Lifetime badminton shuttlecocks, plastic, white, pack of 5

These Lifetime shuttlecocks are a pack of five white plastic shuttles, stored in a tube. Plastic shuttles are the practical choice for casual badminton: they survive mishits, frame shots and the odd landing on gravel far better than feather shuttles. That makes them a good fit for families, garden games, beach sets and beginners playing in a sports hall.

Plastic vs. feather

Badminton shuttles come in two main types. Feather shuttles, made from goose or duck feathers, have the most precise flight and are standard in club and competition play. They are also fragile and wear out quickly in the hands of beginners. Plastic (synthetic) shuttles have a one-piece skirt that bends instead of breaking, so a single tube lasts many sessions. Their flight is a little less crisp, which hardly matters for recreational play.

A simple 20-minute session for two

1. Warm-up rally (5 min): hit the shuttle gently back and forth underarm and see how many shots you manage without a miss.
2. High clears (5 min): take turns hitting high, deep shots to the back of each other's court.
3. Short game (5 min): both players stand near the net and play soft, short shots that drop just over it.
4. Points (5 min): play a quick game to 11.

Badminton is an easy, social way to move more. If you are picking up sport again after a long break, our guide on how to get back into working out explains how to build up without overdoing it.

Care and storage

Keep the shuttles in their tube between sessions so the skirts are not squashed in a bag. Temperature affects flight: in the cold, shuttles tend to fly slower, and in warm air they travel further. Store them at room temperature rather than in a cold car or garden shed. Rotate between the shuttles in the tube so they wear evenly, and take out any that are cracked or bent.

What to pair it with

You need two rackets and, ideally, a net. For the garden, a portable badminton net is enough. In a sports hall, check whether nets and court markings are already set up.