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10+ Best Tennis Strings for 2023
Playtested & Reviewed
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Often overlooked or undervalued, tennis strings are as crucial as the frame you choose, delivering a substantial portion of your racquet’s performance when they come in contact with a ball.
From enhancing spin to improving comfort, power, or control, you can achieve a range of advantages, especially when combined with the optimal tension and guage or thickness for your needs.
To help you find a string you’ll love, I’ve carefully selected my picks of the best tennis strings for 2023, all of which I’ve playtested and reviewed to ensure they reliably deliver the playing characteristics you desire.
Along with practical tips to inform your decision, insight into my rating process, and thoughtfully selected alternatives to expand your options, you’ll have everything necessary to confidently choose your next set.
| Category | Best String | Type | Price |
| Natural Gut | Babolat VS Touch | Natural Gut | $$$$$ |
| Multifilament | Wilson NXT | Multifilament | $$ |
| Polyester (poly) | Luxilon ALU Power | Polyester | $$$ |
| Soft Polyester (poly) | Solinco Hyper-G Soft | Polyester | $$ |
| Synthetic Gut | Prince Synthetic Gut | Synthetic Gut | $ |
| Hybrid | Wilsons Champions Choice | Hybrid | $$$$ |
| Topspin | Babolat RPM Blast | Polyester | $$ |
| Power | Tecnifibre X-One Biphase | Multifilament | $$$ |
| Control | Solinco Hyper-G | Polyester | $$ |
| Durability | Solinco Confidential | Polyester | $$ |
| Comfort | Prince Premier Touch | Multifilament | $$$ |
Article Contents
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How to Use this Guide
Strings for Beginners & Kids
Tips for Selecting Strings
My Selection Process
Best String Guide
Wrapping Up
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How to Use This Guide
When selecting a new set of tennis strings, I’ve found most players are looking for a specific type of string or performance characteristic, so I’ve organized this guide according to those needs. If you’d like, you can click any of the following links to skip to that section of this article.
The following are the different types of strings that I’ll cover.
Regarding performance, here are the most common characteristics that players seek out when researching new strings.
For each, I’ve provided you with a best-in-class recommendation that I’ve found through my testing to exemplify each category, regardless of which is top of mind for you. For example, if topspin is your main priority, I’m confident that my string selection will deliver that characteristic.
However, it’s important to note that with each string I’ve selected, there will often be tradeoffs in performance. That is, no set of strings delivers exceptional marks across the board. With that in mind, I’ve made a point to highlight each string’s tradeoffs in addition to its strong points.
Furthermore, I’ve taken my recommendations a step further by providing you with a selection of high-quality alternatives to explore for each category to accommodate for factors like a string’s price that may present a roadblock for you to start using it.
If you’re looking to buy a set of tennis strings as a gift, a little patience in listening to the individual you’re buying for can go a long way.
Enquire about what strings they’re already using and how they’ve performed for them, and then use that information to inform your purchase with the help of this guide. Most players are rarely asked these questions and will be happy to share their thoughts.
Best Strings for Beginners & Children
If you’re new to tennis or a parent helping guide your child, you may be concerned about whether or not your strings are adequate, which is an excellent consideration that I’m happy you’re investigating.
The truth is, beyond restringing periodically, which is good practice, the strings you choose will have little impact on your performance and growth compared to learning the fundamentals and basic techniques.
Furthermore, the differences from one string to the next are harder to detect and appreciate when you first learn to play tennis, so there’s no reason to overinvest your hard-earned money early on.
With that in mind, I recommend beginners and children string their racquets with a well-rounded yet inexpensive synthetic gut for balanced performance when first getting involved with the sport.
My pick for the best synthetic gut tennis string, which I cover in greater detail in this guide, is Prince Synthetic Gut. It’s an excellent string with a long-standing positive reputation in the tennis community. Here are a few additional options to consider for beginners and children.
- Head Synthetic Gut PPS
- Gamma Synthetic Gut
- Wilson Synthetic Gut Power
- Goosen OG-Sheep Micro
Each delivers fantastic performance relative to cost, so if you find one cheaper, have an affinity to one of the brands, or enjoy a specific color, then go with that option. It’s hard to go wrong here.
Helpful Tip
It’s often tempting for beginners to use polyester tennis strings because they’re popular among professional tennis players. I’d encourage you to steer clear of them as they can be detrimental early on, lacking comfort to protect a player’s arm as they adapt to new movements and the power to achieve sufficient depth of shot.
As your skills develop and you graduate to a more expensive performance tennis racquet, you’ll be in a much better position to benefit from the nuanced performance of a higher-quality tennis string.
Many players make the mistake of not revisiting their string choice as their skills develop, which is one of the many reasons I’m an advocate for helping players learn as much as possible about their gear.
Finally, if you’re not concerned with the cost of strings and restringing, there’s nothing wrong with opting for a premium option like a multifilament or natural gut, which are solid options. Just don’t expect using them to transform your game or flatten the learning curve.
Tips for Selecting a Set of Tennis Strings
To help you get the most out of this guide and select the best set of strings for your needs, here are a handful of helpful concepts to review and consider before making a decision.
String Gauge
Before buying a new string, you’ll have to decide on the gauge or thickness you’d like to use with two key factors to consider.
- Durability
- Spin potential
All else equal, a thicker string will be more durable and offer less spin potential, while a thinner option will be less durable and provide more spin potential.
Strings are widely available at 17 or 16 gauge, with 17 being a thinner string and 16 thicker. In the spirit of keeping things simple, I suggest players start with one of those options based on whether they’re looking for more durability or spin and then adjust from there.
If you’d like to dive deeper into the topic, check out my article on tennis string gauge, which provides a full explanation.
String Tension
Once you’ve found a new string to try and settled on a guage, you’ll need to decide on an ideal tension.
As a starting point, racquet manufacturers provide players with a recommended tension range for optimal performance, which you’ll find printed on most frames. I recommend players stringing their racquet for the first time to start at the middle of the recommended tension.
For example, if your racquet’s tension range is 50-60 pounds, ask your stinger to string your racquet at 55 pounds. Once you play with your racquet strung at that tension, you’ll start to develop a baseline for its performance that you can use to make adjustments.
Generally, you’re making a tradeoff between more power with a lower tension or added control with a higher tension. Based on your experience, you can adjust up or down a few pounds if necessary.
Of course, if this isn’t your first time stringing your racquet, you can use your previous tension as a baseline and adjust up, down, or keep it the same depending on how you felt it performed.
We’ve just scratched the surface on the topic of tension, so if you’d like to learn more about its implications on your racquet’s performance, check out my article on enhancing your game with the ideal tension.
Hybrid Stringing
Players taking advantage of hybrid stringing select two different strings to install in their racquet, one for the mains and another for the crosses.
The result is a blend of string attributes. The string used for the mains will dominate the overall feel, while the crosses play a supporting role and modify the racquet’s feel, giving players more options when stringing.
Some sets of strings, such as Wilson’s Champions Choice, my pick for the best-prepackaged hybrid, include two different types of strings. In this case, Wilson combines a natural gut with a polyester string.
However, you can mix any two types of strings as a hybrid. For example, some players will combine two different gauges of the same string for added durability, improved feel, or enhanced topspin.
Regardless of whether you experiment with hybrid string setups, it’s great to be aware of the option, which has become more popular over the years and is highly underrated.
String Replacement
As you look to buy a new set of tennis strings, it pays to know how frequently you should replace them.
Many players will wait until their strings break before replacing them. Although there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with this approach, it’s helpful to recognize that the lifespan, or playability duration of your strings, is generally far shorter than the time it takes to break them.
Over time, your strings go dead, losing the resilience that helps them deliver optimal performance in power, spin, comfort, and control, so you miss out on these benefits by waiting too long.
As a general rule of thumb, you can double the number of times you play per week to come up with the minimum number of times you should restring your racquet per year. For example, if you play two times a week, you should restring four times a year or every three months.
However, for a better understanding of when to restring, there are several factors I’d encourage you to consider, including:
- Frequency and length of play
- Style of play
- Level of competition
- Budget
- Personal preference
I speak to each of these in my dedicated guide on restringing, which I’d encourage you to explore if you’d like to learn more.
Your Style of Play, Preferences, and Opinion
One of the best tips I can offer you when considering a new set of strings is to reflect on your unique attributes as a player and your desired outcome of experimenting with a new set of strings.
I often find players swayed by what the pros are using or a teammate or friend’s advice with little or no consideration for their specific needs or attributes that make them unique as a player.
Although there’s a lot you can learn by looking for outside opinions and feedback, you should focus on identifying a string that provides you with the characteristics that would best enhance your game as a priority.
More often than not, when players take the time to evaluate their needs seriously, they’re happier with the strings they choose, even if it takes some time to find the right set.
With that in mind, don’t underestimate the value of experimenting to find the right set of strings. Rarely is it a one-and-done scenario to figure out what works best, and while paying for restringing isn’t cheap, it’s a sound investment for players who are serious about their game.
Finally, expect your preferences to change as your skills improve and your style of play evolves. Although I don’t recommend changing strings frequently, it’s worthwhile to consider your options periodically.
My Selection Process
To select my 2023 picks for the best tennis strings in each category, I evaluated each set across eight attributes to provide you with the most objective ratings possible.
I playtested each string using the same racquet, rated every attribute on a scale of 1 to 10, and calculated the average score to arrive at the rating.
Here are the attributes I used in my selection process.
Power
Some tennis strings return significantly more energy when striking a ball, making it easier to generate pace.
Higher power strings will require less effort to increase the ball’s speed, while low-powered strings demand more from the player.
Spin
The number one factor influencing spin is racquet head speed, or how fast a player swings their racquet. However, a player’s racquet and strings also have an impact, with some strings providing players with more potential for generating topspin than others.
Strings with high spin ratings enable players to create more topspin, while strings with low spin ratings will have less spin potential. Regardless of a string’s rating, players can generate topspin with any string.
Control
A player’s ability to direct and place the ball accurately and confidently is generally perceived as control, especially when swinging hard.
Power and control are inversely related, i.e., a lower power string will increase control, while a high-powered string will decrease control.
Touch/Feel
Most players associate touch and feel, or their ability to delicately and accurately place the ball, with finesse.
A higher touch rating will help a player execute with more precision and greater control over the ball. On the other hand, a lower score for this attribute will make hitting finesse shots more challenging, thus requiring additional focus, attention, and innate feel.
Comfort
The amount of shock and vibration a player feels when hitting with different strings informs comfort.
Some tennis strings are better at absorbing and reducing shock and vibration, resulting in more comfort, while others feel harsh. It’s worth noting that a player’s racquet and technique also influence comfort.
Durability
The capacity for a set of strings to limit wear and tear from hitting, moisture, debris, and changes in temperature, which can lead to breakage or reduce the lifespan of a string, represents durability.
Playability Duration
The length of time a set of strings can maintain tension and quality play or performance is its playability duration. It’s a useful measure because some strings are highly durable and resist breakage but require frequent replacement to preserve the quality of the strings’ performance.
Movement
Strings that snap back into place after hitting and don’t move much or require constant straightening will have higher movement ratings.
Strings with low scores will move considerably and require players to straighten them continually. There is little evidence to suggest string alignment impacts performance, but it often becomes a nuisance for players trying to keep them straight.
Best Tennis Strings Guide
Below you’ll find my picks of the best tennis strings for 2023. As you review my selections, keep in mind that I’ll only allow one string to win best of for a single category.
If a string is a candidate for multiple categories, I’ll only elect it for the one where it performs best. With that in mind, many of the strings I’ve selected perform exceptionally well in multiple areas.
Natural Gut
As far as tennis strings go, natural gut is some of the best (and priciest) on the market, and up until the 90s, most players considered it the gold standard, used by virtually all professionals.
To the surprise of many players, manufacturers create natural gut tennis strings by weaving together several strands of cow intestine.
This type of string works well because it offers an ideal set of characteristics, including exceptional elasticity, long-lasting tension maintenance, and arm-friendly comfort. For 2023, I’ve awarded Babolat VS Touch as the best natural gut tennis string.
Helpful Tip
Natural gut tennis strings are the most expensive category available. If you’re a fan of natural gut but can’t justify the cost, consider using string savers to extend its life and reduce the cost of restringing.
Babolat VS Touch
In 1875, Pierre Babolat developed the first tennis string made of sheep gut, and the evolved, more refined Babolat natural gut they’ve worked to perfect has remained the premiere natural gut tennis string ever since.
Players will find Babolat VS Touch delivers power, comfort, and feel. Over the years, the string has also received slight upgrades and revisions to increase its durability and resistance to moisture, which historically are two pitfalls of many natural gut tennis strings.
Why I Love It
Power
Hands down, natural gut is the most powerful string on the market, and Babolat’s VS Touch stands at the head of its class.
Comfort
The natural elastic fibers with Babolat VS Touch make for a string with unrivaled comfort. However, this string’s unique because it also plays super crisp and doesn’t lose its plush feel at higher tensions.
Feel
The cherry on top for Babolat VS Touch is its incredible feel, even when strung at a high tension, which helps aid precision and connection with the ball for exceptional touch.
Tradeoffs
The downsides to Babolat VS Touch are spin and control, which go hand in hand. It won’t rival the level of spin you’ll get with a quality set of polyester strings, and some players will find it too powerful.
However, one of the strings’ unique attributes is that its performance doesn’t degrade at higher tensions, which is a great way to rein in its built-in power for more control.
Finally, it’s worth noting that this string’s natural fibers will fray. Although common with natural gut and multifilaments, it may be a turnoff for some.
Ratings
Gauge & Color Variations
- 15L
- 16
- 16 Black
- 16 half set
Natural Gut Alternatives
If you like the idea of Babolat VS Touch but want to explore alternative natural gut options, start with Wilson Natural Gut. It’s an excellent string and comparable to Babolat’s, delivering similar specs overall. Another solid pick would be Luxilon’s natural gut, which is a top performer as well.
Volkl V-Icon and the more affordable KLIP Legend Natural Gut are a few other options worth checking out. Besides the reasonable price, I especially appreciate the range of KLIP options available, making it an excellent starting point for players venturing into the world of gut.
Multifilament
Multifilament tennis strings are composed of hundreds or thousands of tiny microfibers woven together to form a single strand with similar qualities to natural gut, so it’s a fantastic, less expensive alternative.
In particular, multifilament tennis strings offer above-average playability and exceptional comfort. If you suffer from tennis elbow or any other arm injury, you’ll likely appreciate their ability to reduce shock and vibration.
There are numerous multifilament tennis strings on the market and more than a handful of terrific options. However, Wilson NXT earns the label of the best multifilament for 2023.
I also love that this string comes in two colors, natural white and black; the latter looks as good as it performs.
Wilson NXT
There’s no doubt that Wilson NXT is a long-standing leader in the multifilament space with a solid following and a proven track record.
Whether stringing a full bed or combining it with another string as a hybrid, this string is an excellent option for players of all ages and levels.
Why I Love It
Power
One of Wilson NXT’s standout features is its power, which it delivers through the combined effort of 1,600 individual microfibers. However, arguably the best part of its power is that it’s not overbearing.
As a result, most players will find the extra power a welcome feature that aids depth of shot without being overbearing.
Comfort
Wilson NXT is best known for its comfort, which is the feature that Wilson highlights as the string’s strongest asset.
True to that claim, NXT is easy on the arm but doesn’t sacrifice the response and playability that players demand.
Feel
While Wilson NXT packs a punch on the power end of the spectrum, it still provides excellent feel and delivers all-around playability that suits a broad range of styles and skill levels.
Tradeoffs
The main thing you give up with Wilson NXT is durability, which is easily the biggest complaint about the string. To compensate, I recommend you use the 16 gauge to help extend its life.
Players might also consider string savers to extend this string’s life.
Ratings
Gauge & Color Variations
- 15L
- 16
- 16 black
- 17
- 17 black
Multifilament Alternatives
If you’re looking for an alternative to Wilson NXT, the good news is you’ve got options. While I give Wilson NXT a slight edge, Technifibre’s X-One Biphase and NRG2 are borderline equivalents, and I’d encourage you to check out all three. For reference, I’d give both of Tecnifibre’s strings the edge if power is high on your list.
Another one of my favorite multifilament tennis strings for its exceptional price combined with all-around performance is Head Velocity MLT. Other options worth checking out are Gamma TNT2 Touch and Babolat Xcel, which are more durable and play with extra control.
Polyester (Poly)
Within the past 10-15 years, polyester tennis strings have become hugely popular, allowing players like Rafael Nadal to take massive cuts at the ball and redefine our expectations and what’s possible with topspin.
Unlike multifilament tennis strings, consisting of thousands of microfibers, polyester strings are typically monofilament or a single solid filament.
Many players seek polyester strings for their control, spin, and durability. However, this tends to come with the drawback that they aren’t as forgiving and can be harsh on your arm.
My pick for the best polyester tennis string for 2023 is Luxilon ALU Power, which has developed a cult-like following and is wildly popular on the ATP and WTA tours.
Luxilon ALU Power
Luxilon is by far the most dominant brand in polyester tennis strings, and its popularity among professional and competitive tennis players worldwide speaks volumes regarding its performance.
Without question, Luxilon ALU Power exemplifies what modern players expect from a poly in terms of control, spin, and durability.
An exciting development for this time-tested polyester is a slew of new colors available for purchase, including blue, green, red, and lime.
Let’s look at some of the features that make Luxilon ALU Power so popular, especially among intermediate to advanced tennis players.
Why I Love It
Control
Luxilon ALU Power delivers outstanding control without sacrificing reliable touch and feel, often a drawback of other polyester tennis strings.
In particular, intermediate to advanced players will love that you can take big swings at the ball without sacrificing control, especially when combined with its ability to help generate spin.
Furthermore, Luxilon ALU Power retains a liveliness, ensuring the string doesn’t feel underpowered or dull.
Spin
Luxilon ALU Power also delivers excellent spin potential aided by its ability to snap back into place quickly.
True to most polyester strings, the lower power allows players to accelerate their racquet head faster to generate added spin without fear of sending the ball long.
Durability
Luxilon ALU Power doesn’t disappoint in the durability department, one of the polyester category’s trademark features.
Not only is it relatively hard to break, but it also does an excellent job maintaining tension, which helps extend the strings’ overall life.
Tradeoffs
Despite its name, the most significant tradeoffs with Luxilon ALU Power are power and comfort. However, it’s simply the cost of the spin and control that this category of strings delivers. Unfortunately, ALU power is no exception to these rules.
Ratings
Gauge & Color Variations
- 15
- 16 (new in 2020)
- 16L
- 16L Blue, Green, Red, Lime
Polyester Alternatives
When it comes to Luxilon ALU Power alternatives, one of my favorite places to look is among the line of Luxilon strings. They have a world-class selection, including Luxilon ALU Power Rough, ALU Power Spin, ALU Power Soft, 4G, and Element.
However, if you’re looking outside the Luxilon family of strings, I recommend you check out the following strings.
- Babolat RPM Blast
- Babolat Pro Hurricane
- Solinco Hyper-G
- Solinco Confidential
- Tecnifibre Ice Code
- Tecnifibre Black Code
- Volkl Cyclone
- Volkl V-Torque
- Yonex Poly Tour Pro
- Yonex Poly Tour Spin
- Wilson Revolve
There’s a lot on offer and plenty of options to suit a wide range of player preferences and budgets.
Soft Polyester (Poly)
Polyester tennis strings are some of the best-selling. Unfortunately, with their growing popularity over the past two decades, more and more players have suffered from arm injuries and discomfort, especially when combined with a stiffer tennis racquet.
In response, many string manufacturers have introduced updated formulations of their polyester strings with a softer feel that’s easier on a player’s arm, delivering a more comfortable response.
These strings are fantastic options for players running into arm issues but still demand the performance of polyester or players looking to transition into polys and are concerned about comfort.
It’s worth noting that the comfort associated with softer polys is relative to the classic stiffness of a typical polyester. As a result, they’re not as forgiving as a multifilament or natural gut, so if comfort is a top priority, soft polys will likely be too harsh for your needs.
With that in mind, my top pick for the best soft polyester tennis string is Solinco Hyper-G Soft.
Solinco Hyper-G Soft
For years, Hyper-G has delivered exceptional performance in the polyester category, so when Solinco announced a soft version of their string, it was a highly anticipated release.
Thankfully, to the delight of many players, Solinco delivered. Rather than introducing a watered-down version of their flagship string, they managed to retain the essential control and spin you’d expect from a poly with above-average comfort that’s easier on a player’s arm.
Why I Love It
Spin
Despite its softer formulation, Solinco Hyper-G Soft delivers outstanding spin aided by the string’s shape and slick surface, which quickly snaps back into place to help improve bite and rotation on the ball.
Control
Hyper-G Soft offers more pop than the original, which most players will find translates to marginally less control. Despite that, this feature is undoubtedly one of the string’s standouts, especially when combined with the string’s excellent spin.
Comfort
Although there are undoubtedly more comfortable strings on the market, I’ve found Hyper-G Soft to perform best in this category relative to other soft polys, which makes it unique. After a few hours on the court, it’s easy to notice how much more forgiving this string is on your arm.
Tradeoffs
Relative to traditional stiffer polyesters, Hyper-G Soft offers a subtle bump in power, which may turn off players looking for maximum control. Furthermore, due to its softer makeup, the string loses its resilience faster than the original Hyper-G, reducing its playability duration. As a result, players should expect to have to restring more often.
Ratings
Gauge & Color Variations
- 16 (1.30)
- 16L (1.25)
- 17 (1.20)
- 18 (1.15)
Soft Polyester Alternatives
A few years back, the options for soft polys were sparse. However, that has steadily evolved as more companies recognize the demand, and trends in arm injuries continue to increase.
With that in mind, here are a few quality alternatives to consider if you’re looking for a string that meets these criteria.
- Luxilon 4G Soft
- Tourna Big Hitter Black
- Luxilon ALU Power Soft
- Solinco Tour Bite Soft
- Head Lynx Black
- Babolat RPM Soft*
Each of these strings delivers above-average comfort in this category. If Solinco Hyper-G Soft doesn’t meet your needs, or if you’ve already tried it and are looking for another option, they’re worth exploring further.
*Babolat RPM Soft isn’t technically a polyester. Instead, it’s a polyamide, belonging to the same family of synthetic materials as nylon and aramids. That said, its properties intend to provide players with performance similar to a soft poly.
Synthetic Gut
On the lower end of the performance spectrum, synthetic gut tennis strings give players access to a quality product without the higher price tag of natural gut, multifilament, and polyester strings.
These strings are inexpensive and well-rounded without the enhanced features associated with other types, i.e., the extra comfort available through many multifilaments or control and spin familiar with polyester.
If anything, synthetic gut strings will err on the side of durability, an excellent feature for players looking for an affordable option because they’ll also last, which adds to their value.
Helpful Tip
If you’re new to tennis, don’t underestimate synthetic gut tennis strings. They aren’t a string players rave about online, but they’re a terrific option when first starting out or for recreational use.
This year, I’m awarding the best synthetic gut tennis strings to Prince Synthetic Gut, a classic offering that delivers comfort and adequate power at a wallet-friendly price.
Prince Synthetic Gut
For years, Prince Synthetic Gut has provided recreational players of all ages and levels with a time-tested string that delivers all-around playability at an unbeatable price.
While it doesn’t provide the unique strengths of other string categories, Prince Synthetic Gut is a cost-effective choice that will continue to satisfy players worldwide. Plus, it comes in a wide array of colors, which is fun for younger players where string performance isn’t a priority.
Can’t decide which color to buy? Check out their latest evolution, dubbed Prism, the same great string in a rainbow of colors.
Why I Love It
Value
When it comes to the synthetic gut family of tennis strings, it’s all about value, and Prince Synthetic Gut delivers with an excellent price point.
While you won’t get access to some of the higher-end features available with natural gut, multifilament, or polyester strings, you should find that these strings are great all-around performers for the price.
Tradeoffs
Prince Synthetic Gut offers moderate overall performance but lacks the most in durability, control, and feel.
Generally, this is a terrific option for beginners who still need to develop the technique and skill set to notice a significant difference between strings. They’re also perfect for recreational players that don’t play frequently or occasionally play for exercise.
Ratings
Gauge & Color Variations
- 16: Prism (rainbow-colored)
- 16: black, gold, silver, blue, purple, red, pink, orange, yellow, green, white
- 17: black, gold, red, pink, orange, green, white
Synthetic Gut Alternatives
There are quite a few alternatives to Prince Synthetic Gut. However, a near equivalent and one I often recommend is Gosen’s OG-Sheep Micro, which is even more affordable.
A few others worth considering include:
- Head Synthetic Gut PPS
- Gamma Synthetic Gut
- Ashaway Synthetic Gut
- Wilson Synthetic Gut Power
Overall, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the above strings, so if you have an affinity to a specific brand, don’t hesitate to go with that option.
Hybrid
One of the challenges that players have faced over the years is that strings come with distinct pros and cons. For example, many players will find multifilaments too powerful and lacking in the spin department, while polyesters tend to be harsh on the arm.
To make up for the advantages and disadvantages of different string types, players began to combine strings, one set for the mains and another for the crosses, to get the best of both worlds. Over time, this approach of hybrid stringing became popular for players of all levels.
It’s also worth noting that a hybrid can consist of two gauges of the same string – it doesn’t have to be two entirely different types.
Although you can combine any two strings to form a hybrid, I have found Wilson Champions Choice, a prepackaged combination, to be the best.
With it, you’ll get Wilson’s Natural Gut and Luxilon ALU Power Rough polyester to strike an exceptional balance between comfort, power, spin, control, and feel.
Wilson Champions Choice Duo
If there’s a defining characteristic of this hybrid string set, it’s the fact that it’s Roger Federer’s choice – one of if not the game’s greatest player of all time.
Of course, beyond name recognition, combining these two exceptional strings provides a unique balance to suit a wide range of players.
As a reminder, the main strings’ characteristics will dominate the racquet’s feel. If you’re going for durability and control, I’d recommend stringing the Luxilon in the mains. At the same time, you’ll find a softer feel and increased playability by using Wilson’s natural gut in the mains.
While it’s different for every player, I found the natural gut in the mains to serve as the ideal setup with this string set. It’s also the most common approach when stringing a hybrid with gut and polyester.
Why I Love It
Power
With Wilson’s Natural Gut in the mains, Champions Choice delivers more than enough power. However, it’s not overbearing because Luxilon ALU Power Rough is a lower-powered string that balances it out.
Comfort
It’s hard to beat this combination for players looking for excellent spin potential and comfort. While you can undoubtedly achieve more comfort with a full bed of natural gut, the tradeoff with spin and control is significant. As a result, this hybrid delivers it all.
Balance
The best part about hybrid string setups is combining the best of two worlds in natural gut and polyester tennis strings. As a result, you get a blend of each string category’s features, which provides players with a balance that only a hybrid setup can offer.
Tradeoffs
Hybrid stringing with natural gut and polyester is a double-edged sword. While you get a blend of characteristics, you don’t get the full benefit of either string type, and you end up meeting somewhere in the middle. For many players, this is an ideal scenario.
However, it may leave others wanting. In particular, players used to full polyester string setups may find Wilson Champions Choice a bit too high-powered and lacking in the spin and control departments, so you’ll need to consider those facets when stringing with this hybrid.
Ratings
Gauge & Color Variations
- n/a
Hybrid Alternatives
For many, the price of this string set is too high. With that in mind, I recommend players check out Wilson’s Control Duo Hybrid, a combination of Wilson NXT Tour and Luxilon ALU Power.
Additional hybrid strings I’d recommend include:
- Babolat Hybrid RPM Blast + VS Gut
- KLIP X-Plosive Gut/Poly Hybrid
Of course, keep in mind that the possibilities are endless, as you can combine any two strings to form your hybrid setup. For example, Babolat VS Touch and Luxilon ALU Power are also excellent.
Topspin
With players like Rafel Nadal on tour, one of the most sought-after attributes for tennis players is the ability to generate massive topspin.
If you’re looking to follow suit, then there’s no doubt that polyester tennis strings are a fantastic choice. Their slick surface and ability to snap back into place are dynamic combinations to help you generate maximum spin.
However, with more than a handful of polyester strings on the market, one stands out as the best for topspin, and that’s Babolat RPM Blast.
Babolat RPM Blast
Babolat RPM Blast takes topspin to the max. First, as a polyester tennis string, RPM Blast is slick and quickly snaps back into place upon contact, helping to generate topspin.
However, this string set goes a step further with a unique octagonal shape that helps grab the ball and increase the spin potential even further, which is second to none.
One of Babolat RPM Blast’s unique attributes is that it’s surprisingly comfortable to play with for a polyester tennis string, which makes it a terrific option for anyone looking to test the waters with a poly to help enhance their topspin and control.
Why I Love It
Spin
Babolat RPM Blast’s defining feature is its ability to help maximize spin, which is immediately apparent when hitting groundstrokes. The ball propels itself off my strings with impressive action and ease.
Control
The spin and low power of RPM Blast allow me to take full swings and significant cuts at the ball, resulting in topspin that enables me to clear the net with confidence that the ball would dip back into the court, and I never feel I have to worry about the ball sailing long.
Together, these attributes give me a strong sense of control, which allows me to dictate points and move players from side to side.
Durability
Although durability isn’t always the most exciting feature of a tennis string, Babolat RPM Blast delivers in this category and is a string you can count on to resist abrasion and last. Most players will find they’ll cut out RPM Blast to replace them before they break.
Tradeoffs
As you might expect from a poly, the most significant tradeoff with Babolat RPM Blast is its lower power and comfort relative to other strings. While the low power is part of what makes this string fantastic, it does have the potential to leave some players frustrated with a lack of pace, especially if they’re using a lower-powered racquet.
Furthermore, it’s a stiffer poly and nowhere near what players will find with gut or multifilaments from a comfort standpoint. Therefore, I strongly recommend players consider this facet before trying it.
Ratings
Gauge & Color Variations
- 16
- 17
- 18
Alternatives for Topspin
When it comes to maxing out topspin, there are plenty of options. Here are a few of my favorites, which are all polyester strings.
- Diadem Solstice Power
- Luxilon ALU Power Rough
- Luxilon ALU Power Spin
- Solinco Hyper-G
- Solinco Confidential
- Tecnifibre Ice Code
- Volkl Cyclone
- Volk V-Square
- Volk V-Torque
There’s a lot here to consider with a range of price points, so I’m confident you can find one you’ll love from this mix.
Of course, each has its pros and cons, but there are plenty of exceptional options to test and evaluate if you want to enhance spin.
Control
As tennis has evolved with stronger players and more aggressive shot-making, controlling the ball has become increasingly important.
A control-oriented string might be a great option if you want to tone down your racquet’s power or reduce the likelihood of overhitting with added topspin that gives you more margin for error to keep the ball in play.
In this regard, polyester tennis strings are excellent low-powered options that make them an ideal fit for players seeking control. However, not all polyester delivers equal performance, so it pays to know your options. In this case, I’ve named Solinco Hyper-G the best tennis string for control.
Solinco Hyper-G
If control is a priority, look no further than Solinco Hyper-G – a bright green co-poly that’s developed a cult-like following. What sets it apart from the rest is that it’s firm and ultra-low powered, which allows you to take massive swings at the ball while maintaining added precision.
Hyper-G is square-shaped, so it has four edges for embedding into and gripping the ball. Combined with a great polyester’s trademark ability to snap back into place and the lower power that allows you to increase your racquet head speed confidently, you end up with loads of topspin to help further dictate placement.
However, Solico Hyper-G is extra special because it delivers on the promise of control while maintaining a superb feel. Only a few polys out there manage to do both well.
Why I Love It
Control
A big part of what produces a string with a greater sense of control is a consistent response or knowing what to expect every time the ball leaves the stringbed, and Hyper-G checks the right boxes to make that happen.
Spin
Topspin plays a significant role in a player’s control. The more you have, the more you can swing through the ball while maintaining confidence it will clear the net and drop back into the court. Although it doesn’t quite stack up to Babolat RPM Blast in this category, it’s a strong contender and excellent from the back of the court.
Feel
When you think of polyester tennis strings, feel might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, within the realm of polys, Solinco Hyper-G delivers a welcome high-end performance that sets it apart from many other low-powered strings. Ultimately, the string’s feel results in a highly predictable option that further aids control.
Tradeoffs
Although the low-powered performance of Solinco Hyper-G is well suited for intermediate to advanced players, many will find it swings the pendulum too far in this department. Furthermore, it doesn’t offer a high level of comfort, so players with arm issues need to keep that in mind.
Ratings
Gauge & Color Variations
- 16
- 16L
- 17
- 18
Alternatives for Control
Although Solinco Hyper-G is a terrific option for control, several others deliver fantastic performance. Here are a few of my favorites.
- Babolat RPM Hurricane
- Babolat RPM Blast
- Luxilon ALU Power
- Luxilon Big Banger Original
- Solinco Confidential
- Tecnifibre Ice Code
- Tecnifibre Red Code
- Volkl Cyclone
- Volkl V-Torque
- Yonex Poly Tour Spin
If you’ve struggled with arm injuries and you’re looking for a string that delivers control, you’ll likely want to steer clear of polyesters or, at a minimum, string it as a hybrid in the crosses.
Of course, while these are some of the best control-oriented strings, others offer enhanced control with a softer feel, i.e., Wilson NXT Control is an excellent example.
Power
Unfortunately, we’re not all built with the strength to turn up the heat when we’d like. Perhaps you’re looking to hit a bigger serve or groundstrokes, or you’d like to add a little pop to a more flexible, control-oriented tennis racquet.
If so, a string that naturally brings more power to your shots can be a great option, and Tecnifibre X-One Biphase delivers precisely that as the best tennis string for power.
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase
As a multifilament tennis string, Tecnifibre X-One Biphase is a technological powerhouse with features like PU 400 and Elastyl that helps to deliver more power efficiently.
It’s also an incredibly comfortable string to play with, which makes it an excellent choice for players with tennis elbow and an exceptional option for use as part of a hybrid string setup along with a more control-oriented, spin-friendly polyester.
Why I Love It
Power
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase packs a punch and delivers power as a standout feature. From serving to volleying and hitting groundstrokes, players will find the ball aggressively rebounds from their strings.
Some players may even need to tweak the tension upward to find the sweet spot between balance and control.
Comfort
Generally, multifilaments and the thousands of fibers that make up this family of strings provide an arm-friendly hitting experience.
However, X-One Biphase stands out as an ultra-comfortable string that does a great job absorbing shock and reducing the impact on your arm without losing the liveliness that makes this string a crowd favorite.
Feel
While powerful, Tecnifibre gets the ingredients right with a string that delivers excellent feel and touch. This element stands out from all areas of the court, but I found it particularly well-suited up at the net.
Tradeoffs
The main tradeoff you’ll make with Tecnifibre X-One Biphase is with spin. Like nearly all multifilaments, it doesn’t have the natural ability to snap back into place, an attribute that aids in generating topspin.
Compared with a polyester tennis string, some players may find that X-One Biphase is overpowering, resulting in less control.
Lastly, while the playability duration or the lifespan of the strings’ performance is impressive, the strings’ durability may be an issue for chronic string breakers.
Ratings
Variations
- 16: natural, red
- 17: natural, red
- 18: natural, red
Alternatives for Power
alternative. Unfortunately, natural gut is often cost-prohibitive for most players, so it’s not usually my first recommendation.
Instead, check out Tecnifibre’s NRG2 and Babolat’s Origin, which will deliver plenty of power with the added benefit of more control. Both are multifilaments with similar playing characteristics to X-One Biphase.
Although Wilson NXT doesn’t deliver quite the punch of the strings mentioned above, it’s a strong contender and my pick for the best multifilament, so worthy of consideration.
Durability
If you’re a big hitter who frequently breaks strings or wants to extend each restring’s life, you’ll need a durable option that lasts. After all, restringing too often can become an expensive habit.
Once again, polyester strings enter as the durability leader due to their solid monofilament construction and slick surface that wards off notching.
While you’ll find most polyester tennis strings are considerably more durable than natural gut, multifilament, or synthetic gut, my selection of the best durable string for 2023 is Solinco Confidential.
Solinco Confidential
Solinco Confidential is a newer string released in 2020, but it’s quickly gained popularity as a strong contender for one of the best polys.
Although durability is one of its defining features, it scores well in many other areas, including spin, control, and the duration in which the string holds its performance.
Like some of the other polys on offer from Solinco, Confidential is a 4-sided string, which offers a bit of extra added bite. If you’re looking for a highly durable poly that doesn’t skimp on performance in other areas, it’s worth checking out in 2023.
Why I Love It
Durability
If you’re a heavy hitter or chronic string breaker that requires extra durability to prolong the life of your strings, look no further than Solinco Confidential. It’s one of the most durable strings out there.
Spin
With its polyester makeup and 4-sided construction, Solinco Confidential delivers terrific access to spin. I particularly enjoyed the heavy topspin I could produce on my groundstrokes and found it helped provide tons of spin on my kick serve, which enhanced the ball’s rebound off the court – well out of most player strike zones.
Control
When a string provides an outstanding balance between spin and feel in a low-powered package, you end up with excellent control. Solinco Confidential delivers on this front, which helped me to dictate points.
Tradeoffs
For the added durability Solinco Confidential provides, you’ll need to make some concessions. Notably, lower power and less comfort.
However, if a low-powered string is appealing and you haven’t experienced any issues with your arm, it will be a good fit.
Ratings
Variations
- 16
- 16L
- 17
- 18
Alternatives for Durability
There are many fantastic polyester strings, but they sometimes have lower durability than expected.
Here are a few alternatives to Solinco Confidential that deliver reliable durability, and I’d recommend you checkout.
- Babolat RPM Blast
- Babolat RPM Hurricane
- Luxilon ALU Power
- Luxilon Big Banger Original
- Tecnifibre Ice Code
- Tecnifibre Red Code
- Head Lynx Tour
- Head Hawk
- Yonex Poly Tour Strike
- Volkl V-Square
- Volkl Cyclone
Another dependable option if you’re looking for a thinner gauge poly that doesn’t break easily is Luxilon Big Banger Ace. It only comes in 18 gauge, but it’s a fantastic ultra-durable option.
If you’re looking for maximum durability, consider checking out Ashaway’s Crossfire Kevlar strings. They’re super durable but have the drawback of being extremely low on comfort, feel, and spin, which is why I’m more inclined to recommend polyester.
Finally, if you want to enhance the durability of any strings, give string savers a try. These small plastic devices install between the cross sections of your strings to prevent wear and tear that leads to breakage.
Comfort
One of the most common injuries in our sport is tennis elbow. If you’ve ever experienced it yourself, you’ll know how painful it can be and how it can sideline a player from enjoying the game they love.
Luckily, string manufacturers have continued developing products that aim to ward off the harsh vibrations of playing tennis.
This year, I’ve selected the multifilament Prince Premier Touch as the best comfort-oriented tennis string in this category.
Prince Premier Touch
As a multifilament, Prince Premier Touch combines thousands of individual fibers to build a string resembling natural gut’s makeup.
However, Prince takes things further than most multifilaments, using a spiraled ribbon construction to mimic the serosa fibers in an authentic natural gut more closely.
The result is the softest multifilament I’ve ever tested, which roughly matches the comfort of the best natural gut on the market and is the perfect option for players where comfort is a top priority.
Why I Love It
Comfort
I can’t speak highly enough of this string’s comfort, so it’s a no-brainer for players who require strength in this attribute and are willing to sacrifice in some other areas. However, players who want to strike more balance should consider Prince Premier Touch as part of a hybrid string setup.
Power
Prince Premier Touch also packs a highly respectable level of power. Even at a higher tension, the ball quickly rebounds from the strings. As a result, players who are used to hitting with a stiffer, control-oriented option will likely find this string overpowering.
Tradeoffs
As with all tennis strings, there’s always a tradeoff, and Prince Premier Touch is no exception. The areas where it gives up the most are the spin, control, and feel departments.
Relative to other tennis strings, I had to work significantly harder to generate topspin, and even my best efforts left me wanting more. Combined with the ultra-soft stringbed that lacked feel, the string keeps me on my toes because its response isn’t as predictable, making it difficult to find control and precision.
Ratings
Variations
- 17
- 16
- 15L
Alternatives for Comfort
If you’re looking for an arm-friendly tennis string with excellent comfort and can afford the higher price tag, I recommend you check out a natural gut like Babolat VS Touch or Wilson’s Natural Gut.
However, there are plenty of other tennis strings worth checking out. Here are a few additional multifilaments that I recommend.
- Babolat Origin
- Gamma TNT2 Touch
- Head Reflex MLT
- Tecnifibre X-One Biphase
- Tecnifibre NRG2
- Wilson NXT
Unless maximum comfort is a must for you, I encourage you to explore alternatives that will provide plenty of comfort and dramatically better overall performance.
Wrapping Up
When it comes to tennis strings, there are hundreds of options. However, the best are those that align with your needs and deliver the performance-enhancing characteristics you desire.
With that in mind, I hope my list of the best tennis strings for 2023 helped provide you with some options you’d like to explore.
As a closing thought, remember that it usually takes players a few tries to find a string they love. As you experiment, you’ll develop a feel and preference for what’s best for your game, which will undoubtedly evolve as your skills improve and your game develops.
Have any questions or want to share your thoughts on any strings you’ve tried? Feel free to post a comment below; I’d love to hear from you.
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Have you tried Mantis Comfort Synthetic or Gosen Tour 3? Because I want to know if is worth using them. Thanks
Hi Tony,
Thanks for dropping by. I’ve played with Mantis Comfort Synthetic, but haven’t experienced Gosen Tour 3.
It was several years ago, but from what I recall, I enjoyed my hit with Mantis. It was a soft multifilament with moderate power and good all-around performance.
I haven’t heard Mantis mentioned in quite a while. Out of curiosity, what turned you on to those strings?
I hope that helps!
All the best,
Jon