How tight should your badminton racket be strung?
The stringing of your badminton racket is very important for how it feels on the court. The number of pounds affects, among other things, power, control, sweet spot, and comfort, and the correct stringing depends on your level and playing style.
Low Stringing – under 11 kg
A stringing of less than 11 kg is well-suited for beginners, young players, and many recreational players. Fewer pounds provide a larger sweet spot, making it easier to hit the shuttlecock cleanly and helping to generate speed in shots.
A softer stringing is also a good choice if you experience soreness in your arm or elbow, as it puts less strain on the body than a hard stringing.
Best suited for:
- Beginners
- Recreational players
- Young players
- Players with sore arms or a tendency for tennis elbow
Medium Stringing – 11 to 12.5 kg
A stringing between 11 and 12.5 kg is the most popular choice and suits most badminton players. Here you get a good balance between power and control, while the sweet spot is still large enough to forgive minor errors.
This stringing is ideal for both recreational and club players who want a versatile solution.
Best suited for:
- Recreational players
- Club players
- Experienced junior players
- Adult players
Hard Stringing – over 12.5 kg
A stringing of over 12.5 kg is primarily for experienced players with good technique. It provides high precision and control, but the sweet spot becomes smaller, and you need to be able to generate power in your shots yourself.
A hard stringing can also increase the strain on the arm and elbow. If you tend to have tennis elbow or other overuse injuries, you should avoid too many pounds. As a general rule, we do not recommend hard stringing for players under 15 years of age.
Best suited for:
- Tournament players
- Elite players
- Players with solid technique
Which stringing should you choose?
If you are in doubt, we recommend choosing a stringing that matches your level rather than just picking the highest possible number of pounds. For most players, 11-12.5 kg is a good starting point, while beginners and many recreational players will often have the best experience with slightly softer stringing.
At Li-Ning, all rackets are strung by a professional stringer, who also strings rackets for, among others, Kim Astrup, Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Daniel Lundgaard, and Mads Vestergaard. Stringing is free for selected premium rackets, while for other models, it can be added for DKK 195.
