How to Choose a Badminton String

After selecting a badminton racket, players often ask whether they should choose a string upgrade or stick to factory strings. Before choosing a string and a tension, there are a few key points to understand:

Every racket has a 'sweet-spot on the string-bed; this is the area that gives you the most power and speed
Thicker strings are generally more durable than thinner strings, and are therefore less likely to break
Mishits towards the edge of the frame significantly increase the risk of the strings breaking during play
String tension is as important as the string you choose
*Each racket has a recommended stringing range; stringing outside this range will void your warranty*

Top 10 Best Badminton Strings

Casual Player

Low tension (20-23 lbs)

Increases the sweetspot

Club Player

Mid tension (24-25 lbs)

Provides a reliable sweetspot

Advanced Player

High tension (26+ lbs)

More powerful sweetspot

Lower Tension

Choosing a lower tension results in the following changes to your performance:

An increased sweet-spot, making it easier to hit the sweet-spot and consistently hit powerful shots
A softer feel on the string-bed, resulting in less feel of the shuttle and therefore less control
More durability and a slightly decreased risk of breaking the strings from off-centre mishits
More shock absorption from the string-bed and decreased vibrations reaching your arm

Therefore, lower tensions are more suitable for players that want more power, and for players that do not yet consistently hit the sweet-spot on the string-bed.

Higher Tension

Choosing a higher tension results in the following changes to your performance:

A decreased sweet-spot, requiring the player to be more consistent and accurate with their strokes in order to consistently hit the sweet-spot and generate power
A harder feel on the string-bed, resulting in more feel of the shuttle and therefore more control, but also decreased repulsion from the strings, meaning that the player will have to work much harder to generate power
Less durability and an increased risk of breaking the strings from off-centre mishits
Less shock absorption from the string-bed and more vibrations due to the harder feel of the string-bed

Therefore, higher tensions are suitable for players with advanced technique that can already generate their own power consistently.