If your racket came pre-strung from a store, it's almost certainly loaded with cheap strings at low tension. A proper restring can immediately transform how your racket plays. String types at a glance: Synthetic gut = soft, arm-friendly, cheap. Polyester = durable, spin-focused, firm. Natural gut = best feel, most expensive. Multifilament = a softer poly alternative. Most intermediate and advanced players use polyester or a hybrid.
Last updated: June 2026 · Prices checked June 2026
| String | Tier | Price | Key Specs | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Synthetic Gut Power 16 | Budget | ~$6 | Synthetic gut (nylon) · 16g gauge | 7.5 |
| Prince Synthetic Gut Original 16 | Budget | ~$6 | Multi-wrap synthetic gut · 16g gauge | 7.5 |
| Babolat RPM Blast 16 | Best Value | ~$14 | Co-polyester · Octagonal profile | 9.5 |
| Solinco Hyper-G 16L | Best Value | ~$13 | Square-edged polyester · 16L gauge | 9.0 |
| Luxilon ALU Power 125 | Premium | ~$18 | Alu co-polyester · 1.25mm gauge | 9.5 |
| Wilson Natural Gut 16 | Premium | ~$42 | Natural gut (bovine) · 16g gauge | 10 |
Under $8 / set
Comfortable synthetic gut for beginners and arm-sensitive players
The most widely available beginner string. Solid nylon synthetic gut with a round profile — plays soft and arm-friendly with good power return. Not the most durable, but ideal for players who don't break strings often and want something reliable without overthinking it.
Prince's classic synthetic gut — a staple of recreational tennis for decades. Slightly livelier response than Wilson's version. Multi-wrap construction adds durability and a crisper feel at contact. A solid step up if you want something just a notch better than the most basic option without spending more.
$12 – $16 / set
Tour-level polyester used by Nadal, Djokovic, and most pros
The most popular string on the ATP tour — used by Rafael Nadal for most of his career. Octagonal co-polyester delivers exceptional topspin, control, and durability. Firm feel that rewards players with consistent technique. At $14 a set, it's the gold standard for value polyester and one of the most recommended strings in the game.
Solinco's square-edged design bites into the ball for exceptional spin and control that often outperforms strings at higher price points. Durability is excellent and playability holds up well even as tension drops. A rising favorite among intermediate and advanced players who want RPM-level performance at a slightly lower cost.
$16 – $45 / set
The absolute best in control, feel, and tension maintenance
The string that changed professional tennis. Used by Novak Djokovic and countless tour players for decades. Aluminum co-polyester with legendary control, predictable response, and exceptional durability. Firm feel — not the right choice if you have arm issues — but if you upgrade one thing in your game, make it this.
Natural gut is the benchmark by which all strings are judged — unmatched feel, power, and tension maintenance that no synthetic string has fully replicated. Made from bovine serosa, it delivers a lively, soft, powerful response with exceptional arm comfort. Often used in hybrid setups (natural gut mains + poly crosses) by pro players who want the best of both worlds.
Tennis String Buying Guide
The four string families
Synthetic gut is the affordable all-rounder — fine for most casual players. Multifilament mimics natural gut's comfort and power, great for sore arms. Polyester gives advanced players spin and control but is stiff and loses tension faster. Natural gut is the premium benchmark for feel and comfort, at a premium price.
Tension changes everything
Most rackets recommend 50–60 lbs. Lower tension = more power and comfort; higher tension = more control. If you don't know where to start, string at the middle of your racket's recommended range and adjust from there. Poly strings should be strung 5–10% looser than synthetic gut.
Gauge: thinner bites, thicker lasts
String gauge runs from 15 (thickest) to 18 (thinnest). Thinner strings give more spin and feel but break sooner. 16 gauge is the standard compromise; chronic string-breakers should go 15L, spin-hunters who restring often can go 17.
A warning about polyester
Full poly setups are for advanced players with fast, full swings. For everyone else they feel like boards and can cause arm pain. If you want poly's spin without the harshness, use a hybrid: poly mains with synthetic gut or multifilament crosses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I restring my tennis racket?
Restring as many times per year as you play per week — playing twice a week means restringing twice a year. Strings lose tension and playability long before they break.
What tennis string is best for beginners?
Synthetic gut at mid-tension. It's affordable, comfortable, and predictable. Don't pay for polyester performance you can't yet use — it may even hurt your arm.
What is a hybrid string setup?
Different strings in the mains and crosses — typically durable spin-friendly poly mains with comfortable synthetic gut or multifilament crosses. It's the most popular setup at club level because you get most of poly's benefits with less stiffness.
Does string tension really matter?
Hugely. The same racket strung at 48 vs 58 lbs plays like two different frames. Lower tension adds power and comfort; higher tension adds control for fast swings. Strings also lose roughly 10% of their tension in the first 24 hours after stringing.