What is the Best Multifilament Tennis String – Top Picks 2024

Types of Tennis Strings

If you’re an experienced tennis player, chances are you’re quite familiar with the different types of strings. However, if you’re a beginner looking at the diverse market of tennis strings, don’t worry we’re here to help you out and explain your options. So, let’s get into it.

In this article, we are going to help you determine what is the best multifilament tennis string.

There are two main categories of tennis strings:

• Natural Gut Strings
• Synthetic Strings

Natural gut is the first type of string introduced to the tennis world at the end of the 19th century. They’re made in an intricate process of converting cow intestine into a tennis string. Although it might be a piece of shocking information for most, we need to take into consideration that they were invented long before modern textiles existed.

Despite being a peculiar material, natural gut is widely recognized as the best tennis string out there, and it is the most common choice of professional players. They provide superior power, control, and feel compared to other string types. However, they aren’t very durable and are the most expensive string on the market.

Despite natural gut being the best option for professional tennis players, it might be overkill for most players. This is where synthetic strings come into play. As their name suggests, a wide range of synthetic materials are used in the manufacturing process of synthetic strings that are categorized in the following manner:

• Multifilament Strings
• Synthetic Gut
• Polyester Strings

The general advantage of all types of synthetic strings over natural gut is their longevity and customization. The focus of today’s topic will be on the best multifilament tennis strings, so without further ado let’s get straight to it.

What is a Multifilament Tennis String?

As we all know, natural gut strings can be too expensive for the average player. I’ve competed professionally on the junior tennis tour and have never actually used natural gut. My primary string of choice when I was very young was indeed multifilament strings. Later, when I started competing seriously, I switched to polyester strings. So, for the average player, the multifilament string is more than enough.

But what are multifilament strings you might be wondering? They are strings, created with the sole purpose of being the best of both worlds. The power, touch, and feel of a natural gut, paired with the durability and longevity of a synthetic gut. Regarding the technical aspect, multifilament strings are created in a manner of weaving together thousands of fibers which recreate the feeling of natural gut.

But how come different multifilament strings differ so much in price? The short answer would be, build quality and durability. Trust me, there aren’t many strings out there that I haven’t tried and played with, the difference in quality is very much felt.

Keep reading to find out more on how to choose the right multifilament string and see some of my top picks.

Our Top 5 Picks – The Best Multifilament Tennis String – Our Review

So, we’ve covered the steps on how to choose the right string and now let’s get into our top picks. Playing tennis seriously since the age of 6, I’ve had the opportunity to try out many strings. I’ll spare you the countless hours of testing these strings out on the court. Here is a list of the absolute top picks for the best multifilament tennis string.

Keep in mind that not everyone might agree with me, but this is my personal choice for the best multifilament strings on the market today. And, without further ado let’s get into it.

Wilson NXT – Our top pick

Wilson NXT is an amazingly well-rounded multifilament string. It is a combination of soft nylon fibers and firm polyester fibers. The Wilson NXT series is aimed at tennis players of all levels.

I’ve played with all the different types of Wilson NXT, and I loved each of those strings. They are simply playable strings with lots of comfort, control, and precision. It is no wonder that NXT is one of the best tennis strings on the market today when it comes to multifilament strings.

There are four different types of the Wilson NXT series:  Wilson NXT Control, Wilson NXT Comfort, Wilson NXT Durability, and Wilson NXT Power. Each is made with the purpose to suit all types of play styles. They were popularized by Roger Federer, the ambassador of the Wilson brand, but not without a good reason.

I’ve felt an extremely crisp feel upon making contact with the ball. Unlike some other strings that I’ve played with, Wilson NXT provided me with a great feeling of being connected to my racket and a greater control compared to some other multifilament strings. The NXT series simply thrives in the areas of control, comfort, durability, and touch. All in all, they are one of the most comfortable tennis strings out there. The only downside that I’ve noticed is that they tend to tear and shred when you play with these strings with lots of spin.

So, the best characteristics of the Wilson NXT series are:

• Comfort
• Control
• Crisp touch and great feel
• Durability

Buy on Amazon

Babolat Xcel

Babolat Xcel is a safe haven string for players who are prone to injuries. I’ve found it to be one of the most comfortable multifilament strings that I’ve ever tested. This is due to a combination of shock-absorbing filaments and a lively polyethylene. As with all multifilament strings, the comfortable feel and soft nature of the Babolat Xcel might make you think that it would lack control. But I assure you that isn’t the case here.

Being an aggressive player, I’ve accustomed myself to hitting the ball quite hard. Despite this fact, I’ve found it to have higher levels of control compared to some other multifilament strings.

Some downsides that I’ve experienced with this string are its durability which isn’t all that great when compared to other multifilament strings, and lower level of spin. But all in all, the Babolat Xcel is still one of the best choices for multifilament strings.

In summary, the greatest features of the Babolat Xcel are:

• Control levels despite the soft construction
• Comfortable feel
• Ball pocketing

Buy on Amazon

Head RIP Control

Head RIP Control is a control-oriented multifilament string, as its name suggests. When you think of a control string, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? A stiff string solely dedicated to providing the player with shot precision.

Well, I can tell you from my experience that it isn’t a classical control string. The Head RIP Control is made to provide excellent shock absorption, whilst also maintaining precision. This is achieved due to its multifilament core construction.

I’ve found this to be one of the main reasons that separates this string from other control strings. Its level of comfort is just amazing. When playing with it, I noticed that it is comfortable on your arm, and it had solid control for a multifilament string. It could be compared to a softer polystring. The only downside for my game was that it lacked the crips feel upon contact with the ball. Some players might also find it hard to get a good grip on the ball, but I haven’t personally found this to be a problem for me.

All in all, the Head RIP Control has some amazing features such as:

• Comfort
• Control
• Playability

Buy on Amazon

Tecnifibre NRG 2

Tecnifibre is a brand that was relatively recently popularized by the likes of players such as Daniil Medvedev. NRG 2 is a multifilament string introduced by Tecnifibre as an option for players who are looking for precision and control of poly strings but with higher levels of comfort. Upon testing this string, I’ve found it to be one of the most comfortable strings in the category of multifilament strings.

I’ve found it to have an extremely comfortable response due to its core complexity. Also, it provided me with a very smooth and responsive feel upon contact. Having these features, one might think that it would lack power. However, I’ve experienced great power levels from the baseline and good tension maintenance. I preferred this string in a full bed, rather than a hybrid setup.

On the other hand, it was quite tough for me to get enough control over my shots with the Tecnifibre NRG 2. I personally would prefer stiffer strings such as polyesters, but an average player might not experience the same. Some of my fellow tennis players have reported that this string lacked spin of full swings. This might be because their swing path is more linear than mine.

Let’s sum it up. The greatest features of Tecnifibre NRG 2 are:

• Comfortable feel
• Great power
• Responsive touch

Buy on Amazon

Head Reflex MLT

With Head being one of the most popular tennis brands on the market, due to its ambassadors like Novak Djokovic, it is no wonder another one of their multifilament strings finds its place on our list. Head Reflex MLT thrives in the comfort department, especially when paired with a stiffer racket frame.

Despite being extremely soft and comfortable, I haven’t found it to be uncontrollable in regards to having too much power. I’ve played with it for quite a while and noticed that it tends to hold its properties for a long time. I’ve seriously enjoyed playing with it, and it is one of the best multifilament strings on the market.

However, I noticed that it lacked the spin that I’d be able to generate with a poly string. Despite having a decent control rating for a multifilament string, I felt like I wasn’t able to obtain ultimate control and precision on my shots. But this is the case with all multifilament strings when compared to stiffer polyester strings.

The Head Reflex MLT is undeniably an excellent choice of string with some great features, and here are some of them:

• Comfortable feel
• Amazing power
• Playability duration

Buy on Amazon

My Personal Choice

We’ve listed the greatest choices of multifilament strings on the market. Whichever you choose you will not make a mistake.

My top pick would be the Wilson NXT Control. I may be a little biased, due to playing with Wilson most of my career, but in my opinion, NXT Control is the best option here. If I had to go for a multifilament string due to additional comfort, I would choose this string. It offers great levels of control which are fairly similar to some softer poly strings. The crisp feel and great touch are also a big bonus.

How to Choose the Right Multifilament Tennis String

If you’re a beginner look no further, you’ll get your answer right here. Even if you’re a more advanced player you might want to stick around because you never know when you can learn something new.

I know that the tennis string market can be a bit overwhelming at times, but here is a brief overview of some guidelines you should follow when buying a tennis string. Numerous factors would determine which multifilament string would be the best fit for you. Some of those factors include skill level, playing style, preferences, and the string characteristics.

Skill Level

The higher your skill level, the more experience you should have in this area of tennis. I’ve always loved trying out new strings. It is a way of discovering the best fit for you and your racket. I’ve even found it to be quite enjoyable to play around with different strings and test out their strengths and weaknesses. So here is my advice to you, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player you should fiddle around with different strings until you find the best fit for yourself. Also, if you need help in making your choice you can always ask a local coach or you could e-mail us, and we’ll be more than glad to help you.

Playing Style

Everyone has a different and, in some ways, unique playing style. Some of us are aggressive players, and some on the other hand are defensive players. Some love approaching the net, while others prefer staying back on the baseline. Whatever your play style may be, your string influences your performance. The most important aspects of a multifilament tennis string are power and control, spin, comfort, and durability. Other factors such as string gauge, tension, and string pattern also affect your performance. Here is a guide on how to choose the right best tennis string.

Power and Control

However, the two most common things I’ve found to be a problem for lots of different players are power and lack of it. If you find yourself having the same problem, here is your solution. The lack of power could mean that your strings are way too stiff, and your string tension is too high. Decreasing tension and switching to a multifilament string with a softer construction can do wonders. Numerous times have I found myself in a situation where just dropping the tension a pound or two, worked wonders for me.

On the other hand, if you have too much power in your shots you might want to consider the opposite. Up the tension a bit or switch to a stiffer string that offers more control and stability. Here, string gauge plays an important role, and here is what you need to know. The thinner the gauge, the more power and feel, but less control and durability. The thicker the gauge the more control and longevity, but less power and feel. That is a general rule which I’ve led myself by, and it always proved to be so.

Spin

Spin is also a very important factor in one’s game. The same rules apply here. Too much spin and no control, opt for a stiffer string with a smooth surface. This will allow for stability and precision in your shots. For the lack of spin, go for a multifilament string with a textured surface which significantly increases its “bite” on the tennis ball. This will most definitely increase your spin potential. One of the best feelings when testing out strings is when you switch from a smooth control-oriented string to a textured spin-friendly string. Feeling the strings brush off the ball and seeing your opponent struggle to reach it once it bounces is a great feeling.

Comfort

Tennis players are often at risk of an elbow injury known as the tennis elbow. It is of great importance to prevent this injury. This is why the comfort of your tennis string must be one of your top priorities. Advanced players tend to often overlook this point, but I would advise everyone to keep an eye out for a string’s comfort rating. Luckily for all of us, multifilament strings are made to be very comfortable.

Durability

Multifilament strings are known for being very durable. It is purely logical, they are made to recreate the feel of natural gut, yet to be much more playable and durable. You shouldn’t focus that much on this aspect when you’re buying a new multifilament string, as most of them will last you for quite a while. If you are however a very heavy hitter and you play often, make sure to pay a bit more attention to this particular string characteristic.

Who Should Play with Multifilament Tennis Strings?

Multifilament tennis strings are aimed at all players who are looking for a more comfortable alternative to polyester strings. Players with arm issues and arm pain would have great benefits from playing with the aforementioned strings. Also, multifilament strings are a great choice for junior players who are still developing their game. Players who opt for multifilament strings get the opportunity to create effortless and controllable power on their shots without sacrificing comfort.

In summary, multifilament strings are a perfect choice for all players whose primary concern is comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions