Like in every racket sport, there are some differences between singles and doubles not only in rules but also in the nature of the game. More rallies and fast drive exchanges force the shuttlecock to fly from one side to another side in a fraction of time. A racket that is good for singles may not be effective for doubles. So the proper selection of the racket has a deep impact on the performance in a doubles game. In this article, I am reviewing the best badminton rackets for doubles that will certainly lift up your game for the best outcome.
Best Badminton Racket for Doubles: Top Picks
Yonex Nanoflare 700/ Best Badminton Racket for Doubles
Specifications
Weight | (75 – 79.9 grams) 5U |
Frame Material | HM Graphite + M40X + Super High Modulus Graphite |
Shaft Material | HM Graphite |
Balance | Head Light |
Flexibility | Medium |
String Tension | 19 – 27 lbs |
Shaft Diameter | 6.9 mm |
Grip | G5 (3.00”) |
Country of Origin | Japan |
Playing Level | Intermediate and Advanced |
Key Features
- Sonic Flare System
- Super Slim Shaft
- Torayca M40X Carbon Fiber
- Aero Frame
- New Grommet Pattern
- Control Support Cap
- Solid Feel Core
Yonex Nanoflare 700, a head-light badminton racket, is designed with the help of innovative technologies to boost with increased speed and shuttle acceleration. It has a very slim shaft and the thin frame construction in the top and middle parts that give you the benefit of a very fast swing of the racket through the air.
The new aero frame is built with the concept of Yonex’s Sonic Flare system where two high-grade elastic graphite materials, M40X and Super High Modulus graphite are used to bring speed and stability. The racket flexes during impact and immediately retains stability after impact which forces the shuttlecock to travel further in little time.
Yonex Nanoflare 700 tops the list of the best badminton rackets for doubles for intermediate and advanced players who want to enjoy a lightweight racket to maneuver their opponents with quick and efficient hitting, high repulsive power, and increased shuttle acceleration.
Pros
- Lightweight and very easy to maneuver
- Excellent control and high accuracy
- Ideal for clear and drop shots
Cons
- Highly-priced
YONEX Arcsaber 11/ 2nd Best Badminton Racket for Doubles
Specifications
Weight | (85 – 92 grams) 3U |
Frame Material | H.M. Graphite + Neo CS Carbon Nanotube + Sonic Metal |
Shaft Material | H.M. Graphite + Ultra PEF |
Balance | Even Balanced |
Flexibility | Stiff |
String Tension | 19 – 24 lbs |
Shaft Diameter | 7.2 mm |
Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
Country of Origin | Japan |
Playing Level | Intermediate and Advanced |
Key Features
- Neo CS Carbon Nanotube
- Sonic Metal
- Ultra PEF
- T-Anchor
- Aero + Box Frame
- New Built-in T-joint
- Control Support Cap
- New Grommet Pattern
Yonex Arcsabar 11 is an even balanced stiff racket that has a high level of accuracy for lightning-fast rallies. The frame of this control-oriented racket is made with innovative Neo CS Carbon Nanotube and CS Carbon Nanotube that gives the flexibility to hold the shuttlecock on the string bed for precise placement.
Also, the added new Sonic Metal in the frame increases the repulsive power of the racket for a quickfire return. To reduce the excess torque, the racket uses the composite T-Anchor material in the T-joint for a better feeling and higher control.
The Arcsaber 11, from Yonex, is the 2nd best choice among the best badminton rackets for doubles that can turn your opponent’s smashes into your attack.
Pros
- Excellent control
- Great for drop shots and fast drives
- Good for smashes
- Ideal for both singles and doubles play
Cons
- High price
Yonex Astrox 88S Play
Specifications
Weight | 80 – 84.9 grams (4U) |
Frame Material | H.M. Graphite |
Shaft Material | H.M. Graphite |
Balance | Slightly Head Heavy |
Flexibility | Stiff |
String Tension | 20 – 28 lbs |
Shaft Diameter | 7.2 mm |
Grip | G5 |
Country of Origin | China |
Playing Level | Intermediate and Advanced |
Key Features
- NAMD technology for added force on impact with the shuttle
- Rotational generator system for a steeper, sharper attack
- Aero + Box frame for reduced air resistance and stability
- Energy boost cap for maximizing shaft performance
- New grommet pattern for better string performance
Yonex Astrox 88S Play, designed for front-court players in doubles has a nice balance between power and control with a 5 mm longer stiff shaft. The Astrox 88S has the new E.B. Cap that flexes at the bottom of the T-joint to hold the shuttle for a longer duration for a good command over your shots.
The Rotational Generator System of the Astrox series rackets gives more penetration in your attack by sharper and steeper smashes.
This racket is for skillful players who love to play in the net area. By utilizing fast racket swing and power, this quality racket gives you the opportunity to quickly finish up the point by playing better shots at the net area.
Pros
- Fast racket swing
- Good blend of power and control
- Great for doubles
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not for beginners
Yonex Astrox 88D Play
Specifications
Weight | 80 – 84.9 grams (4U) |
Frame Material | H.M. Graphite |
Shaft Material | H.M. Graphite |
Balance | Head Heavy |
Flexibility | Medium |
String Tension | 20 – 28 lbs |
Shaft Diameter | |
Grip | G5 |
Country of Origin | China |
Playing Level | Intermediate and Advanced |
Key Features
- NAMD technology
- Rotational generator system
- Aero + Box frame
- Energy boost cap
- New grommet pattern
While the Astrox 88S Play gives you the extra skills to play in the front-court area, its twin brother Astrox 88D Play boosts your power play from the backcourt area.
The Rotational Generator System helps for powerful sharp smashes whereas the upper frame flex point and 10 mm longer shaft give the extra punch while delivering your shots.
Yonex Astrox 88D Play is an excellent racket to play from the backcourt with powerful smashes and heavy clears. The Astrox 88D Play/ 88S Play is the best pair for a doubles badminton racket under 5000 for you and your partner.
Pros
- Powerful smash
- Good for clear and drop shots
- Great for doubles from the back-court
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not for beginners
YONEX Nanoray 7
Specifications
Weight | (80 – 84.9 grams) 4U |
Frame Material | H.M. Graphite |
Shaft Material | H.M. Graphite + Nanomesh + Carbon Nanotube |
Balance | Head Light |
Flexibility | Medium |
String Tension | ≤ 24 lbs |
Shaft Diameter | 7.2 mm |
Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
Country of Origin | China |
Playing Level | Beginner/ Intermediate |
Key Features
- Nanomesh + Carbon Nanotube
- Aero Frame
- Isometric head
- Built-in T-joint
- Control support cap
Yonex Nanoray 7, a lightweight racket, has an Aero shape frame that is easy to swing through the air. The inclusion of the “Nanomesh + Carbon Nanotube” material in the shaft increases the repulsive power and toughness significantly.
With very useful configurations, this beginner-friendly, head-light racket has all qualities to be considered as one of the best badminton rackets for doubles under 3000.
Pros
- Fast racket swing
- Sharp maneuverability
- Good control
- Great for doubles
Cons
- Not suitable for offensive play
YONEX Arcsaber Light 10i
Specifications
Weight | (75 – 79.9 grams) 5U |
Frame Material | H.M. Graphite |
Shaft Material | H.M. Graphite |
Balance | Head Light |
Flexibility | Medium |
String Tension | 20 – 30 lbs |
Shaft Diameter | 7.3 mm |
Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
Country of Origin | China |
Playing Level | Beginner and Intermediate |
Key Features
- Yonex Nanomesh and Carbon Nanotube for head-light balance
- High tension support
- Aero + Box frame
- Isometric frame
- Built-in T-joint
Yonex Arcsaber Light 10i uses the benefit of Nanomeh and Carbon Nanotube not only in the frame but also in the shaft for a head-light configuration. The Aero head shape reduces air resistance while the Box head shape gives stability to this lightweight racket.
This is a good all-round racket for entry-level players with control-oriented powers and an excellent option for doubles with fast racket handling, high accuracy, precise placement, and high repulsive power.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Good control and accuracy
- Good for drive and drop shots
- Quick response against attack
Cons
- Not suitable for offensive play
YONEX Nanoflare Lite 33i S
Specifications
Weight | (75 – 79.9 grams) 5U |
Frame Material | H.M. Graphite |
Shaft Material | H.M. Graphite |
Balance | Head Heavy |
Flexibility | Hi-Flex |
String Tension | 20 – 30 lbs |
Shaft Diameter | 7.0 mm |
Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
Country of Origin | Taiwan |
Playing Level | Beginner and Intermediate |
Key Features
- Sonic Flare System
- Slim Shaft
- High Tension Support
- Aero Frame
- Control Support Cap
The Nanoflare rackets are known for head-light configuration, but this Yonex Nanoflare Lite 33i S is an exception with a head-heavy balance. This lightweight racket is made with strong hi-modulus graphite combined with Nanomaterial to give the necessary strength to support string tension up to 30 lbs. The 10 mm longer, 7 mm slim shaft puts more energy into the shuttle during impact.
For fast racket swing, the frame has an aerodynamic shape to cut the resistance of air easily. Also, the implementation of the Solic Flare System in the frame gives the flexibility to maximize the shuttle speed.
This is a very good racket for beginners, intermediates, and club-level players that offers a fast racket swing for quick return, easy maneuverability for close netplay, and head-heavy balance for powerful shots.
Pros
- Lightweight and strong
- Good control and easy to maneuver
- Good for smash
- Quick drive shot, and counter-attack
- Value for money
Cons
- Not for professionals
Yonex Nanoray Light 18i
Specifications
Weight | (75 – 79.9) grams 5U |
Frame Material | H.M. Graphite |
Shaft Material | H.M. Graphite |
Balance | Head Light |
Flexibility | Medium |
String Tension | 20 – 30 lbs |
Shaft Diameter | 7.15 mm |
Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
Country of Origin | China |
Playing Level | Beginner / Intermediate |
Key Features
- Nanometric Technology
- Isometric Head
- High tension support
- Control Support Cap
- Built-in T-joint
Yonex Nanoray 18i, a head-light badminton racket, uses Nanometric technology both for the frame and shaft to increase the repulsive power of the racket. It is a lightweight racket that is made with high-modulus graphite to increase its strength and durability so that it can sustain high string tension up to 30 lbs.
Though the smash power is not extreme, this racket is excellent for quick rallies where fast racket movement is necessary. This popular racket is very good for fast drives, net drops, or any precise placement where fast handling is necessary.
At a very reasonable price, the Yonex Nanoray Light 18i offers lots of quality features for being considered as the best badminton racket for doubles under 2000 for beginners and intermediate players.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- High repulsive power
- Excellent for drives
- Good for drop shot
- Good control
- Less chance of shoulder/ elbow injury
- Value for money
Cons
- Not suitable for smashers
Yonex Arcsaber 71 Light
Specifications
Weight | 75-79.9 grams (5U) |
Frame Material | Carbon Graphite |
Shaft Material | Carbon Graphite |
Balance | Head Light |
Flexibility | Medium |
String Tension | 30 lbs |
Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
Country of Origin | China |
Playing Level | Beginner/ Intermediate |
Yonex Arcsaber 71 Light, an ultralight racket returns the frame to its original shape quickly after hitting the shuttlecock. It is a head-light racket that is advantageous for playing doubles. The construction of the racket is beginner-friendly.
Key Features
- Better transfer of energy with nano air spring frame for a more powerful hit
- The aero box frame minimizes the air resistance to accelerate the head speed for more power in shots.
- It is a head-light and lightweight racket which makes it easier to maneuver.
- The square-shaped isometric head enlarges the sweet spot in the string area of the racket.
- The high-tension racket is for more power and better control
Pros
- Maneuverability
- Fast racket speed
- Excellent control
- Affordable
- Great for doubles players
Cons
- Not so powerful
YONEX Nanoray Light 11i
Specifications
Weight | 75 – 79.9 grams (5U) |
Frame Material | Hi-Modulus Graphite |
Shaft Material | Hi-Modulus Graphite |
Flexibility | Flexible |
Balance | Head Heavy |
String Tension | 20 – 30 lbs |
Shaft Diameter | 7.15 mm |
Head Shape | Isometric |
Grip | G5 (3.0”) |
Country of Origin | China |
Playing Level | Beginner and Intermediate |
Key Features
- Nanomesh + Carbon Nanotube
- Isometric
- Aero + Box frame
- Built-in T-joint
- Control support cap
Yonex Nanoray 11i is very similar to the Nanoray 18i in terms of characteristics except for the balance of the Nanoray 11i is head-heavy which is really exceptional for a Nonoray series racket.
It is a quality all-round racket for beginners and intermediate players at a reasonable price that not only gives you the benefit for quick exchanges of shots in fast-paced rallies but also the head-heavy feature helps you to generate decent power in your drives, clears, and smashes.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Good for all-round play
- Good control
Cons
- Not suitable for professionals
Best Badminton Racket for Doubles: Factors to Consider
In doubles, the most crucial factor for considering a badminton racket is the racket speed. Badminton doubles is a very fast-paced game. You have less time to react than singles. So when selecting a racket for doubles, you should keep in mind the main consideration, i.e. the fast racket speed to coup up with the speedy rallies and fast, quick net exchanges.
Weight
The weight of a racket is segmented from 1U to F (For Yonex), where 1U represents the highest weight (95 – 99.9 grams), and F is for the lightest racket (70 – 74.9 grams).
Heavier rackets have the potential to generate more power but are not conducive to fast racket handling. In contradiction, Lighter rackets are easier to maneuver at the cost of power.
For doubles, a racket around the 5U (75 – 79.9 grams) category is ideal, especially for beginners and intermediate players.
Balance
The racket speed is greatly influenced by the balance of a racket. The head-heavy rackets have more mass towards the head which gives you the benefit of more power at the cost of speed. The head-light rackets are just the opposite in nature.
Head-light rackets are more suitable for the doubles game as these rackets are easier to swing through the air which in turn gives you the advantage of fast drive exchange, better control, and placement, and speed rallies.
Price
Badminton rackets are available in a wide price range. But there is no certainty that costly rackets will give you the best results. Think about your needs, budget, and playing level, and then choose the best quality racket considering all these factors.
Related Topic: “Top 7 Best Badminton Rackets for Smash“
Last update on 2023-05-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API