10 under $10: Best Affordable Polyester Tennis Strings
When you break strings frequently, the costs of stringing can add up. Whether you're a frequent string breaker, are looking to cut down on costs, love a good deal or all of the above, we're here to help you find great playing polyester tennis strings at a great price. One thing to note is we recommend these strings to advanced players because poly strings are often too firm and underpowered for those learning the game. We've playtested many tennis strings over the years, and these are our picks for the best affordable polys. (Updated April 2024)
Our Picks for Best Polys Under $10
| String | Gauges Available |
| Tourna Big Hitter Silver |
16/1.30mm |
| Volkl Cyclone |
15L/1.35mm |
| Signum Pro Poly Plasma | 16L/1.28mm 17/1.23mm 17L/1.18mm |
| Prince Vortex | 16/1.30mm 17/1.25mm 18/1.20mm |
| Tecnifibre Pro Red Code | 16/1.30mm 17/1.25mm 18/1.20mm |
| ISOSPEED Cream | 16L/1.28mm 17/1.23mm |
| Topspin Cyber Flash | 16/1.30mm 17/1.25mm 17L/1.20mm |
| Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange | 16L/1.28mm 17/1.23mm |
| Dunlop Black Widow | 16/1.31mm 17/1.26mm 18/1.21 |
| Gosen Polylon | 16/1.29mm 17/1.24mm |
Tourna Big Hitter Silver
Gauges: 16/1.30, 17/1.25
Composition: Co-polyester monofilament
Color: Silver
Bottom line: With its comfortable feel and spin-friendly precision, this lively poly is perfect for big hitters who want a more tendon-friendly option. The fact that you can pick up a set for under $7 makes it awfully hard to resist. Read our full review.
Volkl Cyclone
Gauges: 15L/1.35, 16/1.30, 17/1.25, 18/1.20, 18L/1.15, 19/1.10
Composition: Co-polymer polyester monofilament
Colors: Black, Orange, Yellow
Bottom line: Volkl Cyclone has been a perennial favorite of the TW playtest team. Unlike some strings that require either an onerous break-in period or constant tinkering with swing speed and tension, we think Cyclone's playability is exceptional right "out of the box." Cyclone not only offers a truly impressive combination of spin, control and playability, but it also boasts one of the most impressive price-to-value ratios on the market.
Read the full review and comparative review of Cyclone vs. Babolat RPM Blast.
Signum Pro Poly Plasma
Gauges: 16L/1.28, 17/1.23, 17L/1.18
Composition: Co-polyester monofilament
Color: Pearl Orange
Bottom line: Poly Plasma is a high performance co-poly at a price that is hard to beat. What stands out about this string is its relatively comfortable feel, considering it rates in the medium-to-firm range of our TWU stiffness charts, and it has special additives to give it impressive tension maintenance. If you love to swing big and are looking for a string to provide a consistent response over its lifespan, give this string a go. Read the full review.
Prince Vortex
Gauges: 16/1.30, 17/1.25, 18/1.20
Colors: Red, Black
Bottom line: This six-sided spin machine puts a very tight grip on the ball. Designed with softening agents, this string is comfortably crisp without ever feeling mushy or compromising your connection to the ball. The high comfort level means you can string it tighter for control without losing the sweetspot. Read the full review for more details.
Tecnifibre Pro Red Code
Gauges: 16/1.30, 17/1.25, 18/1.20
Composition: Co-polyester monofilament
Color: Red
Bottom line: Pro Red Code plays with the firm response of an "old school" poly. The main upsides are excellent durability and impressive control on full swings. Pro Red Code's crisp and clean feel delivers the kind of direct feedback that makes the ball feel closer to the hand. Read the full review.
ISOSPEED Cream
Gauges: 16L/1.28, 17/1.23
Composition: Co-polyester monofilament
Color: Cream
Bottom line: In contrast to the majority of co-polyester strings on the market, Cream's primary ingredient is not polyester, but a uniquely flexible elastomer. Cream is best suited for the big hitter who wants a genuinely comfortable control string with decent spin potential. Read the full review.
Topspin Cyber Flash
Gauges: 16/1.30, 17/1.25, 17L/1.20
Composition: Co-polyester monofilament
Color: Grey
Bottom line: Cyber Flash received a low stiffness rating in the Tennis Warehouse string lab, and on court, we were pleasantly surprised by the responsiveness and feel that Cyber Flash delivered around the net, especially on touch volleys. This string is a good value for big hitters and string breakers who need a more comfortable and responsive control string. Read the full review.
Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange
Gauges: 16L/.28, 17/1.23
Composition: Co-polyester
Color: Orange
Bottom line: Super Smash is a classic control string, which means it will enable you swing very powerfully without fear of overhitting. Durability is also outstanding.
Dunlop Black Widow
Gauges: 16/1.31, 17/1.26, 18/1.21
Composition: Co-polyester monofilament
Color: Black
Bottom line: If you are in the market for a comfortable co-poly with massive spin potential, look no further than Dunlop Black Widow. In addition to packing above average power for a poly, this seven-sided spin-monster comes with an ultra slick surface for extra snap back. Read the full review.
Gosen Polylon
Gauges: 17/1.24 (Available in 16/1.29 in reels only)
Composition: Co-polyester monofilament
Colors: Black, Ice
Bottom line: Gosen Polylon is a good old-fashioned polyester string. It delivers remarkable control and tremendous spin potential. This is partly because Polylon's response is so predictable and low powered that it enables big hitters to attack the ball at extreme upward angles. Once you factor in the price, which is less than a couple of vibration dampeners, Gosen Polylon is one of the all time best options for big hitters on a budget. Read the full review.
Final Thoughts
We know that the costs of re-stringing your racquet can add up and think there are lots of great strings that are easier on the wallet. We've shared our favorite poly strings with everyday lower price tags, but you can also check out our main tennis string page where we list current promotions at the top.
We hope you found this article helpful, and if you have any questions about strings, you can contact our product specialists at 1-800-799-9230.
