Badminton Stringing Guide: String Types, Tension, and How to Restring
Updated July 2026
Strings are the cheapest, biggest upgrade in badminton. The frame you smash with is only half the racket — the string and the tension it's strung at decide how it actually feels, how much control and power you get, and how big the sweet spot is. A $70 racket with a fresh, well-chosen string job outplays a $250 flagship strung with dead factory string, every time.
This guide covers the three things that matter: which string to pick, what tension to string it at, and how often to redo it. Most players never think about any of it and leave real performance on the table. You don't have to be a racket nerd — a couple of sensible choices here transform how your racket plays.
Heads up: Birdienet may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Picks are editorial — nobody pays to be recommended.
| Pick | Feel | Durability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yonex BG65 / BG65 Titanium | Muted, controlled | High (thick, 0.70mm) | Beginners, string-breakers, set-and-forget |
| Yonex BG80 / BG80 Power | Crisp, high repulsion | Medium | Intermediates wanting more pop |
| Yonex Aerobite (hybrid) | Grippy, spin-friendly | Lower | Advanced players, net/slice touch |
| Yonex BG66 Ultimax | Sharp, lively (0.65mm) | Low (thin) | Attackers with clean technique |
Yonex BG65 / BG65 Titanium
The world's most-used badminton string, and the right default for most players. Tough, forgiving, and cheap, with a muted, controlled feel that lasts. If you break strings often, play casually, or just want a set-and-forget choice, this is it — the string most club rackets ship out of the shop with.
Check price on AmazonYonex BG80 / BG80 Power
The step up when you want more pop and a crisper hit. Thinner than BG65, it gives noticeably better repulsion (that lively 'ping' on clears and smashes) and a sharper feel, at the cost of some durability. The popular choice for intermediate players who've decided they want performance over maximum string life.
Check price on AmazonYonex Aerobite (hybrid)
A hybrid: a rougher, textured string in the mains for bite and spin, a thinner string in the crosses for repulsion. Advanced players love it for the extra grip on net shots and slices. It's less durable and more expensive — a specialist choice for players with the touch to use it, not a first upgrade.
Check price on AmazonYonex BG66 Ultimax
An ultra-thin (0.65mm) high-repulsion string favored by attacking players who want maximum sharpness and shuttle-hold on a clean hit. Brilliant feel, but the thin gauge breaks faster — best on the racket of someone with consistent technique who restrings regularly and doesn't mind the cost.
Check price on AmazonHow to choose
Pick your string: durability vs feel
String choice is a trade-off between how long it lasts and how good it feels. Thicker strings (BG65, ~0.70mm) survive longer and forgive mis-hits — the right pick for beginners, string-breakers, and casual players. Thinner strings (BG80 ~0.68mm, BG66 Ultimax ~0.65mm) give more repulsion, a crisper hit, and better shuttle-hold, but break sooner. Hybrids like Aerobite add spin and control for advanced players. If you're not sure, start with BG65 for durability or BG80 for a livelier feel — you can't go far wrong with either.
How to choose your tension
Tension is measured in pounds (lbs), and most club players live in the 18–24 lb range. Lower tension (18–22 lb) gives a bigger sweet spot and more power via a trampoline effect — the right call for beginners and anyone whose smashes feel weak. Higher tension (24–28 lb) shrinks the sweet spot but rewards clean contact with more control and a crisper feel, which is why stronger players climb up. The classic mistake is copying the pros at 30+ lb: at that tension a slightly off-center hit goes nowhere, and it can stress your arm and the frame. Start around 22 lb and move a pound or two at a time.
How often to restring
The old rule of thumb: restring as many times per year as you play per week. Play twice a week, restring roughly twice a year. But tension fades even if the string never snaps — a racket strung a year ago has gone soft and dead long before it breaks, so if your shots feel mushy and lifeless, that's the signal, not a visible break. Competitive players restring every few weeks; a weekend player who never breaks strings should still redo it once or twice a year to keep the tension honest.
Should you string it yourself?
Almost certainly not — at least not at first. A proper badminton stringing machine costs hundreds of dollars, and badminton's low string tensions and thin frames are unforgiving: bad technique warps the frame or produces uneven tension that plays worse than a shop job. For a few dollars over the cost of the string, a pro shop does it right on a calibrated machine in under an hour. Learning to string your own only pays off once you're restringing very frequently. For everyone else, find a good stringer — see the pro shops below.
Frequently asked questions
What string tension should a beginner use for badminton?
Beginners should stay low — around 18–22 lb. Lower tension gives a bigger sweet spot and more power through a slight trampoline effect, so off-center hits still fly and your smashes don't feel weak. High tension (26 lb and up) shrinks the sweet spot and demands clean, consistent contact you haven't built yet, so it actively makes the game harder. Start near 20–22 lb and only climb once your technique is consistent and you want more control over power.
How often should I restring my badminton racket?
A good rule of thumb is to restring as many times per year as you play per week — twice a week means about twice a year. But tension goes dead long before the string snaps, so don't wait for a break: if your shots feel mushy and lifeless, the string has lost its tension and it's time. Competitive players restring every few weeks; even a casual weekender who never breaks strings should redo it once or twice a year to keep the racket playing honestly.
Which badminton string is best — BG65, BG80, or Aerobite?
It depends on what you value. Yonex BG65 is the durable all-rounder and the best default for most players — tough, cheap, and forgiving. BG80 is thinner and gives more repulsion and a crisper feel for intermediates who want performance over string life. Aerobite is a hybrid that adds spin and control for advanced players with the touch to use it, at the cost of durability and price. If you're unsure, start with BG65 for longevity or BG80 for a livelier hit.
Can I restring a badminton racket myself?
You can, but most players shouldn't. A proper stringing machine costs hundreds of dollars, and badminton's low tensions and thin frames punish bad technique with warped frames and uneven tension that plays worse than the factory string. For only a little more than the price of the string itself, a pro shop strings it correctly on a calibrated machine, usually within an hour. Stringing your own only makes financial sense once you're restringing very often.
Where can I get my badminton racket strung?
A badminton pro shop or specialist racket-sports store is your best bet — they have a proper machine, stock a range of strings, and can advise on tension for your level. A good stringer will ask what and how you play before recommending a string and tension, which is exactly what you want. If there's a pro shop in the Birdienet directory near you (see the list below), start there — many string rackets on-site or with a quick turnaround.
Pro shops that can help
Need a racket strung or want to try gear in person? These pro shops in the Birdienet directory carry equipment and services.
- NYC Racquet Sports — New York, NY
- Badminton Corner — Bellevue, WA
- Pro Racket Sports — Bellevue, WA
- Badminton Gallery LIC — Long Island City, NY
- Top Cricket Store (Multi Sports Store) — Edison, NJ
- Racquetstore.com — San Jose, CA
Somewhere to play it
New gear deserves a proper court. Find badminton courts and open play near you — 164 verified venues across the US.