Badminton Racket Weight Guide: 3U vs 4U vs 5U Explained

When you look at the cone (handle) of a Yonex racket, you'll see a code like "4U G5". The "U" refers to weight category, and the "G" refers to grip size. Understanding these codes is crucial because choosing the wrong weight is the #1 reason players develop shoulder injuries, tennis elbow, and wrist pain.

This isn't about preference — it's about physics and biomechanics. Use a racket that's too heavy, and you'll strain your arm trying to generate speed. Use one that's too light, and you'll overcompensate with excessive arm swing, still causing injury.

Let's decode these weight categories and find your perfect match.

The Complete Weight Chart

Note: These weights include the racket frame only, without strings or grip tape. Add 10-12g for a fully-strung racket.

Which Weight Should You Buy?

Deep Dive: Each Weight Category

3U (85-89g): The Power Player's Choice

Physics is simple: Mass = Power. A heavier racket generates more momentum on your smash. If you have strong, developed technique and primarily play singles, 3U can add 10-15% more power to your attacking shots.

Who should use 3U:

• Singles players with 2+ years of consistent play
• Players with strong shoulder and forearm muscles
• Attacking players who rarely defend at the net
• Players who can generate power from compact swings (not windmill arms)

The trade-off: That extra 5g of weight will tire your arm faster. In a 30-minute match, you'll swing the racket 500-800 times. Those extra 5 grams compound into 2.5-4kg of additional cumulative load on your shoulder. If your technique isn't perfect, you'll develop soreness or injury.

4U (80-84g): The Modern Standard

This is where 60% of players land, and for excellent reasons. The 4U weight class represents decades of evolution in racket design. Modern materials (high-modulus graphite, carbon nanotube) allow manufacturers to create rackets that are both light and stiff — something impossible 20 years ago.

Why 4U dominates:

• Versatility: Fast enough for defensive blocks, heavy enough for offensive smashes
• Injury prevention: Light enough to not strain shoulders, heavy enough to not encourage overswinging
• Doubles optimization: Perfect for the fast exchanges at net while maintaining back-court power
• Skill development: Allows you to develop proper technique without fighting against excessive weight

Real-world example: Professional players like Kento Momota and Chen Long use 3U rackets because they have Olympic-level technique. But most national-level players use 4U for training and even in competition because the speed advantage outweighs the minor power reduction.

5U (75-79g): Speed and Forgiveness

Don't confuse "lighter" with "inferior." The 5U category serves specific needs brilliantly:

Perfect for beginners because:

• Easy to swing, reducing arm strain while learning proper form
• Allows you to focus on footwork and positioning, not wrestling with equipment
• Builds confidence with faster reaction times at the net

Perfect for defensive specialists because:

• Lightning-fast recovery from defensive positions
• Effortless blocks and lifts against powerful smashes
• Reduced fatigue during long rallies

The limitation: You might struggle to clear the shuttle from the back court to the back court, especially against a headwind. The reduced mass means less momentum transfer. However, with proper technique (using your legs and core rotation), this becomes less of an issue.

Who uses 5U: Many women's singles and doubles players prefer 5U for the maneuverability advantage. Older players (40+) often switch to 5U to protect their joints while maintaining their playing level.

2U (90-94g): The Dinosaur

You'll rarely see 2U rackets anymore. Before modern materials, heavier rackets were necessary to achieve stiffness. Now they're mostly used as training tools — some coaches have players practice with 2U rackets so that 4U feels effortless during matches.

F/6U (70-74g): Ultra-Specialized

These ultra-light rackets are typically used by:

• Junior players (under 12) transitioning from youth rackets
• Rehabilitation after injuries
• Very specific speed-based playing styles in women's doubles

Unless you have a specific reason recommended by a coach, skip this category.

Direct Comparison: What the Differences Feel Like

How to Choose Based on Your Playing Style

You should choose 3U if:

• You play competitive singles and have 2+ years of proper technique training
• You're physically strong (can do 20+ push-ups comfortably)
• You have zero history of shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain
• Your game strategy is pure attack from the back court

You should choose 4U if:

• You play doubles (any level)
• You're an intermediate singles player still developing technique
• You want one racket that can do everything reasonably well
• You're unsure which category fits you (4U is the safe default)

You should choose 5U if:

• You're a beginner (first 6 months of play)
• You play defensive styles or front-court doubles
• You're over 40 and want to protect your joints
• You're recovering from any upper body injury
• You struggle to clear from back-to-back court consistently (technique issue, lighter racket helps)

The Grip Size Code (G Number)

While we're decoding racket markings, let's quickly cover grip sizes. When you see "4U G5," the G5 refers to grip circumference:

• G4: 89mm circumference (largest) - for large hands
• G5: 86mm (most common) - for average/medium hands
• G6: 83mm (smallest) - for small hands or players who prefer thin grips

Most players use G5. If you're unsure, choose G5 — you can always add overgrips to increase thickness, but you can't make a thick grip thinner.

String Tension Considerations for Different Weights

Heavier rackets can handle higher string tensions because the frame mass dampens vibration. Here are general recommendations:

• 3U rackets: String at 26-30 lbs for optimal control
• 4U rackets: String at 24-28 lbs (sweet spot for most players)
• 5U rackets: String at 22-26 lbs (going too high causes harsh feel)

Learn more about finding your ideal tension in our string tension guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I switch between weight categories without adjustment period?
A: You'll need 2-3 playing sessions to adapt. The bigger the weight difference, the longer the adjustment. Going from 4U to 3U feels heavy at first. Going from 4U to 5U feels "whippy" initially. Give yourself time to adapt before judging the change.

Q: Will a lighter racket make me a faster player?
A: Not automatically. A lighter racket gives you faster racket head speed, but overall court speed depends on footwork, anticipation, and positioning. However, a lighter racket DOES help with reaction time in defensive situations and fast net exchanges.

Q: Do professional players use different weights than club players?
A: Yes, but not in the way you'd expect. Many pros use 3U for matches but train with 4U or even 5U to work on speed. Some doubles specialists like Kevin Sanjaya use 4U in competition. The "pro standard" is whatever fits your specific biomechanics and playing style.

Q: Does weather/altitude affect which weight I should use?
A: Slightly. At high altitude (over 1,500m / 5,000ft), shuttles fly faster, so you might prefer a slightly lighter racket for better control. In humid conditions, shuttles are heavier and slower, so a slightly heavier racket helps. But these are minor adjustments — your base weight choice should depend primarily on your playing style.

Q: My favorite player uses 3U. Should I copy them?
A: Probably not. Professional players have biomechanics optimized through years of daily training. They also have physiotherapists monitoring for injury. What works for Viktor Axelsen or Tai Tzu-ying might cause you shoulder problems within weeks. Choose based on YOUR needs, not aspirational copying.

Final Recommendations

Remember: the "right" weight is the one that lets you play your best badminton without pain. When in doubt, go lighter. It's much easier to adapt to a lighter racket than to recover from an overuse injury caused by a racket that's too heavy.

Looking for specific racket recommendations? Check out our guides:

• Best Badminton Rackets for Beginners
• Best Badminton Rackets for Intermediate Players
• Head-Heavy vs Head-Light Guide