complete badminton set vs racket-only combo set buying guide

Buying a net you don't need wastes half the budget

Already have a net? Don't pay for another one.

Complete sets bundle a net, poles, rackets, and shuttlecocks into one box. Racket-only combos skip the net entirely and put the budget into better rackets. Here's how the top-reviewed 2026 options in each category compare.

Compare complete sets vs. racket combos
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Quick answer: Our top pick for complete badminton set vs racket-only combo set is the EastPoint Sports Easy Setup Badminton Set (Best Complete Set Overall). If you're looking for best budget complete set, the BAGAIL Outdoor Badminton Net Set is a strong alternative.

The net is the deciding factor, not the rackets

Reviewed by the Birdie Depot team · last updated 2026-08-24

Every badminton set bundles rackets and shuttlecocks, but only some include a net -- and that single difference changes who each type is actually built for. A complete set (EastPoint, BAGAIL, Franklin) makes sense if you're setting up a backyard, beach spot, or driveway from scratch with nowhere to play otherwise.

A racket-only combo, like the Yonex B4000, skips the net and poles entirely and puts that part of the budget into better racket construction -- steel shafts and a wider sweet spot instead of a basic aluminum frame. It only makes sense if you already have a net, or play at a court, park, or gym where one is already set up.

Price doesn't clearly favor one type over the other -- the Yonex B4000 combo ($45-55) costs about the same as the EastPoint complete set ($45-60), so the real question is whether you need the net at all, not which option is cheaper.

Do you actually need a net?

If you're playing at a court, gym, or park with a net already installed, a racket-only combo like the Yonex B4000 skips paying for equipment you won't use.

Racket count matters for doubles

Complete sets typically include 4 rackets, covering a doubles match out of the box. Racket-only combos often ship with just 2, so two combos (or a mixed setup) are needed for a full 4-player game.

Complete sets trade racket quality for net convenience

At a similar price point, a racket-only combo (Yonex B4000) generally ships with sturdier steel-shaft rackets than a complete set's included rackets, since the complete set's budget is split across net, poles, and rackets together.

Check surface compatibility either way

If you are buying a complete set, staked nets (BAGAIL, Franklin) need soft ground for stakes, while freestanding options work on hard surfaces -- that choice matters independently of the complete-vs-combo decision.

Product Best For Price Rating
EastPoint Sports Easy Setup Badminton Set Best Complete Set Overall $45 - $60 4.5/5
BAGAIL Outdoor Badminton Net Set Best Budget Complete Set $35 - $45 4.3/5
Yonex B4000 Combo Badminton Set Best Racket-Only Combo $45 - $55 4.6/5
Franklin Sports Complete Badminton Net Set Best for Beach & Lawn (Complete) $40 - $55 4.4/5
Best Complete Set Overall

EastPoint Sports Easy Setup Badminton Set

★★★★★ 4.5

A complete 4-player set with a portable net, aluminum poles, 4 official-size rackets, and 2 shuttlecocks in one box -- the straightforward choice if you don't already have a net or court to play on.

  • Everything needed to start playing in one box, net included
  • Official-size rackets with cushioned grips for 4 players
  • Aluminum poles hold up better than typical plastic ones
  • Paying for a net you don't need if you already play at a court
  • Rackets can bend under aggressive smashes
$45 - $60 View on Amazon
Best Budget Complete Set

BAGAIL Outdoor Badminton Net Set

★★★★★ 4.3

An official-size 20ft x 5ft net with an anti-sag winch, 4 rackets, and 3 shuttlecocks -- the least expensive way to get a complete net-and-racket setup if you're starting from zero.

  • Lowest price of any complete set in this comparison
  • Anti-sag winch system keeps a regulation-width net taut
  • Includes an extra shuttlecock over most budget sets
  • PE net and poles feel thinner than pricier complete sets
  • Rackets are basic recreational quality, not an upgrade over other complete sets
$35 - $45 View on Amazon
Best Racket-Only Combo

Yonex B4000 Combo Badminton Set

★★★★★ 4.6

Two Yonex B-4000 rackets with steel shafts and Yonex's Isometric head shape, paired with a half-dozen Mavis 350 shuttlecocks -- no net included, built for players who already have a court or net and want better rackets instead.

  • Puts the full budget into steel-shaft rackets instead of a net you may not need
  • Trusted by PE programs and rec leagues for durability
  • Pre-strung and ready to play out of the box
  • No net included -- only replaces rackets in an existing setup
  • Only 2 rackets, so a second combo is needed for 4-player doubles
$45 - $55 View on Amazon
Best for Beach & Lawn (Complete)

Franklin Sports Complete Badminton Net Set

★★★★★ 4.4

A 4-player complete set with steel racquets, padded grips, ground stakes, and a carry bag, built for backyard and beach play where a net has to survive sand and uneven lawn.

  • Steel racquet shafts hold up to sandy or uneven beach play, unlike basic complete sets
  • Ground stakes anchor the net securely in loose sand or soft lawn
  • Padded grips stay comfortable through casual multi-hour play
  • Still paying for a net if you already have access to a court
  • Net height isn't adjustable for more competitive play
$40 - $55 View on Amazon

Which one should you get?

You don't have a net and are starting from scratch

The EastPoint Sports Easy Setup Set (Best Complete Set Overall) includes everything needed to start playing in one box.

You already play at a court or already own a net

The Yonex B4000 Combo (Best Racket-Only Combo) puts the full budget into steel-shaft rackets instead of a net you don't need.

You're setting up specifically for sandy or uneven beach ground

The Franklin Sports Complete Set (Best for Beach & Lawn) uses steel racquets and stakes built for that terrain.

You want the cheapest possible complete setup

The BAGAIL Outdoor Badminton Net Set (Best Budget Complete Set) is the least expensive full net-and-racket bundle here.

More Badminton Essentials

Badminton Racquets

Upgrade past the racquets that came with the set

Badminton Shuttlecocks

The consumable your set doesn't include enough of

Badminton Sets for Backyard & Beach Play

Sets built to survive grass, sand, and wind

Badminton Sets for Tournament & Club Play

Gear built to BWF spec, not backyard spec

Best Badminton Sets Under $40

A full net, four rackets, and shuttlecocks without spending $60+

When to Buy a Badminton Set for the Best Price

Time your purchase around the sales that actually move the price on these picks

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I actually need a net, or if a racket-only combo is enough?

If you're playing at a court, gym, or park where a net is already installed, a racket-only combo like the Yonex B4000 skips paying for equipment you won't use, putting the full budget into better racket construction instead. If you're setting up a backyard, beach spot, or driveway from scratch with nowhere else to play, you need a complete set with a net included.

Is a racket-only combo actually a better racket than what comes in a complete set?

Generally yes, at a similar price point -- the Yonex B4000 combo ships with steel-shaft rackets and Yonex's Isometric head shape, while a complete set's budget at the same price (like the EastPoint at $45-60) is split across net, poles, and rackets together, so the rackets themselves tend to be more basic. You're trading net convenience for racket quality, not getting both at the same tier for the same money.

Why does a combo only include 2 rackets when a complete set includes 4?

Combo sets like the Yonex B4000 are typically built around the idea that you already have some equipment (a net, a court) and are upgrading one part of your setup, often for a specific pair of players -- 2 rackets covers singles or one half of a doubles match. Complete sets are built to get a full 4-player game started from nothing, so they default to 4 rackets. If you need a full doubles combo setup without a net, you'd need to buy two combos or mix in existing rackets.

Does buying a complete set save money versus buying a combo plus a separate net?

Not necessarily -- the Yonex B4000 combo runs $45-55 without a net, close to the EastPoint complete set's $45-60 with a net included, so a complete set isn't meaningfully pricier for what you get when a net is genuinely needed. The real decision point is whether you need the net at all, not which path is cheaper, since the price difference between the two options is minor.

If I already have a net but it's not in great shape, should I get a combo or a full replacement set?

A combo like the Yonex B4000 makes sense if your existing net and poles are still functional -- you're only upgrading the rackets. If the net itself is worn out, sagging, or missing parts, a complete set replaces everything at once for a similar total cost to buying a combo plus a separate replacement net, so check whether buying piecemeal is actually cheaper than a full set before assuming it is.

Are complete-set rackets durable enough for regular use, or will I need to upgrade soon anyway?

They're built primarily for durability and cheap replacement rather than performance, which holds up fine for casual, occasional play. If you're playing regularly enough to notice the rackets' limitations -- less power, less control, a smaller sweet spot -- that's the point where upgrading to a dedicated racket (whether through a combo or standalone purchase) starts to matter more than net convenience.