You might already have your racquet of choice. Perhaps one of our recommended racquets. But what are some recommended strings?
Recommended strings
The string jungle is vast and expanding. There are so many different types of strings on the market and many more brands to consider than when it comes to racquets. You need to consider material, shape, gauge, and tension. We will focus on the type of player you are. If you want to learn more about tennis strings, we recommend this video and post.
Strings for beginners and comfort strings
In my opinion, beginners should use multifilament strings. These are softer, more comfortable strings that give good power. The downside is a little lack of spin and control. I actually don’t see any reason why more advanced players cannot use multifilament strings either, especially if they put a premium on comfort or maybe have a history of tennis elbow.
I think a more control-oriented and durable multifilament string will give you better playability and will still offer good comfort. I think a tension around 55 lbs or 25 kg is useful as a starting point. These options are all good:
HEAD Velocity MLT
I have always enjoyed the version with black coating, but a few players have pointed out that when the coating wears off, the strings start locking a bit. I have noticed at that a bit myself recently on hybrid string setups. But in a full bed, it plays great in either color. The price is also comparatively low. I always have a reel of Velocity at home.
You can purchase Velocity MLT from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only and Amazon.
Wilson NXT Control
NXT is a classic and now comes in many different shapes and sizes, power, comfort, control and Duramax (maximum durability). I haven’t tested all of them but generally recommend players to go for a more control-oriented multifilament in a thicker gauge. If not the Duramax, I think the 1.32 NXT Control is excellent.
You can purchase Wilson NXT Control from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, Wilson and Amazon.
Tecnifibre NRG2
Tecnifibre make a solid selection of excellent multifilament strings. For players looking for even more control, I’d check out the 1.38 gauge Triax. Tecnifibre X-One Bi-Phase is good for power and works well in hybrids, but NRG2 is a good blend of those strings.
You can purchase Tecnifibre NRG2 from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only and Amazon.
Prince Premier Control
It’s another very solid multifilament string that works well in a full bed but really well in hybrids.
You can purchase Prince Premier Control from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, and Tennis Only.
Babolat Xcel
Babolat also have a solid range of multifilament strings. This one is a bit more powerful than the strings mentioned above.
You can purchase Babolat Xcel from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only and Amazon.
Yonex Rexis Speed
Speed is the name of the more control-oriented multifilament in the Rexis line-up. I think it’s also the best choice for most players.
You can purchase Yonex Rexis from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only and Amazon.
Babolat VS Touch Natural gut
Natural gut strings are fantastic in playability (except for the spin potential) and hold tension much better but come at a more premium price point. The Babolat VS Touch is the Rolls Royce of natural gut strings, but Luxilon Natural gut and Wilson Natural Gut are also good.
You can purchase Babolat VS Touch natural gut from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only , and Amazon.
You might want to try a softer polyester string when you pass the beginner and lower-level intermediate stages.
Intermediate strings
One thing to note about polyester strings over multifilaments (or gut) is that they give you better control and spin potential, but the tension drops quicker and will need a restring even if the string doesn’t break.
Softer polyesters are more comfortable on the arm than firm polys but drop tension even faster. So be aware that you need to restring after 8-15 hours of play depending on how hard you hit and what racquet you use it in.
Remember to not string a poly too high! A tension around 50 lbs is a good reference tension. Many players can go lower, down to 48, 45, or even 40 lbs. Try it and see how it plays.
Recommended strings:
Solinco Hyper-G Soft
One of our favorite softer polys that is relatively arm-friendly and remains playable for a decent amount of time. Check out our Solinco Hyper G Soft review.
You can purchase Solinco Hyper G Soft natural gut from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, and Amazon.
Yonex Poly Tour Air
It is a very arm-friendly poly with good spin potential. It’s even softer than Hyper-G Soft but drops tension a little quicker.
You can purchase Yonex Poly Tour Air from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Only, and Amazon.
Isospeed Cream
Well, the name says everything! A creamy string in looks and feel. Not as spin-friendly as the strings above, but with an excellent feel.
You can purchase Isospeed Cream from Tennis Warehouse and Tennis Warehouse Europe.
Volkl Cyclone Tour
While Cyclone is a great string for players that hit big, Cyclone Tour is a lot softer and more springy. Might not be for control freaks, but if you need a little extra help while maintaining good spin potential, this is a good choice.
You can purchase Volkl Cyclone Tour from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, and Amazon.
Wilson Revolve Spin
It is another tension-dropper, but until then, it plays great with excellent spin and control.
You can purchase Wilson Revolve Spin from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, Wilson and Amazon.
Toroline Caviar
I enjoy Toroline strings, and their Caviar is my favorite. Soft, spin-friendly, and with a nice feel. I also like the Wasabi and I’m trying some hybrids right now. Check out our Toroline string review.
You can purchase Toroline Caviar from their official website. Use the code TENNISNERD for a discount.
Advanced strings
You don’t need to be an advanced player to use these strings if you string them low, let’s say at 45 lbs or lower. That way you also open up some more comfort and power from the string. High-level players that hit big will likely go with higher tensions as they seek the bite and control these strings provide.
If you don’t have a fast swing speed, these strings might be too stiff.
Solinco Confidential
This string has been growing on me ever since I created my Solinco Confidential review. It has excellent control and snapback, and it feels like your shots keep dipping in at the last second over and over again. I use the thinner gauge (1.20) to as it is slightly less stiff and gives amazing spin. You can applaud Solinco for Hyper-G and Tour Bite, but Confidential has become my favorite.
You can purchase Solinco Confidential from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, and Amazon.
HEAD Lynx Tour
Another relatively stiff string that offers brilliant spin potential and control. One of the most solid strings out there. It is quite heavy, so can add some swing weight to your racquet depending on which string you used before. Check out our HEAD Lynx Tour review here. This string is used by many pros like Roman Safiullin and Andrey Rublev, to mention two.
You can purchase HEAD Lynx Tour from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, and Amazon.
Luxilon 4G
It is one of the stiffest strings on the market but with an excellent responsive feel and fantastic control. From the first impact, you feel that this is a premium string. Used by many pros like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Grigor Dimitrov, and Alex de Minaur. We need to update our Luxilon 4G review.
You can purchase Luxilon 4G from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, Wilson and Amazon.
Babolat RPM Blast
Rafa Nadal’s string choice have ended up in many Pure Aero’s over the years. Not sure it’s a great idea if you are not swinging fast, though. It’s a great string for the right player with longer and faster strokes. For intermediate players, I would string it at 45 lbs or lower for better comfort, but it of course, depends on the player’s style and level. Check out our review.
You can purchase Babolat RPM Blast from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, and Amazon.
Volkl Cyclone
Cyclone was one of my favorite strings and still belongs on the list. Dependable and controlled with excellent spin potential. Relatively stiff, so sensitive arms should probably look away, but that comment is similar for most strings in this category.
You can purchase Volkl Cyclone from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, and Amazon.
HEAD Hawk Power
A relatively new string on the market that plays with great control and not too stiff of a feel. It’s very similar to Luxilon’s flagship, Alu Power. Good pocketing and feel for a poly. Check out our HEAD Hawk Power review.
You can purchase HEAD Hawk Power from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, and Amazon.
Luxilon Alu Power
Luxilon Alu Power is a legend and one of the most used strings on the ATP and WTA Tours. You can read some Alu Power history here (which started with Big Banger Original). It offers good pocketing and excellent control with a slightly deader response than 4G (it’s not quite as stiff, though).
You can purchase Luxilon Alu Power from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, Wilson and Amazon.
Yonex Poly Tour Pro
This is Yonex’s most popular string on the tour with players like Nick Kyrgios, Marton Fucsovics, Ben Shelton and many others. It’s somewhere in the middle of a softer and a firmer poly and plays with a good blend of control, feel and comfort. Check out our Yonex Poly Tour Pro review.
You can purchase Yonex Poly Tour Pro from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, and Amazon.
MSV Co Focus Hex
MSV is a budget-friendly brand, and Co Focus Hex is a very popular string among advanced players. It’s firm, so not really for players with arm issues, but gives you good control and spin potential. AND at a great price.
You can purchase HEAD Hawk Power from Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, Tennis Only, and Amazon.
Lesser known strings
There are some up-and-coming string brands that we want to shout out in this space. They make some excellent strings and are worth considering.
Grapplesnake
Grapplesnake offers some excellent strings like Tour M8 and Tour Sniper, both control strings with a medium soft response. Check them out at Grapplesnake
Restring Zero
Zero is a new string offering good spin potential and snapback in a slightly softer string than the ones above.
String Project
Italian String Project has some excellent strings like the softer Magic for players looking for an arm-friendly poly.
Velociti
Velociti Catalyst is the first biodegradable tennis string (which I’m aware of) on the market. It plays with good control and spin, so it’s a solid choice.
