BADMINTON • EQUIPMENT GUIDE

Badminton String & Tension Guide: Choose the Right Setup for Your Game

A good badminton racket can feel completely different after restringing. String gauge, material, feel and tension influence shuttle response, control, hitting sound, durability and how forgiving the string bed feels when contact is not perfectly centred.

By Subham Sarkar • Published 19 Sep 2026 • Last reviewed 19 Sep 2026

Badminton racket string bed illustrating string gauge and tension selection — String choice and tension work together: choose them for your technique and playing priorities, not simply for the highest number.

Quick answer: Choose the string first for the feel you want—repulsion, control, durability or a balance—then choose a tension your technique can use consistently. Thin strings generally emphasise repulsion and crisp response but usually trade some durability; thicker strings generally improve durability. Higher tension creates a firmer, more precise-feeling string bed but is less forgiving of off-centre contact. Always stay within the exact racket manufacturer’s permitted tension.

Why Badminton String Selection Matters

The string bed is the part of the racket that actually contacts the shuttle. Two players using the same racket can therefore get noticeably different feedback if one uses a thin, lively string and the other uses a thicker durability-focused string, or if their tensions are very different.

RepulsionElastic string response can help the shuttle leave the string bed quickly. Thin high-resilience strings are commonly designed around this characteristic.

Control & feelA firmer or more textured setup can give a player clearer feedback and confidence in placement, provided contact is consistent.

DurabilityGauge, construction, tension, playing frequency, mishits and climate can all affect string life. Thicker strings are generally the safer direction when breakage is frequent.

SoundSome thin performance strings are designed for a sharper impact sound, but sound should be treated as feedback rather than proof that a setup is automatically better.

String Gauge: Thin vs Thick Badminton Strings

Gauge is the diameter of the string, normally stated in millimetres. Li-Ning’s current string guide, for example, explains that thinner strings tend to provide more repulsion, while thicker gauges tend to improve durability. Current badminton strings from major brands commonly span roughly the low-0.60 mm to around 0.70 mm range, depending on model.

Gauge direction	Typical character	Useful for	Trade-off to consider
Thin, around 0.61–0.65 mm	Fast response, lively repulsion, crisp sound	Players prioritising speed and shuttle response	Usually less tolerant of wear and mishits than thicker strings
Medium, around 0.66–0.68 mm	Balance of response, feel and durability	All-round and performance setups	Exact character depends strongly on construction, not gauge alone
Thicker, around 0.69–0.70 mm	Durability-oriented, stable feel	Frequent players, hard hitters or players breaking thin strings often	May feel less lively than a thin high-repulsion string

Important: Gauge is only one variable. Two 0.65 mm strings can feel different because their core, outer braid, coating and manufacturing technologies differ.

How Badminton String Tension Changes the Game

Lower tension: more forgiving

At a relatively lower tension, the string bed deforms more easily and the effective sweet spot generally feels more forgiving. This can help developing players produce length without requiring perfect timing on every shot.

Higher tension: firmer and more demanding

As tension rises, the string bed feels firmer and shuttle contact can feel more direct. Skilled players may prefer this for feedback and placement, but the useful sweet spot becomes less forgiving. Higher tension does not automatically create more power: a player who cannot consistently load the tighter string bed may actually lose easy length and repulsion.

VICTOR’s string-and-tension guide similarly distinguishes lower-tension ease from the more demanding response advanced players may choose. The key is matching tension to technique rather than copying a professional player’s number.

What Tension Should You Use?

There is no universal perfect tension. The racket’s permitted range comes first, followed by player level, string model, technique, climate, restringing frequency and personal feel.

Player profile	KhelGuru starting guidance	Why
Beginner / recreational	About 20–23 lbs	More forgiving response and easier depth for players still developing consistent timing.
Intermediate	About 23–26 lbs	A practical middle ground when the player wants more direct feel without making the string bed excessively demanding.
Advanced / technically consistent	About 26–30 lbs, where the racket permits	For players who intentionally prefer a firmer response and can contact the shuttle consistently.

These are KhelGuru starting ranges, not manufacturer specifications. A player can prefer a setup outside them. Never exceed the maximum tension stated for the exact racket and weight/version, and remember that warranty/stringing limits can vary by model and market.

Not sure which tension to choose? Use the KhelGuru String Tension Check tool to get guidance based on your badminton setup and playing requirements.

Check Your Badminton String Tension →

Yonex, Li-Ning & VICTOR: Which Badminton String Suits Which Game?

The choices below are based on current manufacturer positioning and published specifications. They are examples, not a universal ranking.

Yonex badminton strings

String	Gauge	Manufacturer positioning	Good match when you want...
BG65	0.70 mm	Durability category	A dependable, durability-focused setup for regular play and players who do not want very thin strings.
BG80	0.68 mm	Hard-feel / control-oriented performance string in Yonex literature	A firmer, more direct impact feel for attacking or control-focused players.
EXBOLT 65	0.65 mm	Quick repulsion	Fast response and repulsion while retaining more durability than an ultra-thin option may offer.
AEROBITE	Hybrid: 0.67 mm main / 0.61 mm cross	Control / hold-oriented hybrid	Players who prioritise shuttle hold, net control and a distinctive hybrid-string feel.

Li-Ning badminton strings

String	Manufacturer positioning	Good match when you want...
Li-Ning No.1	Li-Ning rates it strongly for repulsion and hitting sound; current No.1 family listings place it among power strings.	A lively, repulsion-focused response for technically developed players.
Li-Ning No.7	Listed in Li-Ning India’s durability-string collection.	More durability emphasis for frequent play or players who find thinner strings break too often.
Li-Ning No.5	Presented in Li-Ning’s guide as a balanced-string option.	A middle-ground choice when you do not want to maximise only repulsion or only durability.

VICTOR badminton strings

String	Gauge	Manufacturer positioning	Good match when you want...
VBS-63	0.63 mm	High resilience; VICTOR describes it for players who enjoy a sense of speed.	A thin, fast and responsive setup.
VBS-66N	0.66 mm	High resilience, medium feel; VICTOR highlights elasticity and pace control.	Speed with a slightly less extreme gauge than VBS-63.
VBS-70	0.70 mm	VICTOR’s guide places it in the durability group and describes it as soft/easy to use.	Durability and an accessible all-round feel.

Simple String Selection by Playing Priority

Fast doubles / quick drivesLook first at high-resilience, thinner strings such as Yonex EXBOLT 65, Li-Ning No.1 or VICTOR VBS-63/VBS-66N, then choose a tension you can control consistently.

Attack & firm feedbackPlayers who like a harder, direct response can compare options such as Yonex BG80. String feel is personal, so do not choose solely because a powerful player uses it.

Control & net playControl-oriented or textured/hybrid constructions such as Yonex AEROBITE can be worth comparing when shuttle hold and touch are priorities.

Durability / frequent practiceThicker choices such as Yonex BG65, Li-Ning No.7 or VICTOR VBS-70 are logical places to start if thin strings are breaking too frequently.

Common Badminton Stringing Mistakes

Choosing the highest tension your racket allows. Maximum supported tension is a structural limit, not a recommendation for every player.
Copying a professional setup. Elite players have different timing, swing speed, restringing frequency and access to professional stringing.
Ignoring string gauge. Moving from 0.70 mm to 0.63 mm can change feel and durability even if tension stays the same.
Changing string and tension at the same time without tracking it. If the new setup feels different, you may not know which change caused it.
Keeping dead strings indefinitely. Strings can lose tension and playing character before they physically snap.
Ignoring the racket specification. Always verify the exact model, weight version and manufacturer stringing limit.

A Better Way to Find Your Setup

Start with a sensible string for your priority, use a moderate tension, and adjust gradually. If you want more firmness and your contact is consistent, move tension upward in small steps at the next restring. If the racket feels unforgiving or you struggle for easy length, moving slightly lower can be more useful than buying a new racket.

Practical tip: Keep a simple note of racket model, string, tension and restring date. That gives you a repeatable baseline instead of relying on memory.

Explore More KhelGuru Badminton Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Which badminton string tension is best for beginners?

There is no single number for every beginner. As a practical KhelGuru starting point, around 20–23 lbs is often easier to use because the string bed remains more forgiving. Always check the racket’s permitted range.

Does higher tension give more power?

Not automatically. Higher tension creates a firmer string bed, but players need sufficient technique and racket-head speed to use it effectively. A lower or moderate tension can provide easier length for many players.

Are thinner badminton strings better?

They are not universally better. Thin strings can provide lively repulsion and crisp response, while thicker strings generally move the balance toward durability. Choose according to your priorities.

Which string is good for durability?

Durability-focused examples include Yonex BG65, Li-Ning No.7 and VICTOR VBS-70. Actual life still depends on tension, technique, mishits, frequency of play and environmental conditions.

Which strings suit fast doubles play?

Players seeking quick response can compare high-resilience options such as Yonex EXBOLT 65, Li-Ning No.1 and VICTOR VBS-63 or VBS-66N. The final choice should also consider durability and preferred feel.

Should I use 30 lbs because advanced players do?

No. Use 30 lbs only if your racket permits it and your technique genuinely benefits from a firm, demanding string bed. Professional-player tensions are not targets that every player should copy.

How often should badminton strings be changed?

There is no universal interval. Restring when the string breaks, becomes badly frayed, loses too much tension or no longer gives the response you want. Frequent competitive players may restring far more often than recreational players.

Sources & Specification References

Product positioning and gauges were checked against current manufacturer or official regional manufacturer pages on 19 Sep 2026. Product ranges can change, so verify the exact current model before purchase or restringing.

About the Author

Subham Sarkar contributes sports knowledge and equipment-guide content for KhelGuru.

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