Victor is one of the three brands, alongside Yonex and Li-Ning, that you will see in almost every badminton hall and on the international tour. Its range can look confusing at first: Thruster, Auraspeed, DriveX, Jetspeed, Brave Sword, and model codes such as TK, ARS and DX. This guide explains what each Victor series is designed for, compares popular models using their published specifications, and helps you work out which Victor racket suits your game.
Where Is Victor From?
Victor is a Taiwanese brand. It was founded in Taipei in 1968 by Chen Den-li and began by making shuttlecocks before moving into rackets, strings, shoes and clothing. Today it sponsors many international players, has supplied national teams such as South Korea’s (from 2009 to 2018), and has a strong presence across Asia and Europe.
Victor Racket Series at a Glance
Each Victor series is built around a playing style. Knowing the series is the quickest way to narrow down the range.
| Series | Code on Victor’s product pages | Designed for | Typical balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thruster | TK | Power and attack | Head-heavy |
| Auraspeed | ARS | Speed, fast doubles | Even to head-light |
| Jetspeed | JS | Speed and flat exchanges | Varies by model |
| Brave Sword | BRS | Speed with a classic frame | Even |
| DriveX | DX | Control and all-round play | Even |
Victor pairs these codes with the series names on its own product pages (for example ARS-100X for the Auraspeed 100X and DX-7SP for the DriveX 7SP), so the code on a racket or listing tells you which series it belongs to.
Thruster: Victor’s power line
Thruster rackets are head-heavy with stiff shafts, built for steep smashes and powerful clears. The Thruster Ryuga models are the best known, associated with Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia. They reward strong, well-timed swings and suit singles players and rear-court doubles attackers. Read our Victor Thruster comparison for model-by-model detail.
Auraspeed: speed for doubles
Auraspeed rackets are designed for quick handling: fast drives, counter-attacks and interceptions. Flagships such as the Auraspeed 100X are stiff and demanding, while models like the Auraspeed 9000 are lighter and aimed at club players. See our Victor Auraspeed comparison.
DriveX: control and all-round play
DriveX rackets are even-balanced and built for players who construct rallies with drives, drops and placement rather than relying on raw power. The DriveX 9X was the first Victor racket with the FREE CORE handle. Compare the range in our Victor DriveX guide.
Jetspeed and Brave Sword
Victor classes both Jetspeed and Brave Sword as speed rackets. Brave Sword 12 is a long-running, even-balanced frame known for its slim, aerodynamic head, while the Jetspeed S line targets fast, flat doubles play.
Popular Victor Rackets Compared
The table below lists popular Victor models with specifications from Victor’s own product pages or, where those were unavailable, from authorised retailers.
| Racket | Weight | Balance | Shaft | Max tension | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Thruster Ryuga II Pro | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 32 lbs, 4U 31 lbs | Advanced attackers who want maximum smash power |
| Victor Thruster Ryuga II | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 32 lbs, 4U 31 lbs | Strong club and league players who play an attacking game |
| Victor Thruster Ryuga Metallic | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 32 lbs, 4U 31 lbs | Attacking players who want Ryuga-style power |
| Victor Thruster F Falcon Enhanced | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 32 lbs, 4U 31 lbs | Players stepping up to a head-heavy attacking frame |
| Victor Auraspeed 100X | 3U, 4U | — | Stiff | 3U 29 lbs, 4U 28 lbs | Fast doubles players who attack from mid-court |
| Victor Auraspeed 100X Ultra | 3U, 4U | Even | — | 3U 31 lbs, 4U 30 lbs | Advanced players who want speed with a little more all-round stability |
| Victor Auraspeed 90K II | 3U, 4U | Head-light | — | 3U 31 lbs, 4U 30 lbs | Doubles players who want quick handling at the front |
| Victor Auraspeed 9000 | 4U, 5U | — | — | 4U 30 lbs, 5U 29 lbs (9000 C) | Club players who want a light, fast racket |
| Victor DriveX 12 | 4U | — | Stiff | 4U 32 lbs | Players who build rallies with drives and placement |
| Victor DriveX 9X | 3U, 4U | Even | Medium stiff | 3U 29 lbs, 4U 28 lbs | All-round players who want a stable, even-balanced frame |
| Victor DriveX 7SP | 3U, 4U | — | Medium | 3U 28 lbs, 4U 26 lbs | Improving players who want an easy-to-use all-rounder |
| Victor Jetspeed S 10 | 3U, 4U | — | Stiff | 27–28 lbs (by version) | Doubles players who like flat, fast exchanges |
| Victor Brave Sword 12 | 3U, 4U | Even | — | 3U 30 lbs, 4U 28 lbs | Players who want a fast, even-balanced classic frame |
Specs come from the manufacturers' product pages or, where those were unavailable, from authorised retailers. A dash means sources disagreed or the brand does not publish the figure. Compare any two rackets side by side.
Victor Technology Explained
FREE CORE handle
FREE CORE is Victor’s synthetic handle, which replaces the traditional wooden handle. Its hollow, suspension-style structure frees up space inside the handle so the shaft can flex more freely and absorb more shock. It debuted on the DriveX 9X and has since spread to other models.
Shaft and frame design
Victor tunes frame shapes to each series: aerodynamic, thinner frames for speed in the Auraspeed and Brave Sword lines, and more mass in the head for the Thruster line. The Auraspeed 100X Ultra, launched in January 2025, was the first Auraspeed with a 5.8 mm shaft.
Which Victor Racket Should You Choose?
- You love to smash and play mostly singles: start with the Thruster series. Advanced players can look at the Ryuga II or Ryuga II Pro; players still building power should consider a less demanding Thruster model.
- You play fast doubles: look at Auraspeed. The 90K II and 100X suit strong players; the 9000 is lighter and friendlier for club players.
- You play an all-round, placement game: choose DriveX. The 7SP is the most forgiving, the 9X is a stable step up, and the DriveX 12 suits stronger players.
- You are a beginner: avoid stiff flagships. Choose a lighter, more flexible model, and read our guide to choosing your first racket.
Still undecided? Put two models side by side in our racket comparison tool.
Victor vs Yonex
Victor and Yonex both make excellent rackets, and at the top level the differences come down to feel and preference rather than quality. Yonex has the widest global distribution and range, which makes strings, grips and replacements easier to find in many countries. Victor is often slightly cheaper at a similar level and has a loyal following, especially among doubles players. See our Yonex racket guide for the Yonex range. For a full comparison including Li-Ning, read Yonex vs Li-Ning vs Victor.
Buying Genuine Victor Rackets
Popular Victor models, especially Thruster Ryuga rackets, are widely counterfeited. Buy from Victor’s own stores or authorised retailers, be wary of prices far below the normal market rate, and check the racket’s code, finish and printed specifications against Victor’s official listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is Victor from?
Taiwan. Victor was founded in Taipei in 1968.
Is Victor better than Yonex?
Neither brand is better overall. Both make top-quality rackets used by world-class players. Choose the racket whose balance, stiffness and weight suit your game, and consider which brand is easier to buy and service where you live.
What does TK mean on a Victor racket?
TK appears on Thruster rackets, for example TK-RYUGA II. Victor’s product pages also use ARS for Auraspeed, DX for DriveX and BRS for Brave Sword.
Which Victor racket is best for beginners?
A lighter racket with a medium or flexible shaft. The DriveX 7SP is the most forgiving model in our table. Stiff flagships like the Thruster Ryuga II Pro and Auraspeed 100X are designed for advanced players.
Which Victor racket does Lee Zii Jia use?
Lee Zii Jia is associated with Victor’s Thruster Ryuga line. Players often use customised or newer versions, so check recent match photos for the current model.
