You know, every now and then, a racket comes along that makes you stop mid-rally and go, “Wait, what just happened?”
For me, that moment came with the Axforce Cannon 5U. And if you’re someone who’s lived on a badminton court long enough to develop calluses on your palm and stories in your soul, you know what I’m talking about—the kind of gear that feels like it was built just for you.
This isn’t going to be a dry breakdown of specs or a sales pitch. No way. This is a player-to-player, court-worn, sweat-tested confession. A human take on one of the most surprising rackets I’ve played with in the past couple of years.
So if you’re curious about the Cannon 5U and wondering if it’s worth a shot—or just love diving into gear stories like I do—let’s talk.
A Racket I Almost Overlooked
I’ll be honest. When I first heard about the Axforce Cannon 5U, I didn’t really give it much attention. The 5U tag threw me off. For those unfamiliar, 5U means it’s super light—around 75 to 79 grams, unstrung. And my brain went straight to, “Great, another beginner racket that’s probably too soft to make a dent.”
But then a friend of mine—let’s call him Rahul, a doubles demon who lives at the net—told me he had switched to it. And he’s not one to follow trends. He said, “Try one game. If you don’t like it, I’ll buy you chai for a week.”
That’s a lot of chai to go through in a week!
So I did. And let me tell you—I ended up buying my own Cannon the next day.
What’s It Like Holding the Cannon for the First Time?
When I first unzipped the case and held the racket, my immediate reaction was: It’s so light. Too light? But then, as I gave it a few swings, I could feel something different.
Yes, the weight was minimal, but the balance felt… determined. Like the racket wasn’t just floating around but had intent. The head was slightly heavier than expected for such a light frame, which gave it some bite. There was a kind of spring-like energy in each dry swing. Like a slingshot waiting to let loose.
A couple of shadow drills later, I was intrigued. This thing was fast. And once I stepped onto the court? Game-changer.
Court Experience: One Word—Deceptive
The Axforce Cannon 5U is like that unassuming player who walks into the court with worn shoes and no wristband and then proceeds to destroy everyone with lightning speed and perfect placement.
Let’s break it down, but from a player’s perspective—not a brochure.
1. Drives and Flat Exchanges
This is where the racket shows its claws. I played a few fast-paced doubles games with it, and I felt like I had cheat codes on. The Cannon 5U is built for drive battles. Because of its light frame, my reaction time improved instantly. Shots that I’d usually fumble during rapid exchanges started landing clean. Even on awkward body shots, I could whip it out fast enough to keep the rally alive.
It’s one of those rackets where you feel more confident in tight moments—where your instinct and the racket’s speed sync up perfectly.
2. Smashes and Power Shots
Alright, let’s get this out of the way—no, it doesn’t hit like a hammer. If you’re expecting 3U-type boom smashes, you’ll be disappointed.Here’s what makes the Cannon special—timing, not force, is its secret weapon. The head-heavy design gives your shots that extra push, helping you swing through with a crisp, controlled whip.
It’s like the racket stores energy in that slightly stiff shaft and releases it at just the right moment.
When you get the timing right? Oh boy. The stick smashes fly like bullets. Not the loudest bang, but incredibly hard to read and even harder to return.
3. Clears and Lifts
This was the biggest surprise for me. I expected a lightweight racket to struggle with deep clears. But the Cannon glides. Clears fly effortlessly. Whether I was under pressure or relaxed, the shuttle traveled well to the backline. I didn’t have to overextend or force anything.
It’s like the racket knew where I wanted to place the shuttle—and quietly helped me do it.
4. Net Play and Drop Shots
This is where it gets surgical. The Cannon 5U feels like a precision tool at the net. Fast flicks, quick kills, soft pushes—it handles them all without drama. Because of its balance and speed, I could react to fast net kills or deceptive spins more naturally.
The way it responded to wrist shots was honestly impressive.Just a little squeeze and boom—the shuttle changed direction instantly.
5. Defense and Recovery
Here’s where the Cannon really earns its name. If you’re tired of late defensive swings or poor recovery time, this racket solves that. I could block smashes quicker, return them deeper, and get back into position without gasping for breath.
It felt like the racket was helping me conserve energy rather than burn it all at once. That’s rare.
But Is It Durable?
Let’s talk honestly—light rackets sometimes break your heart after one bad clash. But so far, this one’s holding up well.
I’ve strung it at 26 lbs, and it’s handling that tension comfortably. I’ve had one minor frame bump (accidental clash in a doubles rush), but it held its ground. The material feels solid. It’s made from high modulus graphite—same stuff many top rackets use—and it doesn’t feel cheap or fragile.
If you’re someone who plays 3–5 times a week like me, it should last you at least a season, if not more. Just don’t use it to break coconuts.
Who Is This Racket For, Really?
Let’s say this straight.
✅ Buy the Cannon 5U if:
- You play fast-paced doubles regularly.
- You rely on speed, reflexes, and wrist power.
- You want a light racket that doesn’t feel like a toy.
- You have shoulder issues and want to reduce strain without sacrificing performance.
- You’re an intermediate or advanced player who understands timing.
❌ Maybe skip it if:
- You only care about power smashes.
- You’re a complete beginner still learning basic form.
- You want a racket that can take repeated hard clashes.
It’s not a beginner racket, despite being light. And it’s not a brute-force racket either. It’s built for players who understand angles, deception, and control.
Personal Touch: My Relationship with the Cannon
I’ve used a lot of rackets over the years—big names, big frames, expensive imports. And yet, this one quietly crept into my bag and stole the main spot. It’s not the loudest. Not the flashiest. But it’s consistent.
More than that, it feels right.
It’s the kind of racket that makes you want to experiment. Try new shots. Take more risks. Because it forgives you when you mess up, and rewards you when you get it right.
I’ve had games where I didn’t feel like playing. Fatigue, stress, whatever. Then I picked up the Cannon, started hitting casually, and slowly got into rhythm. That’s when I realized—this racket helps you enjoy the game again.
Pricing and Value
One last thing—let’s talk price.
The Axforce Cannon 5U sits in the mid-range bracket. You’re not paying top-tier pro prices, but you’re also not getting a cheap knockoff. And that’s a win.
Considering the build quality, the design, and how well it plays, it’s great value for money. Especially for players who train regularly and don’t want to invest ₹10,000+ every six months.
You can get a professional feel without burning a hole in your wallet.
Final Thoughts: The Underrated Beast
If I had to sum it up? The Axforce Cannon 5U is a silent killer. It doesn’t announce itself. It doesn’t need to. Once you use it, it speaks through your game.
It’s not perfect. No racket is. But it’s damn close if you value speed, finesse, and control.
It gave me something most rackets fail to give—trust. I trust this racket. In defense, at the net, during awkward lunges—it just delivers.
If you’re still hunting for your next upgrade, give this one a serious look. Not because it’s trendy. But because it’s good.
Really, really good.
Rating (Player’s Perspective):
| Category | Score (Out of 10) |
| Drive Speed | 10 |
| Control | 9.5 |
| Smashing Power | 8.2 |
| Net Play | 9.5 |
| Defense | 9.3 |
| Durability | 8.5 |
| Feel & Comfort | 9.7 |
Final Verdict: 9.2/10
Fast. Light. Reliable. The Axforce Cannon 5U is the racket your opponents won’t see coming—until it’s too late.
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