Adjust Your Racquet with the Best Tennis Strings
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Babolat Combo Pack Tennis String -
Solinco Tour Bite Soft Tennis Strings -
Wilson Sporting Goods NXT Tennis String -
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 16L Tennis Strings -
Tecnifibre NRG2 Black Tennis String -
Buyer's Guide
Tennis strings are just as important as the racket because you can get a racket to demo and find it's just awful, but if it would have had a different string, it might actually have been a really good fit for you. You need to expect to experiment with strings before finding what works best for you, your racket, your style of play, and perhaps any injuries that you may be dealing with.
Gut strings are sometimes called "catgut" but actually no cats are harmed making gut strings but cows aren't so lucky. Gut is the most expensive choice and perhaps not the best choice for most players. Gut tends to fray and if you’re hard hitting using a lot of topspin, you'll be restringing your rackets frequently. For playability, you will get a better feel from gut as compared to multifilament (and certainly compared to polyester), but I doubt most recreational and even moderately competitive players would notice a real improvement in their game with gut. Personally, I've played with many brands and types of gut and occasionally I've had a magic string job that I hoped would never break. Sadly, it's only been occasionally, so you'll see that reflected in the best list that follows.
Multi-filament strings are most commonly made of nylon or other materials and are intended to play like gut, or at least as close at the manufacturer wants to get for the price. There are some multi-filament strings that really do play like gut for a time, but that time is usually just before they break. Still, these strings are very cost effective and offer great control with less strain on your arm. All other things being equal, I'd suggest beginning players start with these strings until they develop a game that can really benefit from gut or polyester.
The polyester string, or "poly," is the other main alternative. It's much stiffer than multifilament strings and variations of the poly design are available from firms such as Luxilon and Babolat that have proprietary blends of poly and other materials. Sometimes you'll see a polyester string described as a monofilament so don't confuse that with multi-filament softer strings. Ask a tennis pro if you have any doubt about what you're getting.
The options for strings vary considerably. There's a range of tension from loose to tight, and the same string will play very differently at the limits of the recommended range. There's the string gauge, ranging generally from 15-18, with 18 being thinnest. 16 is the common gauge that most players will find but again the same string in different gauges will play very differently. Finally, you can opt to hybridize two different types of string. For example, Roger Federer famously uses Wilson gut in the main strings at 48.5 pounds of tension and poly (Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough) in the cross strings at 45 pounds of tension.
The best tennis strings in 2022 on list have some common characteristics. Of the strings I've tried, these are the best in their class. These strings play consistently from one string set to the next and they generally don't play too much differently after several sets when their tension is much lower than the original string job. Still, string tension, gauge, composition, and feel can be very subjective and will vary by your choice of racket. So ultimately you should use this list as a starting point for your exploration of what works best for you.
Compare The Best Tennis Strings Of 2022
Babolat Combo Pack Tennis String - Best Tennis Strings Overall
Of all the brands and variations of gut strings, Babolat's VS Touch remains the prime choice and when strung right, the feel of VS gut is so soft. The degree of power and control it offers is so addictive that you'll want more but the only drawback is the price. It's routinely over $40 per packet and that's before you pay a stringer to fix up your racket. Babalot advertises a new BT7 technology added to the string they state adds 15 percent to its durability, so that might keep you away from the stringer for one more session.
If you have a fast swing then you'll want to consider hybridizing the gut with a polyester such as Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power to get a compromise of playability and power. There are certainly other brands of gut strings to consider, such as Klip and Pacific. I've played with them as well and while cheaper than VS, they’re not quite as nice. Wilson gut, Roger Federer's choice, also deserves a try but it's more expensive.
Solinco Tour Bite Soft Tennis Strings - Runner Up
Solinco makes great strings and my favorite is the Tour Bite Soft. This is a poly (monofilament) that offers considerable pace on a fast swing and accentuated spin. If your ground stroke game relies on topspin and a hitting aggressively to conservative targets, Tour Bite Soft can complement your strengths.
The "soft" version is easier on your arm and as a former victim of tennis elbow, I've tried many poly strings but very few seem to meet with my elbow's approval, especially on slice shots. Tour Bite Soft is an exception and it's currently my string of choice. It plays well in my Head Graphene Radical MP at any tension from 48-54 and I don't find any need to go for a higher tension. I think this string is a "hidden gem" from Solinco and I recommend you try it too.
Wilson Sporting Goods NXT Tennis String - Honorable Mention
Wilson NXT (and its variations) is a great multifilament string. At times it plays like natural gut, but that usually comes after breaking in a new string job. The string will start to fray after a while but you don't have to feel like you need to cut the strings and start over. They will play remarkably well and perhaps even more like gut during this stage.
Eventually, the last strand gives way and you're back to the stringer. Wilson rates this string as giving less control than power, but I think the 17 gauge version gives very good control. It offers less spin control than Solinco's Tour Bite but as a multifilament string that's okay. It's priced under $20 per packet, so it's about half the cost of natural gut.
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 16L Tennis Strings - Consider
This best list for strings couldn't be complete without including Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power. This string, or other newer related versions from Luxilon, are used by many professionals and has been credited with allowing the pros to hit incredibly fast shots simultaneously with incredible spin. We all want to perform like individuals who play tennis for a living and serious players (NTRP 4.5+) can find these strings to offer an improvement in their performance too.
There are other options that offer comparable features, for example, Babolat's RPM Blast. The drawback many players report is that because these strings are stiffer than normal strings, when you pull them out of the packet they feel like wire but the resulting effect on the arm is greater. I've seen some reviews of the Luxilon series suggesting troubles come not from the string but from poor form which may be true. On the other hand, those of us who aren't professionals likely have some limitations in our form.
I've tried many different Luxilon strings and the Alu Power Fluoro is probably the easiest on my arm, but not easier than Solinco Tour Bite Soft. If you’re a dedicated player looking for an extra edge in your game, try Luxilon strings and then decide for yourself if you can benefit from these strings the same way the professionals have.
Tecnifibre NRG2 Black Tennis String - Best Tennis Strings
Technifibre makes a wide variety of strings, and I have to go with Technifibre's NRG2. It's a powerful string but I've found it to be much friendlier to my arm than Luxilon (even the Alu Power Fluoro) without sacrificing too much power. While power sounds great, ask yourself if more power really fits in with your game. The NRG2 string has an anti-abrasion coating that Technifibre calls "silicium pyrogene lubritec" which makes the strings last a bit longer than they otherwise would. One other nice thing about NRG2 is that you can string most rackets at low tension and still find the string plays very well with a softer feel.
Buyer's Guide
When it comes to being a kickass tennis player, there are a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration. For example, the kind of tennis ball you’re using, the shoes, the tennis strings, etc. And we know what you might be thinking, are tennis strings really that important? Well we only have one answer for you and that’s YES.
How Do Tennis Strings Make A Difference?
Tennis strings that cater to your needs not only help you perform better but they can also improve arm health and longevity while making sure you stick to your budget.
Of course, you can’t just keep changing your strings every week, that’s neither cost effective nor time efficient. But customizing your racquet and finding the perfect fit for you can reap in rewards when you step out into the court. For example, if you’re looking for better control and topspin then strings that have been designed specifically to improve this function will be a better fit for you.
If you’re a beginner, the type of tennis strings you have may not be as important for you. Instead, you will have to put your main focus on learning the proper technique and practice to improve your game. But regardless of what level you are on, it is ALWAYS a good idea to have all the knowledge of any game you’re playing in order to be a pro at it. For example, when you’re starting out, there are certain strings you should be avoiding. But how can you know which ones are right for you? Well, that’s what we’re here for.
How To Pick The Best Tennis Strings For You?
The first step when shopping for the best tennis strings catered to your needs is to decide between the two major options when it comes to tennis strings: natural gut or synthetic.
Natural Gut
Natural gut tennis strings are made from organic fibers which makes them more expensive than synthetic strings, a reason why many players choose not to opt for this option.
This type of string has been around since the 1870s and is now made with cow intestine. They are exceptionally elastic, resulting in increased power, feel and even comfort.
For some players, natural gut tennis strings may be the only way to go. However, besides the high cost, they do have other disadvantages including low durability and spin. This is where the synthetic tennis strings come in.
Synthetic
With a wide variety to choose from, these strings happen to be the most common choice for tennis players. However, not every kind of string you’ll find in this category will be the same with each having its own list of pros and cons. With synthetic strings, you get the options of a few different types such as:
Synthetic Gut
This is an affordable option of nylon strings that are more commonly used by beginner, intermediate and recreational tennis players. Most racquets off the shelf come with nylon strings installed which provide players with a moderate all-around performance and an excellent choice because of their low cost.
Polyester Strings
Also known as polys, these are one of the most popular choices when it comes to professional tennis players which is why you’re likely to find more options in this type of strings than any other.
Polyester strings are not only durable but they have a stiff quality to them which helps players to swing faster and with more topspin without losing any control. Moreover, if you strike with enough force, the strings will deform only to snap back into place which further enhances topspin.
Unfortunately, the stiff nature of these strings do have one major con and that’s comfort. You’ll have to sacrifice your comfort for these polyester strings which means you’ll be more likely to get tennis elbow and discomfort while playing. Another drawback of these strings is that they require frequent replacement. But if you’re a professional then this shouldn’t be a problem for you.
Multifilament Strings
Multifilament strings are created by wrapping tiny nylon fibers together to make one string. This helps them hold their tension better than synthetic gut strings do while giving you the same level of comfort, power and feel of natural gut strings without the high cost.
But much like polyester, the features that make these a hit can also be a drawback depending on your preference and level of play. These strings can be overpowering and more difficult to control.
Kevlar Strings
These are made from aramid fibers and are the most stiff and durable strings that you can get. So if you tend to break strings frequently then you may want to give these a try. However, being stiff also means lack of comfort so be ready to experience some discomfort.
FAQs
What tennis string is better for more control and power?
When looking to improve the power and control of your tennis string, there are three things you need to look at: the gauge size, tension and type of string. Just getting a thicker gauge size can help add control whereas higher tension can give you what you need to make your ball go long. A different string type can also provide you with more power and control, depending on what your current string type is.
What is the best string on the market?
There is no best string on the market as every player has a difference in opinion, playing style and level. While all manufacturers claim to have the best strings, it is up to you to decide which one is the most suitable one for your level of play.
When should I replace my tennis strings?
Tennis strings should be replaced when you feel like they need replacement. Again, there is no time limit to how long one should play with a set of strings. It depends on the type of abuse you put your tennis racquet through and how often you play. The best way to determine when your racquet needs restringing is when your strings start fraying or if you’re a professional then we’d recommend restringing your racquet before every game.
