By Justin Ma, 7x US Junior National Badminton Champion.
Last updated June 15, 2021
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5 min read
Once you get into the intermediate territory of badminton, you’ll start to get a feel for your strengths and weaknesses on the court.
The beauty of this stage is that it’s a great time to invest in a racket that boosts your performance — and selecting the right one can help you become a better player than ever.
Below, we’ll cover some key factors to consider as you browse badminton rackets, as well as four of the top picks for intermediate players looking to ramp-up their game.
The flexibility of your racket is something beginners often overlook. But once you’ve got a feel for your strong and weak points, the right flexibility can give you the edge you’re looking for.
If you’re an intermediate player, you’ll likely fall somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. With that being said, your best bet here is to choose a racket that can provide a good balance of power and accuracy.
The balance point is another crucial element to consider when you’re browsing badminton rackets for intermediate players.
Your racket grip should be large enough so that your fingers don’t touch the palm of your hand. Beyond that, the size of your grip depends on the moves you like to play.
For example, if you like to unexpectedly change the direction of a shot to throw your opponent off, you should use a smaller grip that fits your hand size.
On the flip side, if your game involves more powerful, offensive shots, a larger grip can help you hang onto the racket securely.
While manufacturers don’t have a standard grip size label, grips normally come in 3-inch, 3.25-inch, 3.5-inch, 3.75-inch, and 4-inch sizes.
You can string many rackets to your desired tension, so string tension may not necessarily be part of your purchase decision. But it is part of graduating yourself to the next level in your game.
The repulsion of the shuttle off of your racket is decreased with higher string tension, but it makes your shots more accurate. As your power increases from beginner to intermediate, so should your string tension.
For intermediate players, your string tension should be between 24 and 27 pounds per square inch. However, try not to go above your personal limit because it can cause injuries to your elbow and arm.
This is a top-notch racket if you’re an intermediate player who likes to hit powerful smash shots and maneuver quickly on the court.
The Nanomesh and graphite shaft is highly flexible, and the counter-balanced head boosts the swing speed and control. The weight is distributed into the top of the head frame, the grip end, and the joint.
This racket’s total weight is 83 grams, with grip sizes available in 83mm and 89mm.
The Yonex Voltric 7 is designed to increase the power of your shots while preserving accuracy thanks to its head-heavy weight. The racket weighs 83 grams and comes with an 89mm grip.
Yonex places tungsten weights in the joint at the two o’clock and ten o’clock positions in the head. This helps to maximize your power shots without losing too much control and speed.
On top of that, highly flexible frame transfers more force to the shuttle because it flexes with the impact.
A bonus is that this racket is actually designed to give you a more aggressive sound on impact to intimidate your opponent!
The Yonex Arcsaber 11 is a spectacular choice if you’re someone who plays with precision shots. The frame has extra elasticity to hold the shuttle on the string bed for a longer period of time, giving you extra control for your shot placement.
This racket weighs 88 grams and comes with an 83mm or 89mm grip.
The Li-Ning Windstorm 78 SL III is a lightweight racket at 78 grams, with a head-heavy balance and 3.25-inch grip for ultimate control.
While this racket gives a little extra power to smash shots, the low air resistance aerodynamics keep it maneuverable for high-speed swings and fast-paced game play.
The badminton rackets covered in this post are superb for most intermediate players. But at the end of the day, rackets are a personal choice that vary from player to player.
Ultimately, you’ll have to determine the right product for your personal strengths and weaknesses.
It might be a good idea for you to visit a local retailer so you can pick up and swing each racket that catches your eye. You can also check the grip fit for your hand to see which one has the right feel for you.
Once you find the racket you like, you can fine-tune it by changing the grip size to balance the weight differently. You can also change the string bed tension to something that suits the strength or accuracy you need for your shots.
So, choose your next racket wisely to give your next opponent a run for their money!
