10 Best Multifilament Strings
The following are my picks for the best multifilament tennis strings in the business. I’ve played with each of them on multiple occasions and can speak to their quality and performance.
I’ve ranked them in order of my favorite, but every string on this list is here for a reason, and some perform better or worse in different areas.
With that in mind, here’s a few popular criteria I often get questions about when it comes to multifilaments, and my picks for which string on this list takes the top spot.
- Best Overall: Head Velocity MLT
- Best for Power: Tecnifibre X-One Biphase
- Best for Comfort: Wilson NXT
- Best for Spin: Tecnifibre NRG2
- Best for Durability: Head RIP Control
- Best for Control: Head RIP Control
- Best Price: Head Velocity MLT
Keep reading to learn more about each of the ten different strings.
Head Velocity MLT

As far as this list goes, Head Velocity MLT is a bit of a sleeper. Although some of the other strings on this list outperform it in certain areas, none of them strike as good a balance between quality and price.
It’s everything you’d expect from a premium multifilament with a wonderfully crisp response and above-average topspin.
Plus, it’s available in three different gauges, which include 15L (1.40 mm), 16 (1.30 mm), and 17 (1.24 mm). You’ll also get to choose between various colors, including black, blue, natural, pink, and yellow.
Head Velocity MLT is my pick for the best overall multifilament.
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase

A long-standing favorite in the world of multifilaments, Tecnifibre makes some of the best in the business. Although it’s one of the pricier options on my list, X-One Biphase produces excellent results.
Its standout features include explosive power and comfort, while also maintaining a crisp feel. As for tension maintenance, it offers some of the best performance in this category of strings.
It comes in 16 (1.30 mm), 17 (1.24 mm), and 18 (1.18 mm) gauges. Plus, it’s available in natural and red colors.
Wilson NXT Comfort

Perhaps the most popular multifilament on our list, Wilson NXT Comfort, is a time-tested option that delivers the goods. You’ll pay a premium for it, but you can also expect high-end performance.
My only gripe with the string relative to its price is durability. If you like how multifilaments perform and you’re looking for a durable option, this is not the string for you. Otherwise, it’s excellent.
You can pick Wilson NXT Comfort in 16 (1.30 mm) and 17 (1.24 mm) gauge. Plus, it’s available in natural or black.
Helpful Tip: It’s worth noting they do offer Wilson DuraMax as an alternative, which provides extra durability, but in my opinion, it gives up a bit too much on the power and comfort side.
Tecnifibre NRG2

A predecessor to X-One Biphase, Tecnifibre NRG2, is another long-standing favorite in the world of multifilament tennis strings.
NRG2 offers excellent power and comfort, as well as highly respectable tension maintenance. However, in my experience, better spin, and a bit less durability when compared to X-One.
It’s available in natural and black color and comes in three different gauges, which include 16 (1.32 mm), 17 (1.24 mm), and 18 (1.18 mm).
Wilson NXT Control

If you like the sound of Wilson NXT, but you’re looking for extra durability, I’d turn to NXT Control instead of NXT DuraMax.
What makes this string unique is that it blends nylon and polyester fibers to improve the string’s durability without completely sacrificing comfort. You will give up some comfort and power, but it’s a worthy option for those seeking that extra durability and, of course, control.
In some ways, it’s a bit of a niche string among the multifilament crowd, so your options are limited to its natural color and 16 guage (1.32 mm).
Although Head RIP Control has the edge in the control department, Wilson NXT Control is a close second.
Gamma TNT2 Touch

Another excellent multifilament offering, Gamma TNT2 Touch, offers everything you’d expect from a premium multifilament.
Gamma’s TNT2 technology enhances the string’s elasticity and resilience for power and above-average control for a multifilament.
Of course, as you’d expect, the string still delivers high-end comfort too. Overall, it’s an excellent multifilament that’s worth checking out.
TNT2 Touch comes in 16 (1.32 mm) and 17 (1.27 mm), but you’ll only find it in its natural color.
Babolat Xcel

Although better known for their polyester tennis strings that pair well with their spin-friendly tennis racquets, Xcel is a multifilament offering from Babolat that’s worth checking out.
As far as features go, I give it the nod for comfort and feel, and it will work well for players looking for an arm-friendly solution but don’t want or need the extra power offered by some of the other multis on this list.
Babolat Xcel comes in three gages: 15L (1.35 mm), 16 (1.30 mm), and 17 (1.25 mm). It’s also available in natural and blue colors.
Head RIP Control

Although multifilaments aren’t the first you’d consider when thinking about control-centric tennis strings, Head RIP Control is a standout.
By combining nylon fibers found in most multifilaments with polyolefine ribbons, the string takes on added control and a bit extra durability while retaining reliable comfort. As you might expect, the net result is less power, which you’d desire if you were looking for control.
Head offers RIP Control in three different gauges, which include 16 (1.30 mm), 17 (1.25 mm), and 18 (1.20 mm). As for colors, it’s available in natural, orange, white, and black.
Gamma Live Wire Professional

Like Head Velocity MLT, Gamma Live Wire is one of the less expensive or budget-friendly multifilaments available.
It’s one of the older multifilaments on our list, but it still holds its own as an excellent option that offers the same great power, comfort, and feel you’d expect from this category of strings.
If you don’t have access to Head Velocity MLT or your stringer doesn’t carry it, but you want a string that performs at a great price, then Live Wire Professional is a fantastic option.
Gamma offers it in natural color with 16 (1.32 mm), 17 (1.27 mm), and 18 (1.22 mm) for gauges.
Solinco Vanquish

Hands down, Solinco is best known for its polyester strings, which are some of my favorites. However, Vanquish is a respect-worthy multifilament that’s high on comfort without being overbearing on power.
I find it to perform a lot like Babolat Xcel in many ways but at a fraction of the price, so worth checking out if that multifilament style appeals to you.
It’s only available in natural color, but you’ll have three gauges to choose from with 15L (1.35 mm), 16 (1.30 mm), and 17 (1.20 mm).
Your quote, Jon “As for tension, you may choose to vary it for each string. If that’s the case, I’d encourage you not to stay within 5 lbs for each string. Anything over that can tend to lead to erratic or inconsistent performance.” very unclear to me and, I think, contradictory. Please clarify. Thank you.
Hi Mike – thanks for the note and picking up on that mistype. It looks like I had a rogue ‘not’ in that sentence. It should read:
“As for tension, you may choose to vary it for each string. If that’s the case, I’d encourage you to stay within 5 lbs (2.3 kg) for each string. Anything over that can tend to lead to erratic or inconsistent performance.”
Hi Jon,
Which one of these multifilaments would work best on a 2019 Pure Aero? Thanks!
Hi Scott! In my experience, string durability can be an issue with the Pure Aero, so my recommendation would go with Head RIP Control or Wilson NXT Control at 16 gauge. They’ll also both help reign in a bit of the raw power the Pure Aero offers.
Thanks for the reply. What are your thoughts on a hybrid setup for this racquet with one of these multifilaments in the mains and a polyester in the crosses. I’m 56 so comfort is a concern but also durability since I don’t get a chance to restring very often. BTW, I purchased your serve essentials course and it has been very helpful so far.
Hi Scott! I’ve hit with a hybrid setup and the Pure Aero on several occasions, and it’s a great option. The string you choose for the mains will dominate the overall feel, so going with a multifilament in the mains is the right call for your comfort preference.
The durability of this setup will depend on your style of play and swing. I’ve been a chronic string breaker since I was a teenager – it’s always been a struggle, so I have to consider that any time I string. For that reason, my default string setup with the Pure Aero is poly because I know I’d be restringing too often otherwise.
Unfortunately, it’s tough to say how durable a string setup will be until you give it a go, but I think it’s worth a try. If you’re not snapping your poly setup regularly, then there’s a good chance you’ll be fine. Also, keep in mind that there’s another upside with the multi, which is better tension maintenance. Polys die fairly quickly, so pairing it with a multi, I find I get a bit of extended life out of the strings.
Another suggestion would be to first string the multi in the mains and if you have a durability issue, swap it for the crosses. Yes, you’ll get a bit less comfort this way, but you’ll also get a bit more durability, and it will still play more comfortable than a full bed of poly.
Thank you for giving my serve course a try; I really appreciate it and happy to hear you’re finding it helpful :)