Best Badminton Strings 2022 [A Definitive Guide]

Best Badminton Strings of 2022

ProductTypeMaterialLenghtGaugeColor
Yonex BG 66 Ultimax (Editor's Choice)Yonex BG 66 Ultimax Badminton StringBadminton string for smashingNylon10 Meter (33 Feet)0.65mmBlack; Yellow; Metallic White; Neon Pink; Orange; Pink; RedCheck Price
Yonex BG 80Yonex BG 80 Badminton StringBadminton string for power and controlNylon10 Meter (33 Feet)0.68mm Black; Lin Dan Bright Green; Royal Blue; Sky Blue; Violet; White; YellowCheck Price
ASHAWAY ZyMax 66 Fire PowerASHAWAY ZyMax 66 Fire Power Badminton String SetBadminton string for powerBETA Polymer10 Meter (33 Feet)0.66mmIvory WhiteCheck Price
Li-Ning String No.1Li-Ning Brand Badminton String NO.1Durable badminton stringNylon10 Meter (33 Feet)0.65mmBlackCheck Price
Yonex BG AS-2 AerosonicYonex Aerosonic Badminton StringThin badminton stringNylon200 Meters (656 Feet)0.61mmWhiteCheck Price

1. Yonex BG 66 Ultimax – Best for Smashing

Yonex is arguably the most respected brand in badminton. They offer a wide variety of high-quality products and the BG66 Ultimax String is no different.

Provides You with Good Power

The first standout quality of the BG66 that I want to highlight is the way that it makes it easier for you to execute power strokes. Once this string is tied up inside your racket, you’ll quickly notice its terrific repulsion.

The shuttlecock bounces off it incredibly well. You don’t have to supply the power all the time because a racket equipped with this string can take over for you.

A more power-oriented racket does not work for all badminton players, though. Even if you are among the players who don’t need extra power from your equipment, this replacement string can still prove helpful.

Adds Precision to Your Game

Depending on how you decide to have this string installed, you can also have it geared to provide better control. That will prove useful if you are going up against a player who is not particularly agile. You can use precise shots to defeat him/her instead.

It’s ultimately going to be up to you to decide how you want to leverage the capabilities of this replacement string. Regardless, however you choose to have it configured, you can be confident that it will perform well.

Durability Is Lacking

The gauge for this badminton string is 0.65 millimeters. That’s pretty typical for a replacement string, which means that this is another one of those items that offer less than stellar durability.

You absolutely need to take proper care of it, or else it’s going to snap on you in just a matter of weeks. It would not be ideal to pay a decent amount of money for a replacement string that you’ll only end up using for a short period of time.

PROS:
  • High repulsion makes it easier for you to display power
  • Precise shots are possible with this item
  • Plenty of color options for you to choose from
CONS:
  • This item’s durability leaves a lot to be desired

2. Yonex BG 80 – Ideal for Power and Control

Even minor factors can make a huge difference while playing badminton. Something as simple as the feel of the shuttlecock hitting the racket can make a player either feel at ease or less confident.

Some players are at their best when they can strike their target and get a “hard” response from the racket. That’s exactly what the BG80 Badminton String from Yonex supplies.

Creates a Firmer Response in Your Racket

Most replacement strings offer what something termed as “medium feeling.” That refers to how the racket feels when you make contact with the shuttlecock.

Medium feel is the preferred choice for many, which is why most replacements offer it. The Yonex BG80 is different because it provides a “hard” response.

When you hit your target with a racket equipped with this string, it will feel as though you struck something firmly. There’s no right type of feeling to look for in a replacement string. It’s just a matter of preference. If you prefer the firm feeling, though, then you’ll want to get this item.

A Good Performer in Terms of Power

While I will say that this replacement string is not conducive to producing as much easy power as the BG66, it still does well in that department. Beginners will still be able to discover their power stroke if they decide to use this string.

The BG80 is slightly thicker than the other Yonex product we discussed above, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to a ton of additional durability. It’s disappointing that this string can still snap relatively quickly.

However, even taking into account the durability issue, this is still a fine product. For certain players, it may even be the replacement string they have long been seeking.

PROS:
  • Provides a firmer response when it makes successful contact
  • Offers a decent amount of repulsion power
  • Varied color options allow you to personalize your racket
CONS:
  • This item’s level of durability is not where you want it to be

3. ASHAWAY ZyMax 66 Fire Power – Gives Players Access to Major Power

There are many ways to succeed in the game of badminton. You can rely on expert shot placement or seek to overwhelm your opponent with ferocious strikes. Most beginners tend to prefer the latter, and the ZyMax 66 Fire Power Badminton String from ASHAWAY works best for players who desire to hit power shots on a regular basis.

Premium Power Is Present in This String

The ZyMax 66 Fire Power string features a slightly different material composition, and that is one of the reasons why it is capable of offering so much power to badminton players.

You’ll quickly notice how much more power is at your disposal if you decide to use this string in your racket. Winning with raw power may not be every badminton player’s preference, but it’s still a viable approach.

To really get the most out of this item’s power potential, remember to keep the tension low. It may take some time to get used to all the new power in your racket, but it will ultimately help you win more games.

Surprisingly Durable

You may have noticed that this string is also a bit on the thinner side, but it’s significantly more durable than the Yonex products above. If you don’t want to seek out replacement strings regularly, this ASHAWAY creation is going to work great for you.

Control is a different matter altogether, though. Early on, you will struggle to place your shots with this string in your racket properly.

Even with some training under your belt, you may still struggle with that issue. Utilize the power provided to you well, or else you may struggle to maximize the potential of this product.

PROS:
  • Features the kind of power that is second to none
  • Despite being thin, this replacement string is quite durable
  • This string offers good tension stability, which is necessary for consistent performance
CONS:
  • You’ll have a hard time landing precise shots with this string in your racket

4. Li-Ning String No.1 – Easy to Use for New Badminton Players

Badminton is not the type of sport that you can just decide to pick up one day and then suddenly be good at with just a few weeks of practice.

You will first have to improve your hand-eye coordination vastly as well as learn proper techniques before you can even come close to winning a match.

To make the learning process a bit more manageable, you can try using the No.1 Badminton String from Li-Ning.

Create a Bouncier Racket with This String

This substitute string excels at simplifying the process of playing badminton. As I mentioned above, you have to worry about so many things when you’re in the process of trying to hit a shuttlecock that it almost becomes impossible to avoid a mistake if you’re a beginner.

What this replacement string does is take away one of the things you need to worry about so that you can focus on other aspects of the game.

After you get this string laced up within the frame of your racket, you will quickly see how bouncy it is. That bounciness is going to be your best friend because you can leverage it to inject power into your shots. With the power taken care of, you can focus more on developing your technique.

Another nice feature you’ll observe from using this string is the kind of sound it produces once it makes contact with the shuttlecock. It produces that kind of full, pleasing sound that you want to hear to get yourself more into a match.

The Durability Issue Rears Its Ugly Head Again

Unfortunately, this replacement string is unable to avoid the issue that plagues many of its competitors. It’s in the same range of thickness as some of the products we’ve already talked about, and it is similarly prone to breaking.

Still, if you’re a beginner in the sport of badminton, this is a pretty good item to start using so that you can develop a better feel for the game.

PROS:
  • Offers great bounciness that is helpful to beginners
  • The string produces a nice sound once it makes contact with the target
  • Up to eight color options are available, so feel free to choose your favorite
CONS:
  • Don’t expect this string to hold up for a long time inside your racket

5. Yonex BG AS-2 Aerosonic – Strike with Satisfaction Using This Replacement String

No matter the sport you prefer, you will likely need more than a well-conditioned body to play it well. You will also need to get your mind in the game if you want to perform to the best of your abilities.

One of the standout features of the Aerosonic Badminton String from Yonex is designed to help you get more into the badminton matches you’re playing.

Strong Sounds Emanate from This Racket

There’s a sense of great satisfaction that comes from knowing that you hit your target square. It’s almost as if the racket acknowledges that you have honed your technique really well.

Make no mistake, when you smack the shuttlecock with your racket using this string, you will know it immediately. That sound provides a nice confidence boost, and it’s also something that can help your performance for the rest of the game.

Grants You Easy Power

The other area in which this particular Yonex replacement string excels in is repulsion. As long as you have it laced up in your racket in the right way, you will notice that it acts almost like a trampoline that sends the shuttlecock back from where it came.

Thanks to that, you can ease up on your swing and still be sure that you’ll be able to get the shuttlecock over the net.

A familiar problem plagues this item though, with that being durability, or rather a lack thereof. The thickness of this substitute string is just at 0.61 mm, making it the thinnest product in this article.

As you can imagine, that has a negative impact on its durability, and you will need to be very careful if you want to make sure it stays intact.

PROS:
  • You can sound like a professional player by using this string for your racket
  • It’s a good string to use for newer players
  • This replacement string makes it a bit easier for you to control your shots
CONS:
  • Snapping is inevitable when you decide to use this string for your racket

Buyer’s Guide

Not all replacement badminton strings are created equal, and if you intend to take this sport seriously, you will need only the best items.

In this buyer’s guide, we’ll take a longer look at the elements that make up a good replacement string. I’ll also help you find the right substitute string based on your level and your preferred style of play.

Why You Have to Choose Between Purchasing a Durable or Powerful String

Shuttlecock with RacketOne of the first things you’ll have to do when you go out shopping for a replacement badminton string is decided if you’ll get better use out of an item that’s more durable or one that offers greater power potential. In most cases, you simply won’t be able to enjoy the best of both worlds.

The reason why so many badminton strings are unable to provide both great power potential and durability is related to the way they work.

The thinner badminton strings are the ones that feature the best flexibility. A shuttlecock can just bounce off them with absolutely no problem.

You don’t even have to put a lot of elbow grease into a shot to hit the target a long way if you’re using a thinner badminton string.

Of course, the trade-off with using a thinner badminton string is that it is more susceptible to snapping. You can take great care of the string and watch over it carefully, but the point will still come when it is worn down enough from use that it will simply break.

There are obviously exceptions available – strings that manage to offer a decent amount of durability along with above-average power. Those are few and far in between, however. In most cases, you really will have to make a difficult decision.

Is Sound Quality Something I Need to Consider When Shopping for a Replacement String?

When you take a look at how some badminton string manufacturers rate their products, it may surprise you to know that they pay attention to the quality of sound the item is capable of making.

Case in point, the people over at Yonex have a rating dedicated to the hitting sound produced by their strings. You’ll see that they have the Aerosonic Badminton String highly rated in that department.

Still, it can seem odd that manufacturers are paying attention to something like the hitting sound if you are just at the early stages of learning badminton.

However, as you get more matches under your belt, you’ll gradually understand why this is an important consideration for both manufacturers and players.

You obviously want to know that you’re making the right moves and hitting the best shots when you’re playing badminton.

Unless you have a coach watching you or something like that, it would be tough to assess your performance while a match is going on. This is where the hitting sound comes in.

By making solid contact with the shuttlecock, you will be able to produce that immensely satisfying sound that makes you feel that you did things right.

It’s a remarkable feeling and one that can encourage you to play even better in the match or to train harder so that you can produce that sound more often.

Now, this is where it’s important to point out that you don’t necessarily have to hit the target with the so-called “sweet spot” of the racket to produce that distinctive sound. Just like the Aerosonic string, some items are already designed for the purposes of amplifying that sound.

The quality of sound produced by a badminton string is valued because of the psychological impact it can have on you as opposed to serving as a measure of your performance.

Even so, more than a few players swear by strings that produce great sound, and you should see for yourself if this quality will make a difference.

Why Are Badminton Strings Rated for Something Known as ‘Feeling?’

Several specs are usually listed on the packages of badminton strings. Many of them will typically indicate the length and thickness of the string. Some manufacturers will also offer their evaluations of how their product performs in a variety of areas.

One more thing you may notice on the front of a replacement string’s packaging is “feeling.” You may see a “soft,” “medium,” or “hard” feeling. But what exactly are these feelings about?

The feeling of the string refers to the kind of response you will receive as soon as you hit the shuttlecock.

A soft feeling will barely register. It will feel almost like you just struck the shuttlecock with a cushion. Strings that provide a soft feeling are good to use because they put less stress on your arms.

Substitute strings that provide a medium feeling put a bit more stress on your hands and arms over the course of a match, but you’ll also get a better sense of how firmly you are striking the target.

An item with medium feel would be ideally suited for beginners who are looking to learn but who may not be capable of enduring too much additional stress just yet.

The strings that offer a harder feeling are the ones you’ll want if you desire greater resistance while striking the target.

I find that it’s better to train with strings like these because they help you improve your muscle memory faster. The only downside is that they can tire your arms out quickly.

You can’t go wrong with any of the three options, but it would be best to start with the one that offers a medium feel, and then you can move to the items that provide a harder feeling if you want to improve your skills significantly.

What Tension Level Should I Set My String to?

Technically speaking, the tension level is not a feature you will find in the replacement string. Instead, it is something that you, or whoever the person is lacing up your racket, will have to set.

You have an important choice to make when it comes time to set the tension level for your badminton racket.

Your first option is to set the tension level of the racket to somewhere between 18 to 23 pounds. If you set your racket to something within that range, that means that you are playing at a lower tension level, according to Yumo.ca.

So, what happens when your racket is operating at that lower tension level?  First off, it will be easier for you to generate a decent amount of power when your racket is set this way, and you’ll also feel fewer vibrations.

If you want to prolong the life of your replacement string, then it’s also a good idea to play with lower tension.

Of course, if you decide to play with a lower tension racket, the feel will also be less prominent, and it will be tougher to get those really crisp strikes. It’s also tougher to exercise control over your shots with a lower tension racket because of how bouncy the string is.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that things work in reverse for rackets working at a higher tension level. Power becomes more difficult to convey through the racket, and the vibrations also become more prominent. The durability of the string will take a hit as well.

Still, many pros like to play with high tension rackets because they like the firmer feel and appreciate having more control over their shots.

Which Type of Badminton String Should I Use?

Now that we’ve been able to learn more about the badminton string and what its different specs are about, we can move on to identifying the right item for your needs.

There’s no shame in being a beginner, and if you are one, I will urge you to get a thinner replacement string with a medium feel and then set it at a lower tension level. Doing that will mean sacrificing quite a lot in the durability department, but it will be worth it.

Since you aren’t going to be playing in competitions just yet, it also won’t hurt you to lose the added control. Improving your technique should help you exhibit better control over your shots in the long run anyway.

The game of badminton is hard enough to play even for someone with experience properly, so avoid making things more difficult for yourself by getting the wrong type of string for your racket.

Experienced players will likely go for the thicker strings and then set those at a higher tension level. They don’t need to worry about featuring power in their strokes because they already know how to do that.

Control is more important to them because being as precise as possible can make the difference between winning and losing in competitive matches. Furthermore, a thicker string is better suited to withstand a heavier workload.

When Should I Change the String on My Badminton Racket?

Let’s get the obvious answer out of the way right now, yes, you should absolutely change the string of your racket if you see it snap, but there are actually other times when replacing the string makes sense even if it may not be obvious by just looking at it.

According to Badminton Birdie, one test you can try to see if the string on your racket already needs to be replaced involves holding it up to a light. With the string exposed to light, you should be able to tell if there are segments of it that are beginning to fray.

Fraying means the string will snap in the near future. You may still want to hold off on replacing the string until the inevitable happens, but at least buy a replacement.

Another telltale sign of a string on the brink of snapping is a change in the quality of your shoots. If you’re typically consistently with your shots, it should give you pause if you see the shuttlecock bouncing off your racket in different ways. Once again, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a replacement string just so you’re adequately prepared.

Lastly, Master Badminton reminds you to cut out the rest of the string from your racket if it does suddenly snap. By leaving a broken string in there, you will risk dealing with long-term damage to your racket.

Conclusion

You can enjoy hours upon hours of great fun and exercise if you decide to take up badminton as a regular activity. However, if you’re considering doing so, it helps to learn more about badminton strings.

As you have read in this article, the type of string you decide to use in your racket will significantly affect the experiences you can enjoy. Get the string that fits your style of play the best to ensure that you’ll get the most out of this activity.

Thank you for taking the time to read this combo reviews and buyer’s guide article. I hope you were able to learn some valuable bits of information and that you are now better equipped to solve any badminton racket string-related issue.

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