Choosing The Right Tennis String
Tennis racquet string is one of the most important tennis equipment pieces. Choosing the right string can help you play better tennis, by reducing vibration, giving you more power or increasing control. This guide will walk you through some of the basics when it comes to choosing tennis racquet strings for your needs so that you can make an educated decision on what tennis racket string set is perfect for you! Please also join our mailing list for other tips about this topic, the best deals, and a wide array of more tennis topics.
How Can I Use This Guide?
This tennis strings guide is broken down into several categories for tennis players, including the most common question "how often do I need to restring my tennis racquet?" This will help you understand when it's time for a change in tennis string and how much that costs. You'll also see some recommendations by playing features (benefit), such as what is the right string to give you the most durability, spin, power, or control.
For those of you that like to switch it up, we also have a section on the best hybrid tennis strings and natural gut tennis strings. If you're ever curious about the price difference between synthetic guts and natural gut tennis strings, this guide has got you covered!
Lastly, if you want to get really into making sure you have the best tennis string set up, we will answer if you can string your own tennis racquets at home!
What Strings Should I Use For My Tennis Racquet?
There are three main types of string. Synthetic Gut, Polyester, and Natural Gut. You can also do hybrid stringing where you use two different strings. Each tennis string type has different benefits, so it's important to choose the right one.
- Synthetic gut tennis strings offer a nice blend of comfort, tension maintenance, and more power for an affordable price. Some options have polyester in them which also boosts power slightly while sacrificing some feel and control.
- Polyester string is a durable material that gives you more durability and helps produce the most amount of spin. It is the best for chronic string breakers and a big hitter that hits a heavy ball because it is the most durable string. They are considered a control-oriented string because the extra spin keeps the ball in play. Typically, advanced players use this type of string. Some beginners will experience arm injuries with this string.
-Natural Gut is the most expensive option as it is made from an actual cow. It provides the most comfort, power and holds its tension the best.
What Gauge (thickness) Should I Pick on a Tennis String?
Tennis string is typically offered in a gauge range from 15 to 19. Higher numbers are thinner string and the lower is thicker. It is recommended to go with a thin gauge as long as you do not break them too quickly. The thinner the tennis string, the more spin and feel you will get. The main advantage of thicker tennis strings is durability.
Are Typical Factory Tennis Strings Good Enough?
A lot of racquets that you buy at big box stores come pre-strung. They are typically a basic, low-cost string. A lot of time with strings like Prince Synthetic Gut. If you're happy with those, then there's no need to change them. However, many tennis players swear by aftermarket strings because they offer more control, power, and feel than the factory options. If you're looking for an upgrade, it might be worth trying out some new strings!
Best Strings for Beginners & Children
For beginners who still do not have the best form and juniors who are still growing, synthetic gut is recommended. Synthetic gut tennis strings are going to provide the most amount of comfort, which will absorb shock the best if you are hitting the ball late or your bones are still growing.
Best Strings by Playing Feature (benefit)
Almost everything is equipped with special attributes that help you maximize your tennis racquet's performance. We list all of the string’s greatest benefits as well as our best seller in each category.
All-around performance & value: Solinco Vanquish
Comfort, power & feel: Gamma Professional
Maximum comfort, power, feel & tension maintenance: Babolat VS Touch
Maximum control, spin & durability: Luxilon ALU Power
Maximum possibilities & and fewer trade-offs: Wilson Champion's Choice
Best Strings By Type
Typically, the string comes in a series of categories: synthetic guts, natural gut, and polyester. Each model brings in its own advantages allowing the racquet to perform its best to suit you. Here I can help you find the best tennis strings from these three categories.
Best Seller Synthetic Gut: Solinco Vanquish, Wilson Sensation, Wilson NXT, Wilson Sensation Plus, Wilson Syn Gut Power, Babolat Xcel, Tecnifibre X-One Biphase, Gamma Live Wire XP, Prince Synthetic Gut, and Gamma Synthetic Gut w/ Wearguard.
Best Seller Polyester: Babolat RPM Blast, Head Lynx Tour, Luxilon Element, Luxilon ALU Power Rough, Solinco Hyper G, Solinco Tour Bite, Solinco Confidential, Yonex Poly Tour Fire, Yonex Poly Tour Pro, and Yonex Poly Tour Rev.
Best Seller Best Natural Gut: Babolat VS Touch
Tips For Selecting a Set of Tennis String.
-If you have arm problems or tennis elbow, the best tennis string is synthetic or natural gut tennis strings.
-If you break synthetic gut too quickly and can produce your own power, try out a set of polyester strings. Just string it at a looser tension to help soften it up. Also, it is important to replace polyester strings more often because they will become dead quicker than other types of strings.
What Are The Most Expensive Tennis Strings?
The most expensive tennis strings are usually made with natural gut. They usually cost more for both the string and the labor because it is recommended to pre-stretch it and be more careful while stringing it. They are considered the best tennis strings.
What Is A Tennis String Saver?
Tennis string savers are little plastic pieces that hold your tennis strings in place so there is less friction between the strings. This can help extend the life of any tennis string. It may make the strings feel stiffer and offer less spin so most people do not use them.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Tennis Strings?
It usually costs around $27-$76 to replace tennis strings with labor. There is a lot of price points on string sets. If you have a chronic problem with your tennis strings breaking, it might be worth it to invest in a tennis stringing machine or switch to polyester strings.
What String Is Similar to Wilson NXT?
The strings that are most similar to Wilson NXT are Babolat Xcel, Tecnifibre Biphase, and Gamma Professional. They should play close to the same string as Wilson NXT. Polyester String such as the Luxilon ALU Power is going to opposite of this string.
What are Wilson Sensation Strings Good For?
Wilson Sensation tennis strings are a great option for tennis players who want to play with extra control and accuracy. They also add great performance for a lower price. They have good spin potential, but they do not offer much power or pop when hitting the ball from close range. If you like playing at slower speeds in order to hit more accurate shots, then these might be a great option.
What Type of String is Wilson Sensation?
Wilson Sensation Tennis Strings are a multifilament synthetic gut. Players who want an extremely low-powered game, or players that like playing with control and precision would be very pleased with the performance of Wilson Sensation tennis strings. These are also great for beginners who want to learn how to play tennis without sacrificing their swing speed. Great string for the price also.
How Often Do I Need To Restring My Tennis Racquet?
The most common rule of thumb is you should string your tennis racket as many times a year as you play with it in a week. So if you play three times a week, you should string your racquet every four months.
Typically tennis racquets that do not get played with very often should be restrung every 12-18 months depending on the frequency of play. Many tennis players notice that after about a year their strings begin to lose tension and "deaden." This means it would be time for you to have your tennis racquet restrung.
Advanced players can sometimes start breaking their strings every week so they are not concerned about how the string holds its tension but they just want maximum durability and maximum spin. Luxilon strings make a lot of great strings for this. One of the most popular for experienced players is Luxilon ALU Power.
Can I Restring My Tennis Racquet??
Yes, you can. It requires a stringing machine and some basic tools. Machines can range in price from under $1000 to over $5000! If you break a lot of strings and also want to start a side business it may be worth it. It will typically take a couple hours to string a tennis racquet at first. After 50 or more completed racquets your time should be getting closer to 30 mins. If you have never restrung a tennis racquet before, we suggest watching one of the many how-to videos on the internet.
