The 7 Best Tennis Strings for Power (2023 Buyer’s Guide)
There are a bunch of different ways you can add more power to your game. You could look at getting a more powerful tennis racket or you could look at lifting heavier weights in the gym.
But one way that is often overlooked is by changing your tennis strings.
There are so many different tennis strings out there for you to choose from. Some will help with control while others may help with spin.
In this article, we will explore the best tennis strings for power.
Quick Summary
Rank | Best Strings for Power | String Type |
#1 | Natural Gut | |
#2 | Multifilament | |
#3 | Multifilament | |
#4 | Natural Gut | |
#5 | Multifilament | |
#6 | Synthetic Gut | |
#7 | Multifilament |
Reviews of the Best Tennis Strings for Power
1. Babolat VS Touch
Price: $$$$ | Type: Natural Gut | Gauge: 16
Pros
- Loads of power
- Good feel
- Comfort
- Playability
- Tension maintenance
Cons
- Expensive
- Lacks control
- Durability
When it comes to power and comfort, it doesn’t get much better than the Babolat VS Touch.
The Babolat VS Touch was first released back in 1925 making it one of the most iconic natural gut strings of all time. This string is still very popular on the WTA and ATP Tours, with players such as Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Karolina Pliskova all using it.
When I tested the VS Touch I found that it provided effortless power on my strokes as well as great responsiveness, allowing me to feel more connected to the ball. It is also one of the most comfortable strings I’ve ever used, making it ideal for players who suffer from arm injuries such as tennis elbow.
In recent years Babolat has tried to tackle the issue of durability with this string by including BT7 Technology which helps to make the string more durable. However, I still found that this string is nowhere near as durable as a polyester string.
Because it is a natural gut, the main disadvantages of this string are control and spin. This can be overcome by pairing it with a stiff polyester in a hybrid setup, as many pros do.
2. Wilson NXT Power
Price: $$$ | Type: Multifilament | Gauge: 16
Pros
- Excellent power
- Tension maintenance
- Comfortable
Cons
- Lacks control
If you’re looking for a great alternative to a natural gut, then look no further than the Wilson NXT Power.
The NXT Power has been made with advanced Xycro Micro fibers to provide a soft and powerful string bed. The NXT Power has a 15% larger sweet spot than the regular NXT and 80% less vibration than traditional synthetic strings, making it extremely comfortable!
One thing I loved about this string was how well it maintained tension. Even after using it over multiple sessions, I didn’t feel any change in tension. However, it did lack control, which is expected from a soft multifilament string.
The Wilson NXT Power is a great option for players who want a powerful and comfortable string at half the cost of a natural gut string.
3. Tecnifibre NRG2
Price: $$$ | Type: Multifilament | Gauge: 16
Pros
- Great power
- Playability
- Arm-friendly
- Durable
Cons
- Control
The Tecnifibre NRG2 is a multifilament string that’s designed to provide a blend of power and comfort.
The NRG2’s best feature is its power. The multifilament construction provides a lot of energy return, helping players generate more power on their shots. Another feature I love about this string is its playability. The Elastyl fibers provide a soft and comfortable feel that is very enjoyable to play with.
In terms of durability, I found that the NRG2 held up well compared to other multifilament strings. This is due to a silicone coating that Tecnifibre has added to this string, which also helps with comfort.
4. Wilson Natural Gut
Price: $$$$ | Type: Natural Gut | Gauge: 16
Pros
- Lots of power
- Great feel
- Comfort
- Tension maintenance
Cons
- Expensive
- Control
The Wilson Natural Gut is a very popular string that is known for its feel, comfort, and power.
This string offers easy and explosive power that you don’t get with any synthetic string. When you combine this with its exceptional playability, there’s no doubt you’ll have a good time out on the court. The soft and responsive feel of the string allowed me to feel more connected with the ball and helped improve my precision.
In terms of durability, the Wilson Natural Gut is not as durable as synthetic gut or polyester strings. However, it does hold up well compared to other natural gut strings on the market.
5. Head Velocity MLT
Price: $$| Type: Multifilament | Gauge: 16
Pros
- Good power
- Decent control
- Comfort
- Cost
Cons
- Not the best feel
The Head Velocity MLT is one of the most affordable multifilament strings on the market.
The Velocity MLT is constructed with 1000 ultra-flexible filaments that help give the string its easy power and soft touch. These also help with shock absorption giving you an arm-friendly experience.
Head has focused on making the Velocity MLT a much more control-oriented string than other multifilaments, allowing players to accelerate more on their shots and add more spin. They’ve also added low-friction coating which helps with durability.
The Head Velocity MLT is a great choice for players of all skill levels who want to try out a multifilament string.
6. Prince Synthetic Gut
Price: $| Type: Synthetic Gut | Gauge: 16
Pros
- Great price
- Good all-around performance
- Power
- Comfort
Cons
- Durability
- Control
The Prince Synthetic Gut is one of the best budget-friendly strings you can buy.
This string provides an excellent all-around performance. It may lack some of the features found in multifilament and natural gut strings, but it certainly won’t disappoint.
I found that the Prince Synthetic Gut offered plenty of power and comfort, which is ideal for recreational players who have short, compact swings.
The only major downsides to this string are durability and control but this can be tackled by increasing the tension or even pairing it with a polyester string if you’re looking to get creative.
The Prince Synthetic Gut is perfect for beginner to intermediate players.
7. Tecnifibre X-One Biphase
Price: $$$ | Type: Multifilament | Gauge: 16
Pros
- Comfortable to use
- Good feel
- Good control
- Decent power
Cons
- Lacks spin
The Tecnifibre X-One Biphase is a soft multifilament string that provides good power and playability.
The X-One Biphase uses fibers that have been bonded by trimerization, which is uncommon in tennis strings. According to Tecnifibre, this unique process allows for greater power and feel.
One of the standout features of the X-One Biphase is its comfort. I found that this string absorbed shock and reduced vibrations exceptionally well. This is beneficial for players who prefer a softer string bed.
Although the Tecnibfibre X-One Biphase offers more control than many other power tennis strings, it still may not be ideal for players who rely on hitting heavy spin.
What Type of String is Best for Power?
Choosing the right tennis string isn’t easy.
There are many different types of strings out there, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
In this section, we’ll look at the best types of strings for adding power to your game.
Natural Gut
Invented in 1875, natural gut is the original material for tennis strings. They used to be made from sheep gut however, nowadays most natural gut strings are produced from cow intestines.
Yes, I know it’s weird.
Natural gut strings are widely considered to be the highest quality strings on the market, offering players a number of benefits over other types of strings.
One of the major benefits is their power. The natural elasticity of the strings allows players to generate power with ease and add more explosiveness to their shots.
However, natural gut strings are not as durable as synthetic strings, and they are a lot more expensive.
Multifilament
Multifilament strings are a type of tennis string made by weaving multiple fibers together to form a single strand.
The process of weaving multiple fibers together creates a string that is both strong and elastic, providing a blend of power, control, and comfort.
Multifilament strings are also known for their playability. They provide a soft and responsive feel, giving players a good sense of where the ball is hitting on their strings.
While they are more durable than natural gut strings, they don’t hold up as well as polyester strings.
Synthetic Gut
Synthetic gut strings are a type of tennis string that is designed to mimic the feel and playability of natural gut strings, but at a lower cost.
They provide a good all-around performance and are perfect for beginner to intermediate players. The easy power you get from these strings is perfect for recreational players with compact strokes.
However, the major downsides are touch and control. While they are significantly less expensive than multifilament and natural gut strings, they do not provide the same level of feel.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the best tennis strings for power.
Do Thicker Strings Give More Power?
Tennis strings can vary in thickness. This is known as the gauge of the string.
The thicker the string, the greater the control and durability, while the thinner the string, the greater the power and comfort.
This means that if you want more power from your tennis string, you should look for a thinner option.
Do Tighter Strings Mean More Power?
You can also vary the tightness of your tennis strings when you go to get your racket restrung. This is known as tension.
The tighter the string, the greater the control, while the looser the string, the greater the power and comfort.
If you want more power from your tennis strings, consider using a lower string tension.
What is the Most Powerful Tennis String?
My pick for the best tennis string for power is the Babolat VS Touch.
Nothing quite compares to the effortless power and comfort you get from this natural gut string. If you’re willing to make the investment, I’d recommend giving it a go.
Final Words
So, now you know what type of tennis string is best for adding power to your game, as well as what tension and gauge you should use to add a little extra punch.
And hopefully, you’ve even discovered a new tennis string that you’d like to try.
Now get out there and start playing!