Best badminton overgrips (2026)
Overgrips change handle feel more than most players expect. Six picks ranked by what they actually do — tackiness, sweat absorption, thickness, and how often you need to replace them.
By Rui Su · Founder, IntoBadminton · Div 4 Ireland · trained under former Malaysia national and China provincial-team coachesUpdated
Disclosure: Some outbound retailer links may be affiliate links. They never change editorial order or fit scores. Affiliate policy
Choose overgrips by sweat and feel, not colour
If your hands sweat heavily, towel or perforated dry-feel grips absorb moisture better than tacky synthetics. If you change grips rarely, Smash Grap and Strong Grap last longer than Super Grap. If you are fine-tuning handle size, remember one overgrip adds roughly half a grip size — our grip-sizes guide explains the math. Most club players should start with Super Grap and only experiment once contact is consistent.
| Feel | Thickness | Pack | Best for | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Yonex Super Grap | ~$8 | — | 73 | Tacky / soft | 0.6 mm | 3 wraps | Default first overgrip for most players |
| #2 | Yonex Towel Grip | ~$50 | — | 79 | Towel / absorbent | 1.8 mm | 12 wraps | Heavy sweat and humid climates |
| #3 | Yonex Wave Grap | ~$10 | — | 73 | Perforated / wavy | 0.65 mm | 3 wraps | Players who want texture feedback on the handle |
| #4 | Yonex Smash Grap | ~$10 | — | 73 | Dry / durable | 0.7 mm | 3 wraps | Longer replacement cycles and dry hands |
| #5 | Yonex Strong Grap | ~$10 | — | 73 | Extra tacky | 0.7 mm | 3 wraps | Maximum tack under moderate sweat |
| #6 | Li-Ning GP100 Pro | ~$6 | — | 83 | Dry / perforated | 0.6 mm | 3 wraps | Value dry-feel alternative with hands-on review |
Finder fit scores use the reference club doubles profile. Take the quiz for your shortlist.
Image: Yonex (us.yonex.com) ~$8street estimate
Best for: Default first overgrip for most players
- Feel
- Tacky / soft
- Thickness
- 0.6 mm
- Pack
- 3 wraps
Why this pick: The world's default overgrip for a reason. Balanced tackiness, forgiving thickness, and a price that makes frequent replacement painless. If you have never chosen an overgrip deliberately, start here.
Tradeoff: Wears faster than Smash or Strong Grap in humid halls. Tacky feel can feel sticky in extreme heat.
Image: Yonex (us.yonex.com) ~$50street estimate
Best for: Heavy sweat and humid climates
- Feel
- Towel / absorbent
- Thickness
- 1.8 mm
- Pack
- 12 wraps
Why this pick: Towelling material wicks sweat faster than synthetic overgrips. Thicker handle feel suits players who strip the factory underbase or run hot in tropical venues.
Tradeoff: Wears out faster than Super Grap. Adds more thickness — verify your handle size before stacking two layers.
~$10street estimate
Best for: Players who want texture feedback on the handle
- Feel
- Perforated / wavy
- Thickness
- 0.65 mm
- Pack
- 3 wraps
Why this pick: Wave-textured surface gives more locating feedback than smooth Super Grap. Slightly thicker — good if Super Grap feels too thin but towel grips feel too bulky.
Tradeoff: Texture is subjective — some players find it abrasive after long sessions.
~$10street estimate
Best for: Longer replacement cycles and dry hands
- Feel
- Dry / durable
- Thickness
- 0.7 mm
- Pack
- 3 wraps
Why this pick: More durable than Super Grap with a drier surface. Suits players who hate the sticky phase of fresh tacky grips or who play in cooler halls.
Tradeoff: Less initial tack than Super Grap or Strong Grap — may feel slippery until broken in.
Image: Yonex (us.yonex.com) ~$10street estimate
Best for: Maximum tack under moderate sweat
- Feel
- Extra tacky
- Thickness
- 0.7 mm
- Pack
- 3 wraps
Why this pick: Tackier than Super Grap when you want the racket locked in during fast exchanges. Popular with attack players who over-grip under pressure.
Tradeoff: Can feel too sticky in heat. Try a 3-pack before committing to a bulk reel.
~$6street estimate
Best for: Value dry-feel alternative with hands-on review
- Feel
- Dry / perforated
- Thickness
- 0.6 mm
- Pack
- 3 wraps
Why this pick: Dry micro-perforated surface that improves as sweat builds. Strong value vs Yonex Super Grap where Li-Ning accessories are stocked locally.
Tradeoff: Regional availability skews CN/SG — verify Western distributor stock before bulk orders.
Frequently asked
How often should I replace an overgrip?+
Every 4–12 sessions for regular club play, or whenever the surface feels slick. Competitive players in humid halls may replace every 2–3 sessions. A fresh overgrip is cheaper than compensating with a death grip.
Towel grip or synthetic overgrip?+
Synthetic (Super Grap class) for most temperate venues. Towel grips for heavy sweat, humid climates, or when you want a thicker handle without adding a second wrap.
Does overgrip thickness change racket balance?+
Marginally — one 0.6 mm wrap shifts balance a fraction of a millimetre. Two wraps or a towel grip can move you half a grip size and noticeably change swing feel. Our grip-sizes guide covers the sizing math.
Can I use tennis overgrips on badminton rackets?+
Yes, but badminton-specific grips are sized for thinner handles. Tennis overgrips often add more bulk than intended — measure circumference after wrapping if you experiment.
Browse all grips in the catalog
Filter by brand, feel, and thickness — then compare specs before you stock your club bag.