What Badminton Rackets Do the Pros Use? 4 Favorites in 2024

If you’ve reached the intermediate-to-advanced stage of your badminton journey, you might finally be ready to upgrade to a badminton racket with better power and control.

Of course, it’s normal to start with budget options as a beginner, especially since high-end rackets can be tricky to handle for some. But if you’ve substantially improved your game over the years, you might wonder which badminton rackets the pros use — and whether one of them could be right for you.

The advice in this blog post comes from first-hand experience, given that I am a badminton professional player since 8 years (and won 7x US National Championships).

As a quick overview:

Let’s dive right in:

Read on to discover four pro badminton rackets used by top players around the world, along with their specs and where to find them.

Beginner vs. Professional Badminton Rackets

Professional badminton players’ rackets are often different from what newer or medium-skilled players might use. For example, rackets geared toward pros tend to:

• Be more expensive (due to having the latest racket technology)
• Be stiffer
• Have a higher-quality blend of frame and shaft materials

Why are so many advanced rackets on the stiffer side? In short, high-flex is helpful for players needing an extra boost of power, but it can come at the cost of some precision.

In contrast, skilled players usually don’t need help generating power, and they’re able to get the most out of stiffer rackets. This doesn’t mean that every pro has an ultra-stiff racket — but players with a strong smash and solid technique might prefer the precision that comes with them.

What Badminton Rackets Do the Pros Use?

Here are four of the best pro badminton rackets used by top players in 2024:

1. Viktor Axelsen: Yonex 100 ZZ

Viktor Axelsen is one of the top men’s singles players in the world, known for his powerful attacking play style. He’s fast, accurate, and has a deadly smash — and right now, he’s using the Yonex 100 ZZ paired with BG 80 strings. 

A March 2020 release, Yonex describes this racket as perfect for players seeking power and “relentless attack.” It’s extra stiff, head heavy, and has a hyper-slim shaft to help it slice through the air with immense speed. 

All in all, it’s an ideal option for strong players looking to completely dominate the court. It’s also been used by Akane Yamaguchi, Li Shi Feng, Chen Qing Chen, and Takuro Hoki. 

Buy on Amazon

Price: $289.99 USD

2. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty: Yonex Duora Z-Strike

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are two Indian badminton players currently dominating in men’s doubles. They’re also the first team from India to reach BWF’s number-one spot in the category. And right now, they’re both armed with the Yonex Duora Z-Strike and BG 80 strings. 

This racket has been around since 2017, and since then, it’s become a favorite of many high-skill players with all types of play styles. 

In the Duora Z-Strike press release, Yonex states that this racket is built for better forehand and backhand shots. Plus, its Dual Optimum system helps boost the power and repulsion in both smashes and drives.

It’s an extra stiff, even-balanced, and speedy racket that won’t leave you lacking in power or control. And overall, its specs make it a top option for skilled singles or doubles players looking for a strong, balanced all-arounder.

Buy on Amazon

Price: $345 USD

3. An Se-young: Yonex Astrox 77 Pro

An Se-young is a South Korean badminton player who’s rapidly made a name for herself in women’s singles. Not only is she famous for her confident demeanor, but she’s also known for her near-perfect footwork and tactical attacks on the court.

She was also crowned as 2023’s Female Player of the Year by BWF — and the racket that she’s using to complement her game is the Astrox 77 Pro. 

Released in late 2022, this racket’s build is perfect for players who want strong smashes and smooth handling. It has a medium-stiff shaft, slightly head-heavy balance point, and specs that give it a 2.9% boost in smash power compared to the original Astrox 77.

This racket is a great option for intermediate-to-pro players, and it’s one of the best in terms of playability. It’s also used by pros Chen Yu Fei, Huang Ya Qiong, and Fajar Alfian.

Buy on Amazon 

Price: $224.97 USD

4. Zheng Si Wei: Arcsaber 11 Pro

Zheng Si Wei is a top mixed doubles player from China, known for his powerful, attacking play style. His partner is Huang Ya Qiong, whose skilled positioning and net play perfectly complement his game. Together, they’re a nearly unstoppable team, and have even secured three world titles together.

Zheng’s most recent racket is the Arcsaber 1 1 Pro, which is famous for being one of the best all-arounders of all time. It has a stiff shaft, an even balance point, and Yonex’s Super Slim shaft for faster swing speed. 

It also comes with an isometric head shape and ultra-PE fiber material to help curb excess shock and vibrations. Recently, it’s also been used by pros Aaron Chia, Sapsiree Taerattanachai, and Michelle Li. 

Buy on Joy Badminton

Price: $259.99 USD

The Bottom Line

The pro badminton rackets above aren’t by any means an exhaustive list. But if you’re an advanced player who’s been wanting to upgrade, these will certainly bring a boost of power and precision to your game. 

Other honorable mentions to check out include the Astrox 99 Pro used by Kento Momota, Carolina Marin’s Yonex Nanoflare 1000 Z, and Anton Anderson’s Victor Auraspeed 90K.

Before heading out and buying a new racket, remember that the best one for you will depend on your style, skill level, and the specs you enjoy most. And if you haven’t already, you’ll want to make sure that you figure out the right string and tension for your game.

Need more tips along the way? Check out this guide on how to choose your next badminton racket, or visit the blog today for gear reviews, roundups, and more to help you level up.

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from links on this page at no additional cost to you.