How to Find Out What Kind of Badminton Racket You Have

Badminton rackets vary depending on the brand, shape, size, weight, tension, grip and materials. Popular brand names include Yonex, Wilson, Carlton and Prince. The ideal type of racket for you will depend on whether you're looking for a more forceful strike or more accurate aim, and how heavy the racket can be before your arm gets tired. Rackets can cost between $10 to $90, with many decent quality rackets in the mid-range at $40 to $50.

Instructions

    • 1

      Look at the shape of the racket head. If it is square, with a flat top and rounded corners, you have an isometric racket. These provide a larger surface area known as the sweet spot, for easy, powerful hits, and are good for beginners.

      If the racket head is oval, you have a conventional racket. These have smaller sweet spot surface area but generally provide more accurate and forceful hits. These are the type more commonly used in tournaments.

    • 2

      Check the cone of the racket, where the shaft meets the grip. This is where you will usually find the 'U' specification, indicating the weight range of the racket. Most manufacturers have 2U, 3U and 4U. You will have to check with the manufacturer, as some label their heaviest rackets with the smallest U numbers, and others label their lightest rackets with the smallest U numbers. Standard weight for a racket is between 80 and 95 grams.

    • 3

      Look under the U specification to find the "G" specification. This tells you the size of the grip, which is generally between 3.25 and 4 inches. The bigger your palm, the bigger your grip should be. If you have a grip that is too big for your hand, there isn't much you can do with it. However, if the grip is too small, you can wrap it with replacement grip to make it bigger.

    • 4

      Look at the racket shaft to find out what material the racket is made of. While older rackets were made of wood, most modern rackets are made of carbon fiber. However, some cheaper rackets are made of aluminum, which is not as durable.