We know that there are several types of badminton rackets categorized based on weight, grip size, head shape, and balance. For the scope of this article, we are focusing on balance.
Based on balance, there are three types of badminton rackets – head heavy, head light, and even-balanced. In this article, we are only going to discuss head heavy badminton rackets.
I am sure most of you know what head heavy badminton rackets are. But for those who don’t – These badminton rackets have more weight concentrated at their head part as compared to the best of the body. So, the balance point is more towards the head side.
Who Benefits from Head Heavy Badminton Rackets?
Head heavy badminton rackets are perfect for players who use an attacking style a lot. If you’re someone who enjoys smashing the shuttle, then a head heavy racket is for you. They give you that extra oomph needed for strong smashes and clears.
You will need to put some extra power from your end to handle the heavy head. So, if you have a strong physique, good arm strength, and can handle the extra weight without getting fatigued quickly, you could definitely benefit from these rackets.
However, these rackets aren’t for everyone. You need to have the strength and technique to handle the extra weight. So, if you’re a beginner or prefer a more defensive style of play, you might want to reconsider.
My Top Picks for Head Heavy Badminton Rackets
The following are some of the famous head heavy badminton rackets preferred by top badminton players:
- Yonex Astrox 88D Pro
- Yonex Astrox 88S Pro
- Yonex Astrox 99 Pro
- Yonex Astrox 100ZZ
- Yonex Astrox 77 Pro
- Victor Thruster K Falcon Claw
- Victor Thruster K TTY
- Victor Thruster HMR Light
- Victor Thruster K
- Victor Auraspeed 90K
- Victor Thruster Ryuga II Pro
- Victor Jetspeed S11
- Victor Jetspeed S12
- Victor HypernanoX 990
- Li-Ning AxForce 90 Dragon Max
- Li-Ning AxForce 80
- Li-Ning AxForce 100
- Li-Ning Aeronaut 9000C
- Li-Ning 3D Calibar X Boost
- Li-Ning Halbertec 8000
- Li-Ning Tectonic 9
Besides these, Yonex has an excellent range of head heavy rackets under the Voltric Series. I haven’t included any of those here because I have a separate article on the Yonex Voltric series. You can check out their specs here.
Yonex Astrox 88D Pro
This table shows the specifications of the Yonex Astrox 88D Pro.
| Length | 10mm longer |
| Weight | 4U (Avg: 83 g) 3U (Avg: 88 g) |
| Grip | G5 |
| String Advice | 4U: 20-28 lbs 3U: 21-29 lbs |
| Flexibility | Stiff |
| Frame Material | HM Graphite, Volume Cut Resin, Tungsten |
| Shaft Material | HM Graphite, Namd Flex Force, Ultra PE Fiber |
| Joint | New Built-in T-Joint |
| Color | Camel Gold |
The Yonex Astrox 88D Pro has a unique 2G Nanomesh Neo technology. It’s an innovative graphite material used specifically in the shaft. Because of this material, you get quick flex and snapback. So you can expect greater shot power.
Yonex Astrox 88S Pro
This table shows the specifications of the Yonex Astrox 88S Pro.
| Length | 5mm longer |
| Weight | 4U (Avg: 83 g) 3U (Avg: 88 g) |
| Grip | G5 |
| String Advice | 4U: 20-28 lbs 3U: 21-29 lbs |
| Flexibility | Stiff |
| Frame Material | HM Graphite, Volume Cut Resin, Tungsten |
| Shaft Material | HM Graphite, Namd Flex Force, Ultra PE Fiber |
| Joint | New Built-in T-Joint |
| Color | Emerald Blue |
The Yonex Astrox 88S Pro is perfect for front-court attacks and fast rallies. The frame design is optimized by the expanded sweet spot and 5 mm longer racket length. Both these combined enable fast maneuverability and increased precision.
Yonex Astrox 99 Pro
This table shows the specifications of the Yonex Astrox 99 Pro.
| Length | 10mm longer |
| Weight | 4U (Avg: 83 g) 3U (Avg: 88 g) |
| Grip | G5 |
| String Advice | 4U: 20-28 lbs 3U: 21-29 lbs |
| Flexibility | Stiff |
| Frame Material | HM Graphite, Namd, Nanometric, Tungsten |
| Shaft Material | HM Graphite, Namd |
| Joint | New Built-in T-joint |
| Color | Sapphire Navy |
The Yonex Astrox 99 Pro is more of a multi-purpose racket. Players preferring more control can use this with the Aerobite Strings. Whereas, players who like more power and are hard hitters can use this with the BG66 Force Strings.
Yonex Astrox 100ZZ
This table shows the specifications of the Yonex Astrox 100ZZ.
| Length | 10mm longer |
| Weight | 4U (Avg: 83 g) 3U (Avg: 88 g) |
| Grip | G5 |
| String Advice | 4U: 20-28 lbs 3U: 21-29 lbs |
| Flexibility | Extra Stiff |
| Frame Material | HM Graphite, Namd, Tungsten, Black Micro Core, Nanometric |
| Shaft Material | HM Graphite, Namd |
| Joint | New Built-in T-joint |
| Color | Dark Navy |
The Yonex Astrox 100ZZ has a special black micro-core. This means the upper half of the frame is made of a high-density, stiff, and vibration-dampening material. Because of this, players can get a solid feel and hitting and thus better power in the shots.
Yonex Astrox 77 Pro
This table shows the specifications of the Yonex Astrox 77 Pro.
| Length | 10mm longer |
| Weight | 4U (Avg: 83 g) 3U (Avg: 88 g) |
| Grip | G5 |
| String Advice | 4U: 20-28 lbs 3U: 21-29 lbs |
| Flexibility | Medium |
| Frame Material | HM Graphite, Nanometric, Tungsten |
| Shaft Material | HM Graphite, Namd |
| Joint | New Built-in T-Joint |
| Color | Shine Red Shine Yellow Metallic Blue |
The Yonex Astrox 77 Pro is a comparatively lite version of the other rackets in the series. Beginners and intermediate players can use it with ease. Because of the Namd technology, the racket doesn’t harden with increased speed. Instead, it maintains its flexibility even at high speed. So, it’s more forgiving for players who struggle with control.
Victor Thruster K Falcon Claw
This table shows the specifications of the Victor Thruster K Falcon Claw.
| Weight | 4U |
| Grip | G5 |
| String Advice | 4U: ≦ 31 lbs |
| Flexibility | High |
| Frame Material | High Resilience Modulus Graphite, Nano Fortify TR, Hard cored Technology |
| Shaft Material | High Resilient Modulus Graphite, Pyrofil, 6.5 Shaft |
| Color | Copper Black White |
The Victor Thruster K Falcon Claw is a high-performance racket. It shows a perfect blend of power, control, and precision. That makes it most suitable for attacking players. The White color in this racket is a limited edition model with Tai Tzu Ying’s (a famous Taiwanese badminton player) signature.
Li-Ning 3D Calibar X Boost
This table shows the specifications of the Li-Ning 3D Calibar X Boost.
| Weight | 4U (Avg: 83 g) |
| Grip | S1 |
| String Advice | ≦ 30 lbs |
| Flexibility | Flexible |
| Frame Material | Carbon Fibre |
| Shaft Material | Carbon Fibre |
| Color | Orange Grey Red Black |
The Li-Ning 3D Calibar X Boost is an all-rounder racket. Its geometric design significantly reduces air resistance, and the dynamic optimum frame gives greater power and higher swing speeds. So, you can achieve anything with this racket.
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FAQs
Which series of Yonex is head heavy?
The Yonex Voltric and Astrox series are head heavy series because all the rackets in both these series have more weight towards the head.
Is Li-Ning better than Yonex?
Both Li-Ning and Yonex are reputable brands. I have personally used rackets from both brands, and I was not disappointed by my choices. It boils down to personal preferences. There’s no point in saying one brand is better than the other unless you are comparing specific rackets.
Is Astrox 99 Pro head heavy?
Yes, Astrox 99 Pro is a head heavy badminton racket. It is a better version of the Astrox 99 and it will deliver better power in your shots.
Difference between head heavy vs head light badminton racket?
In Head-Heavy Rackets the weight is more concentrated at the top, which gives you greater power in smashes. However, it also reduces your maneuverability i.e ideal for aggressive players. In Head-Light Rackets the weight is concentrated on the handle for better control and faster speed i.e Ideal for tactical and quick shots.
Difference between Stiff vs flexible badminton rackets?
The stiff badminton rackets are for the advanced player, they provide great power and control during the shots, and they have less flex, which allows for faster responses and more precise hits. On the other hand, Flexible badminton rackets are easier to handle and more forgiving, which makes them best for beginners because they generate fast power but yes, can lose some control.
