Have you ever wondered which badminton rackets the professional players use? Well wonder no more as I take a look at which Yonex Badminton Rackets the pros choose. I’m purely looking at Yonex in this article but will probably take a look at the other main brands such Victor very soon.
On a side note, is it racquets or rackets? Well to be honest it’s either. That said you will find racquet is used far more in badminton and squash for instance. A quick look in Yonex’s own website shows them going with racquet which is the older spelling of the word.
I’ve already taken a look at Yonex badminton shoes and the players that wear them in a previous article.
The player information featured in this article comes from Yonex. It is of course subject to change. That said all of the players have used the featured rackets at some point.
Brands & Ranges
One thing I need to stress is a professional players choice in racket will be somewhat determined by their sponsorship deals. Yonex and Victor are two of the biggest suppliers and sponsors of equipment in the sport today.
That said there are many different ranges of rackets that a player can select from. Let’s take a look at the different Yonex badminton racket ranges and the differences between them.
I should make clear that the descriptions below come from Yonex’s own website. One thing you will note despite the marketing hype is that most of the rackets share many of the same features. For example the Isometric Series states it has equalized length of the main and cross strings in the string-bed. That might lead you to believe you need that series to have that feature. However it also happens to be present on all of their main ranges.
The only real way to choose the right badminton racquet is to hold one in the hand. You can find more on this topic in my How To Choose The Perfect Badminton Racket – Buyers Guide.
Product Line-up
Yonex describe what each series is focused on. Let’s take a look at each of their main product series. There are many advanced materials and technologies used when making a top quality racket. It can however seem a little confusing given all of the marketing speak.
Product Features
Here are just a few of the features offered on certain product lines by Yonex. It all sounds good and I’ve no doubt it all help to deliver an excellent product. It does come across as way too much marketing hype. Just take a look at a few I’ve listed below.
- Nanometric
- Isometric
- New Grommet Pattern
- Solids Feel Core
- Aero+Box Frame
- New Built-in T-Joint
- Super Slim Long Shaft
- Rotational Generator System
- Namd
- New Energy Boost Cap
- New Full Frame Namd
I’ll now go through the different product series that Yonex have in their line-up.
Astrox Series
The Astrox series contains around 13 different racquets. This series is aimed at players that demand a steep angled and devastating smash.
Duora Series
The Duora series aim is to allow players to command the court with every single shot. It allows for huge forehands and quick backhands.
“I feel like my arm is one with the racquet on both my forehand and backhand, so I can push faster at the net.”
– Lee Chong Wei
Voltric Series
The Voltric series is designed to give all-round performance. The range currently consists of 10 products.
Nanoflare Series
The Nanoflare series boasts ‘Lighting-fast speed meets exceptional repulsion’. What that means is improved swing speed and manoeuvrability. The technology behind Nanoflare combines a brand-new type of carbon fiber (Torayca M40X) along with Super High Modulus Graphite into the Aero Frame design.
The range currently has four products listed as being available.
Nanoray Series
The Nanoray like the Nanoflare provides a fast swing with a little more of a controlled swing and enhanced repulsion. This racket is clearly aimed at players who like to force their opponents toward the back of the court quickly.
This is one of Yonex’s main ranges and currently has 13 products listed.
Arcsaber Series
Yonex claim “By storing and then releasing energy, Arcsaber delivers precise shot-making for players seeking a higher level of control.”
Muscle Power Series
Yonex say the Muscle Power series features “A unique frame construction that integrates the frame and string like no other racquet”. This series is for players who seek fast movement and effortless power with an easy feel.
Isometric Series
The Isometric range of racquets “equalize the length of the main and cross strings in the string-bed” By doing this the aim is to increase sweet spot that should improve accuracy.
Popular Yonex Badminton Rackets Amongst Professional Players
Astrox 99
Key Features
- Flex: Stiff
- Frame: GRAPHITE/Namd/NANOMETRIC/Tungsten
- Shaft: H.M. Graphite/Namd
- Weight / Grip Size: 4U (80-84.9g) G4
Kento Momota (JPN)
Japan’s Kento Momota racket choice is the Astrox 99. He is one of the top players in the men’s singles having held the coveted world number one ranking.
Astrox 88 S
Key Features
- Flex: Stiff
- Frame: H.M. GRAPHITE + NANOMETRIC + Tungsten
- Shaft: H.M. Graphite + Namd
- Weight / Grip Size: 4U (80-84.9g) G4
Viktor Axelsen (DEN)
Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen favours the Astrox 88 S Yonex badminton racket. He is very much at the top of his game having already won major titles. He also occupied the world number one spot. He is currently fighting for top spot in the men’s single with Japan’s Kento Momota.
Duora 10
Key Features
- Flex: Stiff
- Frame: H.M. Graphite, NANOMETRIC DR, Ni-Ti Fiber
- Shaft: H.M. Graphite, NANOMETRIC
- Weight / Grip Size: 3U (85-89.9g) G4
Lee Chong Wei (MAS)
Former men’s singles world number one Lee Chong Wei’s choice of equipment is the Duora 10. This racquet features a stiff flex.
Nanoray 900
Key Features
- Flex: Stiff
- Frame: H.T. Graphite, H.M. Graphite, NANOMETRIC, SUPER HMG
- Shaft: H.M. Graphite, X-FULLERENE, Ultra PEF
- Weight / Grip Size: 3U (85-89.9g) G4
Saina Nehwal (IND)
Sainia Nehwal is probably one of badminton’s most recognisable players. She’s has competed at the very top of the sport for several years. The Indian player’s choice of racket is Nanoray 900. This comes with a stiff flexing shaft.
Duora Z-Strike
Key Features
- Flex: Extra Stiff
- Frame: H.M. Graphite/NANOMETRIC DR/Hyper-MG
- Shaft: H.M. Graphite/NANOMETRIC/EX-HMG
- Weight / Grip Size: 3U (85-89.9g) G4
Carolina Marin (ESP)
Spain’s Carolina Marin chooses to use the Duora Z-Strike. This one is falls into the extra stiff flex category.
Astrox 77
Key Features
- Flex: Medium
- Frame: H.M. GRAPHITE + NANOMETRIC + Tungsten
- Shaft: H.M. GRAPHITE + Namd
- Weight / Grip Size: 4U (80-84.9g) G4 / 3U (85-89.9g) G4
Ratchanok Intanon (THA)
Ratchanok Intanon’s racket of choice is the Astrox 77. The Thailand player is one of the top ranked women’s singles players in the world. This particular racket comes with a medium flex.
Voltric Z-Force II
Key Features
- Flex: Extra Stiff
- Frame: H.M. Graphite, Sound Filter, NANOMETRIC, Tungsten
- Shaft: H.M. Graphite, EX-HMG, NANOMETRIC
- Weight / Grip Size: 3U (85-89.9g) G4
Chris Adcock (ENG) / Gabrielle Adcock (ENG)
England’s mixed doubles pair Chris Adcock and Gabrielle Adcock both use the same Yonex badminton racket, Voltric Z-Force II.
Final Thoughts On Yonex Badminton Rackets
There’s little doubt Yonex make some excellent rackets or racquets. I think its good to know what the professionals are using. If you find all of the technology that is attributed to each range a little confusing then you are not alone. Rather than making your decision easier it seems only to confuse.
Hopefully you have found this article informative. I’m not suggesting you should simply buy the same racket that your favourite badminton player uses. I think we all know that it won’t instantly make us into better players of the sport.
However you can at least watch their play style and see which player styles may fit your own. Who knows it may prompt you to consider changing your current racquet for a more suitable one. In the end I always find choosing a new racquet kind of difficult. It’s not like you can start playing with it in the sports shop. At least not properly! All you can do is get a feel of the weight and flexibility of the shaft and such.
To conclude the top players are of course going to be using the very best equipment. However you should only use that as a very lose guide when considering making a purchase.
Where To Purchase
I’ve added Amazon links for each of the listed Yonex badminton racket below each of the players that use them. Please ensure you only buy from official stockists.
You can find out how to avoid counterfeit Yonex badminton equipment in this linked article.
Are you swayed by your favourite player’s choices? Please let me know in the comments what brand and type of badminton racket you are playing with.
That concludes my look into players that a Yonex badminton racket. Check back soon for more badminton equipment features and guides.
Note: The Amazon links on this page are affiliate / associate links. By buying through the links we may receive a commission for the sale. This has no effect on the price you pay.
Images featured from Yonex.co.uk
