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You bought that pricey racquet and it’s served you well, but now what are you going to do when your strings break?
When you buy cheap racquets you can just replace them if you don’t want to bother restringing them.
It’s wasteful, but it’s an option.
When you shell out the big bucks for a quality racquet, you need to replace it with the right strings at the desired tension.
Restringing your racquet is a necessary evil and something you need to properly maintain your equipment.
For that, we’ve developed a list of the best tennis stringing machine models on the market.
If you’re not keen on how to use one, don’t worry; we’ve covered all that and more in the attached guide and FAQ section below.
Our Reviews Of The Best Tennis Stringing Machines
#1 Gamma Progression Tennis Racquet Stringing Machine
No matter how you look at it, Gamma makes the best tennis stringing machine.
As a matter of fact, it’s also the best badminton and squash stringing machine as well; this is designed to do it all.
Equipped with a pathfinder awl and straight awl, hex wrenches, pliers and a diagonal cutter, you get everything you need with this stringer right out of the box.
No need to bring your own tools. All you’re going to need is a bench or a tabletop to stash this on.
These machines aren’t made to be light, but Gamma kept it as lightweight as possible at just under 25 lbs.
From the dynamic use of the stringing clamps to the arm wand, everything is adjustable, and it’s built to last.
Gamma has so many models in this series, but none of them truly hit home like this one.
The drop weight transitioning system allows you to string to tensions up to 90 lbs, while the ratchet gripper is diamond-coated to last through pull after pull after pull.
While the Progression is missing a few things from the other units in the series (such as the six-point quick string system), it’s at a great financial price point.
Some of these units cost 4-5x what this one does, so this is without a doubt the best bang for your buck and overall best racquet stringer you could ask for.
Technical specifications
- Size: Tabletop model
- Weight: 24.1 lbs
- Good For: All racquet types
- Approx Stringing Time: 45 minutes
#2 Gamma X-Stringer Tabletop Stringing Machine
Tennis stringing machine reviews always compare Gamma models against other brands. When you know Gamma as intimately as we do, you totally understand why.
They set such a high standard that’s impossible to follow, which is why they were able to place in the top two spots on our list.
Much like the Progression model, you only have to spend between 45-50 minutes to string your racket. That might seem like a long time, but compare that to two or more hours for single point systems.
Drop weight tensioning allows you to string these up to 90 lbs of total weight, while also ensuring the pattern remains perfectly intact.
While it’s not the top choice of material, the composite limbs on the swivel wand and clamps give you plenty of power, but they might not be quite as durable as steel clamps.
There’s enough give to position this in a 360° format to give you more working space. You’re going to need it when you put the inclusive tool kit to good use.
This stringer comes with all the tools so you don’t have to have any: a hex wrench, pathfinder awl, straight awl, pliers and more.
It’s an average weight and an average size, but the results are nothing short of fantastic.
Technical specifications
- Size: Tabletop model
- Weight: 24.2 lbs
- Good For: Tennis, racquetball, squash and badminton racquets
- Approx Stringing Time: 45-50 minutes
#3 Klippermate Tennis Racquet Stringing Machine
Now that we’re straying away from Gamma, the Klippermate tennis racquet stringing machine has its time to shine.
This is completely ready to use right out of the box. Just pull it out, review the instructions, and you’re off to the races.
Everything you need is in this pack for a reasonable price.
Stringing time is reduced as this machine utilizes a Cam String Gripper system eliminating the ratchet pulling system.
Klippermate includes an unlimited lifetime guarantee on parts and labor, so you’ll have nothing to worry about from the moment you decide to get this stringer.
These machines are made proudly in the USA and are highly regarded in the tennis community!
Technical specifications
- Size: Half tabletop
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Good For: Tennis racquets only
- Approx Stringing Time: 40+ minutes
#4 Tourna 350-CS Premium Crank Stringing Machine
This is the bad boy of stringers…
When it comes to comfort you can’t get much more comfortable than this Tourna Crank Stringing Machine.
Everything about it is adjustable from the height to the drop point, so you’re getting a fully customizable experience no matter how you approach it.
This should sit in your workshop or in a designated spot in your garage so you can restring your racket when you need to.
This unit is a whopping 64 pounds, so you’re not going to be lugging it around with you. It’s self-contained so it does not require a tabletop.
Tourna’s 350-CS uses six different points to deliver a quicker solution to stringing your racket while balancing it on a self-leveling stand.
While it may not be your most cost-effective solution, it could definitely be the last stringing machine that you’ll ever need to purchase.
If you’re planning on playing tennis for the long haul (or starting a racket stringing side hustle), consider the investment and make the best-informed decision for your circumstances.
Technical specifications
- Size: Full stand
- Weight: 64 lbs
- Good For: All racquet types
- Approx Stringing Time: 25-35 minutes
#5 MiStringer Portable Stringing Machine
Last but not least, there’s a tennis racquet stringer that’s literally designed to fit in your racquet cover sleeve.
Hopefully you won’t have to string it while you’re on court, but its portability makes that an option.
This thing weighs six pounds so there’s no way that you can’t find a spot to stash it in your home or bring it with you on your next tennis weekend.
Using a six-point clamp system, you’ll be able to hold the racquet in place while you run the strings through.
As you might imagine, it’s not going to be the fastest racquet you’ve ever strung due to it’s more cramped style, but it gets the job done nonetheless.
There’s not much more to it than that; it’s effective, solidly built, and takes up so little real estate in your home.
Technical specifications
- Size: Portable, small
- Weight: 6 lbs
- Good For: Tennis racquets only
- Approx Stringing Time: 45-55 minutes
Stringing Machine FAQ
What to Look for When Buying a Tennis Racquet Stringer
Clamp Materials
Preferably clamps should be made out of steel or graphite. The best drop weight stringing machine models will have metal clamps.
The stronger the material, the better. Graphite clamps are okay, but they’ll see degradation over time and won’t last anywhere near as long as steel. Inexpensive models usually have graphite or plastic composite clamps that just don’t do the trick.
Diamond-coated clamps are super high end and usually over the top for a casual player. The coating ensures that the clamps aren’t going to incur any damage, but it’s an upfront cost you have to account for.
Max Tension
What is the max tension I can string a racquet to?
You realistically only need up to about 70 lbs of strung weight, but most high-end stringing machines will give you upwards of 85-90 lbs.
This range is good because it accounts for human error.
Most players go for the 70 lbs range and you’ll likely achieve a range from 67-73 lbs. And that’s totally okay. Your tension doesn’t have to be ridiculously precise; within a couple of pounds in either direction won’t be noticed.
Portability
Portability is nice but it doesn’t always equate to cost.
There are three primary portability ratings that you can see based on the stringing machines we’ve reviewed here today.
There’s truly portable stringers that are around six pounds and fit in your racquet bag. There are tabletop units that are about 25 lbs. And then there are stationary stringing machines that are standalone and weigh anywhere from 60-85 lbs.
How much does portability matter to you? Do you think you’ll be better off stringing on-the-go, or do you want to string it in a single spot in the comfort of your own home?
Considering that you might be stringing your racquet about six times a year, it’s possible you won’t be using it often enough for portability to be a major factor.
Price
When doesn’t price factor in?
Tennis stringing machines can get pretty expensive when you get to stationary models with extendable and customizable stands and you can even end up shelling out the big bucks on a portable unit that fits in your racquet bag.
Price depends on a few factors including how many stringing points there are, durability, and the power of the clamps.
It’s not so much about whether it’s portable or stationary that determines the cost, it’s just about what it can do for you.
You’re always going to have to spend a decent amount of time stringing your racquet so you have to make sure the equipment is going to be reliable and help you out rather than hinder you.
Racket Stringing Time
This comes down to the total point system in the stringing method.
The more points (2, 6), the less time you have to spend. You’ll see six-point machines average about 35-45 minutes, while two-point machines will be between 45-55. These times are just a guide and with experience your time per racket will go down.
Warranty
Warranties are extremely important when making big ticket purchases. On machines like these, they tend to be pretty extensive.
That’s not an exaggeration; some will come with unlimited lifetime warranties for parts, labor and promises on the durability. Check the purchasing details to make sure you’re comfortable that the manufacturer will stand behind their product.
Stringing machines are built to last, so companies are willing to put major stock in their product and ensure that it’s not going to give out on you.
In our opinion, if a company is willing to put out a lifetime warranty on a product, it’s at least worth a look.
How to String Your Racket?
Using a constant pull with an electronic stringing machine, the stringing process is not difficult, but new things tend to seem difficult anyway.
We’ve covered how to string a tennis racket in another post. Check out the step-by-step tutorial.
What’s the Optimal string tension for Beginners?
For beginners, you usually find your racquet at a tension of around 65-70 lbs.
Some of the best tennis stringer machines allow you to get up to 90 lbs of tension, but that’s something that few people really need.
Your string tension is going to dictate the amount of power that you have when you crack it against the incoming ball. Higher tension equates to more control while lower tension equates to more power.
Too low a tension (with a normal racquet head) will result in much less control which usually isn’t what beginners are looking for.
65-70 lbs is a good range for beginners.
Is it Hard to String a Racquet?
Like anything new, stringing is a skill that takes time to master. If you find yourself having to get your racquet restrung fairly often, it might be a skill that you feel is worthy to learn.
In time, you won’t think it’s hard to string a racquet; tedious maybe, but not hard.
For some, a drop weight stringing machine is one of the best investments you, a tennis player, will ever make.
Getting familiar with different string materials and being well versed on how you play at different string tensions is valuable information.
What is the Best String Pattern?
Whether you’ve got a Gamma stringing machine or you went with another brand, each of them should be capable of doing multiple string patterns (18×20, 16×19, 16×20 or 16×18).
No matter the pattern of your racquet frame, these stringing machines can handle it. There isn’t a best string pattern – it’s however your racquet is made.
Strung for a Stronger Game
Your stringing machine may be one of the smartest tennis investments you’ve made since you bought that tennis ball machine.
Now that you’ve got exactly what you need, it’s time to take a look at that racket and restring it to restore its former glory!
You’re a skilled player, but it’s going to be nice to have a fresh set of strings on your racket!
