Best Yonex Badminton Strings: A Gauge-by-Gauge Guide

Forget the Tension Chart: Start With String Gauge

We compared ten Yonex badminton strings by gauge, repulsion, and durability so you can pick the gauge that fits your swing first.

When choosing a badminton string, settle the gauge first and fine-tune tension second. That is where most players get confused. They keep raising and lowering tension, then find the string snaps too soon or the shots feel dead, and end up restringing again. This list is meant to cut down that trial and error.

Instead of copying a pro's setup, Golladream re-ranked ten Yonex strings along three axes: gauge, surface finish, and durability. Numbers on a spec sheet rarely convey the difference, so each entry also says what kind of play it suits and what to watch out for.

How we ranked them

Gauge: thinner strings react faster, thicker ones last longer
Surface and coating: these shape the sound and how the shuttle seems to grip
Durability: restringing frequency and cost matter too
Play style: front-court and back-court players need different things

If strings keep breaking, start with the thicker options; if feel comes first, read from the top.

Yonex EXBOLT 63

At 0.63mm, this is one of the thinnest single strings on the list. The thinner the string, the faster it reacts and the clearer the feel at contact. It suits doubles players who live at the net, pushing and driving all night. The catch is that it breaks sooner on mishits, so start one or two pounds below your usual tension instead of jumping straight to a high setting.

Yonex EXBOLT 65

At 0.65mm, it keeps much of the 63's sharp response while easing the lifespan worry a little. It's a sensible next try if you like the EXBOLT snap but got tired of 63 snapping early. Even the same string feels very different by frame and tension, so don't overhaul your setup in one go. Adjust tension by about a pound and compare one change at a time.

Yonex EXBOLT 68

At 0.68mm, this is the thickest of the EXBOLT trio. It fits back-court players who smash and clear a lot and keep losing thinner strings too quickly. The response is a beat steadier than the 63 or 65. Thick doesn't automatically mean long-lived, though. If strings keep breaking, check for damaged grommets or a mishit habit before you blame the gauge.

Yonex BG66 ULTIMAX

Its crisp 0.65mm response has made this a reference point for years. It works well as a benchmark for club players who mostly drive and clear quickly. Even if you love the feel, restringing too often adds up in cost. In that case, weigh what you'd gain by dropping the tension a little or moving up one gauge against what you'd give up in snap.

Yonex BG80

A 0.68mm gauge with a deliberately rough surface gives a firm, defined sound at impact. It's a candidate if you want the shuttle to feel held on cuts, drops, and hairpins, or you want clear feedback on smashes. All that firmness can tire your arm and wrist, so try it at a lower tension first and pay attention to how your body responds.

Yonex BG65

At 0.70mm, this is the thickest string here, which makes it a practical pick when durability comes first. Beginners and clubs that grind through basket drills can cut down on restringing costs. Response and sound can feel duller than with thinner strings. When that happens, adjust your swing along with tension rather than only cranking tension up, which is safer for your arm.

Yonex BG65 TITANIUM

This takes BG65's steady gauge and adds a titanium-based coating to sharpen the response at contact. It's worth comparing if you like BG65's durability but found the feel a bit plain. How the coating feels varies a lot between players and can change gradually with use, so don't judge lifespan after just one or two sessions on court.

Yonex NANOGY 95

At 0.69mm, this is an all-rounder that tries to pack repulsion, durability, and a firm hit into one string. It suits back-court players who clear and smash a lot but don't want anything too stiff. Feel depends heavily on your racket's head weight and shaft stiffness, so avoid simply copying the tension number somebody else uses on their frame.

Yonex NANOGY 98

A thin 0.66mm gauge aims at quick response together with fine control. It's worth comparing if you play doubles at the front, enjoy short touches and fast drives, and want a feel different from the BG66 family. The thinner the string, the more it depends on grommet condition and stringing quality, so an experienced stringer will give you more consistent results.

Yonex AEROBITE

A hybrid build with 0.67mm mains and 0.61mm crosses. It targets control players who want spin on hairpins and cuts plus quick response in one string bed. Process and cost may differ from a standard single string, so it makes the most sense once you know exactly which feel you want. Check specs and price with official channels; this is as of October 2026.

How to choose

For fast response at the net, look at No. 1 EXBOLT 63 or No. 9 NANOGY 98. If you want a balance of response and lifespan, start with No. 2 EXBOLT 65 and No. 4 BG66 ULTIMAX. If strings snap often, the thicker picks such as No. 3 EXBOLT 68, No. 8 NANOGY 95, and No. 6 BG65 are more realistic.

When comparing, change only one thing at a time. Change the gauge and keep tension fixed, or change tension and keep the string fixed, so you can tell what made the difference. Grommet condition and stringing quality also affect the feel a lot.

Information reflects the time of research and may change, so check specs and prices with official channels before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I restring my badminton racket?

Players who hit once or twice a week often restring every 3 to 6 months, while daily competitors may do it every 1 to 2 months. Rather than waiting for a snap, treat a duller sound and flat repulsion as your real signal.

How do I choose the right tension?

Start near the low end of your frame's recommended range and raise it about a pound at a time, comparing as you go. Stringing tight from the start shortens string life and can strain your arm.

Is a thinner or thicker string better?

Thin strings (0.63-0.66mm) give sharper repulsion and feel but break more easily. Thicker ones (0.68mm and up) are steadier but feel a bit duller. Weigh swing speed, how often you mishit, and restringing cost.

When would I use a hybrid string?

A hybrid like AEROBITE uses different gauges for mains and crosses. It targets control players who want spin on hairpins and cuts along with quick response, and it makes sense once you know the feel you want.

If my strings keep breaking, should I always go thicker?

Not necessarily. Damaged grommets or frequent mishits can break even a thick string. Check your racket and swing habits first, and consider lowering the tension as well.

Can I just copy another player's tension?

We don't recommend it. Head weight, shaft stiffness, and the frame make the same tension feel very different. Use it as a reference and adjust in small steps on your own racket.

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How we ranked them

Yonex EXBOLT 63Upvote

Yonex EXBOLT 65Upvote

Yonex EXBOLT 68Upvote

Yonex BG66 ULTIMAXUpvote

Yonex BG80Upvote

Yonex BG65Upvote

Yonex BG65 TITANIUMUpvote

Yonex NANOGY 95Upvote

Yonex NANOGY 98Upvote

Yonex AEROBITEUpvote