Today we are continuing to review rackets for you so you can pick the most suited for your game. If you are looking to buy Babolat and Wilson rackets, check out our guides. In this article we will talk about one of the most popular racket brands right now, Yonex. I was a long-time Yonex player and I’ve tested all of them so I want to help you choosing the right one.
Yonex has three main racket lines: EZONE, VCORE and VCORE PRO. Each of them has their own specific advantages and disadvantages. EZONE rackets are made to improve power and spin. VCORE PRO is the control focus lineup, great for plow through and full swings. And finally the VCORE lineup provides a solid mix between the EZONE and VCORE PRO rackets. Each lineup has a multiple rackets that suits multiple players. We selected our favorite ones below!
Yonex EZONE Rackets
Most Popular in this line: Yonex Ezone 98, Yonex Ezone 100
Recommended Game Style: Aggressive Baseliners
Yonex EZONE 98
- Strung Weight: 11.3oz / 320g
- Head Size: 98sq Inches
- String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses
- Stiffness: 64
- Balance: 12.75in / 6 Pts HL
- Power Level: Low Medium
Review: The EZONE 98 is the racket of choice of Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios. The EZONE 98 is a great racket for players looking for easy access to power, increased topspin, a large sweetspot and great feel. The EZONE line has always been the powerful choice from Yonex, but the 2020 version adds maneuverability to the mix. The EZONE 98 is a great choice for players looking to add extra power and feel to their game. It is one of the most user friendly rackets in the Yonex lineup.
Pros: Power, Feel, Large Sweetspot
Cons: Not enough control.
Yonex VCORE Pro Rackets
Best rackets in this line: VCORE Pro 97 330, VCORE Pro 97 310, VCORE Pro 97HD 18×20,
VCORE 97 330
- Strung Weight: 349g
- Head Size: 97sq inches
- String Pattern: 16 Main / 19 Crosses
- Stiffness: 65
- Balance: 12.59 inches / 7 pts HL
- Power Level: Low
Review: The VCORE 97 330 is Stan Wawrinka racket of choice. This is the hefty players racket from the Yonex lineup. This is the racket for players looking for extra control and stability through your shots. Its weight provides mass which helps strong players plow through the ball. It also offers a vibration dampening technology to help the racket feel more forgiving during bad impacts. This racket is definitely better suited for advanced players who are looking for control and traditional feel.
Pros: Mass, Plow through, stability
Cons: sluggish for players looking for a lot of racket head speed.
VCORE 97 310
- Swing Weight: 11.5 oz / 326g
- Head size: 97sq inches
- String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses
- Stiffness: 64
- Balance: 12.59inches / 7 pts HL
- Power Level: Low
Review: This is the lighter version of the VCORE 97 lineup. Unlike the 330 version, this racket gives players fast swingspeeds and control so players can be comfortable hitting the ball hard. While it adds extra maneuverability to the lineup, it lacks a bit in stability because of the lighter weight. The 16 /19 string pattern helps players achieve higher levels of spin which helps with control. Overall, the VCORE 310 is a more user friendly racket than the 330 version and it will reward players who are looking for extra control for their powerful shots.
Pros: lots of spin, control, maneuverability
Cons: can feel unstable in defensive situations.
VCORE Pro 97 HD
- Strung Weight: 11.9oz / 337g
- Head Size: 97sq inches
- String Pattern: 18 Mains / 20 Crosses
- Stiffness: 59
- Balance: 12.59in / 7 pts HL
- Power Level: Low
Review: This is the first racket in the VCORE lineup with an 18 / 20 string pattern. Because of that, this is a control monster. It is a true players racket, rewarding its users with feel, precision and control. This is a great option for players with aggressive styles who want a racket that is good all around the court. While a bit stiff, it is still maneuverable and precise in most situations. This is definitely a great addition to the Yonex lineup.
Pros: feel, precision, control, maneuverability
Cons: stiffness
Yonex VCORE and VCORE SV Rackets
best rackets in the lineup
VCORE 98
- Strung Weight: 11.4oz / 323g
- Head Size: 98sq inches
- String Pattern: 16 Main / 19 Crosses
- Stiffness: 65
- Balance: 12.79 inches / 6 pts HL
- Power Level: Low – Medium
Review: Since its launch, the Yonex VCORE lineup quickly became a hit. The VCORE 98 offers a lot of power and stability while still providing a great feel. The string pattern and comfortable swing weight is perfect for generating extra topspin. Intermediate and advanced players looking for extra power will love this racket.
Pros: power, feel, stability
Cons: lack of feel in certain shots.
VCORE 95
- Strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326g
- Head size: 95sq inches
- String Pattern: 16 Mains / 20 Crosses
- Stiffness: 62
- Balance: 12.59 inches / 7 pts HL
- Power Level: 62
Review: The VCORE 95 is the “players racket” of the VCORE lineup. It allows players to swing aggressively because of its precision and control. This is definitely a racket for players who have lots of power at their disposal. It is not as heavy as most players racket so faster swing speeds help with spin. It can be a bit underpowered on serves and not as stable in defensive shots.
Pros: Precision, feel, spin.
Cons: underpowered, lack of stability.
VCORE 100
- Strung Weight: 11.2oz / 318g
- Head Size: 100sq Inches
- String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses
- Stiffness: 69
- Balance: 13 inches / 4 pts HL
- Power Level: Medium
Review: This is a power monster. The big head size rewards players with a ton of power and the string pattern will take care of the topspin. The racket is maneuverable but unstable when handling pace. Less advanced players will enjoy the easy access to power and the big sweetspot.
Pros: Power, spin, maneuverability.
Cons: stability.
Conclusion
So there you have it. These are the most popular Yonex rackets right now. The brand has increased in popularity in recent years because of players like Wawrinka and Osaka who won majors. Each lineup has several different types of configurations (weight, length, balance) so make sure you look for the most suitable to your level.