Specializing in comfort and power, the best playability strings also deliver great touch and responsiveness across slower stroke speeds. Although not as durable as polyester, playability strings hold their tension and playing characteristics much better over time. The undisputed king of this category is natural gut. Made of ultra resilient serosa fibers (beef intestines), nothing compares to the feel and "pocketing" of natural gut at impact. In addition to being the best choice for players with arm-problems, natural gut will add instant comfort and extra power to any hybrid. For those seduced by its undeniable charm, the high cost is well worth the price of admission.

Our Pick:

"Launched in 1925, Babolat's VS Natural Gut is one of the most iconic and celebrated tennis strings ever made. In addition to its unrivaled combination of comfort, power and feel, VS Natural Gut holds tension and playability longer than any string we’ve tested. It's also the perfect hybrid partner for your favorite poly." -Jonathan, TW String Guru

Control strings are typically firm, low powered and durable. The best control strings come from the polyester category. Although too stiff and underpowered for beginners, polyester strings helped to revolutionize the game of tennis by giving advanced players the needed control to swing bigger and load the ball with unprecedented levels of pace and spin.

Our Pick:

"Being a big hitter who likes to accelerate fast through my shots, I look to my strings to help add control to my game. RPM Team is stiff and dead, which is just what I look for when it comes to my strings -- it helps me feel confident swinging out. Plus, there is ample access to spin to tap into when I need to get the ball diving down and into the court." - Michelle, TW Playtester

The best spin strings come from the polyester community, and they tend to have shaped or textured surfaces for gripping the ball. They also typically have low-friction surfaces which enables them to slide and snapback powerfully during impact. Finally, their low power levels make it easier for the player to achieve the vicious stroke speeds required for heavy spin.

Our Pick:

"When it comes to spin, it doesn’t get much better than RPM Blast Rough. In addition to having one of the highest spin scores in our string lab, the rough version of RPM Blast is softer and more arm-friendly than the standard version." - Troy, TW Playtester

Like natural gut, multifilament strings specialize in comfort and power. Unlike the more basic synthetic guts (which have a single, solid core), multifilaments are comprised of hundreds or thousands of ultra pliable, elbow-friendly fibers, and bundled together with flexible resins like polyurethane. Ideal for non-string breakers or anyone looking to add some comfort and power to a hybrid.

Our Pick:

"If I'm looking for comfort and control, Babolat Xcel would be a top choice. I like that there is inherent comfort and power in this multifilament string, but where Xcel stands out from other multifilament options is its more controlled feel." - Tiffani, TW Playtester

Although nothing can replicate the sublime feel of VS Natural Gut or the magical spin and snapback of RPM Blast, the tennis industry is filled with options for the player in search of value. Here are two of our favorites.

Our Pick - Value Polyester:

"Relatively soft for a co-poly without being mushy, Babolat RPM Hurricane still packs as much control and spin as its firmer counterparts. Sitting comfortably under $10, Pro Hurricane proves you don't have to break the bank to have a top-notch string!" - Sean, TW Playtester

Our Pick - Value Multifilament