The materials used in a badminton racket primarily determine its weight, strength, elasticity, and feel; most mainstream rackets today utilize composite structures rather than a single material.

Carbon fiber is the most common material and serves as the core component of mid-to-high-end rackets. Characterized by its lightness, high strength, and excellent elasticity, carbon fiber allows for reduced weight while maintaining frame stability, resulting in faster swings and more direct power transfer. Many brands also incorporate various grades of "high-modulus carbon fabric" alongside standard carbon fiber to enhance rigidity and improve feedback upon impact.

Aluminum alloy is frequently used in entry-level rackets. While cost-effective and durable, this material tends to be heavier and offers inferior elasticity and control feedback compared to carbon fiber, making it better suited for beginners or casual play. A small number of rackets utilize titanium alloys, nanomaterials, or graphite-reinforced structures; these are typically added as modifiers to improve torsional resistance or enhance stability.

Most racket shafts feature a hollow internal design and utilize layered materials (such as carbon fiber combined with resin) to strike a balance between low weight and high strength. In short, the more advanced the materials, the lighter, stiffer, and more responsive the racket tends to be-though this also places higher demands on the player's technique.