Astrox 88 S and 88 D Badminton Rackets: The Most Popular Doubles Rackets

In January 2018, Yonex introduced two badminton rackets that were specially designed for doubles players: Astrox 88 S (Skill) and Astrox 88 D (Dominate). Traditionally, the Astrox series has always been a favorite of players who demand head-heavy rackets for more power. However, with the introduction of the two Astrox 88 models, the company has offered the same features in lighter head-heavy rackets that can make the doubles game easier.

A Little Bit about the Astrox 88 Racket Series

Launched as a replacement for the Voltric series, badminton players had huge expectations from the Astrox racket series. When the company launched Astrox 88S and 88D, the excitement was palpable because doubles superstar players Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (AX88S) and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon (AX88D) were the poster boys for the racket series. The racket was endorsed by Lee Yong Dae, the winner of the 2008 Olympics. You can find the rackets in 3U and 4U weight categories and G4 and G5 grips.

Here’s the technology that Yonex used to build the Astrox 88 series:

1. The Nanometric technology makes the shaft thinner without sacrificing stiffness. It allows players to enjoy a lightweight racket that offers great head speed and control even while being a head-heavy racket at its core. It makes the rackets faster and increases swing speed by 30 km/hour than the average.
2. Astrox 88 racket series has revolutionary NAMD technology which makes the shaft more powerful and menacing than ever. It can flex, store energy and deliver powerful shots in quick succession (which is the requirement of every doubles player).
3. The rackets have a superior Rotational Generator System that balances the weight throughout the racket to offer superior control and speed. It allows a steeper angle to your shots.
4. The rackets have Energy Cap Boost that amplifies the NAMD technology. The innovative shape maximizes shaft performance and delivers more control to the players.

The Key Difference between 88S and 88D Badminton Rackets

The most important thing that differentiates the rackets is the flex point. Let’s understand how it affects your play and allows you to take advantage of your placement in the doubles game:

The front-court player stands near the net and doesn’t need too much aggression to place the shuttlecock in the opponent’s court. What he needs is to force his opponent to hit the shuttlecock in such a way that his partner gets to play aggressive shots and win points. In simpler terms, the job of a front-court player is to set up the game and the back-court player is to finish it. The front-court player needs a racket that allows for more controlled shots without compromising on speed and power. The frame of Yonex Astrox 88S is flexible (95% of the frame is flexible) which delivers controlled shots accurately. Additionally, the overall length of the racket is 5 mm longer than conventional rackets. It allows for more accuracy and power.

When you are a back-court player, you need to play stepper smashes and finish the game as early as possible. You will have to smash down the steep-angled shots that come your way with immense speed and power. You need a badminton racket that allows for powerful smashes, sharper clears and faster drop shots. The Yonex Astrox 88D is the perfect racket for back-court players. It has more flex in the upper part of the racket frame which gives you maximum power to hit shots. The racket is 10 mm longer than the average racket which makes it more powerful than ever.

How do the Rackets Perform on the Court?

a. Smashes

If you want to hit smashes, the Yonex Astrox 88 D is amazing. You can definitely feel the Rotational Generator System giving the racket a unique feel. You can deliver powerful shots from the back-court. You may feel the smashes are just a tad less powerful than a traditional head-heavy racket such as Voltric Z Force II or Voltric 80. If you consider the Yonex Astrox 88 S, the smashes are powerful but it can lack a solid impact as it is specially designed for the front-court. However, it is still quite fierce on the court.

b. Drop Shots

The drop shots are great with the AX88S racket. You can play a wider range of drop shots and force your opponent to move as close to the net as possible. The same is possible with the Astrox 88D racket. The racket has quite a lot of flex which means you will be able to swing faster and use drop shots to win more points.

c. Net Area

The Yonex Astrox 88 Skill racket is a clear winner in this area. This is primarily because the racket is made for the front-court. You will feel definite control while hitting net shots but you need to be a skilled player to get the maximum advantage. On the other hand, the Yonex Astrox 88 Dominate is a back-court racket so you cannot expect net shots to be excellent. However, the Rotational Generator System allows you to hit net shots with great speed but they are not as good as its counterpart.

d. Defensive Shots

A good back-court racket should allow you to play defensive shots easily. And that’s exactly what Astrox 88D will do for you. You will be able to play your shots without getting tired. It makes different types of defensive shots including clear shots and flat drives easy and effective. The Astrox 88S is definitely a bit faster than 88D but you will find that it lacks the weight for a solid defense.

Conclusion: Choosing between the Two Racket Models

Just as its name suggests, the Astrox 88 Speed racket is perfect for players who enjoy a bit of speed in their shots. If you don’t really need a longer racket, go for it.

The Astrox 88 Dominate racket is ideal for playing smashes with speed. If you have been using the Yonex Voltric 80 badminton racket in the past, you will take an instant liking to it. It makes smashes quick and thus allows for a faster defense. It is well suited for doubles players.

As with any advanced racket, you must know that it takes some time to understand the racket and make it work for you. The Yonex Astrox 88 series comes with unique features that are unlike any other racket available on the market. You will need some time to get used to the features of the rackets so give it a thorough chance before making up your mind.

Have you made the decision? Whether you want to buy Yonex Astrox 88S or Yonex Astrox 88D, shop online. We have the widest range of Yonex Astrox badminton rackets at the best prices. Buy 100% original badminton equipment today.

Turning passion into profession! Growing up, sports have always been a big part of my life. And, I feel grateful to be working with a world-class badminton equipment authorized distributor that is making sure that people are getting off the couch and