Victor Auraspeed 100X Ultra Badminton Racket

Victor Auraspeed 100X Ultra (ARS-100X Ultra) badminton racket

The Auraspeed 100X Ultra is the second-generation 100X and the first racket in Victor's speed series to use a 5.8mm ultra-slim shaft. The thinner shaft loads and recovers faster than the original 100X, so the head whips through flat exchanges and defensive blocks with less effort while still holding its line on a full smash. It sits at the more powerful end of Victor's speed family, which is why Victor put it in the hands of Goh Sze Fei, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung and Thom Gicquel across both singles and doubles.

If you play fast attacking doubles or an aggressive singles game and you already generate your own racket-head speed, this is one of the more rewarding speed rackets Victor makes right now.

How it plays

The 5.8mm Metallic Carbon Fiber shaft is the headline change. Victor fuses a thin metal sheet with high-strength carbon fiber, which adds elasticity without the wobble you would normally expect from a shaft this thin. Power transmission stays clean on the smash and the racket resets quickly for the next shot, so it suits players who live in the fast mid-court drive battle.

Balance is even on paper, but most players report a slightly head-forward feel compared with the predecessor, which gives the smash a bit more bite. The shaft is stiff, so it rewards a sharp wrist and forearm snap and gives little back if your swing is slow or late. The new-generation Free Core handle softens contact vibration, and the feedback comes through as cushioned rather than harsh.

Players moving across from a heavier, stiffer power racket usually need a short adjustment period before the timing clicks, after which the 100X Ultra starts to feel like an extension of the arm.

Who it suits

• Intermediate to advanced players who can generate their own head speed.
• Attacking doubles players who want quick hands in the flat exchange plus a usable smash.
• Aggressive singles players who want speed-series maneuverability without giving up power.
• Anyone upgrading from the original Auraspeed 100X who wants a faster, thinner shaft.

Who should skip it

• Beginners and players with a slow or developing swing. The stiff 5.8mm shaft needs racket-head speed to release its power and will feel dead if you cannot supply it.
• Players who want easy power from a flexible shaft. A medium-flex racket is a better fit.
• Control players who want the lightest possible head for pure defence. A more head-light speed racket will turn faster at the net.

Specifications

Recommended string and tension

For most club and tournament players in the intermediate-to-advanced range, 26 to 28 lbs gives the best mix of repulsion and control on this frame. Move toward 29 to 30 lb only if you have a clean, consistent hitting action and want a flatter, more controlled response. A thinner high-repulsion string matches the racket's speed character, while a slightly more durable string makes sense if you string at the lower end and play high volume. Not sure where to land, our badminton racket selector can help you compare options.

Strung or unstrung

This racket is supplied unstrung so you can match the string and tension to your game. Add custom stringing at checkout if you want it ready to play, or string it later with your own setup.