Sunday, 19 January 2020

2020 Buyer’s Guide: Best Yonex Badminton Rackets of 2020

If badminton is your game of choice, you know the popularity of Yonex rackets. The company has been a quintessential part of every badminton player’s gear. If you are looking to invest in a new racket, check out the 2020 Buyer’s Guide and find out the best Yonex badminton racket to suit your needs. Pick the right racket that’s been approved by our editor and get ready to take your game to the next level.
Learn how to choose the Best Yonex Badminton Rackets of 2020

Yonex Racket Buying Guide for the New Year! 

Let’s take a look at the top badminton rackets from Yonex so that you can choose one that suits your style. 

Astrox 99: Ideal for Players who love to play Smashes

One of the top-performing rackets from the Astrox collection, AX99 badminton racket is menacing in the hands of an advanced player. Even though the racket is head-heavy, its Rotational Generator System distributes the weight throughout the racket and allows for better speed. The racket has full-frame NAMD in the entire body for greater flexibility and improved repulsion. With a super-slim shaft, it cuts air resistance and makes it a delight for players who demand powerful shots without compromising on speed.

Weight Category: 4U and 3U

Stringing Advice: 4U (20-28 lbs.) and 3U (21-29 lbs.) 

Color: Sunshine Orange 

Nanoflare 800: Perfect for Players who love Fast Rallies

If you are an advanced player or love to play doubles, you can consider using the Yonex Nanoflare 800 for its immense speed and control. A highly successful racket model with a super-slim shaft; it comes with 360° Razor Frame to reduce air resistance and improve the aerodynamic features of the racket. It has the Sonic Flare System for maximum stability and power. The technology enhances shuttlecock acceleration to the maximum. If you play faster games and rapid rallies, this is the one of the most recommended head-light durable racket for you. 

Weight Category: 4U and 3U

Stringing Advice: 4U (20-28 lbs.) and 3U (21-29 lbs.) 
 
Color: Matte Black

Astrox 88S: Your Partner for a Doubles Game 

Specially created for doubles players, the Yonex Astrox 88S badminton racket is a comparatively lighter head-heavy racket that doesn’t slow down your game. The racket is best suited for doubles players who are positioned in the front-court. As they require more controlled hitting instead of power, this racket focuses on the skill and control aspect of the game. The Astrox 88S (Skill) racket has a new design and flexible frame to ensure higher control over your shots. The overall length of the racket is 5mm longer than the average racket available on the market. The racket length enhances accuracy and power to hit front-court shots easily.

Weight Category: 4U and 3U

Stringing Advice: 4U (20-28 lbs.) and 3U (21-29 lbs.) 

Color: Emerald Green 

Voltric Z Force II: More Power and Speed for Advanced Players

One of the top performing rackets from the Voltric series, the VTZF2 is known for its compact racket head and extra-stiff flex. It includes the Tri-Voltage System which ensures that the head-heavy racket doesn’t slow down your game. The top of the frame holds the shuttlecock longer and the thin sides of the frame allow for more flex and thus, result in explosive shots. The unique design makes sure that your response is instant. If you are an advanced player, you can consider the Voltric Z Force II for hitting powerful shots quickly. 

Weight Category: 4U and 3U

Stringing Advice: 4U (20-27 lbs.) and 3U (20-28 lbs.) 

Color: Black

Astrox 88D: A Dominant Ally for Back-Court Players

Yonex introduced Astrox 88S and Astrox 88D to suit the different needs of doubles players. If you are a back-court player, you need a badminton racket that makes your shots stronger and quicker than before. You should be able to smash down the shuttlecock in the opponent’s court and win quick points for your team. And this is exactly what Yonex Astrox 88D racket will help you with. With more flexibility in the upper part of the racket head, it will deliver very strong smashes and fierce clear shots. It is the perfect racket for a faster defense against your competing team. 

Weight Category: 4U and 3U 

Stringing Advice: 4U (20-28 lbs.) and 3U (21-29 lbs.) 

Color: Ruby Red

Duora Z Strike: The Innovative Dual Frame Design

Truly one-of-its-kind, the Yonex Duora Z Strike badminton racket comes with two frames in a single racket. The Aero+Box frame is due to the innovative Dual Optimum System incorporated in the racket. One side of the racket makes forehands more powerful. It is due to the box-frame of the racket that holds the shuttlecock for a longer period of time. The aero-frame makes your backhand quicker than before. It delivers high stiffness and immense repulsion for faster reactions. With specially designed Duora grommets and extra-slim shaft, the racket delivers intense shots every single time. 

Weight Category: 3U and 2U 

Stringing Advice: 3U (20-28 lbs.) and 2U (21-29 lbs.) 

Color: Black/White

Nanoflare 700: The Choice for Intermediate-to-Advanced Players 
 
If you are well-versed with the different skills associated with the game of badminton and require a racket that promises maximum speed without any exertion, we have found the perfect racket for you. Choose Yonex Nanoflare 700, a head-light racket with Sonic Flare System and an improved Aero frame for maximum shuttle acceleration. Ideal for fast rallies, the racket snaps back into place after coming in contact with the shuttlecock and thus, makes your reactions faster than ever. The light weight of the racket will make your game quick and won’t weight down your arms. 

Weight Category: 5U and 4U

Stringing Advice: 5U (19-27 lbs.) and 4U (20-28 lbs.) 

Color: Blue, Green and Red

Arcsaber 11: Accuracy and Precision 
 
Yonex Arcsaber 11 badminton racket is perfect for an advanced player who demands accurate, controlled shots. The racket is well-known among badminton professionals for incredible flexibility and high repulsion. Made with Neo CS Carbon Nanotube, the ARC11 racket has a unique frame that stores and releases technology for precise shots every time you yield the racket. It holds the shuttlecock for a longer time, allows you to control your shots and returns back to the normal position as quickly as possible. The racket even has an expanded sweet-spot for accurate placement of the shuttlecock. 

Weight Category: 3U and 2U 

Stringing Advice: 3U (19-24 lbs.) and 2U (20-25 lbs.) 

Color: Metallic Red 

Astrox 77: The Light-Weight Racket for Superior Speed

The Astrox racket series is known for introducing head-heavy rackets to play powerful shots without losing out on speed. If you are looking for a light-weight racket, the Astrox 77 badminton racket is the perfect choice for you. It is quite unlike other rackets from the Astrox series and its focus is more on speed rather than power. The smashes may be less powerful but when it comes to playing defensive shots and net shots, it truly shines on the court. You will require some time to get used to the feel of the racket. But once you are accustomed to it, you will realize that the racket doesn’t tire you down. 

Weight Category: 4U and 3U 

Stringing Advice: 4U (20-28 lbs.) and 3U (21-29 lbs.) 

Color: Shine Yellow and Metallic Blue 

Astrox 55: A Delight for Intermediate Players 

The mid-range Yonex Astrox 55 badminton racket is very light in weight. It is ideal for intermediate players who want a super-light frame that doesn’t tire their arms and delivers stronger and faster shots every time. Don't get fooled by the weight of the racket. Made with NAMD technology and Rotational Generator System, the racket shaft has a medium flex, thus providing a perfect blend of power and speed. It delivers faster swings and quick net shots. 

Weight Category: 5U

Stringing Advice: 5U (19-24 lbs.) 

Color: Light Silver and Shine Pink 

2020 Badminton Racket Guide: Buy What Suits You! 

Now that you have all the information about the best Yonex badminton rackets of 2020, make a list of your requirements, preferences and playing skills. Instead of buying an expensive racket that your favorite player uses, make an informed buying decision. Choose one that ticks all the boxes and enables you to become a more successful player.

Wednesday, 15 January 2020

Yonex Duora Z Strike Review: Dual Frame for Double Benefits

Choosing the correct badminton racket can be a daunting experience, especially when there are so many options out there. Buying the most expensive racket without understanding your needs and playing style is a sure way to backfire. It is best to learn more about the popular racket models, understand their features and then compare them to find the best badminton racket that suits you. 

If you are looking for an all-round racket with a unique frame, give a chance to one of Viktor Axelsen’s favorite racket, the Yonex Duora Z Strike badminton racket. Launched in 2017, the Yonex Duora Z Strike is one of the top-performing rackets in the market.
Yonex Duora Z Strike Badminton Racket Review

Duora Z Strike: Innovation at its Best

Yonex introduced the Duora series to address the diverse needs of players. It offers an enhanced performance with equally strong forehands and backhands. It boasts of the Dual Optimum System that lends an Aero+Box frame to the racket. With a box-frame, you can make your forehand shots more powerful and enjoy a solid feeling while hitting the shuttlecock. On the other hand, the Aero-part of the frame makes your backhands sharper, quicker and better than before. It ensures a reduced air resistance to make your game faster than your competitor. 

The racket also has an innovative Duora grommet design that includes 8-linked grommets with different thickness on either side of the frame. It enhances the features of the Aero+Box frame and ensures a stronger performance in the game.

Learn more about Racket Specifications and Technology

Flex: Extra Stiff 

Frame: H.M. Graphite / NANOMETRIC DR / Hyper-MG 

Shaft: NANOMETRIC / H.M. Graphite / EX-HMG 

Weight and Grip: 3U (Ave.88g) G4,5 and 2U (Ave.93g) G4,5

Recommended String Tension: 3U 20-28lbs, 2U 21-29lbs

COLOR: Black/White 

How does the Duora Z Strike fare in comparison to others?

Because the DUO-ZS badminton racket has such unique features, it is truly one of its kind. However, it is often compared with several top-performing rackets from Yonex. Let’s understand how it holds up against other racket models. 

1. If compared the Duora Z strike with Yonex Arcsaber 11 racket, you will find that the Duora model seems slightly more head-heavy and stiffer than the ARC11 model. The latter is more forgiving as well. 

2. Duora Z strike is similar to the Yonex Voltric Z-Force II racket because of its compact racket head. If you have played with ZFII in the past, you will find it easier to adapt to the Duora Z Strike racket. The Duora racket is slightly less head-heavy and can deliver faster shots than its competitor.

3. Astrox 77 has a larger sweet spot and the Duora Z Strike has a more concentrated sweet spot. So, it all comes down to your preferences. If you like a light-weight racket with a medium stiff shaft, you can get the Astrox 77 racket. It is suitable for singles as well as doubles players. 

4. The one racket that comes very close to Duora Z Strike is the Duora 10 badminton racket. With similar weight and features, players often choose one between the two options. Duora Z-Strike fares well in terms of power, repulsion and control because of the extra stiff and longer shaft. If you require a good racket for defensive shots and faster counter attacks, the Duora 10 gets more points. Thus, a majority of doubles players prefer Yonex Duora 10 instead of Duora Z Strike. 

Is the Duora Z Strike suited to your playing style?

The racket is designed for advanced players who want to improve their shots and gain advantage over their opponents. If you want to improve your smashes with more power and longer shuttlecock hold, this is the racket for you. While playing backhand shots, the ultra-resilient material of the racket ensures higher stiffness and quicker repulsion. Viktor Axelsen, Caroline Marin and several other players have liked the racket and made it popular. 

It is definitely one of the best rackets that Yonex has ever produced. But just like all good things, it demands some attention. Remember the Yonex Duora Z Strike may not be as forgiving as other racket models. But once you identify with its style and technology, it will be a treat to play on the court.