In the game of badminton, the right selection of racket plays an important role in bringing out the best performance in a match. Costly rackets don’t always bring the best results. Rather, in many situations, they actually worsen the performance due to wrong selection. The selection of a racket is even more important for beginners as they don’t have the right technique to handle an advanced racket. It is very important that they start their journey in badminton with the help of proper equipment and then upgrade afterward as they jump into the next playing level. So to make your selection procedure easier, I am depicting the 8 best badminton rackets for beginners in India that are not only the most suitable for the development of skills at the early stages but also give the best results in terms of price-performance ratio.
Best Badminton Racket for Beginners: Comparison Chart
Best Badminton Racket for Beginners: Reviews
| Name | Brand | Rank |
| Nanoray Light 18i | Yonex | 1 |
| Astrox 01 Ability | Yonex | 2 |
| Nanoray 7000i | Yonex | 3 |
| Voltric Lite | Yonex | 4 |
| Astrox Smash | Yonex | 5 |
| ZR 100 Light | Yonex | 6 |
| Inferno 70 | Head | 7 |
| XP-80-IV | Li-Ning | 8 |
Yonex Nanoray Light 18i/ Best Badminton Racket for Beginners in India
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 |
| Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
The Nanoray Light 18i, one of Yonex’s most popular rackets has all the good features that are conducive for play at the beginners’ level. It is a very lightweight racket of the 5U category with a head-light configuration that is advantageous for beginners who are in the early stages of building arm power.
The use of nanometric technology both for the frame and shaft increases the repulsive power of the racket. The Nanoray Light 18i is very good for quick rallies, fast drives, and net drops. You can defend the smashes easily, you can swing the racket faster to react to your opponent’s shots, and the most important perspective from the beginner’s point of view is that you have good control over your shots. The Yonex’s trademark isometric head shape builds consistency in your game by gaining the use of more sweet spots. Moreover, you don’t have to pay much (priced at ₹1799 on Amazon) to get this high-value racket.
With many beneficial features, the Yonex Nanoray Light 18i is ranked 1st as the best badminton racket for beginners in India.
Pros
- Very Lightweight and easy to handle
- Excellent for quick rallies
- Great for drop shot
- Great control
- Less chance of shoulder/ elbow injury
- Great value for money
Cons
- Not too much smash power (Not required at beginner’s level)
Yonex Astrox 01 Ability
Specifications
| Weight | 80 – 84.9 grams (4U) |
| Frame Material | Graphite |
| Shaft Material | Graphite |
| Balance | Head Heavy |
| Flexibility | Hi-flex |
| String Tension | 20 – 28 lbs |
| Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
The Astrox 01 Ability, Yonex’s newly launched racket, has a full graphite body. It is a 4U category (Average 83 grams) badminton racket which is good for a beginner to handle. The head-heavy balance (305 mm) and the slim shaft improved by Nanomesh Neo technology make this racket good for easy powerful smashes. Also due to the unique Rotational Generator System, there is an effective weight distribution of the racket in the grip, the T-joint, and the upper frame. This innovative technology produces a better transmission of energy to the shuttlecock with good control at a steeper angle.
The Astrox 01 Ability, available at a reasonable price of ₹2299 on Amazon, is the 2nd best badminton racket for beginners in India to deliver hearty smashes with good control.
Pros
- Steep powerful smashes
- Good control
- Good for drop shots
- Easy to handle
Cons
- Suitable for advanced beginners
Yonex Nanoray 7000I
Specifications
| Weight | 90 gms – 95 gms (2U) |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Shaft Material | Graphite |
| Balance | Head Light |
| Flexibility | Medium |
| String Tension | 16 – 20 lbs |
| Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
Yonex Nanoray 7000I, a racket with a head-light configuration, has a combination of an aluminum frame and graphite shaft. The average weight of this badminton racquet is 93 grams. The head shape is Isometric which helps beginners to hit the shuttle over a larger sweet spot. The head-light balance and medium flexibility not only are good for beginners but also are suitable for doubles play. Also, the string tension is limited to 16 – 20 lbs which makes it easy for beginners to hit the shuttlecock with more power. With an affordable price of ₹1400 on Amazon India, the Nanoray 7000I is the 3rd best badminton racket for beginners in India.
Pros
- Easy to maneuver
- Good for drive shots
- Good for defense
- Good quality full racket cover
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Yonex Voltric Lite
Specifications
| Weight | 80 – 84.9 grams (4U) |
| Frame Material | Graphite + Tungsten |
| Shaft Material | Graphite |
| Balance | Head Heavy |
| Flexibility | Hi-flex |
| String Tension | 19 – 24 lbs |
| Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
Yonex Voltric Lite is a full-body graphite racket with an average weight of 83 grams. The racket has a combination of Aero + Box frame. The aerodynamic shape of the frame reduces the air resistance considerably, while the box frame technology gives the required stability to the racket. Also, the isometric shape of the frame is very advantageous, especially at the beginner’s level. But the main attraction of this racket is the innovative “Tri-Voltage System” which gives access to exceptional power while maintaining fast racket handling.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great for smash power
- Strong and durable
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Suitable for advanced beginners
Yonex Astrox Smash
Specifications
| Weight | 73 +/- 2 gms (F) |
| Frame Material | H.M. Graphite + Tungsten |
| Shaft Material | H.M. Graphite + Nanomesh Neo |
| Balance | Head Heavy |
| Flexibility | Medium |
| String Tension | 20 – 28 lbs |
| Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
Yonex Astrox Smash is an ultra-lightweight racket with a head-heavy configuration. The racket is built with Astrox’s innovative technologies to make it useful for more power, quick recovery, and easy transmission of energy from one shot to another shot. The concept of the new grommet pattern is beneficial for higher string life which can be achieved by the frictionless contact between the frame and strings. Also, the control support cap gives you the advantage of easy gripping with additional power in your smashes.
Pros
- Sharp powerful smashes
- Extremely lightweight
- Good Control
- Easy to maneuver
Cons
- Long clears need power from the backcourt
Yonex ZR 100 Light
Specifications
| Weight | 95 – 99.9 grams (U) |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Shaft Material | Steel |
| Balance | Head Heavy |
| Flexibility | Stiff |
| String Tension | 19 – 26 lbs |
| Grip | G3 (3.5”) |
The ZR 100 Light is the first Yonex racket that is made in India targeting beginners and recreational players. This budget-friendly badminton racket has an isometric head that is advantageous for beginners to hit the shuttlecock over an enlarged string bed. The low string tension is good for beginners to get more power and at the same time, the chances of string damage are greatly reduced from mishits. The shaft is made with steel to prevent twisting from mishandling. The use of an aluminum frame makes the racket relatively lighter which is an improvement from the previous ZR 100 model.
The reason behind the huge popularity of the ZR 100 Light is its lucrative price bracket. The racket is available at a very affordable price of only ₹499 on Amazon India. This is the racket with which most beginners in India start their journey in badminton.
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Isometric head
- Pocket-friendly
- Options for many colors
- Comes with a full racket cover
Cons
- Not a jointless racket
Head Inferno 70
Specifications
| Weight | 90 gms (2U) |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Shaft Material | H.M. Graphite |
| Balance | Head Light |
| Flexibility | Medium |
| String Tension | 19 – 24 lbs |
| Grip | G4 (3.25”) |
Head Inferno 70, a mid-weight badminton racquet, consists of a stable aluminum frame and a strong graphite shaft. The combination of head-light and medium flexibility of the Inferno 70 is good for beginners for easy execution of shots in their early stages. The isometric head is also beneficial for beginners to hit the shuttlecock with a square-shaped string bed with good control and a lower margin of error. Also, the string tension is kept at 19 – 24 lbs to show its beginner-friendly approach.
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Good for doubles
- Value for money
- Cones with a full racket cover
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Li-Ning XP-80-IV (Set of 2)
Specifications
| Weight | 90 – 95 grams (2U) |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Shaft Material | Aluminum Composite |
| Balance | Head Heavy |
| Flexibility | Flexible |
| String Tension | 18 – 20 lbs |
| Grip | S2 (3.25”) |
Li-Ning XP-80-IV, a midweight category badminton racket, is the product of duralumin technology. The racket has an aluminum alloy frame and an aluminum composite shaft. The racket has a limit of string tension of 20 lbs which is good for beginners. Also, the design of the frame increases the effective hitting area which helps beginners to hit the shuttle with more consistency. This beginner-friendly racket is available at a very reasonable price of ₹899 (set of 2) on Amazon India.
Pros
- Powerful
- Strong and durable
- Value for money
- Good quality racket cover
Cons
- The string quality is not that good
Best Badminton Racket for Beginners: Buying Guide
There are several factors that play vital roles in the selection of a badminton racket for beginners.
Weight
The weight of badminton racquets lies in the range of 70 grams to 100 grams.
Yonex Badminton Racket Weight Chart
| Group | Weight Range(Grams) |
| F | 70 – 74.9 |
| 5U | 75 – 79.9 |
| 4U | 80 – 84.9 |
| 3U | 85 – 89.9 |
| 2U | 90 – 94.9 |
| U | 95 – 99.9 |
Heavier rackets (U & 2U) can give more power but they demand more shoulder strength for fast racket handling.
Lighter rackets (≤ 85 grams) are easier to maneuver so it is easy to recover quickly from one shot to another. Beginners should opt for lighter rackets to stay out from shoulder and wrist injuries.
Balance
The “Balance Point” refers to the center of mass of the racket from where there is an equal weight distribution between the head and handle end. “Balance Point” can be three types, head heavy, head light, and even balance.
Head Heavy: It gives the indication that there is more mass towards the head end. Head-heavy rackets can generate more power but require more arm strength.
Head Light: For head-light rackets, there is more mass towards the handle compared to the head end. This type of racket is more maneuverable and is good for fast racket swings.
Even Balance: This category falls between the head-heavy and head-light rackets. Even balanced rackets are suitable for beginners for all-around play.
Flexibility
- Stiff rackets give more power to your shots and offer good control but demand refined techniques. Stiff rackets are suitable for experienced players.
- Flexible rackets are not meant for smash power but it is easy to get power and speed from these rackets. Because of slow arm speed, beginners should start with a flexible racket to get easy access to power.
String Tension
Rackets strung with higher tension are good for control but less effective for power. Beginners should start with the lower string tension of around 18 – 20 lbs to get more power from the racket.
Related Topic:
- “18 Best Badminton Rackets in India [2022] to Uplift Your Game“
- “5 Best Badminton Rackets for Intermediate Players in India, 2023“
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wonderful, you r doing well!!
Can you write a detailed article about the rackets for intermediate to advanced players for different styles of play
Thanks a lot for the compliment. Regarding rackets for intermediate to advanced players, I will try to give the best possible options within the shortest possible time. I recently have also published detailed reviews on the best badminton rackets where you may find answers to some of your queries.