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Best Badminton Sets

Updated May 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Baden Champions Badminton Set
Baden
Champions Badminton Set
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

A bright, highly visible set that includes everything you need to play a game with up to 4 players.

Pros

Includes 3 nylon shuttlecocks, 4 rackets, a net with powder-coated aluminum poles, and a weather-resistant carrying case. Net is bordered by 2-inch, high-visibility tape. Intuitive setup.

Cons

Some users feel that the durability is a little less than would be expected for the price.

Best Bang for the Buck
Franklin Sports Badminton Set with 4 Rackets and Net
Franklin Sports
Badminton Set with 4 Rackets and Net
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

Includes all of the essentials for 2-team competition at a budget-friendly price.

Pros

Affordable yet comprehensive, as this includes 4 rackets, 2 shuttlecocks, and a complete net system. Comes with a large storage bag for transporting the entire set.

Cons

Racket strings can break easily. Net poles are wobbly, and shuttlecocks feel flimsy.

Senston Badminton Set
Senston
Badminton Set
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Best for Casual Players
Bottom Line

This family-friendly set includes the essentials for 4 to play and is suitable for casual backyard fun.

Pros

Comprehensive set includes 4 rackets, 4 shuttlecocks, and 2 carrying bags. Rackets come in 4 colors, plus they are lightweight and feel comfortable in the hand.

Cons

Some durability and longevity issues with the rackets have been reported.

Trained Premium 2-Racket Badminton Set
Trained
Premium 2-Racket Badminton Set
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Best for Extended Play
Bottom Line

This set is a good choice for a pair of competitors.

Pros

Doubles set with 2 rackets and a carrying bag. Comes with 5 LED-lit shuttlecocks that light up as you play. Rackets have a nice weight and are reasonably durable.

Cons

Strings are prone to coming loose or breaking. Grip tape has a tendency to unravel over time.

EastPoint Sports Badminton Set
EastPoint Sports
Badminton Set
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Portable Convenience
Bottom Line

Comprehensive badminton set with a standalone net that is simple to set up.

Pros

Comes with 4 standard-size badminton rackets, 2 shuttlecocks, and a net measuring 5 feet high. Net stands on curved PVC poles and a base. Has a slide to mark the score on the pole and is easy to carry.

Cons

May be lacking in durability.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

33
Models
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60
Consumers
Consulted
18
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best badminton sets

For over a hundred years, badminton has been a popular sport, both competitively and as a pastime. If you plan on getting your own badminton set, you’ll want to consider the age of the players, where you’ll be playing, and how portable you want your set to be. Fortunately, most sets come with everything you need to play – net, rackets, and shuttlecocks (birdies).

Badminton is easy to learn, and it can be an appealing lawn sport for children and adults to play together. To get the most out of your badminton set, pick one that works for your available space and players.

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Experiment with different rackets to find the best one for you. No design is “best,” but most rackets will play differently.

Badminton set features

Fortunately, almost every badminton set comes with everything you need to play: net, rackets, and shuttlecocks (birdies). A volleyball (and much sturdier net) may even be included, but there’s no need to pay extra for something you don’t want.

Each badminton set is made for a certain location and player skill level, and not every set comes with everything you need for professional play. The quality and style of rackets in each set will vary, and depending on the age and skill of the players, this could be a deal breaker (though you can always buy higher-quality rackets). If you plan on playing indoors, you should purchase a freestanding net or one designed specifically for indoor play.

Here are some factors to consider when shopping for a badminton set.

Poles

Net poles either telescope (extend from a single piece) or snap together. Both types are relatively easy to set up, but you may prefer one style over the other. Make sure you know which type you’re getting with your set. Both varieties may be adjustable.

Net

  • Dimensions: The standard height for the top edge of the badminton net is 5 feet 1 inch. The net should be 2 feet 6 inches deep and 20 feet wide. If children will be playing, a lower net may be necessary. Some nets are adjustable, which is a great feature if you have a mixed crowd.
     

  • Freestanding: A freestanding net has a wide base that keeps it upright. This makes it easy to set up. If you need to shift the court, it’s as easy as lifting the frame and carrying it to your new area (provided you didn’t set up a boundary line). If you plan to play indoors, a freestanding net is the only option.

Pros:

  • Easy to set up

  • Usable indoors and outdoors

  • Easy to move

  • No strings or stakes to trip over
     

Cons:

  • May blow or tip over

  • Less portable (larger frames)
     

  • Tethered: A tethered net requires stakes and strings to keep the net upright, and you might have to drive the poles into the ground. Tethered nets require more setup, but the overall result is a sturdier net, which is ideal for windy areas.

Pros:

  • Less likely to blow or tip over

  • May be more portable
     

Cons:

  • Harder to set up

  • Strings and stakes could be tripped over

  • Harder to move

  • Can’t be used indoors

  • Strings may tangle if not stored properly

Rackets

Check that the quality of the rackets included in the badminton set matches the needs of your group. Here are a few things to consider when it comes to rackets.

  • Weight: For younger or inexperienced players, lighter rackets are best.

  • String Tension: Surprisingly, higher tension results in less power behind strokes. Players who need more power should look for rackets with lower tension. Neither one is better than the other. It comes down to personal preference.

  • Grip Circumference: A thicker grip allows for more power. A thinner grip tends to provide better control.

Portability

A carrying case not only keeps your equipment in one place but it also makes for easy transport. Without a case, your only option is to leave the net, rackets, frame, and birdies in their original packaging.  If you only plan to play in the yard and keep the set in your garage, portability may not be a factor.

Boundary Markers

Some sets include boundary markers, usually in the form of a cord and flags. This makes it easier to call shots in or out and is a necessity for competitive play. If you plan on playing indoors, you will need boundary tape rather than cord.

Other Sports

Some badminton sets are designed for other sports as well, such as volleyball, lawn tennis, or pickleball. If this is something you want, it can be worth the added price.

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Did you know?
Professional badminton is played on an indoor hardwood court. Experienced players may prefer an indoor set for a more competitive badminton experience.
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Badminton set prices

The price you pay for a badminton set is based on the materials, size, accessories, and compatibility with other sports. You can expect to spend between $18 and $250.

  • Inexpensive: Affordable plastic badminton sets can be purchased for $18 to $50. Some of these are not full size, so take this into consideration as you’re comparing sets.

  • Mid-Range: More durable badminton sets fall in the range of $50 to $100. These are often regulation size and may include volleyball or pickleball. The posts are usually made of sturdy metal.

  • Expensive: Regulation-size badminton sets used by professional players cost between $100 and $250. These are usually heavy, freestanding models with knotted nylon nets.

Badminton accessories

Depending on what your set includes (and how competitively you hope to play), you might want to consider adding one or more of the following to your badminton experience.

Feather Shuttlecocks

The birdies that come with most badminton sets have plastic feathers, which is fine for backyard barbecue play but not so good for competitive play. The highest-quality shuttlecocks are made of goose feathers. These perform best, but they don’t last as long as plastic birdies.

Price: Extra birdies cost between $3 and $35 per set (the number of shuttlecocks will vary).

Extra Rackets

If your badminton set only includes two rackets, rackets of low quality, or no rackets, you’ll want to look into buying a couple more. You might even find that you prefer certain styles of rackets to others. Rackets may be heavy or light, have high or low string tension, or have different balance points.

Price: The price of rackets varies depending on the brand, racket quality, number of rackets, and carrying case. Extra rackets cost between $8 and $300.

Extra Nets

Over time, badminton nets are likely to develop holes or sag, but even if this happens you don’t have to replace the whole set. Nets are often made of vinyl or nylon, with nylon being the most durable and professional.

Price: An extra badminton net costs between $6 and $80.

Grip Wraps

The original grips on your rackets may not fit your playing style. If they aren’t working for you, you have a few options.

  • Towel grips are usually made of thick cotton. These are for players who want more power. Cotton towel grips absorb sweat well, but it also means the grip will need to be replaced more frequently.

  • Replacement grips are made of polyurethane and are designed to replace the original grip. Overgrips are usually made of polyurethane as well, and go on top of the original grip. Both replacement grips and overgrips offer added comfort.

Price: Extra grip wraps cost between $4 and $20.

Scoreboard

If you have a competitive crowd, a scoreboard can add to the fun. Just make sure you get one that is large enough to be easily visible to both teams.

Price: Scoreboards cost between $10 and $30.

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Some sets are easier to assemble than others. If you play badminton only occasionally, this might not be a problem. If you expect to play regularly, you’ll want a set that sets up and stores easily.

FAQ

Q. How safe is badminton?

A. Since there is no bodily contact in badminton, it’s a fairly safe sport. The biggest risks for injury are the rackets, the birdie, and the stakes in the ground. For the safest play, always wear closed-toe shoes, especially if the net has stakes and tethers. Always communicate with your partner to avoid hitting each other with the rackets or colliding.

Q. Can younger children play badminton?

A. Yes. Children as young as five can learn to play, though they may struggle with the hand-eye coordination involved in hitting the birdie. If you’re concerned about children hitting each other with the rackets, limit play to singles.

Q. Can I leave an outdoor badminton net set up for long periods of time?

A. In most cases, yes. It depends on how many metal parts your set has. Since the important parts – net and poles – are often made of PVC or nylon, it can be safe to leave your net set up for long periods. However, you will want to store the rackets indoors to protect the grips. If your net has metal poles, you don’t want to leave it outside, especially in the rain. The packaging on some sets may state that they are designed to be weather resistant.

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