Badminton String Guide: BG65 vs BG80 vs Aerosonic (India Buying Guide)
Durability, power or crisp feel? BG65, BG80 and Aerosonic compared to help you pick the right badminton string in India.
Badminton string guide: BG65 vs BG80 vs Aerosonic for Indian players
Players obsess over rackets, but the badminton string and its tension shape how your racket actually feels and performs. Three Yonex strings dominate the conversation in India — BG65, BG80 and Aerosonic — and each is built for a different priority. This guide compares them so you can restring with the right one for your game.
Yonex BG65: the durable all-rounder
The Yonex BG65 (₹508) is the world's most popular badminton string for good reason: it is tough, consistent and affordable. If you play regularly, break strings often, or just want a reliable string that lasts, BG65 is the sensible default. The feel is muted rather than crisp, but the durability more than makes up for it for most club players.
Yonex BG80 Power: more repulsion and pop
Step up to the Yonex BG80 Power (₹648) and you get noticeably more repulsion — the string returns energy for a livelier, more powerful smash. Attacking singles players who want extra pop on the shuttle tend to love it. It is a touch less durable than BG65 but not dramatically so.
Yonex Aerosonic: thin, crisp and fast
The Yonex Aerosonic (₹976) is one of the thinnest strings available, delivering razor-sharp feel, extra speed and that distinctive crisp sound on contact. The trade-off is durability — it is best for advanced players who prioritise feel and don't mind restringing more often. For a middle ground of feel and toughness, the Yonex Exbolt 65 (₹1,000) is a modern hybrid worth considering.
| String | Priority | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| BG65 | Durability | Club/school, frequent play |
| BG80 Power | Repulsion/power | Attacking players |
| Aerosonic | Crisp feel, speed | Advanced players |
Don't forget tension
String choice and tension work together. Lower tension (22–24 lbs) gives more power and a bigger sweet spot — ideal for beginners — while higher tension gives control for advanced players at the cost of comfort and string life. Whatever you pick, get it strung by someone who knows your racket's recommended tension range so you don't risk cracking the frame.
How often should you restring?
Strings lose tension and liveliness long before they snap, so waiting for a break is the wrong signal. A widely used rule of thumb is to restring as many times per year as you play per week — so twice-a-week players should aim for roughly two restrings a year, while serious daily players restring far more often. The clearest signs your string is "dead" are a dull, muted feel on contact, a visible loss of the crisp sound, and shuttles flying less predictably even though your swing hasn't changed. Frequent players who value that fresh feel often accept a slightly less durable string like Aerosonic, since they will be restringing regularly anyway; occasional players get better value from the toughness of BG65. It is also worth matching your restring schedule to the seasons — humidity affects both natural feel and grip — and replacing your grip or adding an overgrip at the same time, so the whole racket feels renewed rather than just the string bed.
Shop the gear
- Yonex BG 65 0.70mm Badminton String — ₹508
- Yonex BG 80 Power Badminton String — ₹648
- Yonex BG Aerosonic Badminton String — ₹976
- Yonex BG Exbolt 65 Badminton String — ₹1000
Related reading
- Badminton String Tension Explained: A Buying Guide for India
- How to Restring a Badminton Racket: A Guide for India
- How to Choose a Badminton Racket: Weight, Balance and Flex Explained
Frequently asked questions
Which badminton string is most durable?
BG65 is the most durable of the popular strings and the reason it is the default for club and school players. Thinner, higher-performance strings like Aerosonic feel crisper and more powerful but break sooner.
Is BG80 better than BG65?
BG80 (specifically BG80 Power) offers more repulsion and a livelier, more powerful feel than BG65, which appeals to attacking players. BG65 lasts longer and costs less, so it is the better everyday choice for many. 'Better' depends on whether you prioritise power or durability.
What string tension should a beginner use?
Beginners are usually best around 22–24 lbs. Lower tension gives a larger sweet spot and more power for a developing swing, while higher tension (26 lbs and above) offers control for advanced players and is harder on both strings and the racket frame.