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Best Tennis Strings for Control

Calling all big hitters! If you are looking for string that will rein in your power and allow you to keep your foot on the gas, look no further. We picked some of our favorite control strings whether you're looking for value, comfort, polyester or mulitifilament. (Updated June 2025).

Best Control Strings by Category

String Name Category String Type
Luxilon ALU Power "Pro Tour" Polyester
Grapplesnake Tour Sniper Premium Performance Polyester
Gosen Polylon Value Polyester
Yonex POLYTOUR AIR Comfort Polyester
Solinco Hyper-G All-Around Polyester
Tecnifibre Triax Multifiliament Multifilament
Head Hawk Touch
ISOSPEED Cream
Honorable Mention Polyester

Luxilon ALU Power - Our 'Pro Tour' Pick

Gauges: 16, 16L, 17, 18
Color: Silver, Ice Blue
Bottom Line: A favorite on the professional tour, ALU Power's surgical control helped unlock the explosive mechanics of the modern game. Although not quite as control-oriented as Lxilon 4G, ALU Power's superior feel makes it hard to beat. Please Note: The most commonly used gauge of ALU Power on the pro tour is 16/1.25mm. Don't miss our full review for more information.

Grapplesnake Tour Sniper - Premium Performance

Gauges: 1.25, 1.30
Color: Silver
Bottom Line: Tour Sniper infuses its composition with materials and characteristics well-known for their accurate, control-oriented response, defined by a deadened feel that encourages larger cuts at the ball. The string utilizes a pentagonal profile and is definitely firmer compared to the other strings in the Grapplesnake lineup while remaining softer than some of its other market alternatives. This string also comes pre-stretched, which helps extend its playability and requires less break-in off the stringer. For higher level players looking for the utmost levels of control to tame higher racquet-head speeds, Tour Sniper is the way to go.

Shop All Grapplesnake

Grapplesnake Tour Sniper 17/1.25 String

5.0
2 Reviews
Shop All Grapplesnake

Grapplesnake Tour Sniper 17/1.25 String

5.0
2 Reviews
$11.99
Grapplesnake Tour Sniper 17/1.25 String
In Stock: 10+
Price: $11.99
  • Color: Grey

We will match or beat any posted overall price advertised in-store or online on in stock items.


Gosen Polylon - Value Pick

Gauges: 16, 17, 18
Color: Black, Clear, Natural
Bottom Line: One of the greatest budget polys of all time, Gosen Polylon is a longtime favorite of big hitters, chronic string breakers and home stringers. Experienced players looking for maximum control on the cheap should add this to their list. Learn more in our full review.


Yonex POLYTOUR Air - Comfort Pick

Gauges: 16L

Color: Blue

Bottom Line: Boasting one of the lowest stiffness values ever recorded for a polyester monofilament, POLYTOUR AIR is a gift to the experienced player in search of a more comfortable ride. We go into more detail in our review.


Solinco Hyper-G - All-Around Pick

Gauges: 16, 16L, 17, 18, 19, 20
Color: Green
Bottom Line: This TW Staff favorite can do it all — easy spin, surgical control, great feel and above-average tension maintenance. It also delivers the playability of a premium poly at a fraction of the cost. The fact that is comes in an unprecedented range of gauges is a nice bonus. Don't miss our review for additional details.


Tecnifibre Triax - Multifilament Pick

Gauges: 15L, 16, 17
Color: Natural
Bottom Line: Although this multifilament string lacks the ultra controlled response of a polyester monofilament, it brings impressive control and durability to the multifilament category. Comfort seekers looking to keep more balls in play should give this one a serious look. Take a more in-depth look in our full review.


Head Hawk Touch - Honorable Mention

Gauges: 16, 17, 18
Color: Anthracite
Bottom Line: With its firm construction and ultra predictable response, this co-poly delivers impressive command over the ball. It not only enables aggressive players to target the lines, but it also makes it easier for them to swing bigger when loading the ball with pace and spin.

ISOSPEED Cream - Honorable Mention

Gauges: 16L, 17
Color: Cream
Bottom Line: As one of the most comfortable co-polys ever made, ISOSPEED Cream is the perfect string for big hitters who want a more tendon-friendly option. We go into more detail in our review.


How We Pick

Wonder how we choose best gear recommendations? We gather from our playtesters' firsthand experiences reviewing and playing with all the tennis gear. We form our lists based on their reviews and feedback. You can find all of our product reviews here.

Learn More

How to Choose String Tension
How to Pick Strings for Power, Control, Spin, Durability
Understanding String Stiffness

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