What's the best tennis string for your game? StringMatch is a free AI tool that answers that question in 90 seconds. Tell us your level, swing speed, playing style, and any arm issues — we'll score 157 strings across 7 dimensions and recommend the perfect match for Tennis, Badminton, or Squash. No signup, completely free.
Free · No signup · Takes 2 minutes
Choose from three sports — each with its own independently profiled string database.
Level, style, swing speed, arm issues, play frequency, spin, head size, string pattern, budget. Takes 90 seconds.
Every string is scored up to 123 points across 7 dimensions. Hard filters remove unsuitable strings first. Claude then writes a personalised explanation for your exact profile.
Here's what a real result looks like. Yours will be tailored to your player profile — sport, level, swing speed, budget, and more.
Each string is rated manually across 7 dimensions — control, power, comfort, durability, spin, stiffness, and arm safety. Here are three worth knowing.
Industry-standard poly used by countless pros. Exceptional control and spin for fast-swing advanced players.
More powerful version of the classic BG80. Ideal for smashing-focused players at intermediate to advanced level.
Premium squash string with excellent feel and durability. Used by professionals, trusted at club level.
Not sure where to start? These guides cover the most common questions — by sport, by problem, and by budget.
Top 10 strings ranked by control, spin, power, and comfort. Find the best string for your playing style and level.
Top badminton strings ranked by repulsion, control, durability, and feel for different player styles.
Best strings for tennis elbow and arm issues. ERT ratings explained, plus tips to play pain-free.
"I kept reaching for whatever the shop stocked. StringMatch flagged that stiff polyester strings were likely causing my elbow pain, filtered them out, and recommended three arm-friendly multifilaments I hadn't considered."
"Wanted more spin without sacrificing control. Got a ranked shortlist with exact reasons — spin potential, ERT stiffness rating, how each polyester string behaves with a fast topspin swing."
"Completely lost choosing between badminton strings. Nine questions later I had a budget shortlist with plain-English explanations — no jargon, just what suits my level and how I play."
Whether you're picking up a racket for the first time or hunting a competitive edge, StringMatch scores the right strings for your exact profile. Here's who it's designed for.
Just starting out in tennis, badminton, or squash? StringMatch removes all the jargon. Answer 9 simple questions about how you play and get a plain-English shortlist of beginner-friendly strings — soft, forgiving, and affordable — without having to understand gauge tables or ERT ratings.
You've outgrown the starter string that came with your racket but don't know what to try next. StringMatch maps your swing speed, style, and playing frequency to a shortlist that makes sense for where you are now — not strings designed for pros with completely different technique.
Already know what you want — more spin, tighter control, or a hybrid setup that doesn't kill your arm after two sets? StringMatch scores strings across 7 dimensions including ERT stiffness, spin coefficient, and gauge, and explains exactly why each string fits your aggressive baseline or net game.
Stiff polyester strings are a common but hidden cause of tennis elbow. StringMatch automatically filters out any string with an ERT stiffness rating above 55 if you report arm issues — leaving only arm-friendly multifilaments and natural gut options that reduce shock and vibration without sacrificing too much control.
If your game is built around big serves, powerful smashes, or heavy groundstrokes, the right string adds meaningful pop without losing the control you need. StringMatch scores power output, repulsion, and string elasticity against your swing profile — recommending strings that amplify your natural strengths.
Tried your current string for a year and want to explore alternatives? Or picking up squash after years of tennis? StringMatch covers all three sports with independently tuned databases, so your recommendations are always calibrated for the sport you're playing — not generic advice copy-pasted across disciplines.
The right tennis string depends on your playing level, swing speed, playing style, and any physical issues. Polyester strings offer control and durability for intermediate to advanced players; multifilament strings are softer and more powerful, better for beginners or players with arm pain. StringMatch asks 9 targeted questions and scores 50 tennis strings against your profile to give you a ranked shortlist with AI explanations.
Polyester (co-poly) strings are stiffer, more durable, and deliver better control and spin potential — suited to players with fast swing speeds. Multifilament strings are softer and more arm-friendly, generating more power at the cost of durability. If you report arm pain, StringMatch automatically filters out strings with an ERT stiffness rating above 55, keeping only genuinely arm-safe options in your shortlist.
Multifilament and synthetic gut strings are best for beginners. They are softer, more forgiving, and reduce the risk of arm discomfort. StringMatch automatically removes polyester strings for beginner-level players and recommends options like Wilson NXT, Tecnifibre NRG2, or Babolat Xcel — all offer power and comfort without the stiffness that can cause issues for players still developing technique.
The best tennis strings for spin in 2026 are shaped polyester strings like Solinco Tour Bite, Babolat RPM Blast, and Luxilon ALU Power Spin. These have textured or angular profiles that grip the ball for maximum spin potential. StringMatch recommends spin-focused strings for players who select heavy topspin as their style, scoring each string's spin potential against your swing speed and level.
For arm pain and tennis elbow, soft multifilament strings or natural gut are recommended. Avoid stiff polyester strings with high ERT ratings. StringMatch has a dedicated arm issues filter that automatically excludes strings with ERT stiffness above 55 and prioritises arm-friendly options like Tecnifibre X-One Biphase, Wilson NXT, Babolat Xcel, and natural gut strings.
Badminton string selection comes down to gauge, tension, and repulsion. Thinner strings (0.62–0.66mm) give more feel and power for advanced players; thicker strings (0.68–0.70mm) are more durable for recreational play. StringMatch scores 45 badminton strings against your level, swing style, and budget to give you a clear recommendation with reasons.
String tension refers to how tightly strings are pulled during stringing, measured in pounds. Higher tension (55+ lbs) provides more control and precision but less power, suited for advanced players with fast swings. Lower tension (45-52 lbs) offers more power and a larger sweet spot, better for beginners. StringMatch recommends tension ranges based on your level, swing speed, and playing style.
Hybrid string setups use different strings in the mains (vertical) and crosses (horizontal). A common setup pairs durable polyester in the mains for control with softer multifilament in the crosses for comfort. This gives you the spin and control benefits of poly with improved arm-friendliness. StringMatch can recommend hybrid setups when your profile suggests you need both control and comfort.
A common rule is to restring as many times per year as you play per week — three sessions a week means restringing three times a year. Polyester strings lose tension faster, so regular players using poly may benefit from restringing every 4–6 weeks. StringMatch accounts for play frequency in its scoring, prioritising durable strings for players who play four or more times a week.
Yes — StringMatch is completely free. No account, no email, no cost. Answer 9 questions, get a personalised string recommendation scored by algorithm and explained by AI. That's it.