The Yonex ArcSaber 11 is a well-balanced racket for players who want a racket that is fast, easy to control, and yet can handle powerful smash. According to Taufik Hidayat, “I feel more power, and even more accurate control. With this racquet, everyone can improve their game.”
Let’s take a look at if we feel the same way too!
Table of Contents
Yonex ArcSaber 11 Badminton Racket – Summary
The head frame of Yonex ArcSaber 11 was made with Sonic Metal which would result in improved flexibility and leads to quicker and more accurate shots. Combined with the T-ANCHOP would provide a more stable shot.
The inner frame was made with Neo CS CARBON NANOTUBE for improved toughness and frame flexibility to hold the shuttlecock longer on the stringbed, which would result in better control and accuracy for returning shots.
Players who wanted a similar version of Arcsaber 10 may be disappointed. The testing sample I used was weighed 88g and around 100g before and after putting on the strings and grip.
The balance point for Yonex was 295mm, it feels lighter than Arcsaber 10 and very well balanced, really slightly head heavy though.
It is not a wind-breaking design racket so I can’t say it is a very fast racket but then because of the less head-heavy design so it doesn’t cost much effort to swing the Arcsaber 11, especially comparing to Arcsaber 10.
I have picked Yonex Arcsaber 11 as one of the best badminton rackets for beginners, and for sure, one of the best Yonex badminton rackets. This is one of the rackets that are suitable for beginners to advanced level players.
Why Yonex Arcsaber 11 is suitable for beginners?
I’ve compared the width and length of Arcsaber 11 with Yonex ZSP, it’s 240mm x 190mm vs 232mm x 178mm. Thanks to the much bigger size of stringbed, Arcsaber 11 is a highly forgiving racket with a large sweet spot.
Why Yonex Arcsaber 11 is suitable for the advanced level player?
I would say the long shaft and handle, and the stiff flex is making Yonex Arcsaber 11 a great racket for advanced level players. The longer shaft and stiff flex have improved the power and repulsion of the racket. While the long grip would improve the control over the racket and the accuracy of the shot.
Yonex Arcsaber 11 Badminton Racket
Yonex Arcsaber 11 Badminton Racket – The Look
The look of Yonex Arcsaber 11 is sort of like a combination of Arc-10 and Arc-AZ, this racket comes with red, covered with yellow and white flashes. Hum, not my favorite combination but it’s not ugly. Just, similar to a lot of ordinary rackets in the world.
Yonex Arcsaber 11 Badminton Racket – Features
Flex: Stiff
Balance: Even Balance
Level: beginner-intermediate player to Advance
Type: Fast/ All Round
Head: Square/ Isometric (Much bigger than most Yonex Rackets)
Weight and Grip: 3U/ G4
Head Material: H.M. Graphite, CS Carbon Nanotube, Super HMG, Sonic Metal
Shaft Material: H.M. Graphite, Ultra PEF
Yonex Arcsaber 11 Badminton Racket – Hitting Performance
Clear
My clears fly to the rear court with no effort. I hit the shuttles slightly off the center and it still flew well. Sweetspot was large and I am happy with the clear. No, there was no solid feeling from the stringbed like the Head-heavy Yonex Voltric Z Force 2, but the result was decent.
Drop shots and Slice
Drop shots were great, probably because this is an even balanced racket, very easy to control. Slice is fast, this is not the fastest racket I’ve used but it is definitely above the average. Together with the extra-long features, you will save a lot of effort when you play with this racket.
As mentioned this is a well-balanced racket, I would say more towards the speed and control side instead of solid, powerful performance.
Smash
Smash is easy, very accurate, controlled, and forgiving a well, I would say it’s better than Arcsaber 10. Don’t expect a smash that’s powerful and solid like Yonex Voltric Z Force 2, but then for sure, it’s also much more forgiving.
Mid Court and Net Area Performance
This is a game that is great for a speedy game. Easy and well-controlled. Try to keep the game at a fast pace and wait for your opponent to make mistakes. Everything needs to react quick and controlled is good. This is our little joke about Arcsaber 11 “When you see your opponent is switching to Arcsaber 11? Tighten up your shoes and prepare for a fast and demanding game.”
Defense
The defense is a killer! Just like what Yonex advertised, Arcsaber 11 is a racket that can store and release energy, when I returned a smash I felt an upgraded speed and accuracy, and yes, I was very happy with that.
Yonex Arcsaber 11 Badminton Racket – FAQs
Is Arcsaber 11 head heavy?
Arcsaber 11 is an even balanced racket, maybe really slightly head heavy. Because of this, the hitting performance of Arcsaber is not as solid as Voltric 80 or Z force 2 but gives better control and speed.
What is Yonex Arcsaber?
The Yonex Arcsaber is designed for the player who wants a high level of control, it increases the shuttles-stringbed contact time and hence improved the control and accuracy of shots. Headframe is made with CS Carbon Nanotubes and so it improved the framing flexibility, sonic metal together with T anchor does help too.
Yonex Arcsaber 11 – Professional Players List
The Yonex Arcsaber 11 was used by:
- Taufik Hidyat (Indonesia)
- Beiwen Zhang (China)
- Nitchaon Jindapol (Thailand)
- Mads Pieler Kolding (Denmark)
- Greysia Polii (Indonesia)
- Mathias Christiansen (Denmark)
- Goh V Shem (Malaysia)
- Matthias Boe (Denmark)
Yonex Arcsaber 11 – Final Words
Arcsaber 11 is a well balanced, all-round racket which can deliver powerful smash and shots, fast netplay, and great defense. But then it didn’t upgrade much from Arcsaber 10.
I love Arcsaber 11 and would bring this racket with me every day, it’s sort of like… comfort food.
When you are making a lot of mistakes with your aggressive racket? Take a break, switch to Arcsaber 11, and play again. Until you pick up the feeling and flow, then switch back to another racket.
I hope you enjoy this review and have a great game!