10 Best Tennis Strings 2020 Review 

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced tennis player, it is crucial to know more about your tennis racket and strings. Having the right gear can help you get the right play. However, given the types of tennis strings in the market, it can get a bit confusing especially for a novice player. To give you an idea about tennis strings, we’ve come up with some of the best tennis strings in the market today. Here, you can make the right choice. We’ll feature the pros and the cons, as well as how other players see these strings.

Best Tennis Strings Review

Babolat VS Touch Thermogut (Natural Gut) 16 Gauge in Natural Color

For advanced players or those who are looking to transition out of the cheap tennis strings, the Babolat VS Touch Thermogut 16 Gauge strings make a good choice to improve your overall game.

It covers all bases considering that you get to have playability, power, control, and comfort. And to top it off, if you are looking for tennis strings recommendations that have been used by pros, this is one of them.

Natural gut is known to break in the middle of the game. You also have to spend more money on these strings than your average Babolat strings. The good news though is that Babolat came up with an improvement in its construction to address this problem. It has the BT7 technology, which is an additional layer structure to improve the overall durability of the strings. Because of this, it has become one of the most popular tennis string options for those who are looking to improve their game.

This is also a good option for those who got their arm injured. The material can minimize the vibration allowing you to play even with an injury.

Of course, expect that it still doesn’t last that long unlike your synthetic strings. However, you also have to note that you are sacrificing a lot if you opt to use synthetic vs natural gut strings.

Pros: 

Good for injured individuals Good balance of power and playability An additional layer to address breakage

Cons:

Expensive

Wilson NXT 40-Feet String

A 17-gauge tennis string that has become a basic setup for many racquets worldwide, The Wilson NXT 40-feet string is made of Xycro Microfibers. Apart from the positive reviews by both intermediate and beginners, these strings offer decent playability, control, and power for your users.

Overall, it is a decent option especially for players who want to experience an in-between of playability, power, and control without compromising their budget. It is recommended for a mid-tension frame if you want to maximize the Wilson NXT strings.

Another selling point of the Wilson NXT strings is that it is possibly a contender for best strings for topspin. Aside from the topspin, you will also not expect these strings to break easily. You’d have to play for a week consistently before you get to see some signs of wear and tear.

But is it a perfect option for everyone? We’d suggest that you stay away from this if you are injured. You’d feel your racquet vibrate and may even worsen your injury midway during a game. However, even in this department, there are mixed reviews among users. Some say that their arms tolerated it well and this string is also easy on both the wrist and elbow. Perhaps, it depends on the severity of your injury. But to be safe, you’d rather skip this option if you are trying to recover from an injury.

Pros:

Affordable Durable Decent topspin

Cons:

Not good for those with an injured arm

Luxilion ALU Power 125 Tennis Racquet String Set

The Luxilion ALU Power 123 Tennis Racquet String Set might be one of the best power tennis strings. One of the biggest concerns among the tennis strings for power is that they tend to lack the control that other strings offer.

If part of your game is having control and power, the Luxilion ALU Power 123 tennis racquet string set can get the job done.Known for being sturdy and resilient thanks to its aluminum layer, it is made of co-polymer fluorocarbon resin fibers. This makes it possible to generate great power without compromising your overall control.

Expect this string set to tolerate long hours in the tennis court. And if you are looking for confirmation whether this is a good buy or not, this string set is used by more than 50% of ATP’s top 100 players.

But of course, players will always compare its performance with other strings in the market. Though it offers some degree of control, it is still not at par with some of the best strings out there. However, if you are just beginning to play tennis, this might be a good choice considering that it can help you generate power in your shots. If you want more control, users tend to lean towards a 57-pound tension to optimize overall control.

Pros:

Helps you generate power on your shots Durable Used by a good number of pros

Cons:

You need to find the right tension to get the control that you need

Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex 16g White

The Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex 16g tennis strings has become popular among beginners and intermediate players. If you are going to use these strings around 2-3 times a week, you’d get it to last even for 2- 3 months. In the durability department, you’d say that the Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex performs well. It is also budget-friendly. However, if you have an injured wrist or elbow, don’t expect softness in this tennis string.

If you are injured and these are the strings that you are stuck with, you might as well adjust the tension to around 55 pounds. This has been a remedy used by a lot of users using the Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex 16g tennis strings.

The synthetic gut construction along with duraflex is an attempt by the company to provide some degree of control. Overall, it’s one of the most durable tennis strings in the market. But is it one of the best tennis strings for control as the company advertised? In reality, it’s the complete opposite.

Who should be buying this? If you are on a budget and if you are very particular about topspin, this might be a good option for you. It’s something that a lot of aggressive players can appreciate.

It’s a basic tennis string option that a lot of people buy because it is cheap plus it provides you the power that you don’t usually see in more expensive options.

Pros:

Extremely durable Affordable Beginner-friendly

Cons:

Not exactly good for those with arm injuries

Wilson Champions Choice Duo

The Wilson Champions Choice Duo comes in two strings. You have the gauge 16 natural gut (1.32mm) and the one that comes with Luxilon aluminum is a 16L gauge tennis string. This provides users with options on what they want to have. You get the chance to use both for different occasions. It’s the same strings used by Roger Federer.

The only issue that you might find in these strings is its longevity. But of course, it is understandable that natural gut strings are known for having a shorter life span than synthetic options. If you are someone who is dealing with some type of injury, these strings are also worth it. This is highly recommended since it can lessen the impact on your arms and even on your shoulders. We’d say that this could easily be included in the conversation if you are looking for the best tennis string for power and spin. For some, it is also one of the best tennis strings for power and control. No wonder why pros like Federer loved these strings.

Pros:

Two in one option Offers decent control and power Great for those with arm injuries

Cons:

Expensive Doesn’t last

Babolat RPM Blast

When it comes to choosing tennis strings, a lot of people have considered the Babolat RPM Blast. This Gauge 16 Babolat string is a monofilament that has an octagon profile. It provides control, a decent spin thanks to its high-density co-polyester material.

It has a high-speed response that gives users the performance that they need in the tennis court. You get the silicone coating for these strings that make sure that it goes back to its original position once you hit the ball to the other court. It means that even in fast-paced games, this can help give you the control and the power you need.

It’s one of the best tennis strings for topspin making it a favorite among heavy hitters. This makes a good option especially when you use a 60-pound tension. However, one of the biggest complaints about the Babolat RPM Blast is that it doesn’t hold tension. Imagine playing in the middle of the game feeling that your strings are already losing the feel that it had earlier? After a few hours, you will feel a huge difference in how the racquet tends to respond to shots.

It also has a decent price which is something that can easily attract novice players. However, if you are going to play with the Babolat RPM Blast, you might as well have a spare racquet so you can switch anytime the other one starts to loosen up the tension.

Pros:

Durable Generates power and control Gives a good spin

Cons:

Doesn’t hold the tension well

Tecnifibre X-One BiPhase – Natural Color

The Tecnifibre X-One BiPhase tennis string is a multifilament option. It is made using H2C high heat capacity microfilaments to promote both power and feel to its users. You also get to enjoy NRG microfilaments to ensure that the strings get a dynamic response. Tecnifibre used a chemical process called trimerization to increase the overall cohesion once it is dipped in polyurethane for bonding.

This technology adds against wear and tear as well as notching. The Biphase process is known to promote a longer life for the strings by up to 20% against other brands.

Aside from durability, you get to experience more spin. But despite this technology, there were reports that you will have to restring it after a while because the tension goes off easily. Other players also think that this string is only for mid to low swing speeds. Some players reported breaking the Tecnifibre X-One BiPhase once they start swinging hard on their shots.

Now what if you have an injury? Polyurethane is responsible for keeping the vibration to a minimum making it a good option for those who are suffering from a sprain in their wrist, elbow, or shoulders.

Does it mean that it can’t generate power? The X-One Piphase has earned the highest power rating according to a test conducted by Racquet Sports Industry.

This option comes in three different gauges. You get to choose between the 16G, 17G, and the 18G option.

Pros:

Great control Can generate power Available in different gauges

Cons:

Not for those who can swing hard

Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour

The Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour string is made of co-polyester and is a monofilament tennis string. It is considered by many as one of the best tennis strings for spin and control. Though it isn’t exactly for novice players, intermediate and advanced players with fast strokes will get to enjoy the Babolat Pro Hurricane. It is also known for its durability even for those who loved to hit the ball hard. You also get a coating that allows the strings to snap back quickly. It isn’t exactly tough on the arms as well even if you are injured.

One thing that you will have to watch out for though is the fact that the tension tends to come off if you are using it frequently.

Pros:

Great control and spin Durable Quick snapback

Cons:

The tension goes off if used frequently

Solinco Hyper-G Heaven High Spin

The Solinco Hyper-G Heaven High Spin string allows users to swing hard but still offers a decent amount of control to its users. It is a square-shaped co-poly string.

On top of that, it’s not that expensive. You might notice that the square profile is unique compared to other racquet strings available in the market. The reason behind this is to provide additional bite on the ball.

If you are going to have a 55-pound tension on the Solinco Hyper-G string, you’ll notice that it’s too stiff whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player. Dropping it to around 40-45 pounds gives users better performance. Also, you will have a difficult time hitting defensive shots with this.

Pros:

Affordable Generates power while maintaining control Has a good bite on the ball

Cons:

Hard to hit defensive shots

RPM Blast Black 17g Strings

The RPM Blast 17g string is one of the best Babolat strings out there. It is a monofilament string with an octagonal profile. Made of durable co-poly, it makes the RPM Blast a durable option for those who want to play regularly without changing their strings. And since these aren’t exactly made of soft poly, a lot of heavy hitters love the RPM Blast Gauge 17 String.

But one of the things that a lot of tennis players love about this option is that it doesn’t absorb moisture. This prevents the string from stretching therefore having the tension stay for quite some time. However, if you are looking for a string that can generate a good topspin, you might want to look for something else.

Pros:

Durable Doesn’t absorb moisture Has good control

Cons: 

Doesn’t have a good spin

How to Buy Good Tennis Strings?

Having a good game also means that you have the right equipment with you. It isn’t enough that you have most expensive racquet. It is equally important to have the right strings on your racquet.

So what makes good tennis strings? How does each specification affect your overall performance? We’ll give you a concrete idea on how to choose tennis strings.

Gauge, material, and construction are some of the most confusing terms that you will get to encounter especially if you are just beginning to explore the world of tennis. Here are some of the things that you want to check if you are buying tennis strings.

Gauge

For starters, the gauge is the thickness of your string. However, get any of the good tennis strings in the market and you will realize that there is no standard chart when it comes to their thickness. It all depends on the manufacturer. Therefore, you want to always heck the actual measurement. Also, you get to see some strings that have in-between sizes. These are the ones that have an L written after the number.

It is important to know the range for each gauge so that you have an idea of how thick the strings are going to be.

Gauge 15- 1.35mm to 1.40mm Gauge 16- 1.25mm to 1.30mm Gauge 17- 1.20mm to 1.25mm Gauge 18- 1.15mm to 1.20mm Gauge 19- 1.10mm to 1.15mm

So do you go with thicker or should you go for the thinner ones? If you are looking for a durable string, then you might want to go with the thicker options such as a gauge 15 or a gauge 16. Apart from durability, you also get better control when you choose the thicker options. However, if you are looking for power strings, then you want the thinner options such as a gauge 18 or even a gauge 19.

If you are an advanced player, then you can go for the thinner tennis strings. Among the most popular options for pros include gauge 18 or even a gauge 19 tennis string. But if you are just learning the game, you want to have more control which is why you should go for the thicker ones. For novice players, it is ideal that you stick to using gauge 17 because you get to enjoy a bit of both playability and durability in your strings.

String Material

The top tennis racket string brands used a variety of materials in making their products. Some materials are cheaper than others while others also offer better overall durability.

The first option is natural gut strings. The best natural gut strings are made from cow intestines. There is a reason for this. The natural gut strings are known for their overall playability and feel. However, if you are in the market for the most durable tennis string, then this isn’t the right one for you.

Another good option aside from natural gut strings is nylon. Nylon tennis strings have gained popularity over the years. It is the go-to option, especially by novice players. It allows users to enjoy superb playability without spending a lot of money on their hobby. Because of this, it allows beginners to simply enjoy the game.

You also have the polyester strings. Poly tennis string options are popular among advanced players especially those who don’t have injuries o their arm. These strings are known for their durability. It gives you that firm feel that helps meet the needs of strong players who can swing hard.

And the last option is the Kevlar strings. Kevlar is the same material used on bulletproof vests. These are the heavy-duty strings that are combined with flexible materials to have hybrid models. The downside with Kevlar strings is that it isn’t exactly considered arm friendly tennis strings.

Construction

Now that you have an idea about gauge and material, it is also important to know the overall construction of your tennis strings.

Multifilament is a popular option among tennis players because it makes use of different filaments wrapped in each string. The designs try to mimic the playability and power that natural gut strings produce. However, multifilament options are cheaper. These are typically made of either nylon or polyurethane.

Next, you also have the monofilament. And as the name suggests, it is just made of one piece. A lot of nylon tennis string products that you see in the market are monofilament strings.

Other than the monofilament construction, some have a solid core with outer wrap on the outside. This makes strings light, durable, and with a crisp feel. However, durability and playability for these strings depend on the type of material that is used plus the number of layers including the outer wrap.

You also have the textured strings that are popular among those who tend to love to improve their spin. These are strings that come with an additional outer layer. And lastly, you have the composite strings that have a single core and multiple outer wrap layers.

Skills and injuries

Are you a beginner or are you an advanced player? If you are only trying to learn the game, even the best natural gut strings won’t be a good investment. It is highly suggested that you stick to something durable and affordable. There are a lot of beginner-friendly synthetic strings to choose from out there.

Next, you will also want to check your injuries. Multifilament strings can significantly help reduce the stress on your arms. Therefore, you get to play longer even if you have injured arms.

Tension

You will also have to consider the tension on your strings. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the tension, the greater the control that you can get from your tennis strings. And also, high tension strings are usually the ones that do well in terms of durability. On the other hand, the lower tension strings are offering better comfort and power.

If you want to get the best of both worlds, then go for the mid-tension strings. Here, you get a bit of everything from the comfort to the durability.

Conclusion

There are a variety of tennis strings in the market today. There are lots of tennis string brands and products to choose from. For someone new, this can be a bit intimidating. It’s easy to buy the wrong tennis strings. The next thing you know, it’s not made for a novice player leaving you clueless how to play the game.

The good news is that there is always a tennis string meant for every player. You can select from a variety of strings designed for beginners to advanced players. But before you even make up your mind, be sure to compare at least three strings. And don’t forget to read the details. You will be surprised how technologies used on some tennis strings can make a huge difference in your gameplay.