Quick answer: The best badminton string for most UK club players is Yonex BG65 (0.70mm) for durability and value, or BG80 (0.68mm) if you want more power and a sharper sound. Exbolt 63 and Aerosonic (thin, 0.61–0.63mm) give the most feel but break sooner. For tension, 22–26 lbs suits most recreational players; 27 lbs and above is for advanced players who hit the sweet spot consistently.
Choosing a badminton string is one of the cheapest ways to change how your racket plays. The frame gets the credit, but the string is the only part of your kit that actually touches the shuttle. At Central Sports we restring rackets every week, so this guide covers what we see on court: which strings last, which add power, what tension to ask for, and how often to restring. When you are ready, our full range of badminton strings is in stock for UK delivery.
Badminton string types: durability, repulsion and control
Almost every badminton string falls into one of three groups, and knowing which group you want matters more than any brand name.
Durability strings such as Yonex BG65 (0.70mm) use a thicker gauge. They are forgiving, hold tension well and survive hard use, which is why BG65 is the default for clubs and juniors. Repulsion strings such as BG80 (0.68mm) are stiffer and give a livelier, more explosive feel, with a distinctive crisp sound on contact. Control strings such as Aerosonic (0.61mm) and Exbolt 63 (0.63mm) are thin, so the shuttle sinks into the string bed for more touch and feel on net shots and drops, at the cost of durability.
A thinner string is not automatically better. If you break strings every couple of weeks, a 0.61mm string will cost you more in restrings than it gives back in feel. Match the gauge to how often you break strings, not to what the professionals use.
BG65 vs BG80 vs Exbolt vs Aerosonic compared
| String | Gauge | Best for | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yonex BG65 | 0.70mm | Clubs, juniors, value | High |
| Yonex BG80 | 0.68mm | Power and repulsion | Medium |
| Yonex Exbolt 65 | 0.65mm | Balance of feel and life | Medium |
| Yonex Exbolt 63 | 0.63mm | Touch, control, quick hands | Medium-low |
| Yonex Aerosonic | 0.61mm | Maximum feel and speed | Low |
If you cannot decide, start with BG65 for a month, then move to BG80 or Exbolt 65 once you know how long your strings really last.
What tension should you string a badminton racket?
Tension is the second decision after string type, and it is where most players go wrong. Every Yonex and Victor frame has a recommended range printed on the shaft, usually around 20–28 lbs. Stay inside it; going higher can crack frames and void warranties.
As a guide, beginners and improvers do well at 20–24 lbs, where the larger sweet spot and extra power make clears easier. Intermediate club players usually settle between 24 and 27 lbs. Advanced players who strike the centre of the string bed every time may go 27 lbs or higher for control, because higher tension gives a smaller sweet spot and less power, but better accuracy.
Higher tension is not a shortcut to a harder smash. Raising tension reduces repulsion, so a 32 lbs string bed needs excellent timing to generate speed. If you are asking whether 26 lbs is good for smashing, the answer is yes for most intermediate and above players, particularly with a repulsion string like BG80.
Best badminton string for smashing, control and durability
For smashing, choose BG80 or BG80 Power at 25–27 lbs with a head-heavy frame. For control and net play, Exbolt 63 or Aerosonic at 24–26 lbs give the most touch. For durability and value, BG65 at 22–25 lbs is hard to beat. A popular compromise is a hybrid like Yonex Aerobite, which pairs a durable main string with a thinner cross string for a balance of life and feel.
Your racket matters here too. A head-heavy frame already adds power, so you can pick a control string without losing too much punch. Our badminton racket brands guide explains how frame choice and string choice work together.
How often should you restring a badminton racket?
A common rule is to restring as many times a year as you play per week. Play twice a week and you should restring around twice a year; play four times a week and every three months or so is realistic. Strings lose tension from the day they are strung, even if they never break, so a racket that sat unplayed for a year still has dead strings.
Signs that it is time: a dull sound off the string bed, shuttles feeling slow to leave the racket, visible fraying or notching where strings cross, and the strings sitting loose when you press them. Restringing is far cheaper than replacing a racket, and it is the fastest upgrade you can make to your game.
Top picks from Central Sports
All of these 10m sets, each enough for one racket, are in stock at centralsports.co.uk at the time of writing (prices correct 21 October 2026):
- Yonex BG65 (10m set), £8.23: the durable all-rounder. Best first choice for clubs, juniors and anyone who breaks strings.
- Yonex BG80 (10m set), £8.85: livelier and crisper, ideal for players who want more power from their smashes and clears.
- Yonex Exbolt 65 (10m set), £10.35: a thinner string that keeps good life, a strong step up from BG65 for improving players.
- Yonex Exbolt 63 (10m set), £9.49: for touch players who want feel on net shots and quick exchanges.
- Yonex Aerobite (10m set), £10.99: a hybrid pairing for those who want durability and feel in one set.
Browse the full Yonex badminton strings range, pair your new strings with a fresh badminton grip (see our badminton grip guide), or explore the badminton racket range and the wider Central Sports shop.
FAQs
What string is best for badminton?
For most players, Yonex BG65 is the best all-round badminton string because it lasts, holds tension and costs little. BG80 is better for power; Exbolt 63 and Aerosonic are better for touch but break sooner.
Is 32 lbs tension good for badminton?
32 lbs is very high. It suits only advanced players who hit the centre of the string bed every time, and it must stay within your racket's printed maximum. Most players get better results at 22–27 lbs.
Is 26 lbs tension good for smashing?
Yes. 26 lbs is a strong all-round tension for smashing at intermediate level and above, particularly with BG80. Beginners usually get more power from a lower tension of 20–24 lbs.
What badminton string is good for smashing?
Yonex BG80 and BG80 Power are the usual choices because their stiffer feel gives more repulsion. Combine them with a head-heavy racket and 25–27 lbs for maximum smash power.
How often should I restring my racket?
Restring as many times a year as you play per week, and sooner if the strings are fraying, sound dull or feel loose. Strings lose tension over time even if they do not break.
Is a thinner string always better?
No. Thin strings such as Aerosonic give more feel but break more easily. If you snap strings often, a thicker string like BG65 will play better for longer.
Choosing your badminton string
The right badminton string comes down to three questions: how often do you break strings, do you want power or touch, and what tension suits your level? Start with BG65 at 22–25 lbs, move to BG80 or Exbolt once you know your habits, and restring regularly. Shop the full range of badminton strings at Central Sports and get your racket playing like new.
