Badminton is an intense sport, just like soccer or basketball.
That’s why having the right racket and shoes is crucial to avoid injury.

Here, we will introduce recommended rackets and shoes for beginners.

Racket

First, when it comes to rackets, expensive ones aren’t necessarily better for beginners.

High-end rackets are often designed for advanced players, using expensive materials to better transmit power or, conversely, to prevent the shuttle from flying too far (as players improve, their strength and skill make it easier to hit the shuttle out of the court). This is why they tend to be pricey.

So, what kind of racket should you choose?

There are different types of rackets based on where the balance point is:

Head-Heavy: The balance is toward the head of the racket.
Even Balance: The balance is around the middle of the racket, near the grip.
Head-Light: The balance is toward the grip.


For beginners, I recommend Even Balance or Head-Light rackets. Head-heavy rackets require more skill to handle quickly, while even balance and head-light rackets are easier to swing, especially for fast shuttle returns.

It’s also important to choose a lightweight racket. Avoid recreational sets with two rackets bundled together, and instead, buy a proper competition racket, which is typically lightweight.

Finally, choose a color you like—it helps keep you motivated.

As for recommended brands, YONEX is a top choice, but GOSEN is also good, and in the U.S., VICTOR is popular.

As of 2024, specific recommendations from YONEX include:

ArcSaber 3 (Even Balance)
NanoFlare 300 Series (Head-Light)
For YONEX, rackets with numbers in the 700 range are considered standard. Higher numbers, like 800 and above, are aimed at advanced players, while lower numbers, such as 300, are more beginner-friendly.

When it comes to strings, don’t worry too much at first. What matters more is the tension (measured in pounds). While it varies, as a general guide, I recommend a tension of 20 lbs for women and 21 lbs for men. As you practice, the strings will break over time, giving you the opportunity to experiment with different tensions and string types.

Lastly, I recommend wrapping your racket’s grip with grip tape right from the start. The color is up to you, and cheap options are just fine. If you don’t know how to wrap it, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube, so give it a try. Of course, you can also ask other members for help!

Shoes

When choosing shoes, don’t just focus on the price—make sure to try them on and pay attention to how well they fit.

I recommend shoes with good cushioning that are specifically designed as badminton shoes. As I mentioned earlier, badminton is an intense sport, and regular gym shoes might not provide enough grip or may wear out quickly.

Shuttles

In most matches, feathered shuttlecocks made from goose feathers are commonly used. However, beginners tend to hit the shuttle incorrectly, causing the feathers to break easily. Therefore, nylon shuttlecocks are also recommended. Once you get used to it, definitely try using feathered shuttlecocks.

YONEX makes excellent feathered shuttlecocks, but they are expensive.
For practice, nylon shuttlecocks or cheaper feathered ones should be fine.

Shops to Purchase Badminton Gear

Rackets and shuttlecocks can be purchased from online shops.
However, for shoes, I recommend trying them on at a physical store.

Additionally, some members might have coupons, so feel free to ask around.

  • JOY BADMINTON: An online shop based in California
  • BADMINTON WAREHOUSE: An online shop based in Illinois
  • PBC: Plano Badminton Center (physical store)
  • CBC: Carrollton Badminton Center (physical store)