 77 Play
   The racket is suitable for the offensive badminton player who plays at a recreational or starting competition level. The flexible shaft and head heavy balance offers a lot of power in strokes. Maneuverability is ensured by the lighter blade, which offers extra power to the player.

A complete overview of all badminton rackets suitable for adult starting recreational players can be found in the separate category in our online badminton shop.

Advanced recreational badminton rackets

Have you outgrown the beginner level and/or do you want to invest directly in a badminton racket for the future? Then choose a racket from the selection of advanced recreational badminton rackets.