Badminton Grip Guide: 10 Types Compared

One Grip Change Can Fix Your Swing — Here's How to Pick

From Yonex's Super Grap to Towel Grip and Premium Grip, ten real badminton grips compared by sweat absorption, thickness, and feel.

The grip is the only point of contact between your hand and the racket, so even a small difference changes the whole swing. A slick surface makes you grip too hard, an overly thick wrap slows down switching between forehand and backhand, and one that's too thin lets every shock reach your palm directly. This list compares ten real Yonex overgrips, towel grips, and replacement grips across four practical measures: sweat absorption, tackiness, cushioning, and thickness.

Before brand or color, check your own conditions first — how much you sweat, hand size, how often you play. It's more economical to try one or two rolls than to buy several at once.

How this comparison works

Overgrip (wraps over) versus replacement grip (swaps out) — distinguished throughout
Four feel factors: sweat absorption, tackiness, cushioning, thickness
Only features confirmed by the actual product name and Yonex's own information

Knowing that distinction upfront — an overgrip wraps over an existing handle, a replacement grip swaps out the base grip itself — makes the ranking below easier to follow.

Yonex Super Grap 3 Wraps

Yonex's standard overgrip strikes a balance of moderate tack and thickness, making it a useful baseline for judging every other grip on this list — thinner or more slippery, relative to this one. If your hands run very dry or very sweaty, the feel can shift noticeably, so it's worth logging how long a wrap actually lasts you. If you're picking a grip for the first time, starting here is a safe bet.

Yonex Dry Super Grap 3 Wraps

The Dry version is built to stay powdery even as you sweat, which suits summer gym sessions or long matches where a slick palm becomes distracting. If your hands tend to run dry, though, the surface can feel a bit rough — alternating with another grip by season is one option. If you sweat especially heavily, it's worth comparing this against the towel grip further down the list.

Yonex Super Grap Soft 3 Wraps

The Soft version emphasizes cushioning, easing palm pressure for beginners or anyone playing long rallies often. Wrapping too many layers thickens the handle and slows grip transitions, though, so keep the wrap count to a minimum. If you tend to get blisters, this is worth trying before a standard overgrip.

Yonex Ultra Thin Grap 3 Wraps

The Ultra Thin keeps handle thickness increase to a minimum, suiting smaller hands or players who want to feel the bevel clearly and switch quickly between forehand and backhand. It offers less cushioning and absorption than thicker options, so anyone sensitive to palm impact should choose carefully. Advanced players who are picky about handle thickness or fine-tune racket weight distribution tend to favor this one.

Yonex Strong Grap 3 Wraps

Built around durability, this grip suits players who go through wraps quickly from frequent club play or a tight grip habit that wears surfaces down fast. Sticking with a worn, slippery grip just because it's still holding on tends to make you squeeze harder — judge replacement timing by surface condition, not how long it's been on. It also tends to hold its shape reasonably well in shared-racket club settings.

Yonex Super Grap Tough 3 Wraps

This reinforced overgrip keeps the tacky feel while addressing the edges lifting quickly from friction. Even durable grips lose performance once sweat and dust build up, so judge replacement timing by slipperiness and discoloration rather than time elapsed. If lifting edges have been a recurring annoyance, this is worth switching to.

Yonex Excel Pro Grip

This replacement grip swaps out the base grip itself, useful for restoring a handle that's grown too thick from layer after layer of overgrips. First-timers should follow the full process carefully — removing the old base grip, wrapping direction, and securing the end cap. It also suits anyone who'd rather replace less often and cut down on overall grip spending.

Yonex Towel Grip

A towel-style grip with a thick cotton surface built to absorb sweat, this suits players who sweat heavily and prefer a fluffier, thicker feel over a tacky overgrip. Storing it wet invites odor and hygiene issues, so replace it often and air out your racket bag. Given its thickness, players with smaller hands may find the feel unfamiliar at first, so it's worth trying just one wrap before committing further.

Yonex Premium Grip Comfort Type

This premium replacement grip emphasizes comfort against the palm and shock absorption, suiting players whose hands tire quickly in long matches or who find a hard handle uncomfortable. More cushioning can dull the feel of the racket face, so measure your hand size and current grip circumference first. It's also worth a look for anyone trying to ease strain on the wrist or elbow.

Yonex Premium Grip Core Type

This replacement grip is built for players who want a firm, centered feel and direct feedback from every shot. It's worth comparing if you want to feel the grip angle clearly and transfer power instantly, but it can feel hard to anyone expecting soft cushioning — factor in what overgrip you'll pair it with. Advanced players focused on power smashes tend to reach for this type.

How to pick one

For a reliable baseline feel, start with No. 1. If you sweat heavily, try No. 2 or No. 8; if you're a beginner sensitive to palm pressure, No. 3 or No. 9. Smaller hands or a need for quick transitions point to No. 4; frequent club play that wears through grips fast is well served by No. 5 or No. 6; and if your handle has grown too thick, check a replacement type like No. 7 or No. 10 first.

The same grip can feel very different depending on how much you sweat and how hard you grip, so tracking how long a roll lasts and how the feel changes makes your next pick easier. Specs and availability reflect the time of research and can change, so check Yonex's official retailers before buying.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between an overgrip and a replacement grip?

An overgrip is a consumable wrap that goes over your existing handle and gets replaced often. A replacement grip strips off the worn base grip and starts fresh. If your handle has already grown thick from repeated overgrips, a replacement grip is the better fix.

How often should I replace my grip?

Judge it by condition rather than a fixed schedule — slipperiness, discoloration, and lifting edges are the real signals. Heavy sweaters or frequent players will naturally need to replace theirs more often.

What's the best type for someone who sweats a lot?

Dry-type overgrips and towel grips are both built for sweat absorption. Towel grips need extra care, though — storing one wet invites hygiene problems, so replace it often and let your bag air out.

How many layers of overgrip can I wrap on?

There's no fixed number, but each added layer thickens the handle and slows grip transitions. Even if you're layering a soft type for extra cushion, keeping the wrap count to a minimum protects your swing feel.

Can I install a replacement grip myself?

Yes, but first-timers should follow the process in order — removing the old base grip, wrapping direction, and securing the end cap — or it can end up loose. If you're not confident, having a shop do the first one while you watch is a reasonable way to learn.

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How this comparison works

Yonex Super Grap 3 WrapsUpvote

Yonex Dry Super Grap 3 WrapsUpvote

Yonex Super Grap Soft 3 WrapsUpvote

Yonex Ultra Thin Grap 3 WrapsUpvote

Yonex Strong Grap 3 WrapsUpvote

Yonex Super Grap Tough 3 WrapsUpvote

Yonex Excel Pro GripUpvote

Yonex Towel GripUpvote

Yonex Premium Grip Comfort TypeUpvote

Yonex Premium Grip Core TypeUpvote