Badminton racket buying guide

1. Purchase priority and product recommendations

Applicable scenarios

Mainland China / Decathlon / official flagship store version

A decision guide for in-store trials and online ordering

One sentence conclusion

• Zephyr: Prefer 5U or lighter, head light/balanced, soft or high bounce shaft, 21-22 lbs. The most stable candidate is YONEX NANOFLARE 001 FEEL; if you only buy it from Decathlon, try BR Lite Shine / BR Lite 560 first.
• Teddy: Priority 4U or 5U, balanced or light head weight, moderate shaft, 22-23 lbs. The most stable candidate is YONEX ARCSABER 11 PLAY; if you only buy it from Decathlon, try BR500 first.
• The goal is not to buy the most "professional" racket, but to buy one you will still want to use after the first week. Zephyr should not buy anything tiring; Teddy should not buy anything overly stiff.

Quick use

• Start with Part 1 of “Final Buying Priorities” and take the list into the store.

• Each product has the same parameter table: recommended object, type, weight, balance, mid-range, string tension, channel, price, offline visibility probability, and risk.

• When you go to the store for a test swing, don't be misled by "boys use heavy rackets, girls use pink rackets, and experts use high tension"; judge according to the parameters and body feedback of this guide.

• The reference price is not the real-time transaction price. The online platform activity price, free line, default string tension, and whether the racket is unstrung will make the price vary a lot. In the end, the official flagship store and store tag on the day of purchase shall prevail.

Common red line

• Don’t do 3U for the first racket; unless Teddy is sure that he is not tired after the live trial.
• Don’t have a hard club + head weight + high tension at the same time; this combination is very unfriendly to novices.
• Don't default to 26/28 lbs; Zephyr 21-22, Teddy 22-23 will suffice.
• Don't buy short racquets for children; confirm the standard length for adults is around 675mm.
• Do not buy YONEX/VICTOR/LI-NING from unofficial, ridiculously low prices, no anti-counterfeiting/no after-sales channels.

Purchase priority list

| 11 | LI-NING WindStorm WS72 / WS79 | Zephyr ultra-light candidate | Ultra-light, good-looking and easy to use are advantages; but ultra-light will also bring stability and "floating" problems. | ¥250-500 Li Ning Flagship/JD.com/Tmall/Arena Store | | 12 | Decathlon BR590 Lightweight Series 7U | Zephyr Field Test Item | The ultra-light full carbon direction that can be seen on Decathlon channels; suitable for testing, but blind buying is not recommended. | ¥299-499 Decathlon store/APP/JD flagship | | 13 | KAWASAKI Kawasaki Attack Sword Z500 4U / 5U | Low-budget two-person set | Low price, many 4U/5U choices, rich appearance and sets; suitable for one person when the budget is low. | ¥100-250 JD/Tmall/Sports Goods Store | | 14 | LI-NING Li-Ning Wind Blade 500 / Wind Blade 600B 4U | Teddy Advanced Test racket | The speed/offensive attributes are stronger, the upper limit is good, but it is more challenging for novices than ARC11 PLAY. | ¥350-650 Li Ning Flagship/JD.com/Tmall/Arena Store | | 15 | Decathlon BR Lite 900 / BR990PRO Luoxing 990 PRO | Decathlon high-budget trial play | Decathlon high-end/lightweight line, it is an advantage to be able to test it offline; but the first racket does not need to be led by "PRO". | ¥499-999+ Decathlon store/APP/JD flagship |

Bottom line parameters for Teddy and Zephyr

Product-by-product purchasing guidance

01. YONEX NANOFLARE 001 FEEL 5UG5

How to ask offline

Direct question: Is there "Yonex NANOFLARE 001 FEEL, 5U/G5"? Can you pull 21 or 22 pounds? Please make sure it is FEEL, not Ability, Clear, or the heavier 4U model.

How to try offline

Have the Zephyr perform small flat draws for 20 seconds, followed by 10 backhand picks. Appropriate feedback is: the head of the racket does not drag the hands, the backhand does not require effort, and the wrist does not get sore when swinging continuously. Comparing it with a 4U balanced racket, she will quickly feel that this one is lighter.

My review

The value of this team is not in the violence of killing the ball, but in the "willingness to continue playing." For Zephyr, buying the first racket is the most tiring thing; 001 FEEL just avoids this pitfall. When the budget allows, it is more stable than blind buying of ultralight brands.

02. YONEX ARCSABER 11 PLAY 4UG5

How to ask offline

Q: Is there "Bow and Arrow 11 PLAY, 4U/G5"? I want the PLAY version, not the TOUR/PRO. Can it be stringed at 22 or 23 pounds? Is there any official anti-counterfeiting/authorized channel certificate?

How to try offline

Teddy performs 10 overhead swings, 10 flat shadow moves, and 3 simulated full swings on lobs. The appropriate feeling is that the head of the racket is clear but does not fall into the hand, the direction of the flat stroke is not slow, and the wrist is not supported by the hard pole.

My review

This is the answer to "practice basic skills without delaying advancement". It doesn’t have extreme selling points, but this is exactly the advantage of novices: it doesn’t require you to have mature skills, and it won’t turn into a toy quickly.

03. Decathlon Perfly / Kuikma BR Lite Shine / BR Lite 560

How to ask offline

Ask the Decathlon store clerk: Is there any BR Lite Shine or BR Lite 560 for adults? How many grams and U does this actually weigh, and is it 675mm in length for adults? How many pounds is the default threading? Can I switch to 21-22 pounds?

How to try offline

Have Zephyr swing the BR Lite and BR500 for 30 seconds each. She should choose the one she "would rather play for an hour straight." The point is not how cool the air swing is, but how easy the wrist is when picking the ball from the backhand position and turning flat.

My review

The advantage of Decathlon is worry-free: you can touch it, you can return it, and you can ask questions on the spot. The actual value of the BR Lite series to Zephyr is higher than many online shopping models with beautiful parameters but no way to try them out.

04. Decathlon Perfly / Kuikma BR500 adult mid-level carbon control racket

How to ask offline

Q: Is this the adult version of the BR500? Is it all carbon or carbon-aluminum composite? How much weight can be threaded? How many pounds are worn now? Are there any lighter adult models of the same series for girls to try?

How to try offline

Teddy first tried 10 complete overhead swings to feel whether the racket head was stable; then he tried a flat swing to determine whether the steering was dragging. If you try the Zephyr, switch to the BR Lite whenever your wrist feels tired after 20 seconds of continuous swinging.

My review

The BR500 is one of those "not amazing but reliable" cameras. Teddy has no problem buying it; Zephyr should not be seduced by "mid-level" and "carbon". If it sinks, it will sink.

05. VICTOR Victory TK-HMRL Small Hammer 5U / 6U

How to ask offline

Question: Is there any small hammer TK-HMRL, 5U/G5? Not the Hammer TK-HMR, nor the Hammer PRO. Can you put me in a 22 or 23 pounder? Is there any 6U for girls to try?

How to try offline

Teddy: When you try to swing the racket overhead, you need to feel whether the racket head can "bring a little force"; if the flat swing is obviously slow, it means that the head-heavy feeling is not suitable for you at the moment. If you try Zephyr in 6U, make sure it doesn't float too far out of the backcourt.

My review

It is a light offensive entry with good value for money. Teddy If you don't want to buy a mediocre racket like the ARC11 PLAY and want a little feedback on the ball, a small hammer is much safer than blindly using a high-level sky axe.

06. LI-NING Li Ning Thunder Cannon 5U / 4U

How to ask offline

Question: Is there a Thunder Cannon 5U? I can try 4U, but I won’t necessarily buy it. How many pounds is the default line? Can it be changed to 22-23 pounds? Is there an official flagship/anti-counterfeiting product?

How to try offline

Teddy will try 5U first, then 4U; if 4U kills better but starts dragging your hands with continuous swings, buy 5U. Zephyr Just compare the 5U and lighter head dabs and choose the one that doesn't tire your hands.

My review

Its strength is reality: cheap, easy to buy, and sufficient. The disadvantage is that the model/page is confusing, and the default string tension is often too high, so you have to take the initiative to ask clearly about the specifications and threading.

07. LI-NING Li Ning Thunder Cannon PRO 5U / 4U

How to ask offline

Question: Is there a Thunder Cannon PRO 5U? Can I try the 4U but I might end up buying the 5U. Can I wear 22/23 pounds? If I shoot from the air, how much does it cost for stringing and hand glue?

How to try offline

Do 20 consecutive flat-pull shadow blocking movements. If you pat your head and slow down your wrist after the 15th time, it means you shouldn’t buy 4U now. If 5U can take into account both downward pressure and steering, it will be a suitable version.

My review

It's the "I'm ready to take it seriously, but don't want to be punished by a professional hard racket just yet" option. Teddy could be seriously considered; Zephyr is a low priority.

08. YONEX ASTROX 10 / AX10 4UG5

How to ask offline

Question: Is there Skyaxe AX10, 4U/G5? Don't give me an AX88, AX99 or 100ZZ. How many pounds is the default line? Can it be worn in 22-23 pounds?

How to try offline

Compare the AX10 and ARC11 PLAY to each other. The AX10 should make it feel like it takes less effort to hit the backcourt and press down, but it shouldn't make the flat draw noticeably slower. If you feel like your head is being "tugged" away, go back to ARC11 PLAY.

My review

It works for Teddy only if you want a sense of offense. If you want to practice your movements more stably, ARC11 PLAY is still more stable.

09. YONEX NANOFLARE 700 PLAY 4UG5

How to ask offline

Question: Is there any Flash 700 PLAY, 4U/G5? Is this PLAY not GAME/TOUR/PRO? Can I wear 21-22 pounds? Is there any 001 FEEL to compare to?

How to try offline

Zephyr tried both the 001 FEEL and the NF700 PLAY. Only if she clearly feels that the 700 PLAY is more stable, smoother, more willing to take it, and does not think it is expensive, then it is worth increasing the budget.

My review

It's a good racket, but not necessarily the most rational first racket. The core goal of Zephyr is to easily build interest, not to just buy a more advanced PLAY.

10. VICTOR Victory AURASPEED 3200 / Speed 3200 4UG5

How to ask offline

Q: Is there any Victory Speed 3200, 4U/G5? Are there any small hammers in the same price range that I can compare to? Can I wear 22/23 pounds?

How to try offline

Focus on trying flat draws and backhand returns. If both of them feel that the steering is fast and the bat face is easy to find, it is suitable; if Teddy feels that lofty rackets cannot be hit through, go back to ARC11 PLAY or AX10.

My review

The significance of ARS3200 is speed and effort saving, not backcourt violence. If the follow-up mainly focuses on doubles entertainment, it makes sense.

11. LI-NING Li Ning WindStorm WS72 / WS79

How to ask offline

Q: Is there a WS72 or WS79? Is it 5U or 6U? How many pounds is the default line? Can it be changed to 21-22 pounds? How to deal with ultra-light pats and warranty?

How to try offline

When trying out Zephyr, don't just swing it in the air, but also simulate a high and far ball: if it's light, but the backcourt feels like it's empty and the ball feels floating, don't buy it. She should compare it to the NF001 FEEL/BR Lite.

My review

The WS series is suitable for Zephyrs who are "definitely afraid of tiredness and like lightness". Its risks are also clear: too light and you sacrifice stability. Try before you buy, don’t make a blind order.

12. Decathlon BR590 Lightweight Series 7U

How to ask offline

Question: Is BR590 an adult video? How many U? Is it 7U? How many pounds is the default threading? Can it be adjusted down to 21-22 pounds? If you feel it’s floaty after trying it out, is there any comparison between BR Lite or BR500?

How to try offline

Zephyr used the BR590 to do 10 flat draws, 10 backhand picks, and 10 lob moves. As long as you feel like "it's very light to swing but the racket is unstable", don't buy it just for the sake of lightness.

My review

This one is suitable for live experience with extremely light tapping boundaries. The reason for buying it must be "light and stable", not just "light".

13. KAWASAKI Kawasaki attack sword Z500 4U / 5U

How to ask offline

Question: Does the Z500 Z500 have the 5U used by Zephyr and the 4U/5U used by Teddy? How many pounds is the line? Can I choose 22-23 pounds? Is it an official store/self-operated? How to deal with after-sales?

How to try offline

First check whether the racket frame is symmetrical, whether the racket shaft is straight, and whether there are burrs on the string guard; then swing empty. There is no need to pursue metaphysical feel when playing cheaply. The most important thing is that there are no obvious quality problems.

My review

It's realistic and cheap, but not ideal. If you can afford the NF001 + ARC11 PLAY on your budget, don’t sacrifice the experience just to save 200 yuan.

14. LI-NING Li Ning Wind Blade 500 / Wind Blade 600B 4U

How to ask offline

Q: Is there a 4U version of the WindBlade 500 or 600B? How stiff is the mid-pole? Is there a softer 600B suitable for beginners? Can I only wear 22-23 pounds?

How to try offline

Teddy wants to focus on trying high and long rackets to take advantage of his strength. If you swing it with speed but the ball doesn’t go far and your hand shakes, don’t buy it. You now need a racket that can hit stable high and long rackets, rather than a parameter upper limit.

My review

This type of playing is suitable for your subsequent advancement and is not suitable as the first choice for "I don't know what I am suitable for". It can appear in the test list, but is not the default answer in the shopping cart.

15. Decathlon BR Lite 900 / BR990PRO 鏏星 990 PRO

How to ask offline

Question: Which model is this BR990PRO specifically? What's the weight, balance point, mid-shaft stiffness, recommended string tension? Is there any BR500/BR Lite for me to compare? Can I return it if it doesn't fit?

How to try offline

Don’t just try one high-priced racket. Be sure to compare with BR500 and BR Lite Shine. Only buy it if you clearly feel it is more stable, smoother, less labor-intensive, and the price is acceptable.

My review

It’s not that you can’t buy high-end Decathlon rackets, but if you’re a novice buying an racket for the first time, you shouldn’t pay just because of “PRO”. The focus of buying is ease and continued interest, not labels.

10-minute trial play process in offline stores

1. Let Zephyr try it first. She is more likely to be dissuaded by wrong parameters. Try 5U/headlight first, then 4U/balanced. All she had to say was that her wrists were tired, her head was dragging when she patted her head, and her backhand was difficult, and that one would be put back.

2. Teddy tries again Teddy compares ARC11 PLAY / BR500 / Small Hammer / AX10. The goal is to have a smooth action on high and long balls, not to be slow in flat strokes, and to be most violent when swinging in the air.

3. Only perform three sets of movements for each racket: a 20-second flat block swing, 10 backhand pick-up movements, and 10 complete overhead swings. Don't just do the ball-killing action in the store, it will mislead you into buying.

4. Record physical feedback on site and use four words to judge: light or not, stable or not, borrowing or not, and tired or not. The parameters are only responsible for screening, and the final decision is made by body feedback.

5. Finally confirm the stringing. If you can choose a string for your new shoot, choose a durable string, Zephyr 21-22 pounds, Teddy 22-23 pounds. The worn finished product can be used first if it is 24 pounds, but no higher.

Online Purchase and Inspection Checklist

☐ Only buy from official flagship stores, JD.com self-operated/official flagship stores, Tmall official flagship stores, and brand-authorized badminton stores. The risk of fake YONEX/VICTOR/LI-NING is more worthy of vigilance than that of Decathlon.

☐ Before placing an order, confirm: complete model name, weight specification (4U/5U/6U), grip (G5/G6), whether it is empty, whether it has been threaded, default line weight, and whether the string tension can be noted.

☐ After receiving, check: whether the racket frame is symmetrical, whether the racket shaft is straight, whether the string protection pipe is complete, whether there are cracks in the racket frame, whether the plastic sealing and anti-counterfeiting of the handle are normal, and whether the string bed is obviously deformed.

☐ If you buy a finished racket and feel that your hands are shaking, the ball cannot hit far, and your wrists are tired in the first week, the problem is often not that you are too good, but that the string tension is too high or the racket is too hard/heavy.

☐ Newbies should prefer durable strings: YONEX BG65 / BG65Ti, Li Ning No. 7 string, Victory VBS-70 and other similar thick strings. Don’t chase the extremely thin string with your first racket.

Final recommended combination

Information source and price description

Product parameters are based on the brand's public page, public retail page and verifiable product information; mainland China store inventory, online activity prices, threading services, colors and versions may change at any time. The reference price is the shopping decision range, not the real-time commitment price.

2. Parameter tutorial and quick check card

Parameter quick check

One page conclusion

5 passwords to get to the store

Parameter overview

10-minute on-site trial play process

Red light signal

Three purchasing routes

How to choose the racket type

Detailed parameter card

1. Weight / U-value

Reference: Decathlon BR500/BR530/BR560; Yonex Astrox 01 Feel; Li Ning Storm/Small Steel Cannon; Victor TK-HMR, etc.

Priority: High: Decide first whether you can play it easily

2. Balance point / top-heavy and top-light

Reference: Astrox is more power-oriented, Nanoflare is more speed-oriented, Arcsaber is more balanced; DriveX is more comprehensive.

Priority: High: Decide whether to delay or not

3. Mid shaft hardness

Reference: Yonex Astrox 01 Feel labeled Hi-Flex; a flex or medium mid shaft common in lightweight training rackets.

Priority: High: Beginners should not try hard.

4. Whole beat length

Reference: Li-Ning Small Steel Cannon PRO, Kawasaki 1973 and other common adult rackets are about 675mm.

Priority: Medium: Just confirm the adult standard

5. Thickness of shaft

Reference: Victor 6.8 SHAFT, Yonex Slim Shaft, etc. are all auxiliary selling points, not the first decision.

Priority: Low: Don’t be carried away by 0.2mm marketing

6. Frame type

Reference: AERO+BOX, Power Box, Aerotec Beam, 3D Breakfree, etc. are all box languages.

Priority: Medium: Trade-off between stability and speed

7. Sweet Spot/Fault Tolerance in Face playing

Reference: Yonex ISOMETRIC is a typical large sweet spot design language.

Priority: Medium-High: Can it miss the mark without crashing?

8. Number of wire holes

Reference: Victor Seven Six/76 holes, etc. can be used as a reference, but not the first decision.

Priority: Low: Standard hole positions are enough

9. Swing weight

Reference: Attack rackets usually have a heavy swing weight; speed rackets usually have a low swing weight; balance rackets are somewhere in the middle.

Priority: High: More realistic than unstrung racket weight

10. Thread weight

Reference: Astrox 01 Feel is rated at 20-28 lbs; a common upper limit of 27-28 lbs for lightweight rackets.

Priority: High: Pin it first

11. String model

Reference: Yonex BG65 is hit-resistant; BG66UM bullet; Li Ning No. 1 deflection bullet, No. 5/7 are selected according to the hit resistance requirements.

Priority: Medium: Resistance to fighting first, then fever

12. Grip / G value / Hand glue

Reference: 4UG5/5UG5 is common in Yonex; G5/G6 is common in lightweight models from Li Ning and Victor.

Priority: Medium-High: Affects grip switching and relaxation

13. Material

Reference: Decathlon, Li-Ning, Yonex, Victor, and Kawasaki all have full carbon or carbon fiber models.

Priority: Medium: Full carbon if the budget is sufficient

14. Finished playing/empty playing/threading

Reference: Decathlon saves worry offline; professional stores are more suitable for setting the line, setting the weight, and adjusting the feel.

Priority: Medium: Same day playing or accurate adjustment

15. Workmanship / After-sales / Authenticity

Reference: Try to choose official flagship stores, authorized stores, local reliable badminton stores or comprehensive sports stores with clear after-sales services.

Priority: High: Don’t let cheapness turn into trouble

Brand and store reference

Finally take away

Brief notes on data sources

Yonex official product page and series page: Astrox / Nanoflare / Arcsaber series positioning and example specifications.

Decathlon and retail product pages: model directions for BR500, BR530, BR560 / BR Lite 560, etc. are visible offline.

Li Ning, VICTOR, Kawasaki and other official and retail materials: lightweight, offensive, balanced, pound-proof and material examples.

Specific inventory, prices, colors, and threading services are subject to the day you arrive at the store.