Are you looking for a new sport? There are a lot of things to consider if you want to get the maximum benefit and enjoyment out of whatever game you decide to play. The two sports that we will be looking at today are basketball and badminton, and we will analyze them from a few different angles, including price, feasibility to play, and difficulty.
Is Basketball More Expensive Than Badminton?
Basketball at its most fundamental level only requires two pieces of equipment – a basketball and a hoop to throw it through. Although most organized leagues typically require two hoops, if you are just trying to learn the basics, you will only need one to practice on.
In the same way, badminton requires a shuttlecock, rackets for each player, and a net to divide opposing sides. The table below shows a breakdown of how much a decent setup to play recreationally at home would cost.
| Basketball Equipment Name | Price | Badminton Equipment Name | Price |
| Portable Basketball Hoop | $268 | Badminton Racket | $52 |
| Regulation Basketball | $45 | Shuttlecocks | $27 |
| — | Badminton Net | $250 | |
| Basketball Total | $313 | Badminton Total | $329 |
Keep in mind that there are home setups that are much cheaper and much more expensive. But if you start out with inferior equipment, you may not have a good experience and become frustrated. We also don’t recommend buying the absolute most expensive equipment as a beginner. Additionally, there are plenty of free options for both. Nearly every community has free public basketball courts, and many cities have either badminton courts or volleyball courts that can serve just as well.
When basketball or badminton are played recreationally, any athletic attire that is comfortable and allows you to move is appropriate. Shorts and jerseys are what’s most commonly worn.
Shoes are another matter, however. Although it is possible to play either sport without specialized shoes, it is not exactly recommended. Basketball puts tremendous stress on the body, and the right shoes can cushion impact, support the joints and muscles, help prevent injury, and improve performance.
In addition, most indoor basketball facilities will not allow you to play in street shoes because they could damage the court surface. Likewise, badminton is a physically demanding sport; players need properly designed shoes to do their best and reduce the risk of injury.
| Basketball Shoe Name | Price | Badminton Shoe Name | Price |
| Adidas Trae Young 1 | $130 | Li-Ning Saga Lightweight | $100 |
| Nike Jordan XXXVI | $185 | Yonex Power Cusion 65 Z2 | $110 |
| Nike KD14 | $130 | Adidas Essence 12 | $80 |
| Average Basketball Shoe Price | $148 | Average Badminton Shoe Price | $97 |
In the table above, we chose some of the most popular shoes for each sport and took the average of those three to show you what you can expect when shopping. When you incorporate the basketball shoes to the overall cost of the equipment, it ultimately becomes the more expensive sport.
Where Can I Play Basketball And Badminton?
Basketball was invented as an indoor game, and that’s still how it’s played in organized sports at the high school, college, and professional levels. A regulation NBA or college basketball court is 94 feet long, 50 feet wide, and covered by polished hardwood.
But the game has evolved to where it can be played virtually anywhere, indoor or outdoor, and on almost any surface. All over America, basketball games are played in driveways with just a hoop attached to the garage.
Regulation singles-play badminton courts are 44 feet long and 17 feet wide, and doubles courts are 3 feet wider. Competitive badminton in organized leagues is an indoor sport played in facilities with high ceilings. The game of badminton has also evolved to the point that the game can also be played outdoors. Backyard home badminton sets are popular purchases in sporting goods departments.
Basketball has the advantage in this category over badminton because not only are there more official and unofficial basketball courts, but the game can also be played when the play area is changed. Playing half-court basketball or even shooting hoops in the driveway still maintains much of the same experience. Unfortunately, a badminton court cannot be cut in half and still offer the same game.
How Big Are The Teams For Basketball and Badminton?
A regulation basketball team has five players who usually play a specific position based on their skill level and size. But there are other ways to play with fewer players – organized three-on-three teams, for example. Two people can play one-on-one basketball, and the experience and workout are very much the same.
There are also group basketball games where several people can play against each other as individuals rather than as teams, such as 21, H-O-R-S-E, and many others. In fact, a person can even work on basketball drills by themselves and still enjoy the challenges of shooting the ball from different places on the court.
Badminton is almost always played with either one or two people on each team. Although the strategy changes a little when playing singles instead of doubles, the overall goal remains the same.
Between these two sports, basketball has a lot more flexibility because the game is still suitable for anywhere from 2 to 10 people, and even someone playing alone can practice much of what they would do in an actual game. Badminton, on the other hand, is best played by 2 or 4 people. One person cannot play or even effectively practice by themselves.
Is Basketball More Difficult Than Badminton?
Competitive basketball is very physically demanding. Players must run, jump, change directions, and bang into other bodies multiple times during a game. Although not officially, many people consider basketball to be a contact sport. A regulation game of organized basketball is 48 minutes of playing time, and there is always a possibility of overtime. The average basketball player is estimated to run over two and a half miles during a game.
Badminton is also physically demanding but in a different way. Players cover a lot of ground, running and changing directions constantly. There’s not much opportunity for physical contact with other players, but diving or falling to the ground happens frequently.
Both sports are Olympic events that require strength, speed, precision, aerobic fitness, and excellent hand-eye coordination. Although basketball is more physically challenging at the higher competitive levels, it can also be easier to play for people with physical limitations.
The game of basketball is very adaptable. There are youth leagues, senior leagues, and even organized basketball games for people who are deaf or in wheelchairs. In fact, wheelchair basketball has been around since the 1940s, when it was introduced as a form of physical debilitation for injured World War II veterans. Wheelchair badminton is a relatively new sport that was played in the Paralympics for the first time during the 2020 Tokyo games.
Conclusion: Basketball Vs. Badminton
Looking at the final tally, it is a near-sweep for basketball. What really gives basketball the edge over badminton is how it can be played in some form virtually anywhere by virtually anyone. That makes it an ideal sport for anyone looking for new ways to stay physically active.