Badminton Racquets

The ideal badminton racquet is primarily a matter of skill level

Babolat offers a wide range of badminton racquets designed to suit all skill levels, all types of players, and each desired benefit. Here is an overview of the different ranges offered by Babolat based on your level of play.

You are a beginner badminton player

As a beginner player, the Prime racquet is a premium all-carbon racquet. A lightweight, maneuverable racquet that is easy to play for more performance and enjoyment. The X-Feel Rise racquet is designed for versatile club players seeking power and maneuverability. With its balanced weight and flexible shaft, it offers an ideal playing sensation between performance and pleasure. The flexible shaft will naturally add power to your shots.

You are an intermediate badminton player

For those seeking maneuverability, the Satelite Gravity 74 badminton racquet is the lightest and ideal for intermediate or advanced players playing doubles, offering excellent maneuverability and lightness.

For those seeking precision, the Satelite Origin is ideal for dedicated players with a defensive playing style. This racquet offers a hitting zone close to your hand, thanks to a shorter shaft. It provides maneuverability and precision in every movement.

For those seeking power, the X-Feel Origin is designed to help you progress and compensate for technical errors. You will benefit from increased hitting power thanks to its semi-rigid shaft and optimal control due to a balanced weight.

You are an advanced badminton player

For those seeking power, the X-Feel Spark is a major asset for advanced players competing in tournaments. It offers enhanced power while providing precision in important shots. The X-Feel Fury is the most used racquet by our international players. It incorporates new technologies to make the game more explosive. With an ultra-rigid shaft, it will deliver all your power.

For those seeking precision, the Satelite Lite is a combination of technologies, its neutral weight, and medium flexibility offer the perfect balance between maneuverability and power for good air penetration. Specially designed for defensive players seeking precision.

Elements to consider when choosing your badminton racquet

Materials used in manufacturing a badminton racquet

For the manufacturing of badminton racquets, we use a selection of advanced materials aimed at optimizing performance for each player, whether a beginner or an expert in badminton. In adult racquets, we primarily find composite materials made mainly of carbon fiber. These materials provide lightness and rigidity to all adult players.

Carbon fiber is the material with the best compromise between mechanical properties and weight. It is both very light and capable of maintaining good rigidity. There are several types of carbon fiber, the difference lies in the mold, which corresponds to the material's rigidity.

Badminton racquets for beginners/junior players feature more of a mix between aluminum and steel. Aluminum is a lighter material than steel, strong, and does not oxidize. Steel, on the other hand, is a rather heavy and oxidizable material but more resistant, hence its presence mainly in junior racquet shafts.

We can also find titanium (a very resistant material, heavier than carbon, which notably helps to solidify racquet frames and increase tension during stringing), SMAC (a material present in the racquet shaft to reduce vibrations), and wood (Balsa or Paulownia wood) present in the racquet handle because it is light due to its low density.

The importance of a badminton racquet's weight

This characteristic is fundamental for playing badminton correctly. Badminton racquets are generally classified into different categories according to their weight, which is often measured in grams (g).

Lighter racquets (74 to 83 g) offer more maneuverability and are often preferred by players looking for quick reaction speed and ease of handling. They are particularly appreciated in doubles, where speed and agility are crucial. Generally, when we start, we prefer a lightweight racquet for tolerance.

Heavier racquets (84 to 89 g) are often chosen for their power potential, offering greater stability during shuttle impact. These racquets are better suited for players who emphasize strength and precision, generally in singles, where the ability to produce powerful shots can be a decisive advantage.

It is important to note that the choice of racquet weight also depends on the player's personal preference, playing style, and physical level. Some players may prefer lightness for better swing speed, while others may choose a heavier racquet to increase the power of their shots.

The factor of racquet balance

The balance of a badminton racquet at Babolat refers to the distribution of its weight, measured in millimeters from the handle to the head. This characteristic is crucial as it influences the power, maneuverability, and precision of your shots. A high balance means more weight is concentrated towards the racquet head, promoting power through a hammer effect during hitting, ideal for players seeking more strength in their shots but can lead to greater arm fatigue.

Conversely, a lower balance towards the handle makes the racquet more maneuverable, promoting reaction speed and precision without increasing power. This option is preferable for players focusing on their technique and effective forearm rotation, suitable for fast-paced play and reducing fatigue. This balance style is generally offered to players seeking precision, control, and maneuverability.

For those looking for a middle ground, a racquet with neutral balance at Babolat offers an ideal compromise between power and maneuverability. This balance type is particularly suited for versatile players who benefit from good flexibility in their game.

Racquet flexibility or rigidity

The flexibility of the shaft (racquet shaft) or its ability to bend upon shuttle impact is an essential technical aspect of Babolat badminton racquets. It directly influences how the racquet transmits force to the shuttle, affecting power, speed, and precision of your shots.

Flexible or soft badminton racquets offer greater shaft deformation upon impact, creating a catapult effect that propels the shuttle far, although precision may suffer. They are ideal for beginner players or those looking to increase their hitting power without perfect technique, easily reaching the court's end, as well as for defensive player profiles.

Semi-rigid racquets represent a balance between power, speed, and precision. They are perfectly suited for intermediate players with good hitting power, offering appreciable versatility in different playing styles.

Finally, rigid racquets favor high hitting speed, with increased precision and control, thanks to better shuttle repulsion at impact. These racquets are recommended for advanced or expert players, able to compensate for potential technical errors thanks to their skill, as well as for attacking player profiles.

If your profile combines two different choices, for example, expert (rigid) and defender (soft), then choose intermediate (medium) rigidity, similarly for a beginner attacker.

Last characteristic: racquet head

In the world of Babolat badminton racquets, the shape of the racquet head plays a role in power, precision, and maneuverability. For players seeking power, it is better to have a large head size, while those looking for maneuverability should opt for a smaller head size.

For those seeking control and precision, it depends on their profile. For a beginner in the adjustment and learning phase or/and a defender, it is better to choose a racquet with a large head size. This design offers greater tolerance for off-center hits and thus allows for more comfortable play.

On the other hand, as an expert player and/or an attacker, it is better to have a small/isometric head for better precision. This characteristic allows for better shuttle impact, thus offering more precise control.

A string pattern with numerous strings provides more control and precision in movements. Conversely, fewer strings on the string pattern will give you more power in your shots.

Regarding racquet length, the longer it is, the more power it will provide. Conversely, the shorter it is, the more it will provide maneuverability and control. If you are looking for maneuverability, your badminton racquet should have a thin-diameter shaft.