Choosing a badminton racket (or racquet, both spellings are right) can feel confusing: 3U or 4U, head-heavy or head-light, strung or unstrung? This guide makes it simple. We’ve picked the best badminton rackets in India for 2026 for every level and budget, from a ₹899 starter racquet to Yonex Pro models. Every racquet here is in stock at Prokick and played by our customers.
Order your racquet on prokicksports.com and we string it for you free. Just choose your string and tension when you order.
⚡ Quick picks
| Category | Racquet | From |
|---|---|---|
| Best budget | Exergy 101 | ₹899 |
| Best for beginners | Yonex Nanoray 72 Light | ₹1,899 |
| Best value for smashing | Li-Ning Axforce Tiger | ₹2,489 |
| Best for control | Yonex Arcsaber 7 Play | ₹3,035 |
| Best for speed | Yonex Nanoflare 800 Play | ₹3,245 |
| Best intermediate | Yonex Astrox 100 Game VA | ₹6,595 |
| Best advanced | Yonex Astrox 77 Tour | ₹7,429 |
| Best for families | Hundred Powertek Star Set | ₹549 |
Prices are Prokick prices at the time of writing and may change. Tap a racquet for today’s price.
📖 In this guide
Racquet finder: which one is right for you?
Find your level and playing style, then pick from the matching racquet.
| Your level | 💥 I love to smash | ⚡ I play fast doubles | 🎯 All-round / control |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Beginner New or casual player |
Yonex Astrox Attack 9 | Yonex Nanoray 72 Light | Yonex Voltric 35i |
|
Club player Play 2–4 times a week |
Li-Ning Axforce Tiger Yonex Astrox 77 Play |
Yonex Nanoflare 800 Play | Yonex Arcsaber 7 Play |
|
Intermediate Matches & local tournaments |
Yonex Astrox 100 Game VA Yonex Astrox 3DG ST |
Yonex Nanoflare 1000 Game | Li-Ning 3D Calibar X Combat |
|
Advanced Competitive / tournament |
Yonex Astrox 77 Tour Yonex Astrox 88D Pro |
Yonex Nanoflare 800 Pro | Yonex Arcsaber 7 Tour |
Still not sure? WhatsApp us your level, budget and style, and our team will suggest the right racquet.
How to choose a badminton racket
Ignore the marketing words and check these five things on any racquet:
- Weight (3U, 4U, 5U). 3U is about 85–89 g, 4U about 80–84 g and 5U about 75–79 g. Beginners and juniors find 4U or 5U easier to swing. Strong attacking players often prefer 3U or 4U for stability.
- Balance. Head-heavy racquets (like Yonex Astrox) add power to smashes. Head-light racquets (like Yonex Nanoflare) are faster for drives and defence. Even balance (like Yonex Arcsaber) is the best all-rounder.
- Shaft flex. A flexible shaft bends more and helps you generate power with a slower swing, which is ideal for beginners. A stiff shaft rewards a fast, trained swing with more control and accuracy.
- Grip size. In India, G4 and G5 are the most common. On Yonex, the higher the G number, the thinner the handle. You can always build up a thin handle with an overgrip.
- Strung or unstrung. Beginners should buy strung (ready to play). Intermediate and advanced players usually buy unstrung and choose their own string and tension. Order online and we string it free.
🎚️ Recommended string tension
| Level | Tension | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 20–24 lbs | Bigger sweet spot, easy power |
| Intermediate | 24–27 lbs | Balance of power and control |
| Advanced | 27 lbs + | Sharper control for trained swings |
Never string above the maximum tension printed on your racquet’s shaft.
Best badminton rackets under ₹2,000
Perfect for beginners, school players and weekend games. All of these come pre-strung, so you can play the day they arrive.
#1 · Exergy
Exergy 101
₹899 ₹1,999 55% off
- Comes pre-strung at 28 lbs, ready to play
- Full cover included
- Head-heavy frame helps beginners get easy power
Best for: First racquet for beginners, school players and casual weekend games.
View price & options →
#2 · Yonex
Yonex Astrox Attack 9
₹1,559 ₹2,690 42% off
- Head-heavy balance for stronger smashes
- Isometric head for a bigger sweet spot
- Graphite shaft, G4 grip
Best for: Beginners who want a genuine Yonex power racquet at the lowest price.
View price & options →
#3 · Yonex
Yonex Nanoray 72 Light
₹1,899 ₹3,600 47% off
- Feather-light 5U frame (75–79 g)
- Fast swing for quick drives and defence
- Easy on the arm for long sessions
Best for: Beginners, women and juniors who want a light, fast and easy racquet.
View price & options →
#4 · Yonex
Yonex Voltric 35i
₹1,899 ₹3,300 42% off
- Lightweight full-graphite frame
- Wider sweet spot forgives off-centre hits
- Pre-strung and ready to play
Best for: Beginners moving up from aluminium racquets to their first graphite racquet.
View price & options →Best badminton rackets under ₹3,500
The sweet spot for regular club players. These racquets use the same design ideas as Yonex and Li-Ning’s expensive models, at a much friendlier price.
#5 · Li-Ning
Li-Ning Axforce Tiger
₹2,489 ₹5,590 55% off
- Head-heavy frame built for attacking smashes
- Choose 4U or 5U weight
- Available strung or unstrung
Best for: Aggressive club players who love to smash, on a mid budget.
View price & options →
#6 · Yonex
Yonex Arcsaber 7 Play
₹3,035 ₹5,390 44% off
- Even balance for all-round play
- Flexible shaft gives easy power
- Accurate placement and net play
Best for: All-round players who win with placement rather than pure power.
View price & options →
#7 · Yonex
Yonex Astrox 77 Play
₹3,035 ₹5,390 44% off
- Head-heavy for powerful clears and smashes
- Same Astrox 77 design family as the Tour and Pro
- Strung, up to 28 lbs
Best for: Intermediate players who want Yonex power without paying for the Pro.
View price & options →
#8 · Yonex
Yonex Nanoflare 800 Play
₹3,245 ₹5,790 44% off
- Head-light for fast swings and quick defence
- Great for doubles front-court play
- Strung, up to 28 lbs
Best for: Doubles players and fast movers who like quick, snappy rallies.
View price & options →
Best intermediate badminton rackets: ₹3,500–₹7,000
For players who play matches and want better materials, more power and sharper control.
#9 · Li-Ning
Li-Ning 3D Calibar X Combat
₹4,990 ₹6,990 29% off
- Carbon fibre frame with head-heavy balance
- Flexible shaft for easy power
- Strung at up to 30 lbs
Best for: Intermediate players who want Li-Ning power at a mid price.
View price & options →
#10 · Yonex
Yonex Astrox 3DG ST
₹5,499 ₹8,150 33% off
- Tungsten-boosted head for heavier smashes
- Handles high tension, up to 35 lbs
- Smooth shot-to-shot control
Best for: Hard hitters who string tight and want maximum smash power.
View price & options →
#11 · Yonex
Yonex Nanoflare 1000 Game
₹6,489 ₹10,750 40% off
- The famous Nanoflare 1000 design in a Game version
- Head-light for lightning-fast drives and defence
- Strung, up to 28 lbs
Best for: Fast, attacking doubles players who want speed above everything.
View price & options →
#12 · Yonex
Yonex Astrox 100 Game VA
₹6,595 ₹10,950 40% off
- Game version of the Astrox 100 power frame
- Head-heavy power with good control
- Strung, up to 28 lbs
Best for: Intermediate to advanced singles and doubles attackers.
View price & options →Best premium & pro badminton rackets (₹7,000+)
For advanced and tournament players. Most of these are sold unstrung, so you can pick your exact string and tension, and we string website orders for free.
#13 · Yonex
Yonex Astrox 77 Tour
₹7,429 ₹12,290 40% off
- Tour series: one step below the Pro
- Power and precision in one frame
- Unstrung, so we string it free to your tension
Best for: Advanced club and tournament players who want near-Pro performance.
View price & options →
#14 · Yonex
Yonex Arcsaber 7 Tour
₹7,429 ₹12,290 40% off
- Even balance for precise, all-round play
- Tour-level frame for competitive matches
- Unstrung, strung free on website orders
Best for: Advanced all-rounders who rely on control and placement.
View price & options →
#15 · Yonex
Yonex Astrox 88D Pro
₹15,999 ₹27,690 42% off
- Built for back-court power in doubles
- Head-heavy for steep, heavy smashes
- Yonex’s top Pro-series materials
Best for: Serious doubles players who attack from the back of the court.
View price & options →
#16 · Yonex
Yonex Nanoflare 800 Pro
₹15,489 ₹26,690 42% off
- Stiff, super-slim shaft for fast, sharp shots
- Head-light balance for speed
- Pro-series frame
Best for: Advanced players with a fast swing who want speed and precision.
View price & options →Best for kids & families
For young children and casual family games, a light, durable set is all you need. When a child starts coaching, move up to a light graphite racquet such as the Yonex Nanoray 72 Light.
#17 · Hundred
Hundred Powertek Star Set
₹549 ₹1,090 50% off
- Pack of 2 pre-strung racquets
- Full cover and shuttlecock included
- Durable aluminium frame
Best for: Kids, families and backyard games. Two racquets at the price of one.
View price & options →Yonex racquet series explained
Yonex is the most popular racquet brand in our stores, and its names tell you exactly how a racquet plays:
Head-heavy power for smashes and attacking play. Examples: Astrox 77, 88D, 100.
Head-light speed for fast drives, defence and doubles. Examples: Nanoflare 800, 1000.
Even balance and control for accurate, all-round play. Examples: Arcsaber 7, 11.
Within each model, Play → Game → Tour → Pro goes from most affordable to best materials. A Play version is ideal for club players, while Tour and Pro versions suit competitive players.
Complete your kit
A new racquet plays its best with the right setup. Here’s what our customers usually add:
Need shoes too? Read our guide to the best badminton shoes in India.
Expert tips from our stores
- Don’t buy too heavy or too stiff too early. Most beginners play better with a light, flexible racquet. Upgrade when your technique improves.
- Don’t over-tension. Higher tension isn’t automatically better. If shots feel “dead” or your arm hurts, drop the tension by 1–2 lbs.
- Restring regularly. Strings lose tension over time. If you play 3–4 times a week, restring every 2–3 months.
- Change the grip. A worn, slippery grip ruins control. Replace it every month or two if you play often.
- Try before you buy. Visit any of our 6 Prokick stores to hold different racquets, or WhatsApp us for advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best badminton racket in India for beginners?
For most beginners we recommend a light, pre-strung graphite racquet such as the Yonex Nanoray 72 Light or Yonex Voltric 35i (around ₹1,900). If you want the lowest price, the Exergy 101 (₹899) is a good first racquet. Start with 5U or 4U and a tension of about 20–24 lbs.
Which is better for badminton: Yonex or Li-Ning?
Both are excellent. Yonex has the widest range and is known for consistent quality and feel. Li-Ning racquets such as the Axforce Tiger and 3D Calibar series often give more power-oriented specs for the price. Choose by your playing style, weight and balance rather than only the brand.
What do 3U, 4U and 5U mean?
“U” is the racquet’s weight class. 3U is about 85–89 g, 4U about 80–84 g and 5U about 75–79 g (unstrung). Lighter racquets are faster and easier to swing. Heavier ones feel more stable and powerful.
Should I buy a strung or unstrung racquet?
Beginners should buy strung racquets, which are ready to play. Intermediate and advanced players usually buy unstrung, so they can choose their own string and tension. On prokicksports.com we string website orders for free.
What string tension should I use?
As a guide: beginners 20–24 lbs, intermediate players 24–27 lbs, and advanced players 27 lbs and above. Lower tension gives more power and a bigger sweet spot. Higher tension gives more control but needs good technique. Never go above the maximum tension printed on your racquet.
What is the difference between Play, Game, Tour and Pro in Yonex racquets?
They are versions of the same racquet design. Play is the most affordable and easiest to use, Game is a step up, Tour is close to Pro, and Pro uses Yonex’s best materials. For example, Astrox 77 Play, Astrox 77 Tour and Astrox 77 Pro share the same idea at different price levels.
Head-heavy or head-light: which is better?
Head-heavy racquets help with powerful smashes and clears, so they suit attacking singles players. Head-light racquets are faster for drives, net play and defence, so they suit doubles front-court players. Even-balance racquets sit in between and are great all-rounders.
Need help choosing your racquet?
Tell us your level, budget and playing style and we’ll suggest the right racquet. Website orders come with free stringing.
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