Best Towel Grips for Badminton Players

One of the primary reasons people choose a towel grip is its exceptional sweat-absorbing properties. As badminton is a physically demanding sport, players who sweat profusely during a match need an efficient way to absorb sweat. After testing and digging into real-world performance and specs, these are the two I recommend so you can buy with confidence (and dry hands).

Testing the tackiness of the Victor Towel grip
Testing the tackiness of the Yonex Towel grip

Why towel grips and who they’re for

  • Max sweat absorption. 100% cotton loops drink up moisture fast and stay playable in long club nights or tournaments. Both Yonex AC402EX and Victor’s towel grips are cotton; that’s the point.

  • Consistent “dry” feel. When prepped correctly (light grip powder helps), contact is drier and more predictable than PU overgrips once you’re sweating.

  • Trade-offs. Towel grips do wear and fluff; plan to rewrap more often than a PU overgrip. They also build a bit more handle bulk—great if you like a fuller grip.

Choose a towel grip if: your palms get sweaty, you play high-intensity sessions, or you hate any hint of slipperiness.

In steps the Victor Towel which effectively absorbs sweat and can help players maintain a firm and non-slip grip on their racket. This is crucial for control and accuracy during gameplay.

Although it appears to rank low on the other aspects that we tested, it does beat out its rival in this test, the Yonex AC402Ex Towel Grip.

Victor Towel Grip (GR338 / reels)

Cushion, value, and easy refresh

Victor’s cotton towel grip has a slightly cushier, thicker handfeel and really shines for cost-per-wrap when bought as a 10–12 m reel. If you like changing grips as soon as they mat or darken, a reel makes it painless—you always have fresh stock.

Specs: 30 mm × 10,000 mm (reel), 100% cotton, multiple colours; plush/absorbent finish.

Best for: players who regrip often, prefer a fuller handle, or want the softest towel feel at the best value.

Things to know: The extra cushion adds a touch of bulk. If you like a slim grip, wrap with a little more tension or remove any thick base layer underneath.

Read our full Victor Towel Grip review for durability, comfort notes, and head-to-head comparisons.

The Victor Towel Grip is a unique and specialized option for badminton players who seek a soft, sweat-absorbing grip.

In our tests, it proved to be a reliable choice for those with sweaty hands who appreciate the feel of a towel grip.

While it may not excel in tackiness or provide padded comfort, it stands out in absorbency, keeping hands dry even during intense play. The Victor Towel grip excels at exactly what it intends to do, offering improved absorbency for those with sweaty hands. 

We found that the durability of the grip is generally good, though excessive sweating could impact it over time and the grip offers a variety of colors, but availability may vary. 

Ease of regripping had both positive and negative aspects with customizable grip dimensions but a lack of pre-cut start and end.

Despite some minor drawbacks, the Victor Towel Grip offers great value, especially when purchased in bulk, making it an economical choice for those accustomed to towel grips. Unfortunately, the price does not lend itself to those wanting to test towel grips for the first time.

In summary, the Victor Towel grip is a brilliant option for those who have sweaty hands and already know the virtues of towel grips. It is a cost-effective solution for those with sweaty hands who still want excellent performance.

If you want to see how it stacks up against the other grips we tested, check out our article Best Badminton Grips.

Often towel grips are like marmite. For non-British readers, this means you either love them or hate them. So, although we have ranked The Victor Towel grip just over average and not the grip for me, it may be the grip for you. So why not try it out and see if you will tout the towel or become a towel tribute? 

The Yonex AC402EX Towel Grip is a unique and specialized option for badminton players who value exceptional absorbency, durability, and prestige associated with the Yonex brand. 

Yonex AC402EX Towel Grip

Clean, classic, and extremely absorbent

What stood out in testing was how neatly it wraps. The 32 mm width and 1.35 mm thickness make a tidy spiral with minimal overlap, giving a slimmer feel than many generic towels. It stays comfortable even when saturated and doesn’t feel mushy mid-session.

Specs: width 30–32 mm, length 660 mm (single grip), thickness ~1.35 mm, 100% cotton.

Best for: players who want maximum absorbency without adding too much girth, and anyone who prefers a one-grip-per-pack format.

Things to know: Because each pack is a single length, frequent regrippers may find reels more economical.

Read our in-depth Yonex AC402EX Towel Grip review for scores, durability notes, and value breakdown.

In our tests, it proved to be a reliable choice for those with sweaty hands who appreciate the feel of a towel grip. 

While it lacks tackiness, it compensates with a comfortable, 100% Cotton feel. The grip is thinner than some towel counterparts but it exhibits good durability, although excessive sweating may impact longevity.

Style-wise, it offers a limited color range but the standout feature is its exceptional absorbency, making it ideal for those with sweaty hands. 

Regripping is relatively easy, thanks to its full adhesive backing and included instructions, but we found that the finishing tape was a little small and therefore could affect durability. 

Despite being pricier than some competitors, it provides a worthwhile investment for those wanting to experience a towel grip for the first time and value the Yonex brand.

In summary, the Yonex AC402EX Towel Grip is a worthy option for those who have sweaty hands and want to test a new type of grip. It is a cost-effective way to trial a towel grip but still maintain excellent performance from a trusted brand.

If you want to see how it stacks up against the other grips we tested, check out our article Best Badminton Grips.

Yonex AC402EX vs Victor Towel Grip (quick comparison)

FeatureYonex AC402EXVictor Towel Grip (GR338 / reel)
Material100% cotton100% cotton
Size/Format~32 mm × 660 mm (one grip)30 mm × 10,000 mm (reel)
Feel in handSlimmer, neater wrapSofter, slightly thicker & cushier
AbsorbencyExcellentExcellent
Value if you regrip oftenGoodVery good (reel)
ColoursMultipleMultiple

For our in depth battle between the two grips, see our head-to-head review.

Quick Care, application & hygiene tips

  • Wrap with firm, even tension and overlap by ~⅓ for a tidy spiral; finish with tape. (If you like slimmer, overlap less.)

  • Dust lightly with grip powder after the first few rallies to maintain that dry feel.

  • Replace early. Once fibres mat down, absorbency drops fast—reel owners tend to keep performance high simply by changing more often

Final verdict

  • Pick Yonex AC402EX if you want the archetypal towel-grip feel in a clean, slimmer wrap with easy one-pack buys. It’s a safe, high-quality choice for most players who sweat.

  • Pick Victor Towel Grip (reel) if you love a cushy handle and want to regrip often at low cost, especially practical for tournament weeks or humid halls.

Whichever you choose, you’re getting cotton-loop absorbency that outperforms PU once you’re dripping, just stay on top of rewrapping.

Where to buy (and support our work)

We’re reader-supported. If you decide either grip is right for you, consider purchasing via our links, this helps keep our badminton guides free, and we only recommend what we’d actually use.

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