IntoBadminton

Best badminton strings (2026)

Strings change feel more per dollar than any other piece of badminton equipment. Six picks ranked by what they actually do — repulsion, control, durability, and how they feel two weeks after stringing.

By Rui Su · Founder, IntoBadminton · Div 4 Ireland · trained under former Malaysia national and China provincial-team coaches.

Choose strings by outcome, not brand

If your clears die short, you want a thinner, more elastic string and possibly lower tension. If your drops sit up, you want a higher-control string with more bite. If you break strings every two weeks, durability and tension hold matter more than feel. Most amateurs are over-strung — start at 22-24 lb if you are unsure, and only go higher when your contact is consistent.

  1. #1 · Yonex

    BG65

    ~$7

    Best for: Most beginners and high-volume club players

    Gauge
    0.70 mm
    Feel
    Soft / forgiving
    Durability
    Very high

    Why this pick: The world's most-played badminton string for a reason. BG65 forgives bad contact, holds tension, lasts forever, and costs nothing. If you are stringing your first racket or you snap strings every fortnight, this is your default.

    Tradeoff: Less crisp feel than premium strings. Once your technique is consistent, you will notice the muffled response.

  2. #2 · Yonex

    BG80

    ~$9

    Best for: Club players upgrading from BG65

    Gauge
    0.68 mm
    Feel
    Crisp
    Durability
    Medium

    Why this pick: The classic 'first upgrade' string. Noticeably more repulsion than BG65, sharper sound on contact, and meaningfully more crisp on smashes. The sweet spot for most adult club players.

    Tradeoff: Breaks faster than BG65 — plan to restring every 4-8 weeks if you play 2+ times per week.

  3. #3 · Yonex

    EXBOLT 63

    ~$13

    Best for: Tournament-tier control + power

    Gauge
    0.63 mm
    Feel
    Very crisp
    Durability
    Low-medium

    Why this pick: Yonex's modern flagship string — the thinnest gauge in their tournament line. Generates exceptional repulsion at moderate tension, with surprisingly good control thanks to the heat-treated coating. Many tour pros prefer this over BG80.

    Tradeoff: Snaps fast on mishits and abrasive court surfaces. Best at 24-27 lb for amateurs; pros run higher.

  4. #4 · Yonex

    Aerobite

    ~$16

    Best for: Players who slice / hit drops

    Gauge
    0.61 / 0.67 mm hybrid
    Feel
    Textured / biting
    Durability
    Medium

    Why this pick: Hybrid string — thinner power string in the mains, textured control string in the crosses. Distinctly more bite on slices and net spin than any single-string setup. The thinking-player's choice.

    Tradeoff: Marmite. Some players love the texture; others find the feedback too harsh. Try a friend's racket before committing.

  5. #5 · Li-Ning

    L69

    ~$8

    Best for: Best non-Yonex string under $10

    Gauge
    0.69 mm
    Feel
    Crisp
    Durability
    Medium-high

    Why this pick: Li-Ning's mid-tier string has caught up with Yonex BG80 on feel while costing less and lasting slightly longer. Strong choice for club players who restring 4-6 times per year.

    Tradeoff: Less brand familiarity at non-specialist stringers. Bring your own reel if you play in mixed shops.

  6. #6 · Yonex

    BG80 Power

    ~$10

    Best for: Smash-heavy players who want max repulsion

    Gauge
    0.68 mm
    Feel
    Crisp + powerful
    Durability
    Medium

    Why this pick: BG80's louder sibling. Same gauge, slightly different polymer mix that adds extra repulsion at the cost of a little control. The right pick if your priority is smash power and you do not mind a slightly less precise touch on net play.

    Tradeoff: Less control than EXBOLT 63 or Aerobite. Front-court doubles specialists may prefer those instead.

Frequently asked

What tension should I string my badminton racket at?+

If your racket weight is 4U/5U and you are a club player: 22-24 lb is the safe range. 4U intermediate doubles: 24-26 lb. Pro-level singles attackers: 27-29 lb. Anything above 30 lb on amateur swing speed reduces real-game power because the sweet spot becomes too narrow.

How often should I restring my racket?+

Restring at the earlier of: every 30-50 sessions of regular play, OR every 3-4 months even if the string has not broken, OR immediately if you can press through the bed-plane more than 1cm with your finger. Tension drops well before the string visibly fails.

Why does my string break in the same spot every time?+

Mishits. If a string breaks repeatedly near the top of the frame, you are catching shuttles toward the rim instead of the sweet spot. Drop tension by 1-2 lb and work on contact-point drills before upgrading to a more durable string.

Are pre-strung rackets okay for beginners?+

Factory string is usually a low-tension generic — 18-20 lb of unspecified material. It is fine for the first 5 sessions while you confirm you like the racket. Restring at the first opportunity with BG65 at 22 lb; the racket will feel like a different model.

Run the string finder to land on the right gauge and tension

We score strings against your level, smash style, and string-breakage history — so you do not pay for tour-tier durability you do not need.

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