Li Ning N-90 II Racquet Review | Badminton Equipment - Rackets | Discussion Forum

I though I'd just do a quick review on my new racquet in case anyone is interested, so here we go…

A few weeks ago, I first got into the situation that the strings of both Voltric 80s that I own were broken, so I concluded that I needed a third racquet. Since I've been very pleased with my Voltric 80, I was looking for a similar racquet. I had been looking at Li-Ning racquets for a while because they're the sponsor of the best national team in the wolrd. After some research, I've ordered a Li Ning N-90 II, the successor of the N-90 which is the racquet currently used by Lin Dan.

The racquet is really nice looking, although it's design is quite simple with only 3 colors: red, white and gold. It lacks the highly sophisticated paintjob of my Voltric80, but in my opinion that's no fault. As another nice detail, it has the signature of Lin Dan on it's shaft.

The grip size is S2, which is the same as Yonex G4 or G5 (not so sure, feels more like G4). The racquet is stiff and feels head heavy, but a tiny bit less than my Voltric. The shaft is as long as the one of Voltric 80 or the Arcsaber Z-Slash, so around 1 cm longer than those of Arc10 or Nano9900, therefore the handle is also a bit shorter (again approximately as long as the Voltric one).

I haven't had the chance to play with it yet, so I'll continue the review tomorrow after my training session. 

Post edited 10:54 pm – September 15, 2011 by Yves

The slightly lighter head as opposed to my Voltric 80 was really noticeable and the N-90 II definitely felt more manoeuvrable, but still very controlled. I just felt as if it cuts through the air much quicker. Clears were really nice and much easier to play than with my Voltric. The touch with my drop shots was great, especially because it's been the first time so I suppose it'll improve over time. My smashes were really powerful, maybe, but only maybe a bit less than my Voltric, but that's logical since it's not quite as head heavy.

In defence and around the net I usually don't have much problems with my Voltric so I obviously didn't with the N-90 II. The head-heavy balance gives great control whilst still maintaining really good manoeuvrability.

To give you further information, I will compare my N-90 II to 4 other high-end Yonex racquets in terms of various performance aspects (of course this is only my own opinion, so you may feel differently):

• Arcsaber 10:
• Control: 9/10
• Power: 6/10
• Manoeuvrability: 8.5/10
• Touch: 9/10
• Overall: 8/10

• Armortec 900P:
• Control: 7/10
• Power: 8.5/10
• Manoeuvrability: 6/10
• Touch: 7/10
• Overall: 7/10 

• Nanospeed 9900:
• Control: 7/10
• Power 5/10
• Manoeuvrability: 10/10
• Touch: 8/10
• Overall: 7/10

• Voltric 80:
• Control: 9/10
• Power: 9.5/10
• Manoeuvrability: 8/10
• Touch: 8.5/10
• Overall: 9/10

• Li Ning N-90 II (first impression):
• Control: 9/10
• Power: 9/10
• Manoeuvrability: 9/10
• Touch: 8/10 
• Overall: 9/10

As an offensive player I obviously favor head-heavy racquets but once again this is my point of view, others may find head heavy racquets too tiring too use which is absolutely understandable. But for me, the N-90 II might become my new go-to racquet although I'll need to test it much more before I can decide. But it has impressed me already and I can safely say that it's an awesome racquet. Great control, absolutely powerful, really fast in defence and around the net – it sounds too good to be true, but luckily for me, it isn't ;).