Summer at our place usually means impromptu games that start with “Who’s serving?” and end in laughter, so a dual-sport net set felt like the next logical upgrade. I chose the Franklin Sports Recreational Badminton/Volleyball Combo because it promised a complete kit for under $30 and had racked up nearly 4,000 Amazon ratings (3.9★ average) Amazon. Four family cookouts, a neighborhood block party, and one gusty coastal storm later, here’s the full report.
1. Unboxing The Set
Franklin squeezes a lot into a surprisingly small carton. In theory, the bundle includes a 20 ft × 1.5 ft net, two telescoping steel poles (1 in diameter), four tempered-steel badminton rackets, two nylon birdies, a vinyl volleyball, hand pump with needle, six ground stakes with guy ropes, and a zippered carry case. Everything was present in my box, but a June 2025 buyer review claims their set arrived without the case, so quality control seems inconsistent Amazon.
Component quality is exactly “recreational”: thin synthetic strings on the rackets, a volleyball that feels closer to a playground ball than an official Mikasa, and birdies whose corks show dent marks after a few smashes. Still, nothing felt like one-time disposable carnival gear.
2. Setup: 20 Minutes to First Serve
Assembly is idiot-proof if you follow the single-sheet diagram. The poles nest telescopically and lock with spring buttons; height can be set anywhere from 5 ft 1 in to 8 ft, so kids can swipe birdies at knee height and adults can bump-set-spike properly Amazon.
My first solo build on uneven lawn took about 25 minutes, including adjusting guy ropes until the net was taut. A week later I timed it with a friend and we were done in just under 12 minutes. The most helpful trick is planting the six stakes in a shallow “tent-peg” angle rather than straight down—tension holds better and the poles resist sway in moderate wind.
3. Volleyball Performance
The net’s 20-foot span puts the sidelines a little inside regulation (full court is 29 ft-6 in), but for half-court backyard play it’s generous. At maximum pole height the top tape stands roughly eye level for my 6′1″ frame, so the set feels legit rather than “toy.” The factory volleyball measured 26 ¼ in circumference once inflated; it’s lighter than a match ball, which makes digs painless for new players but also means hard serves tend to knuckle unpredictably. After three games the vinyl surface scuffed yet held air. Serious volleyballers will want to swap in their own composite ball, but for family rallies the included ball is fine.
4. Badminton Performance
Flip the poles down to 5 ft 1 in, swap the ball for birdies, and you’re in racket mode. The tempered-steel rackets weigh 110 g—heavier than graphite but sturdy when kids miss-hit. The birdies are serviceable indoors, yet a five-mile-per-hour breeze turns them into boomerangs. We replaced them with goose-feather shuttles for calmer flight. Still, the switch-over convenience is where this combo shines: one net, two sports, zero extra hardware.
5. Durability & Weather Resistance
Franklin markets the set as “season after season” durable, a claim echoed by an independent A-to-Z Reviews test that praised its ability to “endure the rigors of outdoor play” A to Z Reviews. After leaving the poles and net out for ten days—including a 24 mph gust that toppled patio chairs—the PVC net tape didn’t fray and the painted steel poles showed no rust rings. A customer review dated May 2025 even noted that theirs “stood after several storms” Amazon; that matches my experience, provided the guy ropes are tightened every few days.
The weak link is hardware coating: the chrome on the badminton racket shafts developed tiny specks of corrosion where sweat met metal. A quick wipe with WD-40 fixed it, but indoor storage is advised if you live in humid zones.
6. Portability & Storage
When all pieces fit in the carry bag, the bundle weighs about nine pounds and fits diagonally in a sedan trunk. The bag’s single-compartment design lets poles scratch birdies unless you wrap them in a towel—one of a few design shortcuts that remind you this is the budget tier. As noted, some units apparently ship with no bag at all, so double-check upon delivery.
7. Price & Value Against the Field
On Amazon the set hovers around $29.99 (mid-July 2025) Amazon. Comparable “complete” bundles show why Franklin dominates backyard parties:
| Set | Contents | List Price* | Notable Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Recreational | 4 rackets, 2 birdies, volleyball, pump, 20-ft net | $29.99 | Lightest poles; entry-level ball |
| EastPoint Easy-Setup | 4 rackets, 2 birdies, 20-ft pop-up net | $49.99 | Faster one-piece frame, no volleyball |
| Triumph Classic | Official-size ball, pump, padded bag | $51.99 | Sturdier ball, better bag, no badminton |
| Franklin Advanced | Upgraded soft-spike ball, deluxe rackets | $85.99 | Heavier octagonal PVC poles, thicker net |
*Amazon U.S. listings, July 2025
Pure badminton sets with nicer rackets cost roughly the same, but they exclude volleyball gear. Franklin’s combo therefore delivers “two games for the price of one,” ideal for family gatherings where attention spans vary.
8. What Real Users Say
Scanning recent verified-purchase reviews gives a mixed but mostly positive picture: 52 % five-star, 12 % three-star, and 11 % one-star ratings. Common praise centers on ease of setup and fun factor; the loudest gripe is pole stability on very soft ground, followed by isolated complaints about missing carry cases and low shuttlecock quality Amazon.
I side with the majority: the poles stay upright as long as you tension the guylines correctly, but if your yard is sandy you may need aftermarket stakes.
9. Pros & Cons
Pros
- All-in-one kit supports two sports without buying add-ons
- Adjustable pole height accommodates kids and adults
- Under-$30 price is hard to beat
- Tool-free setup in 15-20 minutes
- Lightweight enough for beach days
Cons
- Entry-level rackets and birdies; not for serious smashers
- Volleyball feels cheap; consider an upgrade ball
- Carry bag quality control is hit-or-miss
- Poles flex in strong wind unless guy ropes are perfectly tensioned
10. Verdict: A Budget Crowd-Pleaser
After a month of real-world use, I’d call the Franklin Recreational Combo a gateway set: perfect for casual family matches, summer-camp counselors, or college students stocking an activities closet. It’s not engineered for league play, and nothing inside will survive a year of daily PE classes. Yet for weekend fun it balances cost, portability, and versatility better than any competing kit I’ve tried.
If your priority is serious volleyball serves or high-speed badminton rallies, skip to Franklin’s Advanced tier or mix-and-match specialized gear. But if you’re hunting for a one-purchase solution that entertains everyone from preschoolers to grandpa—and packs back into the trunk before sunset—this $30 set delivers more smiles per dollar than most lawn games I own.
Bottom line: treat the components gently, tighten the ropes, and bring a backup birdie packet, and you’ll have hundreds of backyard points ahead. For the price, that’s a trade I’d make every summer.
