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Ah, Yonex badminton strings. The go-to strings for many badminton players. Strings are one of those elements of badminton which many people obsess over for hours. What is the right thickness to use? How about repulsion? What about control? Well in this post I will cover the best Yonex badminton strings I’ve tried.
Before you read this post, you might want to check out some previous posts I wrote earlier regarding these topics. The first is a general guide to strings, covering the qualities of thicker and thinner strings. The second is a guide to string tension and how a higher or lower string tension can affect your game.
Badminton Insight also offers a great post and video on badminton strings below.
It’s also important to note before you read on, that the strings mentioned here are the one’s I personally have tried myself. There will be others not mentioned on this list, including other brands that you might prefer or are better suited to you.
String choice is a personal preference and not something you should decide based on hearsay. Just because a string is suitable for beginners, doesn’t mean it’s also not suitable for professional play. There is no best Yonex badminton string or any best string for that matter. In the same way, there is no “best racket.” It’s whatever you prefer.
Badminton String Classifications
However, now you’re probably wondering to yourself what are the best badminton strings you should choose. Even if you know the string gauge you like, there are still many options out there which can satisfy those requirements. Beyond the gauge – the terminology might be confusing as well!
Yonex – who is considered by many to be the industry standard for badminton strings – categorise their strings as hard, soft, quick repulsion and maximum hold. And beyond that, they also list them by durability, control and repulsion. This is, of course, assuming that all other factors are equal (string tension etc.) Other brands also have similar descriptions of their strings.
Personally, I would take these charts with a pinch of salt. The string tension, string type, racket and ability of the player are all factors in how a string actually will feel to you and which one you prefer is more personal than anything. But it is a good general guide to see what you would like to get out of your strings.
String Feel & Repulsion
String Feel: This is quite hard to explain without experiencing it yourself. It’s how the string feels when you hit it with the shuttle. Some strings feel more solid, giving you real confirmation you hit that shuttle. Others have a softer feel, almost like more cushioned.
Quick Repulsion & Max Hold: This is the responsiveness of the strings to the shuttle. High repulsion strings will react very quickly to the shuttle. Whereas max. hold strings will feel as if the shuttle is being held by the string bed a little longer, giving you more feel for the shuttle and therefore a little more control.
Durability, Control And High Repulsion
Durability: Basically, how long the string will last without snapping. More durable strings tend to have a softer feel and err towards max. hold according to the diagram above. They have greater endurance for wear and tear.
Control: This is the strings contribution in the ability to hit the shuttle where you want it to go consistently.
High Repulsion: Strings with higher repulsion provide more power, all else being equal. I.e the trampoline effect is greater.
Hitting Sound: This is a bit of novelty one but who doesn’t like the great sound of a crisp smash?
The Nature Of Strings
Certain properties of individual strings mean that they’re more geared towards certain attributes as mentioned above. Whether a string has a hard or soft feel is really down to preference. Two strings which are otherwise equal, other than feel will perform the same.
Strings touted as high repulsion or high power doesn’t mean your game will change drastically. Real control and power comes from the player themselves. The strings facilitate the player, not the other way around.
They do not substitute for correct technique and it’s also important to note that string tensions can also diminish or enhance certain qualities of strings to a degree.
Brands Of Badminton Strings
Personally, I prefer Yonex strings and are the brand I have had the most experience with. They are of great quality and feel great to play with.
Such is their brand loyalty hold over me, I have only tried one other brand which is Ashaway. Other big brands such as Victor and Li-Ning also offer quality strings, so don’t be afraid to try as many as you need to.
If you find a string you like, it’s more cost-effective to buy a reel rather than a pack. This will also save you on stringing cost as well as the stringer does not charge you for their own stock. Obviously, if you’re just trying them out – a pack should be enough!
Please note that the below is my personal experience with these strings and my view on their pros and cons. This is to provide a general guide to help you pick your own strings.
Best Badminton Strings For Beginners
Most beginner players usually start off with thicker strings. That’s not to say that only beginners use them! Many professional players have used or are currently using thicker string gauges. They are more beginner-friendly due to them being more durable and generally more forgiving.
1. Yonex BG65
If there was a Godfather of badminton strings, this would be it. Yonex’s BG65 strings are well known throughout the badminton community for their exceptional durability and cost-effectiveness. This is a great all-around string and extremely durable. This makes it one of the best Yonex badminton strings for beginners, who are less likely to be consistent in hitting the sweet spot.
Likewise, if you’re on a budget, they’re awesome because they literally will last forever (compared to other strings)! However, you might experience some tension loss after some time (as with all strings). But if you’re a casual player and not too worried about string performance, it’s a great choice.
| Pros | Cons |
| Extremely Durable | Does not hold tension as well as other strings |
| Cheap | Power output lower than other strings |
| Suitable for beginners | |
| Great all-around string |
2. Yonex BG65ti
There’s a special place in my heart for this string because it’s the first one I ever used in vibrant red colour. If you’re looking for a string that’s durable, cheap and offers a bit more power than the BG65, this would be a good choice. Yonex seems to rate its durability lower than the base BG65. However, having used both, there’s very little difference in my experience, as long as you address the string slippage as much as you can!
You might see pro’s adjusting their strings after rallies. This is because they move out of place on the string bed. This is referred to as string slipping. This can distort control of your shot and possibly lead to string breakage due to uneven force dispersed when the shuttle is struck. This is a drawback of the BG65TI strings.
Building off its base, the BG65TI is so-called because the outer coating contains titanium hydride. This adds more repulsion to the strings and you get a crisper sound too!
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheap | Strings are slippery |
| Suitable for beginners and big hitters | Does not hold tension as well as other strings |
| Great all-around string | Power output lower than other strings |
Best Of The Rest – Yonex Badminton Strings
1. Yonex Nanogy 95
This is currently my go-to string (at least when we were allowed to play), and I have to say, it’s pretty damn good. It’s not a thin string coming in at 0.69mm and so is classified as durable by Yonex – the same category as the above two strings.
What makes the Nanogy 95 different to the BG65 & BG65TI is the material and coating. The Nanogy 95 is made of high-intensity nylon multifilament and the coating is a compound cup-stack carbon nanotube. All of which I don’t understand at all. But I do understand that the repulsion from this is significantly better than the other two.
And given that I have a habit of breaking strings, I found this to be a perfect middle ground, providing enough power without sacrificing durability. Yes, there are strings out there which offer more power and better control but the trade-off with durability is much greater.
| Pros | Cons |
| Good Tradeoff with Durability Vs Repulsion | Expensive |
| Great for intermediate players | Does not hold tension as well as other strings |
| Great all-around string | Power output lower than other strings |
2. Yonex BG80 Power
I confess I haven’t tried BG80 strings. However, I have tried Yonex’s BG80 Power! It’s one of the most popular strings used by professional badminton players over the years.
It is pricier than the others mentioned on this list so far. For the price, you do get a string with some serious repulsion. According to Yonex, greater than the BG80 and with the additional benefit of being more durable. This likely comes down to the material used to manufacture the string, which is also probably why it’s more expensive than the BG80 strings. It’s in the middle of the road in terms of thickness at 0.68mm.
I really noticed a difference playing with these strings vs the thicker BG65TI for example. There was certainly more power and it is quite a soft feeling string (despite the hard feeling description on the packet). I also found that it held it’s tension quite well during a period I was playing very often.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great Repulsion | Expensive |
| Holds Tension Well | Not as suitable for beginners |
| Durable | |
| Good Choice for intermediate and above players |
3. Yonex BG66 Ultimax
BG66 Ultimax are particularly thin strings (0.65mm) which offer power greater than BG80 Power strings with the benefit of greater control. Of course, the trade-off is durability, and it’s a big trade-off. You really want to be a consistent player using these strings or risk a vicious cycle of frequent restringing.
Out of all the strings I’ve played with, these had the best feeling both in the rear court and control around the net. But as a serial string breaker, I’m just not willing to have that big a trade-off with durability. Especially if you’re playing at higher tensions, this string is not particularly forgiving.
While the initial cost is not as expensive as you might think, you might find yourself in a situation where you’re stocking up on them more often due to breakages. This can be quite expensive over time.
| Pros | Cons |
| Initial layout not too expensive | Costs can build up for more frequent breakages |
| Amazing Repulsion | Not suitable for beginners |
| Amazing Control | Thinner strings can increase wear and tear of grommets – especially at higher tensions |
| Provides a really good feel for the shuttle | Not Durable |
What About Yonex Aerobite Strings?
I hear you guys. I know you’re asking about the Aerobite strings as they seem to be the flagship string. Unfortunately, I haven’t tried these myself. Many professional players have recently been using these strings (partly as a marketing ploy I half suspect!) but this has lead many people to believe they are one of the best Yonex badminton strings available.
As a brief overview, the nuance of these strings is that the main strings are significantly thicker than the crosses (at least in badminton terms). It also uses different materials. Its basically trying to balance all the elements of repulsion, control etc. to have a better, more well-rounded string.
Personally, I see this more as a gimmick. While I’m sure the strings themselves have great playability, with the Aerobite crosses being so much thinner than the mains, it just sounds like durability would be a big issue. I’m not sure for the average club player this would be the way to go and I don’t think I’ll be giving up my Nanogy95s any time soon. Not to mention the price tag of these strings!
If you have tried them or currently use them, I would love to know if they live up to the hype of being the best Yonex badminton strings.
Conclusion
In my experience, you have to decide between practicality, playability and your own preference for the string. For example, my favourite string is the BG66 Ultimax, however practically it just doesn’t suit me. Badmintonbites also cover quite a few more strings than I have here, summarising some of the other Yonex strings available with helpful visuals on the attributes of each string.
Remember there’s lots of other strings out there from other brands as well. Don’t be afraid to try them, many of the other big brands (Victor, Li Ning and Ashaway) will have similar strings or you might find a personal preference within these brands as opposed to Yonex.
In any case, let me know what your favourite string is in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for more badminton content and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more badminton info!
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Exbolt 63 is also very good