Rackets are the most basic and essential accessory for a badminton player. Today, there are a number of branded as well as non-branded rackets available in the market. For a serious player who wants to improve his or her game, it is very important to invest in a good racket. It is advisable to buy branded rackets as these follow the international standards as well as they assure quality.

However, given the number of brands available in the market today, it becomes a difficult choice sometimes. Here is a list of the top five brands selling badminton rackets:
Yonex, Carlton, Karakal, ProKennex, and Wilson. These are generally considered the best brands, and not necessarily in any order of importance. These rackets are a lot more expensive than unbranded rackets or rackets produced by less-known brands, but one can be sure of the quality of these branded rackets. 

The common characteristics of all rackets produced by these brands are superb quality, aerodynamic designs and relatively comparatively expensive.

Carlton rackets can cost from $85 onwards. These rackets are well known and appreciated for their amazing aerodynamic design. The drag in these rackets is also low, hence improving speed of the shot.

Karakal rackets, though relatively unknown outside of Europe and the Americas, are nevertheless available online and are noted for their superb quality. Karakal is a company from Belgium.

Yonex is perhaps the most well known brand of both rackets as well as shuttlecocks. The accessories are a little more expensive, with the price of a racket ranging from 160 dollars to about 225 dollars. These rackets certainly provide value for money, high end sophisticated techniques are used to manufacture and string these rackets. This is a Japanese company, and the reputation of Japanese technology does not require any special testimony.

ProKennex and Wilson are also great brands to look out for while shopping for rackets on a comparatively lower budget. They will not be too easy on the pocket, though they do cost lesser than your standard Yonex.
          
While all these top badminton racket brands offer top quality and durable rackets, they also follow rigid standards and measurements. Though the prices may seem a little steep, but do keep in mind that these are the best products in the market.  Think of the high cost as an investment for your game. Playing with a good racket means greater enjoyment of the game, easier handling, better maneuverability and better shots. Sportsmen who really care about improving the quality and the total experience of their game need to get a racket from one of these brands.

Shopping for these brands is best done online. They have their own websites where one can buy rackets of one’s choice at the correct price without feeling cheated. These brands are also represented by top athletes who endorse these products and use them in international tournaments as well. For example, John McEnroe endorses ProKennex, Andrew Smith vouches for Carlton brand of badminton rackets. Ivanovo is the brand ambassador of Yonex.

You will be able to get your Yonex rackets at an affordable rate at Badmintonshopping.com. Here you can also find all the other badminton accessories as well at a highly competitive price.

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 18th, 2008 at 5:56 pm and is filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.