The Yonex Duora 10 is a racket used by men’s singles world champion Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia. This is a racket launched in 2015 as a new range named with number 10, breaking the traditions of Yonex would introduce a new range with 7.
Duora 10 is definitely a success! Quite a few of Super Series Tournaments winners were using this racket. I would say this is a racket you need some skills and time to master it but the result is fruitful.
The Yonex Duora 10 is the first Yonex racket that brings In the concept of 2 side racket, the frame of the head is divided into 2 sides: 1 side is a traditional box frame while the reserve side (the aero frame) comes with a sharper cutting edge.
In other words, Duora 10 should be able to provide you with 1 side fast and 1 side slow (or more stable). The faster side would be able to perform a much faster and powerful swing. In this review, we will give detailed information and comments regarding this amazing racket!
Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket
Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket
Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket Review – Facts and Analysis
The Look
The Duora 10 is a black racket that comes with different color marks on both sides: 1 side green and the other side orange to distinguish the different sides of the frame. I do like it though!
Features and Specs
- Flex: Stiff
- Material:
- Frame made with HM Graphite, Nickel-Titanium Fiber, Nanometric DR (Supposed to be an upgrade of Nanometric)
- Shaft made with HM Graphite and Nanometric
- Weight and Grip Size:
- 2U (around 93g) + G4,5 Grip
- 3U (around 88g) + G4, 5 Grip
- Best Strings for Duora 10 recommended by Yonex:
- BG 80 Power FOR control players, BG 66F for aggressive hitters, 20 – 27 lbs for 2 U, and 19 – 26 lbs for 3U
Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket – Analysis
Dual Optimum System
The forehand and backhand head frame is made with different structures: Box frame and Aero Frame. According to Yonex, the box frame of the forehand side would result in a more powerful smash and longer shuttles holding time, hence results in improved stability.
The aero frame of the backhand side would results in better rebounding and faster speed, so you can expect a quicker return.
Other Features
I would say the head of Duora 10 is, pretty big, bigger than the average isometric square head but smaller than Yonex ArcSaber 11, with a shorter shaft but a longer handle, which makes this racket a bit more forgiving and easier to control.
Such a big head frame would results in a problem: shorten the life of badminton strings because there is a bigger area at the tip of the frame that would have no horizontal strings.
Yes, this is a stiff racket but not a very stiff one, we felt that within the high-end Yonex rackets, the Duora 10 is more a “softer-stiff” side. Probably because this is a racket designed for players who like a more balance playing style?
Pros and Cons
Pros
- This is an aggressive and yet easy to control racket, defense is responsive
- It’s designed for an advanced player, but pretty forgiving so even intermediate players can use too, just like Yonex Astrox 88D (suitable for more aggressive player).
Cons:
- It takes time to get used to using this racket
- It’s pretty heavy, so you need to be pretty fit and strong to master it
Professional Players using Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket
Yonex Duora 10 was used by many professional players, including:
- Men’s Singles World Champion Lee Chong Wei
- Men’s Doubles World Champion Champion Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen
Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket – Hitting Performance
Testing Setting:
The set we used for writing this review was :
- a 3U, G4 Duora 10 racket, with BG 66 Ultimax strings at 27 lbs during the testing of Yonex Duora 10
- YONEX Aerosensa 40 Badminton Shuttlecocks
We tried with both sides, both forehand and backhand, and eventually, we did feel the difference between both sides of the frame. And the “faster backhand” side worked for forehand too!
But honestly, do not too much from the aero frame structure because I do believe this is a slower than average advanced level racket. Probably because of the heavyweight (2U, 3U) and big head frame.
Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket – Overhead Performance
Clears
Clears was sharp, clear, crisp, and effortless! Great start! Pretty similar to Yonex Voltric Z Force 2, the shuttles just goes to where I want them to go.
Drop shots
Drop shots were accurate and solid. There is a slight difference between the faster side and the slower side, not much but I can feel that. Both sides were was to control and nice.
Smash
Smash was a monster!! Got to say both sides are powerful and accurate. This is not surprising because of the slightly head heavy design and the overall weight. No wonder Lee Chong Wei likes to use this racket.
Of course, Duora 10 is not as powerful as the very aggressive Yonex Voltric Z Force 2, but then for jump and smash, and a lighter smash, Duora 10 has demonstrated better control and accuracy.
Drives
Yonex Doura 10 was a bit slow for drives and push in somehow. But it was ok, just not great. I do prefer the faster side for both forehand and backhand drives.
Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket – Defense
The defense of Duora 10 was pretty great – as a “not so fast” racket. Surprisingly both sides of the racket worked pretty well though, even the box side did perform some solid returns. I am happy with that.
I noticed my students who are rather weak at his backhand did improved with this racket. (he is an intermediate level player who is fit and plays around 2 times a week)
Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket – Net Performance
Overall, the net performance of Duora 10 was the best among all aspects. The faster side performed easily to control killer net shots, no matter it’s the forehand or backhand side. I am pretty good at backhand skills so I cant feel that so much by myself, but I noticed that I improved my students’ backhand net performance, just like his backhand defense.
I am very happy with the frontcourt performance of Yonex Duora 10.
Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket – FAQs
Is Duora 10 good?
Duora 10 is good in terms of improving the backhand performance on defense and net performance. The duel optimum system also provides better stability and power for smashing. This is a great racket suitable for an aggressive player who wants a balance on defense and net performance.
Which string is best for Duora 10?
For intermediate to an advanced level player, Yonex BG 65 Ti with 25 – 27 lbs would be a pretty good option. I used BG 66 Ultimax strings at 27 lbs and I love it. The suggested strings for Duora 10 by Yonex were BG 80 Power and BG 66F for control players and aggressive players, ranging from 19 – 27 lbs depending on the weight of the racket and players.
Yonex Duora 10 Badminton Racket – Summary
The Yonex Duora 10 is a great balance racket, the overall weight and slightly head-heavy design, together with a large string bed made it an aggressive and yet forgiving racket. The defense side was quick and easy to control.
Duora 10 is a pretty heavy racket so you will need to be pretty fit and strong for mastering it. And beginners who is not that fit may hurt their wrist, do be very careful.
This is a racket very suitable for a slightly aggressive player who is good at fast pace aggre