95% of Astrox 99 performance for $80 less. Here's the truth.
Broke my Astrox 88D during a tournament. Frame cracked right through the sweet spot after 14 months of heavy use.
Needed a replacement fast. My friend handed me his Axforce 100 and said "try this for the next match."
Won 21-16, 21-18. Bought my own the next day.
I'd been a Yonex loyalist for 6 years. Played the Arcsaber 11, then Astrox 88D, always trusted the brand.
But Li-Ning changed my mind in one tournament session. The Axforce 100 felt instantly familiar—similar head-heavy balance to the 88D but with more feedback through the shaft.
And it's $80 cheaper than the Astrox 99 Pro. Same performance tier, way better price.
Li-Ning calls it "Ultra Slim Shaft Technology." Sounds like marketing nonsense, but it actually changes how the racket plays.
The shaft is 0.3mm thinner than standard rackets. You feel this during fast exchanges—the racket cuts through air faster, recovering quicker between shots.
I noticed it most during doubles drives. With my old 88D, rapid-fire exchanges at chest height felt sluggish. The Axforce 100 snaps back into position instantly.
Here's the comparison everyone wants. I've now used both rackets for 5+ months each.
Smash power: Astrox 99 wins by a hair. Maybe 5% more shuttle speed on full jump smashes. But the Axforce 100 is 90% as powerful with better control.
Smash consistency: Axforce 100 wins. The flex pattern is more forgiving—I can generate good power even on off-center hits. The 99 punishes poor contact.
Net play: Axforce 100 wins easily. The thinner shaft makes it noticeably faster for net kills and tight spinning net shots.
The string bed tension holds incredibly well. I string at 27lbs with Li-Ning No. 1 string.
After 8 weeks, my racket was still at 25-26lbs. My old Yonex rackets would drop to 23-24lbs in the same timeframe.
Saved me one restring (about $25). Not huge, but over a year that adds up.
First week was rough, not gonna lie. The Axforce 100 has a stiffer flex than my 88D.
My clears were falling short by a meter. My drops were hitting mid-court instead of the net. I couldn't figure out the timing.
Takes about 10-12 hours of play to adapt. Once you do, the precision is addictive. You can place shots exactly where you want them.
If you have slow swing speed, skip this one. The stiff shaft requires fast, explosive swings to flex properly.
I let a beginner friend try it during practice. He couldn't get any power—his technique wasn't generating enough racket head speed to bend the shaft.
Also terrible for defensive players. This is an attacking racket through and through. If you prefer counter-attacking and blocking, get the Li-Ning Turbo Charging 75 instead.
Chinese rackets used to have terrible durability. I broke two Victor rackets in 2019—both frame cracks within 8 months.
Li-Ning has stepped up quality control. Five months in, my Axforce 100 has zero cosmetic damage despite regular competitive play.
The paint is tougher than Yonex too. My Astrox rackets always had paint chips around the frame after a few months. This one still looks new.
Don't go above 28lbs unless you're advanced with perfect technique. The stiff shaft amplifies every pound of tension.
My testing:
String choice: I prefer Li-Ning No. 1 for the best feel, but Yonex BG65 works great if you want to save money.
The Li-Ning Axforce 100 costs around $140-160 USD.
Yonex Astrox 99 Pro costs $220-250 USD.
For 95% of the performance, you save $80-90. That's enough for two restrings and a tube of shuttles.
Yes, if you:
No, if you:
The Li-Ning Axforce 100 is the best value in premium badminton rackets right now. It's 90-95% as good as the Astrox 99 Pro for $80 less.
After 5 months, I reach for this racket more than my Yonex collection. The combination of power, control, and fast recovery makes it perfect for my aggressive playing style.
Only downside is the stiff learning curve. Give yourself 2-3 weeks to adapt, and you'll understand why this racket is dominating Asian tournaments.
Best attacking racket under $160. Period.
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