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Top 5 Best Head-Heavy Badminton Rackets

justin ma 7x badminton champion

By Justin Ma, 7x US Junior National Badminton Champion.

Last updated October 7, 2022

5 min read

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Are you struggling to find the best head-heavy badminton racket?

With the right head-heavy badminton racket, you can:

  • Hit powerful smashes that make your opponent’s jaw drop in awe.
  • Hit precision shots that will make you feel in absolute control on the court.
  • Hit clears that will make the shuttle travel further – and make your opponent stare bewildered, wondering where your power came from.

The problem? With so many rackets out there, it can be challenging to pick just one. That’s why I, a professional badminton player for 8 years (and 7x Badminton Champion), put together a list to make your search easier.

As a quick overview:

# Model Overview Pricing
1 Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ Powerful head-heavy racket with extra-stiff shaft, solid play feel, and maximum power. $269.99 USD
2 Yonex Voltric Z-Force II Used by legend Lee Chong Wei, this racket offers impressive power with a stiff shaft for great precision. $159.95 USD
3 Yonex Astrox 99 Game A forgiving choice for beginners and intermediates with a medium flexible shaft. $130 USD
4 Li-Ning 3D Calibar X Boost A budget-friendly head-heavy racket with a flexible shaft for added repulsion power. $106.54 USD
5 Yonex Voltric Lite 25i Lightweight full graphite racket with built-in T-joint, control cap, and aero frame. Super budget-friendly. $44.99 USD

Read on to discover the five best head-heavy badminton rackets in 2024.

What To Look For In A Head-Heavy Badminton Racket

What To Look For In A Head-Heavy Badminton Racket

Even if you know you prefer a head-heavy racket, it’s still important to keep an eye on other features while you browse. During your search, don’t forget to look into each racket’s:

  • Flexibility: Stiff rackets are ideal for shot precision, while more flexible options can boost repulsion power.
  • Weight: Light rackets are fast and easy to wield. On the other hand, heavier rackets pack more power in exchange for slower movement.
  • String tension: Every racket will come with guidelines about its minimum and maximum string tension. If you prefer tighter strings for precision and control, just be sure that your future racket can handle it.

5 Best Head-Heavy Badminton Rackets in 2024

Here are the best head-heavy badminton rackets to power up your game in 2024.

Yonex Astro 100 ZZ

1. Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ – Best-Head Heavy Badminton Racket

The Astrox 100 ZZ is one of Yonex’s newest and most powerful head-heavy badminton rackets.

Released in 2020 as an addition to the Astrox line, the 100 ZZ offers an extra-stiff shaft, a solid play feel, and maximum power on the court.

It’s available in both 4U and 3U variations, so you can pick the weight that suits your playstyle best.

And because it’s such a popular head-heavy racket, it also comes with other interesting features — such as a solid core, new dimensional graphite material, and a hyper-slim shaft for rapid speed.

It’s important to mention as well, that the Yonex Astrox 100ZZ is not overly head-heavy, but slightly head-heavy. Which happens to be a very good balance.

Pricing: $269.99 USD

Buy Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ on Amazon

Yonex Voltric Z-Force II

2. Yonex Voltric Z-Force II

Once used by badminton legend Lee Chong Wei, the Voltric Z-Force II is geared toward advanced players with refined skills.

Its head-heavy balance helps to generate impressive power, while its stiff shaft makes for great precision.

In addition, it comes with an aerodynamic frame and Yonex’s Tri-Voltage System to power up your speed and control.

One drawback of the Z-Force II is that it may not be ideal for newer players. Because it’s so power-focused, you’ll need a solid technique and plenty of arm strength to make the most of its features.

Pricing: $159.95 USD

Buy Voltric Z-Force II on Amazon

Yonex ASTROX 99 Game

3. Yonex Astrox 99 Game

The Astrox 99 Game is another spectacular head-heavy racket from Yonex.

In contrast to the rackets we’ve covered so far, this one offers a medium flexible shaft — making it a much more forgiving choice for beginners and intermediate players.

As for the specs? This racket comes with a built-in T-joint, isometric head shape, and Yonex’s Rotational Generator System for maximum power.

Pricing: $130 USD

Buy Astrox 99 Game on Amazon

Li-Ning 3D Calibar X Boost

4. Li-Ning 3D Calibar X Boost

If you’re in need of an affordable head-heavy racket, the Li-Ning Calibar X Boost is one top option to consider.

It comes with a flexible shaft, which adds a burst of repulsion power to each shot. On top of that, its high-tech geometric design allows you to slice through the air with incredible swing speed.

Overall, the Calibar X Boost’s specs and price point make it a great “all-arounder” power racket for players of any skill level.

Pricing: $106.54 USD

Buy Li-Ning 3D Calibar X Boost on Amazon

Yonex Voltric Lite 25i

5. Yonex Voltric Lite 25i

If you’ve been searching for a head-heavy yet lightweight badminton racket, look no further than the Voltric Lite 25i.

Released in 2021, this full graphite racket weighs only 78 grams. This means it’s light and easy to handle, all while being equipped with some of Yonex’s best technology. Its design includes a built-in T-joint, control cap, and aero frame for maximum speed.

All in all, its price point and weight make it perfect for players just starting their head-heavy racket journey.

Pricing: $44.99 USD

Buy Yonex Voltric Lite 25i on Amazon

The Takeaway About Head-Heavy Badminton Racquets

While you browse for your future badminton racket, don’t forget to take your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences into account. After all, the right head-heavy racket shouldn’t just offer you excellent power. When its specs suit your playstyle, it should also be able to boost your:

  • Maneuverability
  • Speed
  • Precision

Frequently Answered Questions About Head Heavy Badminton Rackets

Frequently Answered Questions About The Best Head Heavy Badminton Rackets

There might be many questions you have in regards to finding the best head-heavy racket for your unique situation. While I’ve tried my best to fit the information in the above blog post, here are some answers to additional questions you might have top of mind:

What is a head-heavy badminton racquet?

As the name head-heavy already mentions, the racket head (top) is heavy in relation to the rest of the racket.

This head-heavy distribution helps to generate power in smashes and clears.

Head-heavy rackets are favored by players who play an aggressive style of badminton, as they provide even faster and more dominating power shots.

However, they may be less maneuverable and require more effort to handle, particularly in quick defensive situations.

Which series of Yonex is head-heavy?

The Yonex Astrox series is well-known for its head-heavy badminton rackets.

This series includes various models designed to deliver powerful smashes.

The best head-heavy badminton rackets from Yonex in the Astrox series are, in my opinion, the Yonex Astrox 99 Game and the Yonex Astrox 100ZZ.

Is a heavier badminton racket better?

If we talk about the overall weight of the racket, and not just the racket head, the answer is that it depends. Heavier rackets are great for power players (smashes and clears), but they can be more challenging to maneuver and may be tiring.

On the other hand, lighter rackets offer greater speed and control, which can benefit defensive players and those who favor quick reactions and fast rallies.

Ultimately, the best racket weight is a personal choice that aligns with a player’s skill level and playing style.

Is Yonex Astrox 88D head heavy?

Yes, the Yonex Astrox 88D is a head-heavy racket.

It is designed to provide maximum power and is a good choice for players who prefer aggressive gameplay.

The “D” in 88D stands for “Dominate,” indicating its suitability for dominating play at the back of the court with powerful smashes and deep clears.

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