Unveiling the Best of 2024: Top 5+ Badminton Racket Brands

Choosing the right badminton racket can significantly impact your game, whether you're a beginner aiming to learn the ropes or a seasoned professional looking for that competitive edge. Understanding the top badminton racket brands is crucial in making an informed decision. Let's delve into the world of badminton rackets and learn which brand will best suit your needs in the New Year!

1. Victor (Precision Craftsmanship from Taiwan)

Originating from Taiwan, Victor Rackets Industrial Corporation, popularly known as Victor, has earned a reputation of producing top-quality badminton equipment. The company was founded in 1968 by Chen Den-li. The company quickly expanded its distribution to European countries after early successful years in Taiwan.

From badminton rackets, shoes, to shuttlecocks and other badminton gear, the brand offers premium sports equipment approved by BWF for international tournaments. The brand is well-known for their advanced technology, durable materials, and exceptional performance.

Global Technical Advisor/Brand Ambassadors: Zhao Jianhua, Wang Shixian, and Li Jinhui.

Victor Sponsored Players: Denmark national badminton team, Anders Antonsen, Tai Tzu-ying, Wang Tzu-wei, Jenny Moore, Greg Mairs, Ashwini Ponnappa, Hendra Setiawan, Mohammad Ahsan, Praveen Jordan, Melati Daeva Oktavianti, Greysia Polii, Apriyani Rahayu, Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, Lee Zii Jia, and Kirsty Gilmour.

Top Badminton Rackets from Victor:

1. Victor Thruster TTY A is a head-heavy racket for advanced players.

2. Victor Thruster F Enhanced Edition is an excellent racket for smashes.

3. Victor Thruster F Claw LTD Edition is the hallmark of long-term collaboration between VICTOR and World No.1 Tai Tzu Ying.

4. Victor BraveSword 12 is an all-around racket for dominating rallies.

5. Victor JetSpeed S 12 ii F ensures superior agility and pace on the badminton court.

6. Victor Thruster Ryuga offers great offensive shots, given by its characteristics.

7. Victor AuraSpeed 100X focuses more on the continuity between each shot.

8. Victor Thruster Ryuga II Pro B sets a new standard for attacking excellence.

2. Yonex (Japanese Excellence in Badminton)

Who doesn't know about Yonex in the world of sports? Hailing from Japan, the company was started by Minoru Yoneyama in 1946. The company produced fishing equipment and later began manufacturing badminton rackets for other brands in 1957. The company started selling Yoneyama-branded racquet in 1961 and became a world leader. It started manufacturing tennis rackets and golf clubs soon after.

Renowned for its cutting-edge technology, Yonex rackets are favored by top players globally. The brand is committed to advanced research and development to ensure that their rackets deliver the best innovations to its players.

Yonex Sponsored Teams: National Badminton Teams of Malaysia, China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, India, England, France, Chinese Taipei, and Spain.

Yonex Sponsored Players: Lin Dan, Viktor Axelsen, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, Taufik Hidayat, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, Kento Momota, Yugo Kobayashi, Lee Yang, Lee Chong Wei, Choi Sol-gyu, Lee Yong-dae, Zheng Si Wei, Dechapol Puavaranukroh, Kantaphon Wangcharoen, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Lucas Mazur, Wang Yi Lyu, Aaron Chia, Sooh Wooic Yik, Takuro Hoki, and many other professional male badminton players.

Yonex also sponsors Kim So Yeong, Michelle Li, Saina Nehwal, Yuki Fukushima, Arisa Higashino, Sayaka Hirota, Mayu Matsumoto, Nami Matsuyama Wakana Nagahara, Aya Ohori, Chiharu Shida, Sayaka Takahashi, Akane Yamaguchi, An Se-young, Chae Yoo-jung, Chang Ye-na, Kim Ga-eun, Kim So-yeong, Kim Hye-rin, Kong Hee-yong, Huang Dong Ping, Huang Ya Qiong, Lee So-hee, Shin Seung-chan, Jia Yi Fan, Sung Ji-hyun, Ratchanok Intanon, Busanan Ongbamrungphan, Sapsiree Taerattanachai, Beiwen Zhang, Carolina Marin, Chen Qing Chen, Chen Yu Fei, and Delhpine Delrue.

Top Badminton Rackets from Yonex:

1. Yonex NanoFlare 800 Pro will make your counter-drive shots more effective.

2. Yonex NanoFlare 1000 Z delivers incredible speed and cuts air resistance like none.

3. Yonex ArcSaber 11 Pro designed for all-around performance on the court.

4. Yonex Astrox 99 Pro makes your attacks more powerful than ever.

5. Yonex Astrox 88D Pro designed for quick attacks in a doubles game.

6. Yonex Astrox 88S Pro is made for professionals who demand control over their shots.

7. Yonex ArcSaber 7 Pro helps you with incredible precision, accuracy, and control.

8. Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ is the perfect choice for speedy smashes.

9. Yonex NanoFlare 700 delivers lightning-fast drives, net shots, and smashes.

10. Yonex Nanoflare NextAge will make your shots faster without being too demanding.

3. Apacs (Malaysian Ingenuity for All Levels)

Established in 2002, the Malaysian brand Apacs, is now available across 50 countries. The company has gained a quick reputation for its commitment to manufacturing high-quality badminton equipment with advanced technology. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, Apacs rackets will provide a wide range of options to enhance your game.

The name of the company incorporates all the essential ingredients of the game including Aggressive, Power, Accurate, Control and Speed.

Apacs Sponsored Players: Cheam June Wei, Tommy Sugiarto, Soong Joo Ven, Tan Wee Kiong, Cheak Liek Hou, Lee Hyun IL, and others.

Top Badminton Rackets from Apacs:

1. Apacs Ziggler LHI Pro III is ideal for pro players who want a slightly head heavy racket for hard smashes and faster defense.

2. Apacs Stardom Pro III is the perfect racket for all-around performance in a singles and doubles game.

3. Apacs Honor Pro racket will dominate the court with powerful smashes and controlled shots. Another racket for aggressive players is the Apacs Imperial Pro.

4. Li-Ning (A Chinese Powerhouse on the Court)

Li-Ning, originating from China, was started by the legendary gymnast, Mr. Li Ning in 1990 with a goal of providing local athletes a national brand that they can proudly wear on the global stage. Several years later, the company has become a global force in badminton equipment because of its innovation and design. The company celebrates 21st century technology and matches it with the nation's glorious heritage.

Li-Ning rackets are well-known for their unique design, cutting-edge technology, and diverse range that caters the demands of all playing styles and levels.

Li-Ning Sponsored Players: PV Sindhu, Yuta Watanabe, Srikanth Kidambi, Goh Liu Ying, Chen Long, Fu Haifeng, Zhang Nan, Li Xuerui, Zhao Yunlei, Liliyana Natsir, Liu Yuchen, Pornpawee Chochuwong, Jonatan Christie, Jia Yifan, Ou Xuanyi, Liu Yuchen, Loh Kean Yew, and many others.

Top Badminton Rackets from Li-Ning:

1. Li Ning Axforce 80 is a head-heavy racket for powerful shots.

2. Li-Ning G-Force 3500 Superlite is a carbon-fiber racket for attacking.

3. Li-Ning Aeronaut 6000 headlight racket makes your defense lightning fast.

4. Li-Ning BladeX 700 delivers striking force for more efficient shots.

5. Babolat (Heritage Meets Precision)

What started as a family business in Lyon for manufacturing raw material for racket strings, the brand is now a leader in racquet-sports equipment. In 1995, the French company was a well-known name in the tennis world. The company decided to expand and foray into the game of badminton with the very first Babolat badminton racket frame. Today, it has a wide range of badminton rackets for children and adults of all playing levels.

Babolat Sponsored Players: In addition to Chloe Birch, Babolat is popular in the European continent where it sponsors several junior and club teams.

Top Badminton Rackets from Babolat:

1. Babolat X-Feel Origin Power racket delivers extreme control over your shots with incredible precision and sensation.

2. Babolat X-Feel Origin Essential is an all-around racket with even balance.

3. Babolat Satellite Gravity 74 weighs just 74 grams to give you faster swings than any other racket.

4. Babolat Satellite Blast is a head-heavy racket to empower your game.

6. Carlton (British Legacy in Badminton)

Carlton is credited to introducing the first modern-day metal badminton racket that utilizes grommets to make the equipment more stable and durable. Carlton has introduced many innovative technologies in the field of badminton such as the first truly one-piece graphite racket.

Carlton has sponsored several All England Champions such as Eddy Choong, Lim Swie King, Morten Frost, and Mike Tredgett. The company also sponsored legends such as Peter Rasmussen, Simon Archer, Nathan Robertson, and Gail Emms.

Top Badminton Rackets from Carlton:

1. Carlton MegaFlex F1 Titanium is an offensive racket with even balance.

2. Carlton MegaFlex F2 has a head-heavy balance for maximum power.

3. Carlton Airblade Tour is an all-around racket to play both: defensive and aggressive game.

Bonus! Franklin Sports for Recreational Badminton Play

For those engaging in badminton recreationally, Franklin Sports provides a range of rackets that emphasize fun and accessibility. The company was started in 1946 as a regional brand by Irving H. Franklin and brother Sydney Franklin. The brand has collaborated with several world-class athletes including Sugar Ray Leonard, David Robinson, Dan Marino, Barry Bonds, and Joe Namath.

Franklin Sports is dedicated to creating equipment that encourages players to enjoy the game at any skill level, thus, making the brand an excellent choice for family gatherings and picnics.