The complete guide
How to choose and look after a beginner badminton set
Who this set is for
This set is for people starting out, families and casual games. It gives two players everything they need to start: two rackets, three nylon shuttlecocks and a bag to keep them together.
It is not a club player's racket. Anyone who takes up badminton seriously will choose their own racket in time, and that is the right order to do it in.
What to check on any badminton set
Cheap badminton sets tend to fail in the same place, and it is usually not the strings.
The T joint
The T joint is where the racket head meets the shaft. On a racket built from two parts glued together, that joint can work loose with use. Once it does, the racket feels dead and vibrates on every shot.
These rackets are a one-piece design with the T joint built in. That is the one detail worth checking on any set in this price range.
Weight
The rackets have a graphite shaft, and the rest is a carbon aluminium composite. That keeps them light.
Light rackets matter most for beginners. A heavy racket tires the arm quickly, and a tired arm is where bad habits start. With a lighter racket, new players can keep a rally going for longer.
The shuttlecocks
The set comes with three nylon shuttlecocks. Feather shuttles fly beautifully, but outdoors they break up quickly on mis-hits and damp grass.
Nylon shuttles take a knock and keep going, which suits garden play, school yards and anyone still learning.
Getting started without a net
Most sets get used before anyone buys a net, and that is fine.
Put two bags or a pair of shoes on the ground as a centre line. Then play a rally game: count how many shots in a row you can keep going, rather than trying to win points. It works well for mixed ages and it builds the skill that matters most early on, which is hitting the shuttle cleanly and often.
When you want a proper game, add a net. Our badminton net is 4.27m wide with three height settings up to 155cm, and the top setting matches the height of a full-size net at the posts.
Playing outdoors
A shuttlecock is very light, so any breeze will push it around. That is true of every set.
- Play across the wind rather than straight into it.
- Pick a sheltered spot, such as a garden corner beside a wall or hedge.
- On a gusty day, switch to the rally game and save points for a calmer evening.
Indoors, you need a hall or room with enough ceiling height for a high shot.
Looking after the set
A set like this lasts longest when it is stored well between games.
Keep everything in the bag
A racket rolling loose in a car boot is the one that ends up with a cracked frame. Put both rackets and the shuttles back in the bag after play.
Avoid heat and cold
Do not leave the set in a hot car or a freezing shed for long spells. Big swings in temperature are hard on any composite frame.
Keep shuttles out of the sun
Strong sunlight makes the nylon skirt of a shuttle brittle over time. A brittle skirt splits on a hard hit, and then the shuttle stops flying straight. When that happens, swap in the next one.
For schools and groups
For an introductory PE session or a youth group, a two-racket set gets a pair playing straight away. Doubles needs four rackets, so buy two sets.
If you need several sets for a school or club, use our /wholesale/ page to ask for a quote.