Best Badminton Strings: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

Even the smallest details can affect your game.  Choosing the best badminton strings can be as important to your game as choosing the best badminton shoes.  Coupling the best strings with proper string tension can be confusing for beginner badminton players.  There are some facts all beginner players should be familiar with to have the best badminton strings ready for your time on the court.  

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Before we start looking at specific brands, let?s break down some fast facts about badminton string tension:

• Rackets are strung to specific string ‘tension’ levels that can vary greatly depending on a player’s experience.  String tension can be anywhere from 17lbs – 30lbs+. 
• Badminton rackets have tension recommendations.  Stringing your racket at tension levels higher than those recommendations can lead to racket damage.
• Badminton strings slowly lose tension and become more elastic.  This tension creep begins the moment your racket is strung.
• High tension = Harder swing to generate power, but a greater chance you will break a string if the shuttle connects with your string bed outside of the ‘sweet spot’.
• Low tension = Weaker swing to generate power, but a bigger ‘sweet spot’ (The sweet spot is a specific, centralized area of the string bed that you want to connect with the shuttlecock to give you the most power and speed.)
• Stringing a racket above manufacturer recommendations can void your warranty.

What Are Badminton Strings Made Of?

The most common string material for badminton strings is nylon.  It’s an inexpensive synthetic material that is easier to mass-produce than archaic animal gut strings.  Surprisingly, some badminton players still prefer animal gut strings which are literally made from cow intestines.  Natural gut strings were the original string type before synthetic materials were widely available.  Natural gut strings are still available, and Babolat makes a natural gut string for badminton rackets but it is significantly more expensive than synthetic strings.  

Innovation has led the racket sports industry to experiment, improve, and perfect racket string construction over the years.  Strings are now developed with infusions of polymers and high-performance materials like kevlar and titanium that add strength and decrease breakage.  

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There are three typical types of string construction:

• Monofilament – This string type has a single core that provides strength to the string.  It’s got an outer sleeve coating that protects it and is a stiffer string. 
• Multifilament – This string type has hundreds or thousands of thin filaments braided or twisted together to form the core, along with an outer sleeve or coating that protects it.  It offers greater power and repulsion than monofilament strings and is the most common type of badminton string.  Almost all of my recommendations below are multifilament construction strings.
• Microfilament – This string type has a similar construction to the multifilament, but the inner fibers are significantly thinner than multifilament.  This type of string is not a super popular choice in the badminton world.

What is the Best Badminton String Gauge for Me?

Badminton string gauge measurements vary from 0.61mm all the way up to 0.75mm.  What does this number mean?  This gauge measurement refers to the thickness of the string itself.  The most common string choices fall between in the 0.67mm-0.70mm range.

The thinner the string, the more likely it is to break or snap during play.  Thin strings tend to make a more solid, sharp sound when connecting with the shuttle, which many players prefer. 

Thick badminton strings are more durable and less likely to snap during play.  They will wear out more slowly.  However, they add a little weight to your racket and feel different on connection than thin strings.

What’s the Best Badminton String Brand for Me?

There is no one size fits all badminton racket string for everyone.  Beginner players (who are unable to generate tons of power on their own) will typically perform better with string choices and tension that allow them to have a large sweet spot and more repulsion.  Professional and international players tend to string their rackets with very high tension and opt for string choices that provide control over power, as they are well versed in generating that power on their own. 

Though Yonex is the most widely known brand of badminton gear and produces several lines of quality badminton string, there are other options on the market as well.  Let’s break down some of our favorites and recommendations. 

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Best Badminton Strings for Beginners

Our choice for the best badminton strings for beginners is the Yonex Nanogy 98 Medium Feeling.  This 0.66mm multifilament string touts hydro titanium for extra durability.  It’s not-too-thick, not-too-thin gauge provides repulsion that makes it easy for a beginner to use this string to generate power.  It’s a mid-price string, so it shouldn’t break the bank.  

Best Badminton Strings for Pros

Our choice for the professionals and international players is the Yonex BG 66 Ultimax (not to be confused with the Yonex BG 66 original string).  This string is on the thinner side and commands great control.  It’s a 0.65mm multifilament nylon string that is an improved version of the BG66. It offers more durability without sacrificing control and repulsion.  It comes in multiple colors and has that great Yonex quality.  

Best Badminton Strings for Less Breaking

Our choice for the badminton string that carries the best durability is the Yonex BG68 Ti Titanium.  This 0.68mm gauge high-polymer nylon multifilament string has a titanium coating – making it extra durable.  It is also available in multiple colors.  It creates a high-hitting sound and a great feel.

Best Badminton Strings for Overall Performance

Our choice for the badminton string that has a well-rounded overall performance is the Yonex BG80.  This multifilament nylon string is a 0.68mm string that is thicker than the BG66 Ultimax.  It has high repulsion, great durability, and a sharp feeling.  It could be used by beginners and pros alike for great performance on the court.

Best Badminton Strings on a Budget

Our choice for the best budget badminton strings is the Ashaway Zymax 66 FirePower.  This BETA polymer string has a 0.66mm gauge.  It’s a major power provider, and the polymer construction makes it pretty durable considering the price (less than $8).  You will sacrifice some precision with this string.  That power over precision factor makes this budget string a great choice for beginners as well.  Bonus: This string is made in the USA.

Hopefully, this guide helped you to choose the best badminton strings for your experience level, budget, and playing style.  If your racket choice is still up in the air, we’ve got your back!  Check out our Complete Buyer’s Guide for Badminton Rackets.