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Diadem string at Diadem's own prices: Solstice Power $13.95 set · $194.95 reel. Contact us and we'll send you a payment link. All our stringing and string sales live at Mobile Racket.
A great co-poly: softer, with bite for spin. Our go-to Diadem poly. Underrated pick: Flash, a round poly that lasts. Best for: spin with feel. Also good: Pro X, Flash and Elite XT. See all Diadem.
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| String | Brand | Type | Gauge | Level | Best for | Rating | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlashKidsDiadem · Poly · 4.0/4 | Diadem | Poly | Varies | Intermediate / Advanced | Frequent breakers | Top rated4.0 | Also on Amazon |
| Solstice PowerKidsDiadem · Co-poly · 4.0/4 | Diadem | Co-poly | Varies | Intermediate / Advanced | Spin with feel | Top rated4.0 | Also on Amazon |
| Hyper-G 16LSolinco · Poly · 16L · 3.9/4 | Solinco | Poly | 16L | Advanced | 4.0+ who want max bite | Top rated3.9 | Also on Amazon |
| ALU Power 125Luxilon · Co-poly · 16L / 1.25 · 3.8/4 | Luxilon | Co-poly | 16L / 1.25 | Advanced | 4.0+ who hit through the ball | Top rated3.8 | Also on Amazon |
| Hyper-G 17Solinco · Poly · 17 · 3.8/4 | Solinco | Poly | 17 | Advanced | Max bite, more snap | Top rated3.8 | Also on Amazon |
| Confidential 17Solinco · Co-poly · 17 · 3.7/4 | Solinco | Co-poly | 17 | Intermediate / Advanced | Control, tension hold | Top rated3.7 | Also on Amazon |
| RPM Blast 17Babolat · Poly · 17 · 3.7/4 | Babolat | Poly | 17 | Advanced | Heavy topspin | Top rated3.7 | Also on Amazon |
| 4G 125Luxilon · Poly · 16L / 1.25 · 3.6/4 | Luxilon | Poly | 16L / 1.25 | Advanced | Tension stability, big hitters | Top rated3.6 | Also on Amazon |
| Hyper-G Soft 17KidsSolinco · Co-poly · 17 · 3.5/4 | Solinco | Co-poly | 17 | Intermediate / Advanced | Spin with less board | Strong3.5 | Also on Amazon |
| Hyper-G Soft 18Solinco · Co-poly · 18 · 3.5/4 | Solinco | Co-poly | 18 | Advanced | Soft bite, more snap | Strong3.5 | Also on Amazon |
| Poly Tour RevKidsYonex · Co-poly · 16L / 1.25 · 3.5/4 | Yonex | Co-poly | 16L / 1.25 | Intermediate / Advanced | Soft spin co-poly | Strong3.5 | Also on Amazon |
| Razor Code 16Tecnifibre · Poly · 16 / 1.30 · 3.5/4 | Tecnifibre | Poly | 16 / 1.30 | Advanced | Control, tension hold | Strong3.5 | Also on Amazon |
| 4G Soft 125Luxilon · Co-poly · 16L / 1.25 · 3.4/4 | Luxilon | Co-poly | 16L / 1.25 | Intermediate / Advanced | 4G stability, kinder feel | Strong3.4 | Also on Amazon |
| Black Code 17Tecnifibre · Poly · 17 · 3.4/4 | Tecnifibre | Poly | 17 | Advanced | Spin with snap | Strong3.4 | Also on Amazon |
| HawkHEAD · Poly · 3.4/4 | HEAD | Poly | Varies | Advanced | Control and precision | Strong3.4 | Also on Amazon |
| Ice Code 16Tecnifibre · Co-poly · 16 / 1.30 · 3.4/4 | Tecnifibre | Co-poly | 16 / 1.30 | Intermediate / Advanced | Control and comfort | Strong3.4 | Also on Amazon |
| Lynx Touch 16KidsHEAD · Co-poly · 16 / 1.30 · 3.4/4 | HEAD | Co-poly | 16 / 1.30 | Intermediate | Comfortable poly | Strong3.4 | Also on Amazon |
| Poly Tour SpinYonex · Poly · 16L / 1.25 · 3.4/4 | Yonex | Poly | 16L / 1.25 | Intermediate / Advanced | Spin, medium firm | Strong3.4 | Also on Amazon |
| Poly Tour Strike 17Yonex · Poly · 17 / 1.20 · 3.4/4 | Yonex | Poly | 17 / 1.20 | Advanced | Flat hitters, control | Strong3.4 | Also on Amazon |
| RPM SoftKidsBabolat · Co-poly · 3.4/4 | Babolat | Co-poly | Varies | Intermediate / Advanced | Softer RPM | Strong3.4 | Also on Amazon |
| RPM Team 16KidsBabolat · Co-poly · 16 · 3.4/4 | Babolat | Co-poly | 16 | Intermediate / Advanced | Comfort RPM | Strong3.4 | Also on Amazon |
| Tour Bite Soft 16LSolinco · Co-poly · 16L · 3.4/4 | Solinco | Co-poly | 16L | Intermediate | Rec adults who hit out | Strong3.4 | Also on Amazon |
| Cyclone Tour 16Volkl · Co-poly · 16 · 3.3/4 | Volkl | Co-poly | 16 | Intermediate / Advanced | Spin with comfort | Strong3.3 | Also on Amazon |
| Focus Hex SoftMSV · Co-poly · 16L / 1.25 · 3.3/4 | MSV | Co-poly | 16L / 1.25 | Intermediate / Advanced | Value spin, softer | Strong3.3 | Also on Amazon |
| Poly Tour Pro 17Yonex · Co-poly · 17 / 1.20 · 3.3/4 | Yonex | Co-poly | 17 / 1.20 | Intermediate / Advanced | Feel and touch | Strong3.3 | Also on Amazon |
| RPM Power 17Babolat · Co-poly · 17 / 1.25 · 3.3/4 | Babolat | Co-poly | 17 / 1.25 | Intermediate | Spin with free power | Strong3.3 | Also on Amazon |
| RPM Rough 17Babolat · Poly · 17 · 3.3/4 | Babolat | Poly | 17 | Advanced | Extra grab | Strong3.3 | Also on Amazon |
| Red Code 17KidsTecnifibre · Co-poly · 17 / 1.25 · 3.3/4 | Tecnifibre | Co-poly | 17 / 1.25 | Intermediate | Soft feel, easy power | Strong3.3 | Also on Amazon |
| Revolution 16Solinco · Poly · 16 · 3.3/4 | Solinco | Poly | 16 | Advanced | Spin on a budget | Strong3.3 | Also on Amazon |
| Hyper-G 18Solinco · Poly · 18 · 3.2/4 | Solinco | Poly | 18 | Advanced | Hyper-G users who want snap | Strong3.2 | Also on Amazon |
| Pro Line IIKirschbaum · Poly · 3.2/4 | Kirschbaum | Poly | Varies | Intermediate / Advanced | Value control poly | Strong3.2 | Also on Amazon |
| SapphireGamma · Co-poly · 3.2/4 | Gamma | Co-poly | Varies | Intermediate | Easy spin | Strong3.2 | Also on Amazon |
| V-SquareVolkl · Poly · 3.2/4 | Volkl | Poly | Varies | Advanced | Square-edge spin | Strong3.2 | Also on Amazon |
| V-TorqueVolkl · Co-poly · 3.2/4 | Volkl | Co-poly | Varies | Intermediate | Spin and feel | Strong3.2 | Also on Amazon |
| MotoGamma · Poly · 3.1/4 | Gamma | Poly | Varies | Advanced | Spin, durability | Strong3.1 | Also on Amazon |
| Sonic ProKidsHEAD · Co-poly · 3.1/4 | HEAD | Co-poly | Varies | Intermediate | Budget soft poly | Strong3.1 | Also on Amazon |
| Big Hitter Black7Tourna · Poly · 3.0/4 | Tourna | Poly | Varies | Intermediate / Advanced | Budget spin | Strong3.0 | Also on Amazon |
| Lynx Tour 16HEAD · Poly · 16 · 3.0/4 | HEAD | Poly | 16 | Intermediate / Advanced | Mid-pack club poly | Strong3.0 | Also on Amazon |
| Poly Tour Pro 18Yonex · Co-poly · 18 · 3.0/4 | Yonex | Co-poly | 18 | Advanced | Feel and touch | Strong3.0 | Also on Amazon |
| Revolve 17Wilson · Co-poly · 17 · 3.0/4 | Wilson | Co-poly | 17 | Intermediate | Club poly at a lower price | Strong3.0 | Also on Amazon |
| Tour Bite 16LSolinco · Poly · 16L · 2.2/4 | Solinco | Poly | 16L | Advanced | Heavy swingers on shaped poly | Playable2.2 | Also on Amazon |
The filters above work here too. How it feels fresh and after 5 to 10 hours, launch, pocket, tension and who it suits.
An underrated poly: round, durable and consistent. It does not chase spin with edges, so it notches slowly and plays the same for longer than most shaped polys. Launch is medium-low and the feel is firm but not harsh. Low 50s, or 2 to 3 lb under your multi tension. Great for frequent breakers, including strong juniors (Big NC is a Diadem partner).
A great co-poly: softer than most spin strings, with real bite and a controlled launch. It pockets well and keeps that feel deeper into its life than most soft co-polys, so it stays playable through the 5 to 10 hour window. Low-to-mid 50s, or 2 to 3 lb under your multi tension. My go-to Diadem poly for 4.0+ adults and advanced juniors. Big NC is a Diadem partner.
A firm, low-powered co-poly whose square edges bite hard and keep the launch low, so you need racquet-head speed to get depth. Its real strength is tension maintenance: it stays consistent through the 5 to 10 hour window where most shaped polys go flat, and the spin fades as the edges round off, usually before it breaks. Drop 2 to 4 lb from your multi tension (high 40s to low 50s is a common start). Suits 4.0+ baseliners with long, fast swings and healthy arms. If you want less board, try Hyper-G Soft; for a crisper, more precise response, ALU Power.
The tour control benchmark: stiff, low-powered and very precise, with a low launch that rewards full swings and punishes short arms. Fresh, it feels crisp to the point of boardy, settles into its best window after an hour or two, then sheds tension, and many players call it flat around 8 to 10 hours even though it rarely breaks. Drop 2 to 4 lb from your multi tension; low 50s or below is a common start, high 40s if your arm is a concern. Best for 4.0+ players who make their own pace. Too harsh, try Tour Bite Soft or ALU mains with NXT crosses; want more bite, try Hyper-G.
Hyper-G in 17: the same square edges and low launch as the 16L, with a little more pocketing and snapback because the string is thinner. Tension maintenance is still a strength, so it plays consistently deep into the 5 to 10 hour window, but heavy topspin hitters will notch through it sooner than the 16L. High 40s to low 50s, a couple of pounds under your multi tension. For 4.0+ baseliners who want Hyper-G with more feel; if you break it too fast, go back to the 16L.
A round co-poly built around tension maintenance: medium-firm, controlled and very stable through the 5 to 10 hour window. Launch is low-to-medium and spin is good, not Hyper-G level. The 17 adds feel but notches sooner than a 16. String 2 to 4 lb under your multi tension. A great choice for 4.0+ players who want ALU-style control that lasts; Mobile Racket also strings Confidential with string included.
A slick octagonal co-poly with excellent snapback, built for brushing up the back of the ball: high spin, moderate-to-low launch. It is one of the stiffer feels on this list, and the 17 gauge bites more than the 16 but notches and goes dead sooner. It plays its best for the first several hours, then feels dead well before it breaks. String 2 to 4 lb under your multi tension, no higher than the mid 50s. For the same spin with better tension hold try Hyper-G; for a kinder arm feel, Hyper-G Soft.
Luxilon's tension-stability string: very stiff, low-powered and low-launching, with a muted, solid feel. Fresh it feels boardy, but it changes less over 5 to 10 hours than almost anything on this list, so the bed you liked on day two is close to the bed you have on day ten. Because it is so stiff, string it lower than ALU, often mid-to-high 40s. Only for 4.0+ players with fast swings and healthy arms. If it feels like a plank, go back to ALU Power or try 4G Soft.
Same Solinco family with a softer build, so it pockets more and launches a touch higher than standard Hyper-G, trading some edge bite for less board feel. That matters for 3.5 to 4.0 players moving into poly. The 17 gauge adds snap but notches sooner than a 16, and tension hold is decent but not at standard Hyper-G level. High 40s to low 50s. If Tour Bite Soft dies too fast on you, try this; if it feels too soft, step up to standard Hyper-G.
The thin Hyper-G Soft: more pocketing, more snapback and better feel on touch shots, with clearly shorter life, so heavy topspin hitters will notch through it quickly. It feels lively fresh but loses tension faster than the 17; restring on a schedule. Use the 17's tension or go 1 to 2 lb lower. Built for compact, fast swings and players who restring often. If you are breaking it too fast, go to Hyper-G Soft 17.
A twisted soft co-poly: comfortable, with good bite and a medium launch. It pockets well and is friendlier than most spin polys, though tension drops after the first several hours. Low 50s. For 3.5 to 4.5 players and advanced juniors. More control: Poly Tour Strike.
A firm, low-powered control co-poly known for holding tension well. The launch is low and the response is crisp, so it rewards full swings and punishes short ones. The 1.30 gauge adds durability, and it stays consistent longer than most club polys, which makes it a sensible ALU alternative. High 40s to low 50s. If it feels too stiff, try Ice Code.
The softer 4G: the same focus on tension stability with less of the plank feel. It still plays low-powered and controlled, but it pockets more than standard 4G and is easier to live with across a long session. Tension hold is a strength, so the bed changes slowly over 5 to 10 hours. Low 50s suits most players who like 4G's consistency but want more comfort; softer still is Solstice Power.
A pentagonal co-poly with a livelier response than most shaped polys, so you get bite plus a bit of free power. It feels sharp fresh, settles after the first hour, then gives up some snap and tension over the next several hours. String 2 to 4 lb under your multi tension. Good for 4.0+ topspin players who find RPM Blast too dead. Softer Tecnifibre options: Ice Code or Red Code.
HEAD's firm control co-poly: low power, low launch and a crisp, connected feel on flat drives and serves. It holds tension reasonably for a firm poly and stays predictable through the first several hours, though it is never plush. High 40s to low 50s. For 4.0+ players who hit flatter and want the ball to stay down; for a softer bed, Lynx Touch.
A smooth, round co-poly with a medium feel, good control and better comfort than Razor Code. Launch is medium-low, and it holds tension at a normal rate for a club co-poly. Low 50s. For 3.5 to 4.5 players who want a balanced poly that is not harsh. More control: Razor Code.
A soft co-poly with a comfortable, connected feel and a medium launch. It is one of the kinder polys on this list for players moving off multis, but tension drops after the first several hours. Low 50s. Fits 3.5 to 4.0 adults and advanced juniors. For more control, HEAD Hawk.
Yonex's shaped spin co-poly: good bite, a medium-low launch and a slightly friendlier feel than RPM Blast or Tour Bite. It is lively for the first several hours, then softens and loses some bite as tension drops. String 2 to 3 lb under your multi tension. Works for 3.5 to 4.5 baseliners who want shaped spin without the stiffest feel. More precision: Poly Tour Strike.
The firmer Yonex co-poly: crisp, controlled and low-powered, for players who drive the ball flat and want it to stay down. The 1.20 gauge adds bite and touch but notches sooner than the 125, so heavy topspin hitters should expect shorter life. It holds playability well for a firm poly, but it is not kind to tender arms. High 40s to low 50s. Softer Yonex option: Poly Tour Rev.
The softer RPM: more pocketing and comfort than Blast, with a slightly higher launch and less bite. It is friendlier for 3.5 to 4.0 players and advanced juniors moving into poly. Tension hold is average, so restring after a set number of hours rather than waiting for a break. Low 50s, and for more spin go to RPM Blast.
The comfort member of the RPM family: softer and more powerful than Blast, with a medium launch and decent spin. The 16 gauge adds life for juniors and adults who break 17s. Tension hold is average, so it loosens after the first several hours. Low 50s, and for more bite go to RPM Blast.
Shaped like Tour Bite but much softer: it pockets more, launches higher than ALU or Hyper-G, and is noticeably kinder on contact. The catch is tension maintenance; TW playtesters flagged it going soft quickly, so the first few hours are great and then the launch climbs and control fades. String it 2 to 3 lb under your multi tension and restring sooner than a firmer poly. Right for 3.5 to 4.0 adults who hit out but found tour polys harsh. For better tension hold try Hyper-G Soft; for a firmer bed, Hyper-G.
A twisted, shaped co-poly that is softer than the original Cyclone, so you keep good bite with a friendlier feel. It plays great for the first few hours, then goes flatter as tension drops, so restring on a schedule. Low 50s, or 2 to 3 lb under your multi tension. A good value for club players who want spin without a harsh bed. If it goes dead quickly, Hyper-G Soft holds tension better.
The softer version of MSV's hexagonal co-poly: good bite, a medium-low launch and noticeably less board than the standard Hex. It plays crisp early and loses tension at a normal rate. Low 50s, or 2 to 3 lb under your multi tension. A strong value spin string for 3.5 to 4.5 players. For better tension hold, Confidential.
Yonex's soft co-poly in 17: good pocketing, a medium launch and real touch on drops and volleys. It is lively fresh, but like the 18 it loses tension early, so it plays best in the first few hours. String 2 to 3 lb under your multi tension. Suits all-court players who value feel over durability; it lasts a little longer than the 18. If it dies too fast, Hyper-G Soft 17.
A livelier RPM with more free power and a higher launch than Blast, still with spin-friendly snapback. It suits shorter swings that want poly spin without Blast's dead, low-launch feel. Expect it to loosen after the first several hours. Low-to-mid 50s. For more control, RPM Blast.
RPM Blast with a textured coating for a bit more grab on the ball. Once the coating wears, which takes a few hours for heavy hitters, it plays close to Blast: stiff, low launch, good snapback, goes dead before it breaks. Same tension advice as Blast: 2 to 4 lb under your multi, no higher than the mid 50s. If you cannot tell it apart from Blast after a week, buy Blast.
A soft co-poly with a lively, easy-power feel and a medium launch. Comfort is good for a poly, but tension drops after the first several hours and the bed gets floaty. Low 50s. For 3.5 adults and advanced juniors stepping into poly. Firmer option: Ice Code.
A shaped co-poly with good bite, a low launch and a firm feel that sits between Tour Bite and Hyper-G. It plays well for the first few hours, then the edges round off and it goes flatter, so restring on a schedule instead of waiting for it to break. High 40s to low 50s. Fits 4.0 players who want shaped-poly spin from Solinco at a lower set price. For better tension hold, Hyper-G.
Thin Hyper-G: sharper edge bite, more pocketing and more snapback than the 16L, with the same firm, low-powered character. The cost is durability, since heavy topspin players will notch and break it far sooner. Tension hold is similar to the 16L, but the bed feels flatter as it notches. String at your 16L tension or 1 to 2 lb lower. For 4.0+ players already on Hyper-G who want more feel and accept frequent restrings.
A classic value co-poly: medium-firm, controlled and predictable, with less bite than shaped strings. It plays well early and loses tension at a normal rate for the price, so expect a looser bed after the first several hours. Low 50s, or 2 to 3 lb under your multi. An honest first poly for adults who break multis. For more spin, a shaped poly like Hyper-G.
A medium-feel co-poly aimed at easy spin and control, with a medium launch and a fairly lively response. It plays well early and loosens at a normal rate for the category. Low 50s. A sensible club co-poly for 3.5 players. For better tension hold, Confidential.
A square-profile co-poly with strong bite and a low launch, the same idea as Hyper-G with a firmer feel. It keeps its edge for the first few hours before the profile rounds off and the bed flattens. High 40s to low 50s. For 4.0+ players who want square-edge spin from another brand; if it is too firm, Volkl V-Torque.
A medium-feel co-poly with decent spin and more free power than the firm control polys. Launch is medium, and the bed loosens after the first several hours like most club co-polys. Low-to-mid 50s. For 3.5 players stepping into poly who want some help on depth. For more bite, V-Square.
A heptagonal poly with edges for bite and a firm, low-powered response. It is durable and spin-friendly early, then flattens as the edges wear and tension drops. Low 50s, or 2 to 4 lb under your multi tension. For strong club players who want spin and break soft strings; for a softer feel, Hyper-G Soft.
A budget soft poly with a lively, comfortable feel. Spin and control are moderate, and it loses tension fairly quickly, so it is best restrung often. Low-to-mid 50s. Good for 3.5 club players and juniors trying poly on a budget. For better tension hold, Confidential.
A seven-sided budget poly with good bite and a firm, low-powered response. It plays well early and goes dead sooner than premium polys, which is the trade for the price. Low 50s. A fair choice for players who restring often and want spin without paying for Hyper-G. If it dies too fast, step up to Confidential or Hyper-G.
HEAD's shaped co-poly: medium-firm, good snapback, and a bit friendlier on contact than stiff tour shapes like RPM. Launch is moderate and control is predictable, but tension hold is average, so it loses crispness after the first several hours. String 2 to 3 lb under your multi tension. Fits 3.5 to 4.5 players who want shaped-poly spin without the RPM stiffness. More bite and better tension hold: Hyper-G.
Yonex's softer co-poly: good pocketing, a medium launch and real touch on drops and volleys. In 18 (1.15 mm) it is lively and spin-friendly fresh but notches fast and loses tension early, so restring it on a schedule. Start 2 to 3 lb under your multi tension. Suits all-court 4.0+ players who value feel over durability. If it dies too fast, Hyper-G Soft 17 has a similar soft-poly feel and lasts longer.
A club co-poly with a medium-firm, fairly lively feel and more free power than tour polys like ALU, with decent but not elite spin and snapback. Durability is fine, but it drops tension faster than premium polys, so the bed gets floaty after the first stretch of hours. Low-to-mid 50s, or 2 to 3 lb under your multi. A sensible first poly for 3.5 players who break multis. For more control, Lynx Tour or ALU.
Sharp square edges, big bite and a low launch, but it is harsh: stiff, boardy and short on pocketing. It also loses tension faster than Hyper-G, so the harshness does not buy you longevity. Only for strong 4.0+ hitters with healthy arms who want maximum edge grab; high 40s to low 50s. Most players are better off on Hyper-G (control, tension hold) or Tour Bite Soft (comfort).
Poly here means firmer, shaped or control-first. Co-poly means rounder and softer. Ratings are out of 4 and mix Tennis Warehouse playtests with what we see at the stringing machine.
16 / 15L lasts longer. 16L / 17 is the club sweet spot. 18 bites more and dies sooner. Gauge guide.
Tension: arm-sensitive players go lower, not higher. Tension basics.
Skip: stiff bargain-bin polys, harsh budget shaped polys and no-name multipacks. Unknown gauge and compound, hard on the arm.
Often before it snaps. If the bed feels boardy and launch changes, restring.
Full poly maximizes spin and control for strong swings. If the arm complains, go poly mains with multi crosses.
$25 labor at Mobile Racket with a sealed set. Wake and Harnett Counties, NC.