Astrox is the power range. If you want the shuttle to come off the strings heavier — steeper smashes, deeper clears, more weight behind every shot from the back of the court — this is the Yonex family to look at.
The range is large and the naming is not obvious, so this guide explains how it is organised, what each model is for, and which one suits your level. Central Sports is the official retailer of the Yonex All England Championships, and most Astrox frames come with a free restring to your chosen tension.
First, understand the Yonex tier system
Almost every Astrox model comes in tiers. Once you know these, the whole range makes sense:
- Play — entry level. Pre-strung, lighter build, forgiving. For beginners and improvers.
- Game — a step up in materials and stiffness. For regular club players.
- Tour — close to the top model in feel, at a meaningful saving. The value pick for county-level players.
- Pro — the full specification. Stiffest shaft, best materials, least forgiving. For advanced players with a fast, well-timed swing.
So an Astrox 88D Play and an Astrox 88D Pro share a shape and a purpose, but the Pro demands far more from you. Buying a Pro frame too early is the single most common mistake we see — a stiff shaft you cannot load simply feels dead.
The Astrox range, model by model
Astrox 100 ZZ — the specialist smasher
The most head-heavy, stiffest frame in the range. Enormous power if your technique and timing are there, and punishing if they are not. Used at the top of the professional game. Also available as the 100 ZZ VA, the Viktor Axelsen signature edition, and in a softer 100 Tour version.
Astrox 99 — power with more control
Slightly more forgiving than the 100 ZZ while still firmly a power frame. The 99 Pro is the full-specification model; the 99 Tour and 99 Game step down in stiffness and price. A good choice for singles players who want weight behind the smash without going to the extreme.
Astrox 88D and 88S — the doubles pair
This is the pairing people ask about most. Both are built for doubles, but for different positions:
- 88D (Dominate) — head-heavy, for the rear-court player. The one that hits down.
- 88S (Skill) — faster and more head-light, for the front-court player. The one that intercepts, blocks and drives.
If you play mixed doubles and rotate, most players get on better with the 88D. Both come in Play, Game, Tour and Pro tiers, and Gen 3 is the current generation.
Astrox 77 — the all-rounder
Head-heavy but noticeably more flexible than the 88 and 99 series, which makes it far easier to generate power without perfect timing. This is the Astrox we recommend most often to club players moving up from a beginner racket. Available as 77 Play, 77 Tour and 77 Pro.
Astrox Nextage — the sensible upgrade
Designed as the bridge between an entry racket and a serious frame. Moderate stiffness, moderate head weight, genuinely usable by an improving player. If you have outgrown your first racket but a Pro model would be too much, start here.
Astrox 22, 01, 02 and E13 — entry level
Lighter, more flexible frames for beginners, juniors and social players. The 22 LT is very light and suits juniors and players returning after a break. The 01 Feel, 02 Clear and E13 are the affordable starting points.
Which Astrox should you buy?
- Complete beginner: Astrox E13, 01 Feel or 02 Clear.
- Improving, playing weekly: Astrox Nextage or 77 Play.
- Club player, decent technique: Astrox 77 Tour or 88D Game.
- County level, rear-court doubles: Astrox 88D Tour or 88D Pro.
- County level, front-court doubles: Astrox 88S Tour or 88S Pro.
- Advanced singles, big smash: Astrox 99 Pro or 100 ZZ.
Weights and grip sizes
Most adult Astrox frames come in 3U (85–89g) or 4U (80–84g). 4U is the more common choice and suits doubles, where racket speed matters more than mass. 3U gives a more solid feel and suits singles players. Grip sizes run G4 (larger) to G6 (smaller), with G5 the usual adult default.
Astrox FAQs
What is the difference between Astrox and Nanoflare?
Astrox is head-heavy and built for power. Nanoflare is head-light and built for speed. Choose Astrox if you want to hit harder; Nanoflare if you want faster hands at the net.
What does the D and S mean on the Astrox 88?
D is Dominate, the head-heavy rear-court model. S is Skill, the faster front-court model.
Is the Astrox 100 ZZ good for beginners?
No. It is one of the stiffest frames Yonex make and needs a fast, well-timed swing to work at all. A beginner will get more power from a 77 or a Nextage.
What is the difference between Play, Game, Tour and Pro?
They are tiers of the same model. Play is the entry version, Pro is the full specification with the stiffest shaft and best materials. Tour is usually the best value for serious club players.
Browse the full Yonex Astrox range, compare it with Nanoflare and Arcsaber, or read our guide to choosing a badminton racket. Free restringing is included with most Astrox frames — tell us your tension at checkout.