Gone are the days when talent and passion were the only things you needed to play sports. Of course, those two are still the most critical factors. But with technological advancements in every department, sports equipment play a crucial role in every sport nowadays. And badminton is no exception to that. Along with badminton shoes, racket plays a considerable role in any player’s performance on the court. Here are 12 best badminton rackets under 2000 available in the market for everyone from beginners to professionals.
But before we get to best rackets, let us check out what to check out for in a racket:
Weight
Weight of the racket is an essential factor. A lightweight racket helps you get better control over while heavier ones assist in generating power hits. A weight of 75-82 gms is recommended for the beginners to reduce chances of a wrist injury. The ideal racket weight is 80-85 gms.
Balance Point
For experienced players, a little heavier racket with greater balance point is the way to go. In these types of rackets, the head of the racket is usually a little heavier which allows the player to hit smashes with a lot more power.
Along with these two, string tension and the type of handgrip are two other factors that should be considered before buying a racket.
Grip
The thickness of the grip also affects your play. If you are one of those players who likes to play an aggressive brand of badminton, you should aim for a more thicker grip.
However, a thin grip is recommended if you like to use variations such as badminton clears or drops to your advantage. Thinner grips also improve your accuracy and shot-playing range.
A G4 sized racket could be an ideal choice considering it gets the best of both the world – wrist action and power.
Brands
Two of the biggest brands in the badminton world are, of course, Yonex and Li Ning. Yonex, the Japanese brand is especially famous amongst badminton players at the highest level as several superstars prefer using their products.
Indian star shuttlers, Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu, K. Srikanth, and HS Prannoy all use Yonex rackets. Men’s World No. 5, Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and No. 8 Anthony Ginting of Indonesia and Women’s No. 3 Nozomi Okuhara of Japan also prefer Yonex.
But Li Ning is not far behind in terms of star power with most of the Chinese shuttlers using their home brand. Men’s World No. 4 Chen Long is their biggest superstar. Along with those two brands, Victor and Wilson are also quite common in the Badminton world.
Now that we know what to look for in a racket precisely and which brands superstar shuttlers use, here are the 12 best badminton rackets under 2000:
Best Badminton Rackets under 2000 ₹
1. Yonex ZR 100
Weight: 95-100 gms
Material: Aluminium
Grip Size: G4
Head Shape: Isometric
A perfect racket for the seasoned players without spending much money. It is not suitable for the young players or the beginners considering it weighs above 95gms. The racket is made of aluminium and suitable for power-hitting although long rallies may be painful. The grip is 3.25 inches for wrist power.
Pros
- The isometric head shape makes it hitting shuttles easy.
- Sturdy built.
Cons
- Heavy weight.
2. Yonex GR 777
Weight: 90 gms
Material: Aluminium
Grip Size: G4
Head Shape: Isometric Shape
This isometric-shape of Yonex GR777 matched with MEGA frame results in a larger sweet spot. This is beneficial in hitting deeper shots. Considering its weight of 90 gms, this racket is best suited for players with intermediate skills.
Pros
- This racket has a 34% extra sweet spot, making hitting shuttles easy.
- DURA-Frame ensures long-lasting rackets
Cons
- May need an extra layer of grip.
- T-joint absent.
3. Li-Ning XP-90-IV
Weight: 100 gms
Material: Aluminium
Grip Size: S2
Head Shape: Oval
The Li-Ning XP-90-IV is made of aluminium and carbon steel body. It is amongst the heaviest at 100gms. However, it has comes with an extra small grip, making it unsuitable for players with larger hands. Moreover, although intricate wrist action is possible, power-hitting may be a problem.
Pros
- This racket has a 34% extra sweet spot, making hitting shuttles easy.
- DURA-Frame ensures long-lasting rackets
Cons
- Heavy at 100 gms.
- May need an extra layer of grip.
- T-joint absent.
4. Yonex Nanoray 18i
Weight: 75 gms
Material: Full Graphite
Grip Size: G4
Head Shape: Isometric
With a complete graphite frame and body, this is the perfect racket for intermediate players who are looking to sharpen their skills. The synthetic grip makes it a little easier to handle the racket. The Isometric head also makes it easier for the player to hit shuttles. They can then progress on to the oval-shaped graphite rackets.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight.
- Accurate shots.
- Better wrist action.
Cons
- Limited string tension.
- Head weight may be an issue.
5. Yonex Muscle Power 200
Weight: 80-85 gms
Material: Graphite
Grip Size: G4
Head Shape: Isometric
Another racket made for intermediate players, Yonex muscle power is exactly as the name suggests. The grip is ideally sized at 3.25 inches, and at 80-85gms, the racket is exceptionally light for its weight.
Pros
- Graphite material makes it fairly matched with isometric head makes it easy to hit shuttles.
- The grip is ideally sized.
Cons
- The flexible shaft and lightweight may affect power delivery.
- Power-hitting may be limited.
6. Yonex Nanoray 6000I G4-U
Weight: 80 gms
Material: Aluminium
Grip Size: G4
Head Shape: Isometric
This Yonex racket has an aluminium body, making it much lighter in comparison with other products at just 80 gms. The shot-making becomes more comfortable due to lighter rackets, but a player needs to generate a lot of power in that case. The grip is ideally sized at 3.25 inches. This makes it relatively easier for the wrist to generate power.
Pros
- Built in T-joint.
- Ideal G4 grip.
Cons
- Paint may chip off easily.
7. Yonex Carbonex 7000 Ex G4-2U
Weight: 90-95 gms
Material: Aluminium
Grip Size: G4
Head Shape: Oval
This is a racket for intermediate to professional players use who like raw power to their advantage. In fact, it is one of the best products on the list for smashing. It’s shaft and frame is made from aluminium. The Yonex Carbonex 7000 also has an ideal grip of G4. However, heavy weight may cause an issue in the range of shots you can try.
Pros
- Built in T-joint.
- Excellent for power smashing.
Cons
- Limited wrist action.
8. Yonex GR 303F
Weight: 90-95 gms
Material: Aluminium
Grip Size: G3
Head Shape: Oval
This Yonex product has the aluminium frame with shaft made of steel. With 3.25 inches of grip and weight between 90-95gms, this is a good choice for intermediate players. It is, however, important to note that the grip size of G3 (3.5 inches) may suit players with slightly larger hands. It also has a low torsion.
Pros
- Good tensile strength.
- Comes with a free racket & complimentary shuttlecocks.
- Low torsion.
Cons
- Slightly Heavy weight.
9. Victor Artery Tech 8800
Weight: 79 gms
Material: Graphite+Resin
Grip Size: G2
Head Shape: Isometric
Made of graphite-resin frame and shaft, this Victor product has the grip of just 3 inches, giving more finger and wrist power. That matched with 8800’s light weight of 79 grams makes it a dream for players whose play relies on accuracy. This racket is highly recommended for doubles players with intermediate to professional-level skills. Slightly isometric head shape also ensures better hitting spot.
Pros
- Unmatched accuracy.
- Excellent finger & wrist power.
Cons
- Slight costly.
- Victor is a relatively new name in the Indian market.
10. Wilson WRT8303062
Weight: 115 gms
Material: –
Grip Size: –
Head Shape: –
Thanks to their immense popularity in Tennis, Wilson is a little costlier than other brands when it comes to rackets. Therefore, this Wilson WRT product is purely for beginners, but you can bet on its quality, given the reputation of the brand. This is amongst the heaviest rackets available and is thus recommended for occasional use. This product from Wilson may be suited for those seeking for quality and durable rackets for recreational purposes.
Pros
- Sturdy & durable frame.
- Trusted name.
Cons
- Heavy weight.
- Not recommended for extensive use.
11. Li-Ning SS G4 Series
Weight: 87 gms
Material: Graphite
Grip Size: S2
Head Shape: Oval
This is a high-quality racket for professionals. It is entirely made from Japan-sourced graphite. This results in a product just 87 grams in weight. Moreover, it also provides a decent string tension of 28-30. SS-9 has a 7mm diameter slim shaft matched with a unique elastic material. The company also claims to have an appreciably low drag quo-efficient. Although suited for professionals, one can get it for less than 2000 these days thanks to discounts.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable frame.
- Slim 7mm shaft.
- Low drag quo-efficient.
- Anti-torsion performance.
Cons
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12. Li-Ning SS-G5
Weight: 81-85 gms
Material: Carbon Fiber
Grip Size: S2
Head Shape: Isometric
This is another excellent product from the house of Li-Ning. With a grip size of 3.75 inches, it is excellent for players with large-sized hands. This allows for the player to utilise more arm power. Moreover, the isometric head and modest weight of 81 grams make it an ideal choice for players with intermediate skills.
Pros
- Light-weight and extra-durable carbon fibre material.
- Better wrist action.
- Improved accuracy.
Cons
- Limited power hitting.
