Top Ten Badminton Rackets for 2024
Check out our expert selections for the best value and performance rackets for the coming year.
Are you struggling to choose the best badminton racket? Our team of badminton experts have picked our Top 10 badminton rackets of 2024 to help you to find the most suitable badminton racket for your level and style of play.
Whether you're new to badminton or an experienced player, we can make it easy for you to find the perfect racket for your game!
1. Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ
As used by Viktor Axelsen
- Weight: 88g - 3U
- Balance: Head Heavy
- Flex: Stiff
The Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ is a great choice for the performance player. The Hyper Slim, Solid Shaft offers a solid hitting feel overhead to generate maximum power.
“This racket is the perfect choice for any player looking for explosive power from a premium racket!”
Reasons to buy: You're looking for a top of the range, high power racket.
Reasons not to buy: You're an intermediate player looking for a more forgiving frame, check out the Astrox 100 Tour.
2. Babolat X-Feel Origin
Incredible all-round feel!
- Weight: 85g
- Balance: Even
- Flex: Medium
This racket is the perfect choice for any players looking for a quick and manoeuvrable racket. At 85 grams this racket is lightweight with an even balance, with a slim-shaft design to help you cut through the air quicker. Also available in the range; X-Feel Fury, X-Feel Spark and X-Feel Rise. As used by pdhsports Badminton Expert Ryan Quek. Check our our full YouTube Review here.
“This racket feels lovely though the air, the even balance offers a great combination of power and manoeuvrability.”
Reasons to buy: You like to play an attacking game.
Reasons not to buy: You prefer to play a fast game, check out the Babolat Satelite Power.
3. Ashaway Viper XT 1500
Ideal racket for all-round playability!
- Weight: 84g
- Balance: Even
- Flex: Stiff
Are you looking for a racket for all round play? The Viper XT 1500 is the perfect choice with an even balance and stiff shaft this racket offers a great combination of power and control. This racket also comes pre strung in Ashaway's Zymax 69 Fire which maintains tension whilst still offering excellent feel.
“This racket is the perfect choice for the all round players! And at a such a great price this racket is one of our bestsellers!”
Reasons to buy: You're looking for an all round racket at a great price.
Reasons not to buy: You'd prefer a racket specifically designed for power or quick play.
4. Babolat Satelite Spire
Incredible all-round feel!
- Weight: 85g
- Balance: Even
- Flex: Medium
A great choice for the improving player. With a medium flex and head light balance this racket offers a great all-round feel.
“If you like to play a fast game, this would be a great racket to choose.”
Reasons to buy: You're an an improving player looking for a light weight racket which is easy to manoeuvre and get the correct technique
Reasons not to buy: You're a beginner looking for your first racket. Check out the Babolat Satelite Rise.
5. Ashaway Superlight 10 Hex
Incredible feel from a lightweight racket!
- Weight: 77g
- Balance: Head Heavy
- Flex: Medium
If looking for ultimate manoeuvrability and quick play this is the racket for you. Ashaway's Hex Frame technology offers better playability and improved hitting feel. Check out our full YouTube review here.
“I'm always amazed to hit with this racket. The amount of power it is able to generate from such a lightweight frame is awesome!”
Reasons to buy: You're looking for a super light racket for quick, attacking play.
Reasons not to buy: You're looking for a heavier weight racket for increased power.
6. Yonex Nanoflare 800 Pro
Straight into our Top 10 as a great control racket
- Weight: 83g
- Balance: Head Light
- Flex: Stiff
Yonex's latest release in the Nanoflare range. The Nanoflare 800 offers great levels of control for the advanced player. The Aero Frame design cuts through the air quicker for greater shot stability. The stiff flex shaft Is designed to help the advanced players generate power overhead. Check out the other models in this range: 800 Play, 800 Game and 800 Tour.
“I love the design of this racket and the head light balance makes for quick defensive play.”
Reasons to buy: You're looking for a quick and manoeuvrable, high performance racket which looks amazing!
Reasons not to buy: You're looking for a more budget-friendly racket. Check out the Yonex Nanoflare 270 Speed instead.
7. Ashaway Vex Striker 300
Perfect choice for getting started!
- Weight: 82g
- Balance: Head Heavy
- Flex: Stiff
If you're just starting to get into badminton, the Vex Striker 300 is the perfect choice. It is easy to use with a head heavy balance to help generate power overhead. This racket also comes pre strung in Ashaway's Zymax 69 Fire which maintains tension whilst still offering excellent feel (this would normally cost over £20 to add as a restring upgrade!)
“This racket is fun to use and simply brilliant value for money!”
Reasons to buy: You're getting into badminton and looking for a great value racket.
Reasons not to buy: You prefer a heavier racket yet which is just as easy to use. Check out the Ashaway Vex Striker 100.
8. Yonex Astrox 88D Pro
Used by many of the best players on the World Tour
- Weight: 83g - 4U,
- Balance: Head Heavy
- Flex: Stiff
If you like to dominate the rear of the court, the Yonex Astrox 88D Pro is the perfect choice. The 4U weight offers a great combination power and manoeuvrability.
“If you have previously used the popular Yonex Voltric Z-Force II and are looking for an upgrade, this racket would be the perfect choice!”
Reasons to buy: You're looking for a Tour level racket with the latest technology.
Reasons not to buy: You need a racket which is easy to use with a more flexible shaft. Try the Yonex Astrox 88D Game instead!
9. Karakal BZ Lite
A perfect choice for getting started!
- Weight: 70g
- Balance: Head Heavy
- Flex: Medium
By using the Fast Fibre Nano Gel construction, the Karakal BZ Lite has a great hitting feel with reduced vibrations. This racket offers great power from the rear of the court with a head heavy balance, whilst the super light frame weight offers incredible manoeuvrability.
“If you're an intermediate player looking for a high power racket, this racket would be a great choice!”
Reasons to buy: You're looking for an easy to use racket which help generate more power
Reasons not to buy: You're just starting out Badminton, check out the Karakal Black Zone 20.
10. Yonex Nanoflare 170 Light
Improve your control!
- Weight: 77g
- Balance: Head Light
- Flex: Flexible
The Yonex Nanoflare 170 Light is a great choice for the intermediate/club player looking for an easy to manoeuvre racket without losing power. The light frame weight makes this racket quick to move around the court and the flexible shaft helps you to generate fantastic power overhead.
“An intermediate club player favourite that offers great control without breaking the bank!”
Reasons to buy: You want a mid priced racket with a head light balance.
Reasons not to buy: You're prefer a heavy frame weight but still with a head light balance. Check out the Yonex Nanoflare 270 Speed.
Prices may vary from the time of publication.
Sophie is our pdhsports.com badminton expert and is happy to offer advice with any badminton questions. She is a Level 2 badminton coach, plays for Derbyshire County First team and is a Yonex-sponsored coach using the Yonex Arcsaber 7 Pro.