ASTROX 88S [Discontinued]

Everyone's rating [Performance] Control and Swing rated highly
ASTROX 88S
ASTROX 88S

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Average review score

  • Rating: 9.51 / 10
  • Number of reviews: 51
    • Swing: 9.29
    • Maneuverability: 9.29
    • Control: 9.43
    • Touch：9.24

    Specifications

    Producer
    YONEX
    Series
    Astrox (ASTROX)
    Model number
    4550086095552
    Grip size
    3U4、3U5、4U4、4U5
    Color
    Emerald green
    Length
    670
    Weight
    3U,4U
    Shaft stiffness / feel
    Slightly hard
    Head balance
    Slightly head heavy
    Recommended tension

    4U: 20 to 28 (lbs) 3U: 21 to 29 (lbs)

    Frame material
    High elastic carbon frame + nanometric + tungsten
    Shaft material
    High elastic carbon shaft + Namd
    Frame shape
    isometric

    User Review SummaryAI Summary
    The Astrox 88S has received overwhelmingly positive reviews across all 30 comments, with the 4U5G model being particularly popular. The 5mm shorter design combined with excellent maneuverability despite its head-heavy balance is supported by users ranging from beginners to advanced players.
    ■ Frequently mentioned points
    • 5mm shorter design balances maneuverability with swing speed
    • Head-heavy frame doesn't feel heavy during play
    • Exceptional control in front-court drive and push shots
    • Easy to hit shots to intended locations with high precision
    • 4U recommended; 3U tends to feel heavy
    ■ Representative voices
    ▲ PositiveThe racket successfully combines the swing speed of head-light rackets with the power of head-heavy ones at a high level. Among 30+ rackets used, it offers the best feel and most perfect balance for comprehensive shot execution.
    ▽ CriticalSingles players may find clears difficult to execute, and power hitters comparing it to Voltric series models will notice less smash power. The stiff shaft requires some strength, making it challenging for beginners.

    User reviews

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    All Monthly
    • 88s Veteran

      88s Veteran （Experience：11-20 years） A perfect all-round racket

      I bought the ASTROX 88S (4U5G).
      I've bought and used over 30 different rackets so far, but this is the first time I've found one this perfect and this nice to use.
      I feel the string that suits it best is AEROBITE.
      It's an all-round racket that's balanced in every way, so it's really easy to use.
      It's a head-heavy racket specialized for smashes, but I could really feel that it's designed so you don't notice the weight.
      The shaft is on the stiff side but flexes surprisingly well, so the racket holds the shuttle, and the feel is the softest in the ASTROX series. It's very easy to control, an advanced racket that even players without much strength can use comfortably.
      Also, because of its 5 mm long design, it's a bit shorter than ordinary rackets, but you get used to it right away. If anything, it's easier to maneuver on receives and so on, and I feel it has many advantages.
      On top of that, the sharpness and downward angle of the smash are excellent, and you can hit clearly faster smashes than with the ASTROX 77.
      It combines attacking power and maneuverability, so I can recommend it to anyone.
      If you're thinking of buying it, I strongly recommend the 4U.

      2021/01/12
      Overall
      10/10
      Swing
      10
      Maneuverability
      10
      Control
      10
      Touch
      10
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    • The Uncle Who Loves Badminton

      The Uncle Who Loves Badminton （Experience：6-10 years） I prefer the old version to the PRO

      These are my thoughts after using both the ASTROX 88S and the ASTROX 88S PRO. Being 5mm shorter than today's mainstream rackets is surprisingly quick to get used to. However, people who use head-heavy rackets like others in the ASTROX series will find the timing hard to get until they adjust. People who use even-balance or head-light rackets can use it pretty much without any awkwardness in that respect. It's an ideal racket for people who want to switch from even balance or head-light to head-heavy. This is the same for both the PRO and the old version. In comparison, the PRO feels somehow "sticky." Your impression changes depending on whether you see that as good shuttle hold or poor repulsion; I'm in the latter camp, so it feels a bit less satisfying to use than the old one. Right now I'm rotating them, with the old one as my main and the PRO as my backup. I hope this helps anyone considering buying the PRO.

      2021/09/02
      Overall
      10/10
      Swing
      10
      Maneuverability
      10
      Control
      10
      Touch
      10
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    • Perfect King Chopsticks

      Perfect King Chopsticks （Experience：4-5 years） The best feel I've ever had

      It's now discontinued following the release of the PRO and GAME series, but I think it's a better racket than the latest PRO.
      The ASTROX 88S is easier to control. With the PRO, repulsion improved slightly and clears got easier, but for those who prioritize control shots, the 88S is definitely better.
      It's the best racket (88S) I've ever used.
      By the way, I use the 4U.

      2021/08/12
      Overall
      10/10
      Swing
      10
      Maneuverability
      10
      Control
      10
      Touch
      10
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    • Tsukatte Chonmage

      Tsukatte Chonmage （Experience：6-10 years） The best racket ever

      The best racket in ASTROX history.
      I bought the standard 4U5G.
      I use both the ASTROX 88S and the 88S PRO, and the 88S makes shots sink more easily, so cuts land more easily.
      They claim it has evolved, but in terms of feel the 88S is slightly better.
      The strongest racket, usable for both singles and doubles.

      2021/08/07
      Overall
      10/10
      Swing
      10
      Maneuverability
      10
      Control
      10
      Touch
      10
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    • Buena Vista

      Buena Vista （Experience：11-20 years） The ASTROX masterpiece

      I think this racket is the masterpiece of the ASTROX line.
      What stands out is its great maneuverability and swing speed.
      The maneuverability is probably thanks to the 5mm longer length. Even though it's head-heavy, it swings as easily as a head-light racket. That too is probably thanks to the 5mm longer length.
      It's a racket I'd strongly recommend to rear-court players who struggle at the front, and front-court players who struggle at the back.
      I think it's a classic that combines the strengths of head-light and head-heavy rackets at a high level.
      It's discounted on sale, so being able to buy it cheaply is another plus.

      2021/07/20
      Overall
      9/10
      Swing
      10
      Maneuverability
      9
      Control
      9
      Touch
      9
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    • Tino Minton

      Tino Minton （Experience：11-20 years） Review of the 88S PRO

      There was no review section for the 88S PRO, so I'm reviewing it here.

      The PRO series has larger grommets in the middle, so when you hit it cleanly the strings really grab the shuttle and the feel is very good.
      However, if you miss the sweet spot, it feels like there's no repulsion at all.
      Overall, shots are stable.

      It's the successor to the 88S, so performance is almost the same,
      and it feels a little easier to use.

      2021/07/14
      Overall
      9/10
      Swing
      8
      Maneuverability
      9
      Control
      10
      Touch
      8
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    • Sachi

      Sachi （Experience：6-10 years） 88S

      3u, strung with BG66 ULTIMAX at 26p.
      I'm not especially a front-court specialist, but I test-hit it and found it easy to hit with, so I bought it. The head feels a little lighter than it looks in the catalog. If you ask whether I can feel the 5 mm shorter length during actual play, my answer is ???.
      Smashes are easier to hit than I expected. I use it alongside my Zsp: Zsp when I'm at full strength, 88S when I'm tired.
      Controlling shots is quite easy. With the Zsp I get pretty tense, but with the 88S the shuttle goes where I want.
      Sorry that the rackets I compared are such different types.

      2021/04/28
      Overall
      9/10
      Swing
      9
      Maneuverability
      9
      Control
      10
      Touch
      8
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