Yonex BG65 vs BG66 Ultimax vs Aerobite

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

Choosing between Yonex BG65 vs BG66 Ultimax usually comes down to one honest question: do you want your strings to last longer, feel faster off the racket, or help you control the shuttle at the net?

BG65, BG66 Ultimax, and Aerobite are all strong choices, but they are not trying to solve the same problem. BG65 is the thicker 0.70 mm durability pick, BG66 Ultimax is the thinner 0.65 mm repulsion-and-sound option, and Aerobite uses a hybrid 0.67 mm main / 0.61 mm cross setup for grip, spin, and control. Pick the wrong one and your racket can feel dull, fragile, or too demanding; pick the right one and the same frame can feel much more natural for your level and style.

This guide is written for Canadian players who are getting a racket restrung and want a practical answer before choosing tension. We’ll compare the three strings side by side, explain who each one fits, and help you avoid the common mistake of choosing a string only because a friend or pro player uses it.

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BG65, BG66 Ultimax, and Aerobite Specs Side by Side

The fastest way to understand the Yonex BG65 vs BG66 Ultimax choice is to start with gauge and construction. BG65 is the thicker durability option, BG66 Ultimax is the thinner repulsion option, and Aerobite is a hybrid setup with different main and cross-string gauges for control and spin.

Badminton House offers BG65, BG66 Ultimax, and Aerobite through its in-shop racket stringing service, rather than as individual online string products. If you are not sure which one fits your racket or tension, the service can match the string and tension to your game.

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BG65: The Durability Pick for Beginners and String Breakers

Yonex BG65 is the workhorse in this comparison. It is described as the best-selling badminton string in history, and its 0.70 mm specially braided fibre construction is built for abrasion durability. In plain terms: if you want a string that can take a lot of court time before you start thinking about another restring, BG65 is the safe starting point.

That durability is why BG65 makes so much sense for casual players, beginners, all-rounders, and heavy hitters who break strings often. It is also one of the most forgiving choices for players still developing timing and consistency, because you are not paying for an ultra-thin, high-response string that may punish mishits or wear out quickly.

What BG65 feels like on court

BG65 is not the sharpest or loudest option in the Yonex lineup, and that is the point. Badminton House lists BG65 in the durability category with a soft, reliable repulsion feel. That makes it easy to live with for everyday play: clears, lifts, drives, and defensive shots feel predictable rather than overly springy or overly crisp.

If you are coming from factory strings on a beginner racket, BG65 can feel like a practical upgrade without pushing you into a fragile performance setup. If you already hit hard, the thicker 0.70 mm profile gives you more margin than thinner strings such as BG66 Ultimax, while still keeping an all-round feel for singles, doubles, training, and club nights.

Choose BG65 if these sound familiar

• You are new to badminton. BG65 is a forgiving string for players still building clean contact, timing, and repeatable technique.
• You play casually or socially. Its durability makes sense when you want reliable playability without frequent restringing.
• You hit hard and break strings. BG65 is tied for best durability among Yonex string options covered in the comparison, making it a sensible choice for frequent breakers.
• You are an all-rounder. It does not force you into a pure power, control, or net-spin setup; it gives you a dependable base for mixed styles.

The trade-off is that BG65 will not give the same instant repulsion and metallic hitting sound that BG66 Ultimax is known for, and it will not create the same grippy hybrid spin effect as Aerobite. But if your main goal is to stop worrying about premature breakage, BG65 is usually the more practical answer.

If your current strings feel mushy, you are hitting harder just to get the same length, or you are not sure whether the string bed is past its best, read How Often Should You Restring a Badminton Racket? before choosing your next setup.

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BG66 Ultimax: Repulsion, Sound, and Responsive Control

In the yonex bg65 vs bg66 ultimax decision, BG66 Ultimax is the performance-focused choice. Its 0.65 mm thin gauge gives it a livelier response than thicker durability-first strings, with a balance of maximum speed, control, and durability. Badminton House lists BG66 Ultimax in the power category for advanced and finesse players who want a loud, ultra-responsive feel.

The easiest way to understand BG66 Ultimax is this: it rewards clean timing. When you contact the shuttle in the sweet spot, the string bed feels quick and springy, with instant repulsion and a crisp metallic hitting sound. That makes it especially appealing for players who like fast drives, sharp interceptions, punch clears, and quick attacking transitions.

BG66 Ultimax is not just a smash string. The thin gauge and responsive feel also help with touch shots: tight spinning net replies, fast holds, checked drops, and controlled half-smashes. If you play a lot of doubles, that quick string response can make the racket feel more connected during flat exchanges and front-court interceptions.

The trade-off is durability. BG66 Ultimax is known as a fragile, performance-first string rather than a longevity-first string. That is why it usually makes more sense for intermediate and advanced players than for beginners. If you are still developing timing, frequently mishit near the frame, or want your first restring to last as long as possible, BG65 is the safer starting point.

For tension, many players find BG66 Ultimax performs best around 22–26 lbs, with advanced players often preferring 24–26 lbs for added control. If you are unsure where you fit, compare your level against the broader badminton string tension guide before going too high. A thin string at too much tension can feel unforgiving if your contact point is inconsistent.

If you break strings often, track how long your current setup lasts. Competitive players using BG66 Ultimax may need restringing much sooner than recreational players, and regular Canadian club players should also pay attention to feel: if the string bed starts feeling mushy or you have to swing harder for the same length, it is time to consider a fresh restring. For more timing guidance, see how often to restring a badminton racket.

Book BG66 Ultimax Stringing in Moncton

Professional restringing · Yonex string options · 2–3 day turnaround

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Aerobite: Hybrid Control for Net Play, Spin, and Doubles

Aerobite is the control-focused option in this BG65 vs BG66 Ultimax vs Aerobite comparison. Instead of using one gauge across the whole string bed, it uses a hybrid layout: 0.67 mm mains and 0.61 mm crosses. That makes it feel different from both BG65 and BG66 Ultimax: less like a pure durability string, less like a pure repulsion string, and more like a grippy, precise setup for players who create angles.

The basic idea is simple: the thicker main string gives the string bed more stability, while the thinner cross string helps the shuttle grab and snap back. That extra bite is why Aerobite is often chosen by players who care about hairpins, tight spinning net shots, sliced drops, and cut smashes. If you win points by making the shuttle tumble or dip late, Aerobite gives you more of that feedback than a conventional single-gauge string.

Choose Aerobite if your game is built around touch, timing, and taking the shuttle early. It makes the most sense for intermediate to advanced players who can already contact the shuttle cleanly and want more control over spin. If you are still developing consistent timing, BG65 is usually the safer and more forgiving starting point; if you mainly want a sharp, lively hit and sound, BG66 Ultimax is the more direct comparison.

One naming detail matters: Aerobite and Aerobite Boost are not the same string. Classic Aerobite uses a 0.67 mm main with a 0.61 mm cross. Aerobite Boost uses a thicker 0.72 mm main, which shifts the setup toward more durability. If you specifically want the high-spin Aerobite feel discussed here, ask for the classic Aerobite spec.

For Canadian players who like playing close to the net, Aerobite pairs naturally with better front-court habits. If that is your style, the technique side matters as much as the string: see our badminton net shot technique guide and doubles positioning guide for the skills that make this string shine.

Badminton House carries Aerobite through our in-shop restringing service. If you want the hybrid control setup but are unsure about tension, start with our String & Tension Guide or request help through the Racket Stringing Service.

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Which String Fits Your Level and Tension Range?

For this three-string comparison, tension choice is mostly about how cleanly you hit the shuttle. Lower tensions give a larger, more forgiving sweet spot; higher tensions can feel sharper and more controlled, but only if your timing is consistent.

As a simple starting point, beginners generally do better around 18–22 lbs, while intermediates can usually move toward 22–26 lbs. For a fuller tension breakdown, see our badminton string tension guide. If you want broader help beyond these three Yonex strings, our badminton string selection guide for Canada covers durability, repulsion, control, and feel in more detail.

If you are choosing between Yonex BG65 vs BG66 Ultimax, ask one question first: are you breaking strings or missing the sweet spot often? If yes, BG65 is the more forgiving answer. If your contact is clean and you want a sharper, louder, more responsive string bed, BG66 Ultimax becomes much more tempting.

Aerobite is the most specialized option here. It makes the most sense for players who already shape shots intentionally: spinning net shots, slicing drops, holding the shuttle before pushing, or playing fast front-court doubles exchanges. If that is not your game yet, BG65 or BG66 Ultimax will usually be easier to live with.

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Getting Restrung in Canada: Cost, Turnaround, and Next Steps

If you are in Atlantic Canada, the simplest next step is to bring your racket to Badminton House for professional restringing in the Greater Moncton, NB area. The service uses Yonex strings, includes BG65, BG66 Ultimax, and Aerobite, and has a typical 2–3 day turnaround.

You do not need to arrive knowing the perfect setup. The Badminton House stringing service can match the right string and tension to your game, or choose for you if you are not sure. That is especially useful if this comparison helped you narrow the direction but you still want a second opinion before committing.

One practical note: Badminton House offers these strings through its in-shop restringing service rather than as online string sets or reels. For most players, that is the better path anyway: the string choice, tension, and quality of the string job matter together.

Get Your Racket Restrung in Moncton

2–3 day turnaround · Yonex strings · Help choosing string and tension

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Which Should You Choose?

If you want the shortest answer: choose BG65 for durability and forgiveness, BG66 Ultimax for repulsion and feel, and Aerobite for advanced net control and spin. The right pick depends less on the brand name and more on how often you break strings, how cleanly you hit, and whether your game is built around power, touch, or front-court pressure.

If you are still choosing between BG65, BG66 Ultimax, and Aerobite, think about what you want the string bed to solve first: durability, sharper repulsion, or more bite around the net. We play badminton ourselves, so if you want a second opinion before you restring, contact us with your racket, level, current tension, and how often you break strings.