Yonex Astrox 88S Tour Badminton Racket Review & Buying Guide (India)
The Astrox 88S Tour is Yonex's front-court doubles racket. Here is who it actually suits in India, and how it compares to the 88D and 77 Tour.
Yonex Astrox 88S Tour review: the front-court doubles racket
The Yonex Astrox 88S Tour Badminton Racket (Unstrung) sits at ₹8,620 and is one of the most misunderstood rackets in Yonex's line-up in India. Players walk into a shop, see "88" on the frame, and buy whichever of the pair is in stock. That is a mistake: the S and the D in the Astrox 88 family are built for opposite jobs in a doubles pair, and buying the wrong one makes the racket feel dead in your hand.
The 88S — S for Skill — is the front-court racket. It is the one for the player who takes the net, kills loose lifts, drives flat exchanges and needs the head to move fast. If you are the player at the back hitting smashes, you want the 88D instead.
Who the Astrox 88S Tour is for
- Doubles front-court players who live on net kills, drives and quick interceptions.
- Intermediate to advanced club players — this is not a beginner frame. It rewards a clean, compact swing and punishes late preparation.
- Players who already own a head-heavy attacking racket and want a faster second frame for doubles.
It is a poor fit for singles players who need sustained rear-court power, and for beginners still building technique, who will get more out of an even-balance frame.
Astrox 88S Tour vs 88D Tour: the difference that matters
The Tour versions of both frames share the same construction level and the same ₹8,620 price point in India, which makes the choice purely about balance and intent.
| Racket | Balance | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astrox 88S Tour | Faster, more manoeuvrable head | Front court: net kills, drives, interception | ₹8,620 |
| Astrox 88D Tour | Head-heavy | Rear court: smashes, clears, sustained attack | ₹8,620 |
A practical test: if in your regular pairing you are usually the one crouched at the net, take the 88S. If you are the one rotating to the back to finish rallies, take the 88D. Many Indian club pairs buy one of each and swap based on who is playing which side that evening.
How does it compare to the Astrox 77 Tour?
Yonex Astrox 77 Tour at ₹7,699 is the more forgiving all-rounder. It is a genuinely good choice if you play both singles and doubles, or if you are still deciding what kind of player you are. The 88S is the more specialised, more demanding tool — it does one job better and everything else slightly worse.
Stringing the Astrox 88S Tour in India
This racket ships unstrung, and the string choice defines how it plays more than any other variable.
- Tension: 24-26 lbs suits most Indian club players. Higher tension sharpens control and flattens drives but shortens string life considerably in humid coastal cities.
- String: a thin, repulsive string suits the front-court game. A 0.66mm all-round string is the safe default; 0.61-0.63mm gives more feel at the cost of durability.
- Humidity: in Mumbai, Chennai or Kolkata, expect strings to lose tension faster. Budget for a restring every two to three months of regular play.
Build, grip and feel
The frame uses Yonex's stiffer Tour-level shaft, which means it transmits feedback clearly and demands that you meet the shuttle in front. Grip size in India is typically G4 or G5; if you are between sizes, take the smaller one and build up with an overgrip, which also lets you tune weight slightly. Add a replacement grip rather than stacking three overgrips — stacked grips deaden the feel this racket is bought for.
Shop the gear
- Yonex Astrox 88S Tour Badminton Racket (Unstrung) — ₹8,620. The review subject: front-court doubles specialist.
- Yonex Astrox 88D Tour — ₹8,499. The head-heavy partner frame for rear-court attack.
- Yonex Astrox 88D Tour Badminton Racket (Unstrung) — ₹8,620. The unstrung 88D Tour, same tier as the 88S.
- Yonex Astrox 77 Tour — ₹7,699. The forgiving all-rounder if you are not committed to a doubles role yet.
Verdict
At ₹8,620, the Astrox 88S Tour is excellent value for a specific player and mediocre value for everyone else. If you know you are a front-court doubles player and your technique is sound, it is one of the sharpest rackets available in India at this price. If you are not sure, buy the 77 Tour and come back to the 88S when your role in a pair is settled.
Related reading
- Yonex Astrox 88D Game Badminton Racket Review & Buying Guide (India)
- Badminton String Tension Explained: A Buying Guide for India
- Badminton String Guide: BG65 vs BG80 vs Aerosonic
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Astrox 88S and 88D?
The 88S is balanced for speed and manoeuvrability and is built for the front-court doubles player who takes the net and plays drives. The 88D is head-heavy and built for the rear-court player who generates smashes and clears. They are designed as a pair, not as alternatives.
Is the Astrox 88S Tour good for beginners?
No. The stiff Tour-level shaft needs a fast, well-timed swing to load and release properly. A beginner will find it unforgiving and will get better results from an even-balance, more flexible frame such as the Astrox 77 Tour.
What string tension should I use on the Astrox 88S Tour in India?
Most Indian club players are well served between 24 and 26 lbs. Go lower if you want more repulsion and string life, higher only if your technique is consistent — and expect faster tension loss in humid coastal cities.
