JNICE Black Panther 2 vs Jnice Black Panther 1 – Badminton Racket Review & Comparison

Five years after the release of the original JNICE Black Panther 1, the Black Panther 2 has arrived, and it represents a huge step forward compared to the first generation!

Before we dive in, this review is sponsored in the sense that I’m letting you know the Black Panther 2 is now available globally at badminton retailers, or directly from JNICE if you’re based in Taiwan. That said, the team at JNICE has not seen this review and has no control over how I test their rackets. They simply sent the rackets over and I did the rest, so they’re seeing this review at the same time you are!

A Recap Of The JNICE Black Panther 1

The original Black Panther 1 came in a black and silver design and was known for being an extremely stiff and fast racket.

It featured:

• A very stiff overall feel

• A thicker shaft

• One of the shortest shaft lengths recorded at the time

• Very fast swing speeds

However, it also had a reputation for being difficult to get used to. This stiffness meant there was a noticeable learning curve before players could fully unlock its performance.

JNICE Black Panther 2 – What’s Changed?

The Black Panther 2 is more than just an appearance update. It’s a significant upgrade, particularly in terms of playability.

Visually, the Black Panther 2 now comes in a black and purple colourway with several shiny design elements that give it a sleek and premium appearance. The frame still retains the distinctive muscle ridge structure seen in the original, positioned around the 3–5 o’clock and 7–9 o’clock regions on the other side of the frame.

JNICE Black Panther 2: Frame Size

The frame size has been retained from the 1st generation, which means the Black Panther 2 has a slightly larger frame than many modern rackets.

The measured specifications are:

• Frame height: 24.1 cm

• Frame width: 18.8 cm

A slightly larger frame generally translates to a bigger sweet spot, which can help improve playability and forgiveness.

The frame also maintains a fully recessed frame profile, with the muscle ridge structure integrated into specific sections of the frame.

JNICE Black Panther 2: Shaft & Handle Design

One of the key technical changes comes in the shaft.

The Black Panther 2 keeps the thicker shaft design, measuring around 7.6 mm, but the shaft length has been increased to 21 cm, compared to 20.5 cm on the previous generation. This change should help improve the cantilever effect, potentially making the racket slightly easier to control and more forgiving during play.

Because of the longer shaft, the handle is slightly shorter than the first generation, measuring at 17 cm.

JNICE Black Panther 2: Weight and String Tension

The Black Panther 2 is available in both 3U and 4U options.

Encouragingly, the measured specifications for both models were identical, which is always a positive sign for quality control and manufacturing consistency.

Maximum string tension ratings are:

• 3U: up to 32 lbs

• 4U: up to 30 lbs

This should be more than sufficient for the vast majority of players!

Here are the swing weight measurements for the Black Panther 2:

JNICE Black Panther 2: Playability (The Biggest Improvement)

Where the Black Panther 2 really shines is in its playability.

Compared to the first generation, the Black Panther 2 is significantly more user-friendly.

The original Black Panther 1 was stiff throughout and extremely fast, but it came with a steep learning curve. In contrast, the 2 feels much more approachable... almost as if there’s no learning curve at all!

Sweet Spot & Feel

The racket has a decent sweet spot size, and when you hit it cleanly, the response is honestly excellent.

One noticeable difference is that the sweet spot does feel slightly softer, particularly on power shots. This creates an interesting dynamic in the feel of the racket:

• Off-centre hits can feel quite stiff

• Clean power shots in the sweet spot feel more pliable and responsive

This combination gives the racket a predictable and reliable feel, which is something many players will appreciate.

Speed & Balance

Despite being a head-heavy racket, the Black Panther 2 still feels very fast through the air.

It actually feels more head-heavy than the previous generation, and the measurements confirm this. Even with that added head weight, the racket remains surprisingly quick, which helps it perform well in both attacking situations and fast exchanges.

Final Thoughts

The Black Panther 2 is a clear evolution from the original Black Panther 1! While the first generation focused heavily on stiffness and speed, sometimes at the cost of accessibility, the 2nd generation delivers a much more balanced and user-friendly experience.

Key improvements include:

• Better playability

• A more forgiving sweet spot

• Slightly longer shaft for improved control

• Increased head weight while maintaining speed

  
  

Overall, it feels predictable, reliable, and easier to use, making it a strong option for players who want a fast, head-heavy racket without the steep learning curve of the first generation.

For players who found the original Black Panther 1 too demanding, the Black Panther 2 may be the upgrade that finally unlocks the potential of the series!

If you want to learn more, you can check out JNICE's official website here. If you've tried the 2nd generation already, let me know what you think! And as always, use my code 'CKYEW' for extra discounts, and I'll see you in the next one!