Find your racket
Six quick questions about how you play. You get the racket weight (3U, 4U or 5U), balance, shaft flex and grip size that suit your game, with the reasoning, and no brand pushing.
Question 1 of 6
How to choose a badminton racket comes down to four specs printed on (or listed for) every frame: weight, balance, shaft flexibility and grip size. Most adults are best served by a 4U (about 80–84 g), evenly balanced frame with a medium shaft and a G5 grip; the finder above shifts each of those for your level, style, position and build. This page explains each spec so you can read any spec sheet.
Badminton racket weight chart
Weight is written as a number plus "U". A higher number means a lighter frame, in steps of about 5 grams, measured unstrung.
| Class | Weight range | Yonex average | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2U | 90–94 g | 93 g | Rare today; very strong hitters who want maximum mass |
| 3U | 85–89 g | 88 g | Strong players, rear-court attackers, many singles players |
| 4U | 80–84 g | 83 g | The default for most adults: power and speed in balance |
| 5U | 75–79 g | 78 g | Juniors, lighter builds, fast doubles exchanges |
| 6U | 70–74 g | 73 g (Yonex “F”) | Ultra-light: quick, but little mass behind the shuttle |
Ranges as published in Li-Ning's racket weight guide; averages from Yonex's published specifications, where the lightest classes are called F (about 73 g) and 2F (about 68 g). Strings and grip add weight, so a strung 4U racket weighs more than 84 g in your hand.
4U vs 5U: which is better?
| 4U (80–84 g) | 5U (75–79 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | More solid, more stable on blocks | Quicker to swing and recover |
| Smash and clears | More mass behind the shuttle | Relies on swing speed |
| Defence and drives | Good | Very good |
| Arm load | Moderate | Lighter |
| Good fit for | Most adults, singles, rear-court players | Juniors, lighter builds, front-court doubles players |
Neither is "better". A light racket does not automatically mean a weaker smash: speed comes mainly from technique (see how to smash harder). The difference is stability vs quickness. When in doubt, choose 4U; it is the most common weight for a reason.
Balance: head-heavy, even or head-light
- Head-heavy puts mass in the frame head: more momentum on smashes and clears, slower in fast exchanges. Popular with rear-court attackers and many singles players.
- Even balance is the all-rounder and the safest choice for beginners.
- Head-light keeps the mass near the handle: fast to move, great for drives, blocks and net interceptions, so doubles front-court players love it. Less help on deep clears.
Balance is often given as a balance point in millimetres from the butt of the handle; a higher number means more head-heavy. Compare numbers within the same brand, since methods vary.
Shaft flex: stiff vs flexible
A flexible shaft bends during the swing and kicks back at contact, which helps a moderate swing reach the back of the court. A stiff shaft barely bends, giving precise, immediate response but demanding a fast, well-timed swing. Rule of thumb: flexible for beginners, medium for most club players, stiff for advanced players with a quick swing. Flex ratings are brand-specific words ("flexible", "medium", "stiff", "extra stiff"), not a shared standard.
Badminton grip size: G4, G5 or G6?
| Yonex grip | Handle | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| G4 | Thicker | Larger hands, many adult men |
| G5 | Thinner | Most adults; easy grip changes |
| G6 | Thinnest | Small hands, juniors |
Holding the racket correctly matters more than its exact thickness: see the badminton grip guide. And once you have a frame, the string tension calculator tells you what to string it at.
Want the long version with examples for each level? Read how to choose a badminton racket. Doubles players should also look at doubles strategy, since your court position changes which balance helps.
Frequently asked questions
What does 3U, 4U and 5U mean on a badminton racket?
It's the weight class of the unstrung frame. 3U is about 85–89 g, 4U about 80–84 g and 5U about 75–79 g. The higher the number, the lighter the racket.
Is 4U or 5U better for beginners?
Either works. 4U is the most common and gives a more stable feel; 5U is easier for juniors, lighter adults or anyone with a sore arm. Pair it with an even balance and a flexible shaft.
What grip size should I get, G4 or G5?
On the Yonex scale G5 is thinner than G4. Most adults are comfortable with G5 (adding an overgrip if needed); large hands may prefer G4. If unsure, choose the thinner size, because you can build a handle up but not down.
Should a beginner use a head-heavy racket?
Usually not. Head-heavy frames reward fast, well-timed swings and feel slow in defence. An even balance with a flexible shaft is more forgiving while you build technique.
Does a heavier racket give a harder smash?
It can add momentum if you can still swing it fast, but swing speed matters more. A racket that's too heavy slows your swing and your recovery, so the smash and the next shot both suffer.
Are grip sizes the same across brands?
No. Yonex's G4/G5/G6 scale is the most common reference, but other brands use their own codes and thicknesses. Compare the handle circumference in millimetres when the brand publishes it, or try the racket in your hand.
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