We compared 10 Yonex badminton strings by gauge, repulsion, and durability.
String costs a fraction of what a racket does, yet it reshapes the one sensation that matters most: the instant the shuttle meets the frame. Instead of copying a pro's exact setup, Golladream re-ranked Yonex's lineup along three axes -- gauge, surface finish, and durability.
The spec sheet numbers alone won't tell you much. Use the list below as a starting point, then try shifting one gauge size or nudging tension by a pound at your current setup -- that's the fastest way to find what actually suits your swing.
01
Yonex EXBOLT 63
At 0.63mm, this sits among Yonex's thinnest strings, snapping back fast even on short, compact swings. It's worth a look if you play the front court and lean on drives and pushes. The trade-off is fragility -- thin strings break more easily on mishits, so start a pound or two below your usual tension rather than maxing it out.
02
Yonex EXBOLT 65
If you want the EXBOLT snap without committing to the fragility of 0.63mm, this is the natural next step. It balances repulsion against lifespan. Feel varies a lot by frame and tension even with the same string, so change one variable at a time -- nudge tension by about a pound rather than overhauling your whole setup.
03
Yonex EXBOLT 68
If you smash and clear often and keep snapping thinner strings, 0.68mm is built to handle it. It aims for solid feel without sacrificing durability. Going thicker doesn't automatically mean it'll last longer, though -- check your grommets and mishit frequency too, since those cause breaks just as often as gauge does.
04
Yonex BG66 ULTIMAX
There's a reason this one has stayed a staple for years. The 0.65mm gauge delivers the crisp repulsion that drive- and clear-focused players still use as their benchmark. If you love the feel but find yourself restringing too often, weigh dropping the tension or bumping up a gauge against the added cost.
