Beginner YoYos: Find the Right YoYo to Start
Looking for your first proper yo-yo? For most beginners, a responsive yo-yo is the easiest way to start: a short tug on the string brings it back to your hand, so you can focus on learning the basics first.
Ideally, choose a model that can later be converted to unresponsive play. This lets you learn your throw, sleeper and first tricks before moving on to modern string tricks, binds, fingerspins and longer combos with the same yo-yo.
The best choice mainly depends on how seriously you want to start, whether you prefer plastic or metal, and which tricks you would like to learn later.
If you want the easiest possible start, a complete beginner set is often the most convenient choice. The yo-yo, upgrade options and learning material are already put together to work as a complete package.
What is the best yo-yo for a beginner?
For most ambitious beginners, an upgradeable yo-yo is the best solution. Start responsive and switch to unresponsive only once your throw and sleeper are consistent and you are ready to learn the bind.
My all-round recommendation is SHOOTiNG STAR. It is beginner-friendly but can grow a long way with your skills. The wide bearing for unresponsive play is already included, and the fingerspin area opens the door to tricks such as DNA later on.
This means you do not have to buy a completely new yo-yo after only a few weeks.
The easiest way to start: choose a complete beginner set
The first question after buying a yo-yo is usually: how do I actually learn the tricks? That is why our beginner sets put the German-language video course right at the centre. The basics and tricks are explained step by step, so you can learn at your own pace.
More than 10,000 beginners have learned with our video courses and their predecessor DVDs over the years. Some of those players later became German Champions and European Champions. It is a learning concept that has proven itself in practice for many years.
The SHOOTiNG STAR Beginner Set is my recommendation if you want to start with a highly capable plastic yo-yo. SHOOTiNG STAR starts responsive, can later be converted to unresponsive play and includes a fingerspin area for modern tricks such as DNA.
The NeoSpin Beginner Set is particularly interesting if you want to start directly with an aluminium yo-yo. You can begin responsive and later move to unresponsive play, while the video course guides you from your first throws to much more advanced tricks.
And the practical extras are a nice bonus: depending on the set, useful accessories for progressing and everyday use are included as well – for example a bearing tool for switching to the advanced setup or a practical belt holder.
In short: choose the SHOOTiNG STAR Set for maximum versatility and an easy-going plastic start, or NeoSpin if you want to begin with metal and a complete learning system from day one.
Starting with an affordable plastic yo-yo
Plastic beginner yo-yos are not just toys. Good modern models are easy to control, more forgiving when they hit the floor and already offer enough performance for a wide range of tricks.
ARROW is particularly interesting if you want an affordable start with room to progress to unresponsive play. K2 Crystal is another budget-friendly option with a modern butterfly shape.
If you are not yet sure how far you want to take yo-yoing, this is a very sensible place to start.
Can a beginner start with a metal yo-yo?
Yes. A metal yo-yo is not automatically a professional-only model. What matters is whether its setup is beginner-friendly.
PASSiON starts responsive and can later be converted to unresponsive play with the included wide bearing. It is a great option if you want the more precise feel of an aluminium yo-yo from the beginning.
DV888 DNA-ready also starts responsive and its fingerspin caps make modern tricks accessible. For a later unresponsive conversion, you will need an additional wide C-size bearing.
Which yo-yo is suitable for children?
For children, age matters less than what they actually want to learn.
For very young beginners who are mainly learning basic up-and-down play, a clean throw and general handling, a simple model such as Spinstar is comfortable to use.
ONE is an affordable classic for first tricks. Children who already want to learn sleepers and string tricks can also start directly with an upgradeable model such as ARROW or SHOOTiNG STAR.
Do I need a yo-yo set to get started?
A set is not strictly necessary, but it makes a lot of sense for many beginners. You will need spare strings anyway because yo-yo strings are wear items and should be replaced regularly.
For me, the bigger advantage of a set is the video course: instead of having to search for separate explanations after your purchase, you already have a German-language step-by-step guide for the throw, sleeper, first string tricks and later the bind.
More than 10,000 beginners have already learned with our video courses and their predecessors. Players who later became German Champions and European Champions also started with our courses or the earlier DVD versions.
Practical extras such as upgrade parts, a bearing tool or belt holder are a useful bonus – but the real value of the set is this: you do not just get a yo-yo; you get a clear path from your first throw to your first proper tricks.
What does responsive and unresponsive mean?
A responsive yo-yo returns to your hand with a short tug on the string. This is convenient for beginners because you can concentrate on a straight throw, the sleeper and your first tricks.
An unresponsive yo-yo does not return with a simple tug. It is brought back with a string manoeuvre called a bind. This is the setup used for most advanced modern 1A string tricks.
That is why we particularly like beginner yo-yos that can do both: start responsive and later be converted to unresponsive play.
When should I switch to unresponsive play?
Switch once your throw and sleeper are reliable and you are ready to learn the bind.
There is no advantage in converting as quickly as possible. A responsive setup makes it easier to understand the basic movements and spot mistakes while you are learning.
Once you want to play longer string tricks and combos, a wide unresponsive bearing gives you considerably more freedom.
Is plastic or metal better for beginners?
Both can be the right choice. Plastic is usually more affordable and more relaxed while learning if the yo-yo occasionally hits the floor. Metal feels more precise and premium.
For learning, however, the material matters less than having a good yo-yo with the right setup. A quality plastic yo-yo can be a much better beginner choice than a metal model that is not suited to your skill level.
Can I learn advanced tricks with a beginner yo-yo?
With a good upgradeable beginner yo-yo: yes. Once the yo-yo can be played unresponsive, a very large range of modern string tricks becomes possible.
Later, you may want a specialised aluminium, bi-metal or competition yo-yo. During your first months, however, it is far more important to have a model that lets you learn cleanly and progress step by step.
Do I need spare yo-yo strings?
Yes – spare strings should be part of your starter setup. Yo-yo strings are wear items. Even high-quality polyester strings are very tear-resistant, but playing, sweat and friction gradually put them under stress.
Our recommendation is at least one fresh string per week with regular play. If you practise intensively, change the string more often.
A fresh string does not only feel better to play. Regular replacement also reduces the risk of a heavily worn string breaking unexpectedly and sending the yo-yo somewhere it can cause damage.
You can start with a smaller string pack, or choose the 30-string pack straight away if you plan to play regularly.
How do I learn my first yo-yo tricks?
Do not start with complicated tricks immediately. The most important foundation is a straight, powerful throw. Next comes the sleeper – keeping the yo-yo spinning steadily at the end of the string.
Almost every later string trick builds on these basics. From there you can learn your first mounts and combinations and, later, the bind for unresponsive yo-yos.
That is exactly what our German-language video course was created for: you can watch every step, copy it, pause and repeat it as often as you need. With the SHOOTiNG STAR and NeoSpin beginner sets, this learning path is already part of the package.
Dave's recommendation for your first yo-yo
If you simply want a clear recommendation, I would not choose on price alone. Pick a model that can grow with your skills.
For most ambitious beginners, SHOOTiNG STAR is therefore my all-round favourite. If you want the easiest complete start, I would choose the SHOOTiNG STAR Set or the NeoSpin Set. If you want to keep the price as low as possible, ARROW is a very good alternative. If you only want a single aluminium yo-yo, PASSiON is particularly interesting.
More important than the final technical detail is this: get a proper yo-yo, a few spare strings – and start playing. The rest comes with every throw. :-)
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