Clash of the Titans: Yonex Astrox 99 Vs. Yonex Voltric Z Force II

As a beginner or a recreational player, you may not give much thought to choosing a badminton racket. However, once you advance and improve your skills, you will have to pay close attention to your racket. If you are an advanced player who loves to play an offensive game, you may have come across the big debate: Astrox 99 vs. Voltric Z Force II. If you are thinking of buying a new racket, it pays to understand which racket will better suit your needs and therefore make you a better player. Let’s begin the clash of the titans.

 

How to choose between Yonex Astrox 99 and Voltric Z Force II? 

Choosing a badminton racket because it is a new launch or it is on sale are not good purchase strategies. When it comes to choosing between Yonex Astrox 99 racket and Voltric Z Force II racket, you must compare them on multiple factors such as: 

1. Power 

 

If you consider Astrox 99 and Voltric Z Force II in terms of power, you will find both to be extremely powerful head-heavy rackets. They promise plenty of power and strength but you need a solid amount of preparation and technique to get the most benefits. The Yonex Astrox 99 has a stiff flex with its weight more evenly balanced in the head of the frame which can make it only slightly more forgiving. Voltric Z Force II has an extra-stiff flex with a unique aerodynamic frame that cuts air resistance and gives great power to your shots. If you have mastered the skills of the game, choose Voltric Z Force II to unleash great power. 

2. Control

There is a direct correlation between the speed of the swing and stiffness of the racket. The higher the speed, the higher the requirement for a stiff shaft. As an advanced player with excellent skills, you should have a racket with stiff shaft so that you can control your shots easily. When comparing both the rackets, you will realize that Yonex Astrox 99 has a stiff shaft and Yonex Voltric Z Force II has an extra-stiff shaft meaning the latter offers more controlled play. Now, remember, Astrox 99 is not really bad when it comes to playing controlled shots. It is just that it is slightly less good than Voltric Z Force II. 

3. Speed

When it comes to comparing the rackets on the basis of speed, you must remember that both the models are head-heavy rackets. It means they are going to feel slightly sluggish in comparison to head-light rackets. However, when you compare them on a one-on-one basis, the Yonex Astrox 99 racket (with even weight distribution) offers more speed. Being an extremely powerful head-heavy racket, the weight distribution Voltric Z Force II racket makes it slightly slow. Even though it has a thin shaft that cuts down air resistance, it has a few issues with speed. So, playing defensive shots can get a bit tricky with the Voltric model. It also means you will get tired quickly if you do not have stamina and skills. In the end, to generate sufficient speed from both rackets, you need to hone your skills. 

4. Price

Price is often the first factor that we consider for buying a badminton racket. Both rackets are high-end rackets because of the features they hold. Astrox 99 badminton racket came out in September 2018 and so it is slightly more expensive. It has an online price of $234.95 and the Voltric Z Force 2 racket is available for $229 online. It was launched in January 2014. If you wish to purchase from a brick-and-mortar store, the prices can be higher. So, it is best to seek a reliable online badminton store to make the purchase. 

5. User-Friendliness

User-friendliness of a badminton racket depends on your skills and requirements. You must know that Voltric Z Force II is a slightly more advanced racket. With an aerodynamic frame, extra-stiff flex and thinner shaft, the racket is meant for players who are skilled at playing different badminton shots efficiently. If you are still learning the nuances of the game, it is best to avoid it. The racket demands skilled players. With a slightly more flexible shaft and larger frame, Yonex Astrox 99 is more favorable for intermediate players (not for beginners though). It can generate a good amount of power with a slightly weak technique as well. 

Consistency is also a part of choosing a racket. When compared to the Voltric Z Force II, Astrox 99 can get a bit difficult to manage. The reason is that the Astrox 99 has a slightly more flexible shaft with a larger frame. However, please remember that once you start understanding the power and flexibility of the racket, you will be able to wield it properly. So, for the two rackets in question, consistency is not a deciding factor. 

6. Sweet Spot Size

The sweet spot is not related to the size of the racket frame. Instead, it means the area on the racket bed that allows you to play your shots accurately and easily. On both rackets, the sweet spots are huge which means even if the shuttlecock hits a bit on the side, you will be able to deliver the shot accurately. 

7. Doubles/Singles Orientation

Although both rackets can be used for doubles as well as singles games, the Yonex Astrox 99 racket is a slightly faster option. It means it is well-suited for the doubles game which requires more agility. The flexible shaft can make your shots quicker than before. For a singles game that requires more accuracy and control along with powerful shots, you can choose the Voltric Z Force II racket. The racket may be a bit sluggish but once you get hold of playing with it, you will be able to connect with the shuttlecock better. If you want to use Yonex Voltric Z Force II for a doubles game, opt for the lighter 4U version. 

8. Design

Although professional badminton players rarely pay attention to design and colors, you can use them as criteria to get more clarity. Made in Japan, the Yonex Astrox 99 comes in a stylish shiny black and sunshine orange color combination. It has gold decals and a black colored shaft. The Voltric Z Force II racket has a menacing black color with blue decals. If you do not prefer flashy colors, you can choose this simple, solid racket. 

So, there you have it! Now that you know all about the different characteristics of Yonex Astrox 99 and Voltric Z Force II, you can make a well-thought decision that enhances your game.

Choose well! 

When it comes to buying a new power badminton racket, Yonex Astrox 99 badminton racket and Voltric Z Force II racket are strong contenders. Choose wisely and get ready to win games!