Yonex Nanospeed 300 Badminton Racquet
Having recently tested the new Yonex Nanospeed 100 and 200, I was looking forward to the Yonex Nanospeed 300 badminton racquet review for a number of reasons. First, I really enjoy testing racquets. Second, I like to understand the “progression” in thinking. You know, what are the properties of this racquet compared to those above and below in price? And finally, is it a potential winner and a fine addition to the brand?
Unlike the Nanospeed 100 and 200, the Yonex Nanospeed 300 arrived with a full cover. I’ll stick by my original thoughts, that I really like the ¾ length covers as they are brilliant for armchair exercises.
Out of the bag, this is a really good looking racquet. I say that a lot don’t I? Well, credit where it’s due. I’m currently testing another brand and can tell you that there is one racquet that I don’t like the look of. Maybe it’s because of my love for the game and that most of the manufacturers have got it right these days. This racquet looks great in silver, black, gold and lime green colour-way.
Technical specs for this model are 3U (weight 85-89g), grip size G3. This has become a popular size and I suppose the beauty about it is that you can easily make it smaller or larger to suit your requirements. The Nanospeed 300 racquet is strung pretty tight so it’s playable without having to spend another £10 + on a custom re-string.
Again, this is a well-balanced racquet, not too light in the head, but light enough to move fast when required. And it certainly was fast! There’s a distinctive sharpness to this racquet over and above the 100 and 200 models. Perhaps it’s the balance, it just feels right.
All the reflex areas like the net and defence felt easier. The racquet felt more like an extension of my arm rather than something I was holding. Allowing for the reduced tension compared to my own racquets, net shots were soon crisp with the racquet moving freely in this area. It also had plenty of touch.
The head speed would certainly favour a defensive player who relies on reflex and counter strikes as their main offensive weapon. It’s precise and can cause a lot of harm to your opponent.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the Nanospeed 300 racquet lacks power, just because it’s fast in defence. This racquet certainly packs a punch. You’ve got to adjust if you’re used to a heavier head. Users of the Armortec range may find this a tall order having been used to the extra “feel” as the racquet head powers over the head and forces that extra oomph. But, it’s a clinical finisher because of the swiftness of the head to generate the power.
There’s a little extra help in the power shots courtesy of the medium flex shaft. It felt nice, not too whippy. Also, there wasn’t that “delay” in the hit that you sometimes have with flexible shafts. I must confess I’m really getting to like these medium flex shafts.
RRP for this racquet is a staggering £50.00. Check out the retailers as I expect you’ll find it selling somewhere around £40.00 price bracket. How do I rate this racquet? It’s a tough one because I rated the 100 and 200 highly and I think it’s better! In all areas this racquet outperformed Nanospeed 100 and 200, but it’s still not as good as Armortec 600 in my opinion. Yes, it’s better, but there’s also room for improvement.
The construction of the racquet means that it has certain limitations. Certainly it cannot be strung as tight as more expensive models. There again, this is a racquet that will suit a beginner, all the way to a high standard league/club player. A top county player will want that much more in terms of power and touch. So this is where Nanospeed 300 and most racquets below £80.00 price point bow out, although there are always exceptions and it’s certainly not a blemish on their attributes.
So, on this basis, I’m happy to give Yonex Nanospeed 300 a 4.5 star rating and a big thumbs up too for being such a great racquet. If you’re looking for a really good all-rounder, especially if you’re more of a defensive/touch player, make sure you include this on you testing list.
Hi Paul, do you know of anyone selling a nano speed 500 racket. I’m willing to pay much more than the market price for it!
I know Yonex has discontinued the range, but I’ve been looking everywhere for it, but could not find anyone selling it!
Hi. I have a Yonex Nanospeed 500. Before I put it on eBay I wanted to ask, if anyone is interested in? All my best. Mantel
Hi Paul,
Hope you are doing well.
I read your review on the Nanospeed 300 and Arcsaber 003, and found that both racket have identical look in term of construction and both come with medium flex shaft. May I ask for your opinion which would be a better choice for All Round playing style in double match?
I used to prefer even balance racket and all this while has been using carbonex series such as carbonex 35. I find that carbonex 35 is a solid racket due to its box shape frame. However, I would like to try other racket that may have the same solid feel but slightly faster head speed.
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
Chin
Chin
Carbonex rackets have been brilliant. At the budget end of the market there is very little between the rackets. Perhaps you need to weigh up whether it’s worth taking a chance. i can’t advise you which to take because you feel a racket different to me. So, read my article on choosing a racket and test as many rackets as you can before you make a decision.
Good luck
Paul
Hi Paul,
I came across this website of yours on my search for a decent badminton racquet and have been finding it most useful. Thanks a lot.
About the racquet, I had a Yonex Carbonex 7000. Between Yonex nanopeed 200 and 300, which would be a better option? Y N 200 is more suited to my budget, but I don’t mind stretching it a little to accommodate 300 if 300 is actually worth that excess amount over 200.
Though my game is tilted more on the power side, I am looking for more control on the net and the drops. Thanks.
Regards
Shruti K
Shruti
There isn’t enough difference between the two rackets to warrant you stretching beyond your budget.
Paul
Hi Paul,
im using this nanospeed 300.. so can u suggest me a suitable string name and its tension for this racquet??
Shah
This depends on so many factors, but ultimately boils down to testing different strings and finding which you prefer. It’s best to pick from the most well-known and used worldwide which are Yonex BG80, Yonex BG66 Ultimax, Yonex BG65Ti. There are many other Yonex strings to choose from plus the Ashaway Zymax range is pretty good too.
Good luck
Paul
hey.. i bought a racquete… nanospeed 300.. i am nt begineer.. i want my badminton to be restring at its best… soo can u tell me its perfect string name and tension required ???
Congratulations on your purchase.
There is no such thing as the perfect/best string and tension except what is right for you at the standard you currently play. The best thing you can do is find out who is a good stringer in your area and ask them to string for you. Make sure you tell them which type of shuttle you play with. A good stringer should ask anyway.
Paul
Hi paul,
i’m having a problem. Nanospeed 850..i think you havn’t used this,i just got ths confusion. Yonex site says,shaft is stiff..bt,other online shopping site says extra/very stiff,also says ns850 is replacement of ns800(stiff shaft)!! Yonex did not write anything about tht! Plz,can u plz tell me is it stiff/extra stiff…i made up my mind to buy it,so help!!!
Lamia
Lamia
I haven’t reviewed this racquet yet. But I understand it is stiff, not extra stiff. Whenver Yonex replace a racquet, they generally name the new one very close to the original. So, I expect this is a replacement of 800.
Paul
Hi Luming
I haven’t tested the two racquets you’re interested in as a direct comparison, so it’s difficult to tell.
The 500 has nice graphics, is very well balanced and feels extremely solid. It’s a bit weighty in the head compared to my Nano9900.
Overall, there are subtle differences between the two racquets and you really need to do your own direct comparison. Nobody can advise you whether a racquet is right for you, you really have to do that yourself. Test as many racquets as you can and narrow your list to two or three for additional testing. This way you should be really happy with the result.
A racquet should be an extension of your arm. If you get that feeling then you know you’ve chosen the right racquet.
Hope this helps although I appreciate it’s not a complete answer for you.
To your success.
Paul
hi, i am interested in the nanospeed 500 racquet too.any chance you’re going to do a review on it? and what are the differences between the nanospeed 300 and the 500 racquet? thanks!