BBy Bikram Nath·Researched from UK Amazon listings·Updated 2026-10-16·6 products compared
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you — but it never changes our rankings.
What are the best badminton rackets to buy in the UK?
Our top pick for Badminton Rackets in the UK is the ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100 Badminton Racket.
The ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100 suits players who want a racket with its specifications listed: VS Graphite, an 86g (3oz) frame weight, a head-light balance, medium flex and a 23lbs string tension; it comes without a cover.
The ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100 is our top pick for a badminton racket because its listing states VS Graphite construction, an 86g (3oz) frame weight, a head-light balance, medium flex, a 23lbs string tension and a 26.4” (670mm) length. For a racket that comes with a cover, the YONEX Astrox Lite 27i lists graphite, 77 grams and a maximum string tension of 30lbs; for family games, the HIRALIY set includes 4 steel rackets, 12 nylon shuttlecocks, 4 grip tapes and a large carrying bag.
This guide compares six badminton rackets and sets from ASHAWAY, YONEX, HIRALIY, Redfield and AboveGenius, using what each listing states: material, weight, balance, string tension, what is included and the stated skill level. Stated weights are 77 grams on the YONEX Astrox Lite 27i, an 86g frame weight on the ASHAWAY, 4.3 oz per racket on the HIRALIY and 115g per racket on the AboveGenius.
Buying guide
What should you look for in Badminton Rackets?
1Material: graphite on the ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100 (VS Graphite) and the YONEX Astrox Lite 27i; steel with an integrated T-joint on the HIRALIY (1-piece tempered steel frame) and Redfield (one-piece steel alloy construction) sets; tempered ferroalloy on the AboveGenius set. The YONEX Nanoflare 700 Play listing names no frame material.
2Weight: the listings state 77 grams (YONEX Astrox Lite 27i), an 86g (3oz) frame weight (ASHAWAY), 4.3 oz per racket (HIRALIY) and 115g per racket (AboveGenius).
3Balance and string tension: ASHAWAY lists a head-light balance and a 23lbs string tension; YONEX lists a grip-heavy balance on the Nanoflare 700 Play and a maximum string tension of 30lbs on the Astrox Lite 27i. The Nanoflare 700 Play and the three sets give no string tension figure.
4What is included: the YONEX Astrox Lite 27i comes with a full racket cover, and the ASHAWAY is supplied without a cover. The HIRALIY set has 4 rackets, 12 nylon shuttlecocks, 4 grip tapes and a large carrying bag; the Redfield set 2 rackets, 2 nylon shuttlecocks, 2 overgrips and a carry bag with an adjustable shoulder strap; the AboveGenius set 6 rackets and 6 nylon shuttlecocks.
5Warranty: the YONEX Nanoflare 700 Play listing states a 2 Year warranty and the AboveGenius listing says no warranty; the ASHAWAY, YONEX Astrox Lite 27i, HIRALIY and Redfield listings state no warranty term.
Our process
How do we choose our picks?
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise current Amazon UK listings and published specs into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We check each pick against live Amazon UK catalogue data rather than last year’s model lists. Stock moves fast, so a listing can sell out after we publish.
Published specs
We compare manufacturer specifications so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage and plug/fitting standards — details that generic global lists miss.
Tempered steel: 1-piece frame with integrated T-joint
Steel alloy: one-piece construction with integrated T-joint
Tempered ferroalloy
Includes
Racket strung with Zymax 69 Fire White string; supplied without a cover
1 strung racket with full racket cover
—
4 steel rackets, 12 nylon shuttlecocks, 4 grip tapes and a large carrying bag
2 steel alloy rackets, 2 nylon shuttlecocks, 2 overgrips and a carry bag with adjustable…
6 ferroalloy rackets and 6 nylon shuttlecocks
Skill Level
—
Intermediate in the title; Advanced in the feature list
Beginners, recreational players and advanced players (per listing)
Designed for beginners or recreational players; also described as suitable for all skill…
Beginner and recreational players
Beginners to intermediate
Weight
86g (3oz) frame weight
77 grams
—
4.3 oz per racket
—
115g per racket
Balance
Head light
Rotational Generator System: weight distributed throughout the grip end, frame top and…
Grip-heavy
—
—
—
The rankings
The best Badminton Rackets, ranked
1
ASHAWAY
Top Pick
ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100 Badminton Racket
The ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100 suits players who want a racket with its specifications listed: VS Graphite, an 86g (3oz) frame weight, a head-light balance, medium flex and a 23lbs string tension; it comes without a cover.
Material
VS Graphite
Weight
86g (3oz) frame weight
Balance
Head light
String Tension
23lbs
Includes
Racket strung with Zymax 69 Fire White string; supplied without a cover
Head Shape
Isometric (Ashaway SQ)
What we like
+86g (3oz) frame weight, head-light balance and medium flex, per the listing
+Supplied strung with Zymax 69 Fire White string; the listing gives a string tension of 23lbs
+26.4” (670mm) long, with a G2 grip size and Ashaway Super Grip
+VS Graphite construction with an isometric (Ashaway SQ) head
Worth noting
–Supplied without a cover, per the listing
–The listing states no warranty term or skill level
YONEX Astrox Lite 27i Graphite Strung Badminton Racket with Full Racket Cover
The YONEX Astrox Lite 27i suits players who want a 77-gram graphite racket supplied strung with a full racket cover; its listing gives both intermediate and advanced as the skill level.
Material
Graphite
Weight
77 grams
Balance
Rotational Generator System: weight distributed throughout the grip end, frame top and joint (per listing)
String Tension
Maximum 30lbs
Includes
1 strung racket with full racket cover
Skill Level
Intermediate in the title; Advanced in the feature list
Head Shape
Isometric (square-shaped)
What we like
+77 grams, with a maximum string tension of 30lbs, per the title
+Graphite racket supplied strung, with a full racket cover
+Isometric (square-shaped) head and a slim shaft, per the listing
Worth noting
–The title says For Intermediate Players while the feature list says Skill Level: Advanced
–The listing states no warranty term or grip size
£31.50Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
The YONEX Nanoflare 700 Play Limited Edition 2026 suits buyers who want a strung, grip-heavy racket with a 2 Year warranty; its listing calls it ideal for beginners, recreational players and advanced players.
Balance
Grip-heavy
Skill Level
Beginners, recreational players and advanced players (per listing)
Warranty
2 Year
Strung
Strung and ready to play
What we like
+Grip-heavy balance, which YONEX says is for maximum manoeuvrability and controlled play
+Sonic Flare System, which YONEX says improves ball acceleration
HIRALIY Badminton Rackets Set of 4 with 12 Shuttlecocks and Carry Bag
The HIRALIY Badminton Rackets Set of 4 suits family games, with 4 steel rackets of 4.3 oz each, 12 nylon shuttlecocks, grip tapes and a carrying bag, per its listing.
Material
Tempered steel: 1-piece frame with integrated T-joint
Weight
4.3 oz per racket
Includes
4 steel rackets, 12 nylon shuttlecocks, 4 grip tapes and a large carrying bag
Skill Level
Designed for beginners or recreational players; also described as suitable for all skill levels
Strung
Prestrung
What we like
+4 steel rackets, 12 nylon shuttlecocks, 4 grip tapes and a large carrying bag
+Each racket weighs 4.3 oz, per the listing
+1-piece tempered steel frame with an integrated T-joint
+PU grip tapes, and a grooved frame that HIRALIY says prevents frame wear
Worth noting
–The listing states no warranty term
–The listing gives no string tension figure
£35.99Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
Redfield Badminton Set for 2 Players with 2 Rackets, 2 Shuttlecocks and Carry Bag
The Redfield set suits two beginner or recreational players, indoors or outdoors, with steel alloy rackets, overgrips, shuttlecocks and a carry bag with a shoulder strap, per its listing.
Material
Steel alloy: one-piece construction with integrated T-joint
Includes
2 steel alloy rackets, 2 nylon shuttlecocks, 2 overgrips and a carry bag with adjustable shoulder strap
Skill Level
Beginner and recreational players
Use
Indoor and outdoor
What we like
+2 steel alloy rackets, 2 nylon shuttlecocks, 2 overgrips and a carry bag with an adjustable shoulder strap
+One-piece steel alloy construction with an integrated T-joint
+3D box frame design, which Redfield says improves wind resistance and swing speed
+Listed for indoor and outdoor use
Worth noting
–The listing states no warranty term
–Designed for beginner and recreational players, per the listing
–The listing gives no string tension figure
£20.99£23.99−13%Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
AboveGenius Badminton Rackets Set of 6 with 6 Shuttlecocks
The AboveGenius Badminton Rackets Set of 6 suits groups of beginner to intermediate players, with 6 ferroalloy rackets of 115g each and 6 nylon shuttlecocks, per its listing.
Material
Tempered ferroalloy
Weight
115g per racket
Includes
6 ferroalloy rackets and 6 nylon shuttlecocks
Skill Level
Beginners to intermediate
What we like
+6 rackets and 6 nylon shuttlecocks in one set
+Each racket weighs 115g, per the listing
+Rackets made of tempered ferroalloy
+Listed for players from beginners to intermediate
Worth noting
–The listing says no warranty
–The listing mentions no carry bag and gives no string tension figure
£36.99£39.99−8%Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time). Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 17 Oct, 13:00 (London time) and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Editor's Note
The single rackets are documented unevenly: ASHAWAY gives weight, balance, flex, length, grip size and string tension, while the YONEX Nanoflare 700 Play listing gives a grip-heavy balance and a 2 Year warranty but names no frame material or string tension. The YONEX Astrox Lite 27i is listed for intermediate players in its title and as advanced in its feature list, and the Nanoflare 700 Play is the one listing here that states a warranty term.
Our Take
As a default, the ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100: its listing states VS Graphite, an 86g (3oz) frame weight, a head-light balance and a 23lbs string tension, though it is supplied without a cover. For a racket with a full cover, the YONEX Astrox Lite 27i lists graphite and 77 grams; for family games, the HIRALIY set includes 4 steel rackets, 12 nylon shuttlecocks and a large carrying bag.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
How heavy is a badminton racket?
The YONEX Astrox Lite 27i lists 77 grams and the ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100 an 86g (3oz) frame weight. In the sets, AboveGenius states 115g per racket and HIRALIY 4.3 oz per racket.
What string tension are badminton rackets strung at?
The ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100 lists a string tension of 23lbs, and the YONEX Astrox Lite 27i a maximum string tension of 30lbs. The YONEX Nanoflare 700 Play, HIRALIY, Redfield and AboveGenius listings give no tension figure.
Which badminton rackets come with a cover?
The YONEX Astrox Lite 27i comes with a full racket cover, per its listing, while the ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100 is supplied without a cover. The HIRALIY and Redfield sets include a carrying bag, and the YONEX Nanoflare 700 Play and AboveGenius listings do not mention a cover or bag.
Which badminton rackets are designed for beginners?
The Redfield, HIRALIY and AboveGenius sets are described for beginners: Redfield for beginner and recreational players, HIRALIY for beginners or recreational players, and AboveGenius for beginners to intermediate. YONEX says the Nanoflare 700 Play is ideal for beginners, recreational players and advanced players, and the ASHAWAY listing names no skill level.
What are badminton rackets made of?
The ASHAWAY Vex Striker 100 is VS Graphite and the YONEX Astrox Lite 27i graphite, per their listings. The HIRALIY set lists a 1-piece tempered steel frame and the Redfield set one-piece steel alloy construction, each with an integrated T-joint; the AboveGenius rackets are tempered ferroalloy, and the YONEX Nanoflare 700 Play listing names no frame material.
How many shuttlecocks come with a badminton set?
The HIRALIY set of 4 includes 12 nylon shuttlecocks, the AboveGenius set of 6 includes 6 and the Redfield set for 2 players includes 2, per their listings.
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