By Justin Ma, 7x US Junior National Badminton Champion.
Last updated January 31, 2024
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4 min read
Yonex is arguably the king of all badminton racket brands. But if you’ve been browsing their options lately, you might’ve noticed that many of their most famous rackets seem to be geared toward the pros.
But what if you’re an intermediate player? The good news is that Yonex makes countless rackets for different skill levels — even if they’re not as well-known as some of the others out there.
To help you while you shop, we’ve put together an updated 2024 list of the best Yonex badminton rackets for intermediate players below. Read on to learn about their features, who they’re best for, and where you can find them.
Here are the best Yonex badminton rackets for intermediate players in 2024:
The Arcsaber 11 is a timeless Yonex racket for a few reasons — it’s high-quality, balanced, fast, and powerful. And not only is the Play version of this racket a perfect all-arounder, but its lower price point makes it an easy investment for players in the intermediate stage of their badminton journey.
Its features include:
Players of all levels have complimented the incredible value of this model, which you can often find at just around $70. But if you’re in the market for a higher-end racket, the Arcsaber 11 line has Tour and Pro models, too.
Check the price of the Arcsaber 11 Play at Joy Badminton
Prefer to play doubles when you hit your local badminton club? If you’re a fan of doubles offense, the Astrox 88 D Tour is the perfect option for you. The Astrox 88 D (Dominate) line was released in 2020, along with its counterpart the Astrox 88 S (Skill).
The 88 D Tour’s specs include:
The Astrox 88 D line also comes in the Play, Game, and Pro versions, which all have slightly different price points and specs. (If you need some help comparing the options, CK Yew wrote an excellent in-depth review of them here.)
The Tour version is fast, powerful, and easy to maneuver — and while it can be a bit pricier for an intermediate player, it can be well worth the money if you’re looking for a racket to boost your doubles power.
Check the price of the Astrox 88 D Tour on Amazon
Launched in late 2023, the Nanoflare 800 Game is a fantastic option for intermediate players looking for a blend of speedy handling and power.
Like the other series covered here, Yonex also offers this racket in Play, Tour, and Pro models — but the Game version strikes a perfect balance between price and quality.
Its specs include:
This racket is a beast when it comes to quick drives and mid-power smashes, and players say it feels very solid despite being head-light. Overall, it’s a great choice if you’re an intermediate player who’s been searching for a lightning-fast racket.
Check the price of the Yonex Nanoflare 800 on Amazon
Released in early 2023, the Astrox Nextage is built for ultimate comfort, power, and hitting feel. Its balanced yet hard-hitting performance is thanks to its materials and head-heavy build. This racket has features like:
For typically being $100-$150, this newer racket packs so many valuable features in its mid-range price. It comes with Rotational Generator technology, an isometric head shape, and Yonex’s Super Slim Shaft to ensure it slices through the air with as much speed as possible.
All in all, offensive players say this racket feels excellent to swing, and its design makes it a powerful option for any intermediate player wanting to dominate the court.
Check the price of the Yonex Astrox Nextage on Amazon
Looking for more help gearing up? Check out the Badminton Justin blog today for roundups and reviews on everything from rackets to strings and more.
