Badminton Stringing Facts
Selecting the right string and tension for YOUR game
Strings come in all types of construction, gauge, colour and elasticity. Out there is the one best suited to YOUR game. Tensions are a very personal choice, we all play differently and so need different results when the shuttle meets the strings.
Firstly...do I need to restring my badminton racket?
If you've broken your badminton strings during play or are a competitive player looking to maximise your rackets potential then the answer to this question is of course yes... (so if this applies to you then just skip the next few paragraphs)
However, for a casual or novice player, when buying a new racket, it's often best just to use the original racket strings rather than worry too much about customising strings and tension.Many rackets in the UK are supplied strung by the manufacturers, who will typically use a thicker, more durable string at a low tension. For a player still learning and developing their game this is often the best option as the thick string will usually last an extremely long time before breaking. The lower string tension will also help to keep the sweet spot on the racket head as large as possible, making the racket more user-friendly.
Customising strings on a new racket can be compared to tuning the engine of a car. If you were to buy a new car then the standard factory engine would be fine to get you from A to B. However, if you wanted to compete in races the car engine would need to be tuned to get the best possible performance. A re-string is tuning the 'engine' of your racket.
So how do you choose a badminton string?
If you're confused or unsure about badminton strings then you are certainly not alone.There are a lot of aspects to consider, but we've tried to provide a breakdown of the information you need to make the best informed decision.
There are 4 main things to consider when choosing a badminton string and tension:
1. What do I want to gain from the string? Power? Durability? Control?
2. What tension should I choose when restringing a badminton racket?
3. How long do I ideally want my strings to last?
4. What type of badminton shuttlecocks am I playing with most?
What type of string do you want?
Badminton strings are typically categorised into 3 main categories:
- Power string (sometimes referred to as repulsion strings)
- Control string
- Durability string
Look at the most popular strings to make the right decision
TENNIS Stringing Facts
What String Tension Should I Use in My Tennis Racket?
The string tension on your tennis racket is just as important as the type of string you use. Learn how to choose the right string tension.
Step 1 - Determine Your String Material
Are you using nylon/gut string, polyester string, or a hybrid of half and half? In general, beginners should play with nylon strings (or natural gut if you don’t mind spending the money), intermediate players can start to blend with hybrids, and advanced players can take the court with a full bed of polyester.
When it comes to tension, the general rule is to string elastic materials like nylon or natural gut around 50 - 60lbs, which we’ll use as the base recommended tension. If you're using a stiffer string material like polyester, we’d recommend stringing looser to avoid arm injuries.
The first time you get your racket strung, you should aim for these string tensions:
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Nylon/Gut: 50 - 60lbs (22.5 - 27kg)
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Hybrid: 46 - 56lbs (21 - 25.5kg)
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Because polyester is a stiffer material, string 2lbs (1kg) looser than nylon
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Example: Poly at 51lbs (23kg), Nylon at 53lbs (24kg)
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Polyester: 44 - 54lbs (20 - 24.5kg)
Step 2 - Decide Which Benefits You're Looking to Get from Your String
Do you want your strings to provide more power or more control? The higher your string tension, the more control you’ll have on your shots. The looser your string tension, the more power you'll get on each shot.
Typically, beginner players with slower racket-head speeds want their strings to add more power to their shots, while advanced players with faster racket-head speeds want their strings to provide more control over their shots.
Step 3 - Assess Your Level of Play
Are you a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player? Determining your level of play is the final step in choosing the right string tension. For true beginners, check out our beginners guide to tennis for everything you need to know to get started.
Here are the recommended tension ranges again, narrowed down even further for each playing level.
Full bed Nylon/Gut Standard Range : 50 - 60lbs (22.5 - 27kg)
Tension Range for Power: 50 - 55lbs (22.5 - 25kg)
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Beginner: 54 - 55lbs (24.5 - 25kg)
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Intermediate: 52 - 53lbs (23.5 - 24kg)
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Advanced: 50 - 51lbs (22.5 - 23kg)
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Tension Range for Control: 56 - 60lbs (25.5- 2 7kg)
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Beginner: 59 - 60lbs (26.75 - 27.25kg)
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Intermediate: 57 - 58lbs (26 - 26.5kg)
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Advanced: 55 - 56lbs (25 - 25.5kg)
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Full bed Polyester Standard Range - 44 - 54lbs (20 - 24.5kg)
Tension Range for Power: 44 - 49lbs (20 - 22kg)
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Beginner: 44 - 45lbs (20 - 20.5kg)
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Intermediate: 46 - 47lbs (21 - 21.5kg)
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Advanced: 48 - 49lbs (21.75 - 22kg)
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Tension Range for Control: 50 - 54lbs (22.5 - 24.5kg)
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Beginner: 50lbs - 54lbs (22.5 - 24.5kg)
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Intermediate: 51 - 52lbs (23 - 23.5kg)
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Advanced: 53 - 54lbs (24 - 24.5kg)
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Hybrid Stringing Standard Range: 46 - 56lbs (21 - 25.5kg) - string 2lbs (1kg) looser for polyester than nylon
Tension Range for Power: 46 - 51lbs (21 - 23kg)
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Beginner: 50 - 51lbs (22.5 - 23kg)
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Intermediate: 48 - 49lbs (21.75 - 22kg)
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Advanced: 46 - 47lbs (21 - 21.5kg)
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Tension Range for Control: 52 - 56lbs (23.5 - 25.5kg)
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Beginner: 55 - 56lbs (25 - 25.5kg)
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Intermediate: 53 - 54lbs (24 - 24.5kg)
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Advanced: 52lbs (23.5kg)
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Fine-Tune Your Racket. Perfect Your Game....
Every player has a unique swing, strength, and style. Whether you play badminton or tennis, even the smallest change in balance point, swing weight, or grip size can make a huge difference in how your racket feels and performs.
At PlayLikePro, we offer precision racket customisation services to help you achieve perfect consistency — so every racket in your bag performs exactly the way you like.
🏸 Badminton Racket Customisation
🔹 Swing Weight
Swing weight determines how heavy the racket feels during your stroke.
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Higher swing weight → more power, momentum, and stability on smashes.
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Lower swing weight → quicker handling, faster defence, and better reaction shots.
We measure and adjust swing weight using precision tools to match your rackets within a few grams — giving you a consistent feel across all your frames.
🔹 Balance Point
The balance point defines whether your racket feels head-heavy, even, or head-light.
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Head-heavy rackets suit aggressive, attacking players looking for power.
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Head-light rackets suit defensive or front-court players who prefer speed and control.
We can fine-tune the balance by adding or removing weight (lead tape or handle weighting) to perfectly match your playing style.
🔹 Grip Size
Your grip affects comfort, control, and injury prevention.
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Thicker grips absorb more shock and suit players with larger hands or strong attacking styles.
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Thinner grips give better touch and manoeuvrability.
We offer custom grip builds — layering PU grips, cushion wraps, or heat-shrink sleeves to achieve your ideal handle size and shape.
🔹 Matching Multiple Rackets
Want all your rackets to feel the same?
We can measure and adjust swing weight, static weight, and balance so that every racket in your set is matched to within professional tolerances — ensuring identical performance no matter which one you pick up.
🎾 Tennis Racket Customisation
🔹 Swing Weight
Swing weight determines how easily your racket accelerates through the ball.
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Higher swing weight (heavier feel) → more power and plow-through but slower reaction.
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Lower swing weight (lighter feel) → more manoeuvrability and spin potential.
We measure and adjust swing weight to suit your strength and playing style, ensuring each racket responds consistently.
🔹 Balance Point
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Head-heavy balance adds power and stability.
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Head-light balance enhances control, spin, and volleying speed.
We use professional tuning methods (lead tape, handle weighting, silicone injection) to set your racket’s balance exactly where you want it.
🔹 Grip Size
Choosing the right grip size prevents arm fatigue and improves shot precision.
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A grip that’s too small can cause over-rotation or wrist strain.
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A grip that’s too large limits flexibility and spin.
We measure your hand and custom-build your grip — adjusting with heat-shrink sleeves, overgrips, or replacement grips to achieve perfect comfort and consistency.
🔹 Matching Multiple Rackets
Serious players often rotate between rackets. Even factory-made rackets can vary slightly.
We offer racket matching — balancing, weighting, and grip calibration — so that all your rackets perform identically, giving you confidence every time you step on court.
📏 Why Customisation Matters
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Improved comfort and reduced risk of injury
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More consistent shot timing and control
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Confidence knowing every racket feels “just right”
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Performance tailored to your unique playing style
📞 Ready to Customise?
Bring your rackets to PlayLikePro, or contact us at plpstringing@gmail.com to discuss your ideal setup. We’ll analyse your current racket specs, recommend adjustments, and deliver a professional-grade, custom-tuned setup — just like the pros.
