If you’ve ever searched for the best badminton racket under $100, you’ve probably noticed the same names appearing everywhere.

The latest flagship rackets from Yonex. The newest Victor release. Li-Ning’s premium models.

Most of these rackets cost anywhere between $180 and $300, with some special editions pushing well beyond that. That naturally leads many players to wonder: “Can I actually get a good badminton racket for under $100?”

The answer is a resounding yes.

In fact, today’s badminton market offers more excellent rackets under $100 than ever before. The challenge isn’t finding a good racket. It’s knowing which ones deserve your attention.

Let’s look at why spending less doesn’t necessarily mean playing with less.

 

The Biggest Myth: Expensive Means Better

Many players assume price equals performance.

It’s an understandable assumption.

Professional players use expensive rackets.

Television broadcasts showcase the newest premium models.

Social media is filled with reviews of the latest flagship releases.

So naturally, many beginners and intermediate players believe they need those same rackets.

But here’s something worth remembering. Professional players don’t simply choose a racket from the store shelf.

Their rackets are often:

• Customized
• Professionally strung
• Weight matched
• Balance adjusted
• Sometimes painted to resemble retail versions

More importantly…

Most professional athletes are sponsored.

A player’s racket choice is often influenced by sponsorship agreements rather than what represents the absolute best value for everyday club players. That doesn’t mean sponsored rackets are bad. 

It simply means recreational players shouldn’t assume those are automatically the best purchase for their own game.

Quality Matters More Than Price

A badminton racket should never be judged solely by its price tag.

Instead, consider what truly affects performance such racket frame construction, durability, shaft consistency, weight, balance point and quality control.

A well-designed $60 racket can easily outperform a poorly matched $220 racket if it better suits your playing style.

Choosing the right specifications is often more important than choosing the most expensive model.

Many club players discover they play better with a lighter, more forgiving racket than with an ultra-stiff professional model designed for international competition.

There Are Too Many Brands, So People Follow the Pros

Walk into any badminton store today and you’ll see dozens of brands. For someone buying their first racket, the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming.

So what do most people do? They buy whatever their favourite professional player uses. If a world champion plays with a particular racket, surely it must be the best.

Not necessarily.

Professional athletes possess exceptional technique, they have outstanding physical strength, able to execute faster swings and have been gone through elite training for years.

A racket designed for them may actually be too demanding for recreational players.

Buying based solely on sponsorship or popularity often means paying more without gaining any meaningful advantage.

Meet the Unsung Heroes of Badminton

Some of the best-performing badminton rackets rarely appear on television. They’re the rackets quietly winning club tournaments every weekend.

Brands like Apacs, Abroz, and Felet have built loyal followings by focusing on something many flagship brands overlook which is value.

Instead of spending enormous budgets on superstar endorsements, these companies invest heavily in producing rackets that deliver impressive performance at accessible prices.

For players who care more about results than logos, these brands deserve serious consideration.

Apacs: The Value Champion

Apacs has earned a strong reputation worldwide for producing rackets that consistently outperform their price tags.

Many players first discover Apacs while searching for alternatives to expensive flagship models.

What surprises them isn’t just the lower price.

It’s how well the rackets actually play.

Popular characteristics include:

• Excellent power
• User-friendly balance
• Good durability
• Wide selection for every skill level
• Outstanding value

Whether you’re just beginning or competing regularly at club level, there’s usually an Apacs racket that fits your style without stretching your budget.

So many long-time BadmintonBay customers even return years later simply to purchase another Apacs because of the reliability they’ve experienced.

Shop Apacs racket here.

Abroz: Affordable Doesn’t Mean Basic

Abroz has steadily grown into one of the most exciting value-focused badminton brands.

Rather than chasing premium pricing, Abroz focuses on making modern technology accessible to everyday players.

Many of their rackets feature:

• High modulus graphite
• Lightweight construction
• Head-heavy attacking options
• Speed-focused designs
• Easy to use
• Price over performance
• Comfortable handling

Bestselling models are the XStorm 88, XStorm 99, Hammerhead, Venom II,  Nano 9900 Power, Exonic Nextgen, Demon Blade 1000 and Z Smash Power demonstrate that players don’t need to spend over $200 to enjoy advanced frame technology and satisfying on-court performance.

For developing players looking to upgrade from entry-level equipment, Abroz represents an excellent balance between affordability and performance.

Shop Abroz racket here.

Felet: Performance with Proven Heritage

Felet has become increasingly popular across Asia and internationally.

Known for clean designs and dependable build quality, Felet offers rackets suited for beginners, intermediates, and advanced club players alike.

Their range includes:

• Fast doubles rackets
• Powerful attacking models
• High quality constructions
• Control-oriented options
• Lightweight choices for faster defence

Many players appreciate Felet for delivering premium feel without premium pricing.

It’s another example that quality isn’t reserved exclusively for the industry’s biggest marketing budgets.

Shop Felet racket here.

What Makes a Great Under-$100 Racket?

Instead of chasing famous names, ask yourself these questions.

Does it match your playing style?

Attackers often benefit from slightly head-heavy rackets.
Defensive players may prefer even-balanced or head-light options.

Is the weight comfortable?

Most club players perform well with:

• 4U (84g – 86.9 g)
• 5U (81g – 83.9 g)
• 6U (77g – 80.9 g)

These weights offer a good combination of speed and power.

Is the shaft suitable?

Extra-stiff shafts aren’t always better.
Medium or flexible shafts are often easier for recreational players to generate power with.

Is it durable?

A reliable racket should withstand regular training and occasional mishits.
Durability becomes even more important than owning the newest model.

Our Recommended Badminton Rackets Under $100

Here are several excellent options available from BadmintonBay.

Apacs

• Edgesaber 10, Edgesaber Z Slayer
• Force II Max
• Nano Fusion Speed 722
• Nano 9900, Nano 900 Power
• Stern 90 Offensive
• Zig Zag Speed III
• Virtuoso Performance
• Z Series
• Duplex Power 55 
• Hyper Power
• Feather Weight series
• Lethal series

These rackets cater to players looking for power, speed, or all-round versatility.
Shop Apacs racket here.

Abroz

• Exonic Nextgen
• Demon Blade 1000
• Z Smash Power
• XStorm 88
• XStorm 99
• Hammerhead
• Venom II
• Nano 9900 Power

Ideal for players upgrading from beginner rackets while staying within budget.
Shop Abroz racket here.

Felet

• TJ series
• Woven series
• Dome
• Arcana
• Hypermax

Suitable for club players seeking refined performance and dependable construction.

Rather than focusing solely on price, consider which racket best complements your game.
Shop Felet racket here.

Don’t Buy a Racket Because Someone Famous Uses It

There’s nothing wrong with admiring professional players. They’re inspiring.

But remember that your badminton journey is different from theirs. The best racket isn’t necessarily the one used in international finals. It’s the one that helps you play with greater confidence, consistency, and enjoyment.

Sometimes that racket costs $250.
Sometimes it costs less than $100.

Final Thoughts

The badminton market has never offered more choice than it does today.

While flagship rackets from the biggest brands continue to dominate headlines, many outstanding rackets quietly deliver exceptional value without the premium price tag.

Brands like Apacs, Abroz, and Felet prove that quality doesn’t always come with a luxury price.

By focusing on construction quality, playing characteristics, and the right specifications for your game, you’ll often find that an affordable racket performs every bit as well as one costing two or three times more.

At the end of the day, badminton is won by skill, practice, and confidence, not by the logo printed on your frame.

So if you’re searching for the best badminton racket under $100, don’t overlook the unsung heroes. You may discover that the perfect racket for your game has been within your budget all along.

Shop at BadmintonBay.com