Gear for everycourt you play.
Racquet, string, shoe and bag reviews for tennis, padel, badminton and squash, matched to your level and style of play, with reader codes from brands we trust.
Pick your sport
Each sport has its own specs. Start with yours, then narrow by level, weight and feel.
Specs that change your game
How to choose a badminton racquet: weight classes like 3U and 4U, head-heavy vs head-light balance, shaft flex, grip size and string tension for every level.
Feather vs nylon shuttlecocks, what speed ratings mean, how to test shuttle speed, and which shuttles suit casual and competitive play.
The racquet, string and grip choices that reduce shock to the arm: flexible frames, weight and balance, soft strings, lower tension and the right grip size.
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How to Choose a Tennis Racquet: Head Size, Weight and Balance
Racquet basics
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Padel Racket Shapes Explained: Round vs Teardrop vs Diamond
Padel basics
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Padel vs Tennis vs Pickleball: Key Differences Explained
Padel basics
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Squash Racquet and Ball Guide: What Beginners Should Buy
Squash basics
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Squash Rules for Beginners: Serving, Scoring and Lets
Squash basics
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Tennis Grip Size Chart: How to Measure Your Grip Size
Racquet basics
Racquet Sports questions, answered
What does 4U mean on a badminton racquet?
It is a weight class. On Yonex racquets, 3U is about 85 to 89 g, 4U about 80 to 84 g and 5U about 75 to 79 g. Higher numbers are lighter. Check each brand's chart, since systems differ slightly.
Read: Badminton Racquet Buying Guide →Are feather or nylon shuttlecocks better?
Feather shuttles give the best flight and feel and are used in tournaments. Nylon shuttles last much longer and cost less, so they are better for beginners and casual play.
Read: Badminton Shuttlecocks →Do vibration dampeners help tennis elbow?
Not much. Dampeners reduce string vibration and the ping sound, but they don't meaningfully reduce the shock that travels through the frame to the arm.
Read: How to Choose a Tennis Racquet for Tennis Elbow →What size tennis racquet should a beginner use?
An adult beginner usually does best with a 100 to 110 square inch head and an unstrung weight around 255 to 285 g. The larger head gives a bigger sweet spot and easy power.
Read: How to Choose a Tennis Racquet →What padel racket shape is best for beginners?
Round. Its large, centered sweet spot and low balance make it forgiving and easy to control while you learn.
Read: Padel Racket Shapes Explained →Is padel easier than tennis?
Most beginners find padel easier to pick up: the court is smaller, the serve is underhand, and the walls keep rallies going. Advanced padel is still very tactical.
Read: Padel vs Tennis vs Pickleball →Answers for players, not catalogs
Every review explains the level and playing style a racquet suits, using the specs the manufacturer publishes.
Each review says who the racquet suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to know before you buy. No filler, no hedging.
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