Racquetball is a fast, mainly North American wall sport played in a fully enclosed court, where the ball can be hit off the front wall, side walls, back wall and even the ceiling. Badminton is played across a high net with a shuttle that must never touch the floor. Both are quick, indoor and great exercise, but they reward different strengths.
Badminton vs racquetball in brief
- Court: badminton 13.4 m x 6.1 m open court; racquetball 40 x 20 x 20 ft enclosed box
- Object: shuttle over a net vs bouncy rubber ball off the walls
- Scoring: badminton rally scoring to 21; racquetball games to 15, only the server scores, tiebreak to 11
- Learning curve: racquetball is quick to start; badminton is quick to rally but harder to master
Side-by-side comparison
| Badminton | Racquetball | |
|---|---|---|
| Court | 13.4 m x 6.1 m (44 x 20 ft), open with a net | 40 ft long, 20 ft wide, 20 ft high, fully enclosed |
| What you hit | Shuttlecock, 4.74 to 5.50 g | Hollow rubber ball, 2.25 in diameter |
| Racket | Long, light, about 75 to 95 g | Short, oversized head, usually 22 in or less |
| Walls | None | Front, side, back walls and ceiling in play |
| Bounce | Never | Once on the floor before return (or volley) |
| Serve | Underarm, diagonal, below 1.15 m | Bounce and hit to the front wall from the service zone, two attempts |
| Scoring | Rally scoring to 21, best of 3 | Games to 15, only the server scores, best of 3 with an 11-point tiebreak |
| Usual format | Singles and doubles | Singles and doubles (cut-throat for three) |
How play differs
Racquetball is about power and angles: the ball rebounds fast and low, and players use the walls to create shots that die in the corners. Positioning in the centre of the court is critical. Badminton is about moving your opponent around an open court and attacking with steep smashes and soft drops. See badminton shots and badminton tips and tactics.
Fitness
The Compendium of Physical Activities rates general racquetball at 7.0 MET and competitive racquetball at 10.0 MET, similar to competitive badminton (7.0) and badminton match play (9.0). Both are high-intensity interval workouts. Racquetball involves more twisting and reaching for low balls; badminton involves more jumping and deep lunges. See badminton benefits.
Safety
Because players share an enclosed court and the ball travels fast, protective eyewear is required in sanctioned racquetball play and strongly recommended in casual games. Badminton has no shared space, so collisions are rare, though eye injuries from close-range smashes in doubles are possible.
Difficulty
Racquetball is easy to start: the bouncy ball and walls keep rallies going, so beginners have fun quickly. Badminton is also easy to rally gently but demands more refined technique and footwork to play competitively.
Which should you choose?
| Choose badminton if you… | Choose racquetball if you… |
|---|---|
| Want a sport played worldwide | Live near a gym with racquetball courts |
| Prefer an open court and doubles | Enjoy fast, powerful wall rallies |
| Like smashes, drops and net play | Like using angles off the walls |
FAQ
Is racquetball the same as squash?
No. Racquetball uses a larger, bouncier ball, a shorter racket, a bigger court, and the ceiling can be in play. Squash uses a smaller ball that bounces less, and has a tin and out lines on the walls. See badminton vs squash.
Which is harder, badminton or racquetball?
Racquetball is easier to start; badminton is generally harder to master technically.
Can you score on the opponent’s serve in racquetball?
No, in standard racquetball only the serving side scores. In badminton, either side scores on every rally.
More comparisons: badminton vs tennis and badminton vs table tennis.
