Strung vs Unstrung Badminton Rackets: Which to Buy

Last updated: June 2026 · Written by the team at Badminton House

If you are comparing rackets online and see one listed as strung while another is unstrung, it can feel like the unstrung racket is somehow incomplete. In badminton, that is not usually the case. A strung racket comes ready to play; an unstrung racket arrives without string so you can choose the string and tension before your first session.

That choice matters more than many players realize. The stringbed changes how the racket feels on clears, drives, blocks, smashes, and touch shots. For beginners, a ready-to-play strung racket can be the simple answer. For improving club players, league players, and anyone buying a better frame, an unstrung racket can be the better starting point because the string setup is matched to your game instead of chosen for everyone.

This strung vs unstrung badminton racket guide explains what each label means, why better frames often ship without strings, how to think about the real CAD cost after stringing, and how to choose tension without pushing the frame beyond its recommended range.

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Strung vs Unstrung Badminton Racket: What Each Means

When you see strung vs unstrung badminton racket while shopping, it is not a tiny product-detail footnote. It tells you whether the racket can go straight into your bag for tonight’s drop-in, or whether it needs a string job before the first shuttle.

A strung racket is the simpler buying path. For a new player, school program, casual family player, or someone who needs a racket quickly, “strung” usually means fewer decisions at checkout: buy it, bring it to court, and start playing.

An unstrung racket is different. It is not defective, incomplete, or missing a part by accident. It is intentionally sold without strings so the player can choose the string model and tension that match their level, shuttle type, and playing style. Until that frame is strung, it is not playable.

The practical difference is timing and choice. Strung gives you convenience. Unstrung gives you control. Neither is automatically “better” for every player; the right choice depends on whether you want a ready-to-play setup or a custom stringbed from the start.

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What “Factory Strung” Usually Means

A factory-strung badminton racket is convenient: you can take it out of the cover, head to the gym, and play right away. But “strung” does not usually mean the stringbed was selected for your game.

In practice, factory-strung rackets are commonly around 19–20 lbs. Many factory-strung rackets are 20 lbs or less, and manufacturers may not specify the exact tension. That lower tension can be friendly for many beginners because it gives a softer, more forgiving feel and helps produce easy length without perfect timing.

The key point: factory stringing is a starting point, not a performance fitting. If you are still learning clears, serves, and basic timing, a lower factory tension may be perfectly usable. If you are choosing a racket for control, smash timing, doubles speed, or a specific feel at impact, the string and tension become part of the racket setup.

For a deeper tension breakdown, see our beginner badminton string tension guide. If you are in Greater Moncton, you can also use our badminton racket stringing service to have the racket matched to your game before you play.

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Why Better Badminton Rackets Often Ship Unstrung

A higher-end badminton racket is usually sold as a frame first because the stringbed is part of the performance setup, not just a finishing detail. Advanced players often choose a specific string and tension based on how they hit: doubles drives, steep smashes, net control, durability needs, feather versus nylon shuttles, and how often they restring.

That is why an unstrung racket is not “missing” something in the same way a shoe without laces would be. It is more like a high-performance frame waiting for the player’s setup. Factory stringing is usually aimed at broad beginner use; custom stringing lets the racket match the player.

The Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ is a good example of why this matters. It is listed at $299.99 CAD, with stiff flex, head-heavy balance, and recommended tension of 20–28 lbs in 4U or 21–29 lbs in 3U. At that level, the string and tension are part of the racket’s identity on court.

The Yonex Astrox 100VA Game shows the same idea in an intermediate-to-advanced frame. It is listed at $349.99 CAD and carries the same recommended tension range: 20–28 lbs in 4U or 21–29 lbs in 3U. Availability can change, so check the product page before planning a custom setup.

For Canadian players comparing strung vs unstrung badminton racket options, the important question is not “why am I paying for a racket without strings?” It is: if the racket arrived with generic factory strings, would I keep those strings anyway?

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The CAD Cost Math: Frame Price Plus Stringing

In a strung vs unstrung badminton racket comparison, the fair number is not “racket price versus racket price.” For an unstrung frame, compare the frame price plus stringing.

Across Canada, independent stringers commonly advertise around $15 CAD for labour if you bring your own string, or about $25–$27 CAD with common Yonex strings included. Canadian pro-shop stringing is generally framed higher, roughly $35–$60 CAD depending on the string and service package.

Example: the Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ is listed at $299.99 CAD. Add roughly $25–$45 CAD for string plus labour, and the practical custom-strung total lands around $325–$345 CAD.

That is why an unstrung high-end frame is not “missing” value. You are choosing the stringbed instead of paying for a generic one first and then paying again to replace it.

For Canadian online orders, remember the cart total too: a $299.99 CAD racket clears Badminton House’s free Canadian shipping threshold on orders over $200, so the meaningful comparison is the custom-strung setup cost, not just the bare frame price.

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Choosing Tension Without Risking the Frame

Once you choose an unstrung badminton racket, the next question is not “what is the highest tension I can use?” It is “what tension gives me clean contact, useful power, and a safe margin for the frame?” For most Canadian club players, that answer is lower than they expect.

If you mostly play with plastic shuttles at school gyms, rec centres, or casual drop-ins, consider going 2–3 lbs lower than you would with feather shuttles. Plastic shuttles are harder on strings, and the slightly lower tension can improve durability while keeping the racket easier to use.

The frame-safety warning is simple: the manufacturer’s recommended maximum tension is a limit, not a target. Stringing above that maximum increases the chance of frame breakage. Even if a racket lists a high maximum tension, that does not mean every player should string it there.

A safer choice is to start in the range that matches your level, then move up gradually only if you consistently hit the sweet spot and want a firmer, more controlled response. If you are between two tensions, choose the lower one first; it is usually easier on your arm, your strings, and your frame.

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Moncton Players: Get It Strung Before You Play

If your racket arrives unstrung, do not take it straight to the gym “just to try it.” It needs a proper string job first. Badminton House offers professional badminton racket stringing in the Greater Moncton area with a 2–3 day turnaround and no appointment needed.

The available Yonex string lineup covers the common needs most players ask for: BG65, BG80, BG66 Ultimax, Exbolt 65, Aerosonic, and hybrid Aerobite. BG65 is listed at 0.70 mm and is a beginner-friendly option; Aerosonic is listed at 0.61 mm for players who want a very thin string feel.

For regular players, stringing is not a one-time purchase. If you play 2+ times per week, plan to restring every 2–3 months because strings lose tension over time, even if they have not snapped yet. That gradual tension loss is one reason an old stringbed can start feeling flat before it looks damaged.

If you are unsure what tension to choose, keep it sensible and stay within the racket manufacturer’s recommended range. The goal is not to hit the biggest number on the frame; the goal is to get a stringbed that feels good, protects the frame, and suits how you actually play.

Get Your Racket Strung in Moncton

2–3 day turnaround · No appointment needed · Free Canadian shipping on $200+ gear orders

Looking for a place to test the new setup? See our local guide to where to play badminton in Moncton.

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Which Should You Choose: Strung or Unstrung?

If you are buying your first badminton racket, a strung racket is usually the simpler choice because it arrives ready to play. If you already know you care about string feel, tension, durability, or control, an unstrung frame gives you the cleaner starting point.

Simple rule: choose strung when convenience matters most; choose unstrung when you want the racket set up around your game. If you are near Moncton, the local stringing section below covers how to get a frame game-ready before you play.

Still deciding whether to buy strung or unstrung? We play badminton ourselves, so if you want a second opinion on frame choice, string type, or safe tension for your level, contact us and tell us how often you play, whether you use feather or nylon shuttles, and what you want more of: power, control, or durability.