Round-up review: our score and verdict are based on published specs and reviews from across the web, not our own play-testing yet.
Luxilon ALU Power is the reference point for polyester strings, the one Federer hybrids with gut and Djokovic runs full. It suits advanced players who bring their own racket-head speed and want crisp feel and near-telepathic control ahead of raw spin or long life. Beginners and sore arms should look elsewhere.
On court
Feel is where ALU earns its reputation. Tennisnerd describes ball pocketing that is “just special”, crisp without turning harsh, telling you exactly where on the stringbed you made contact. It sits between low and medium power, so big hitters can take a full cut and trust the ball to land. Control is close to intuitive in a 16×19 frame. In an 18×20 you will need more swing speed to unlock it.
It is a round string, so spin comes from snapback and a slick surface rather than edges. Tennisnerd rates that spin “surprisingly high”, but shaped rivals such as RPM Blast or Solinco Tour Bite throw more RPMs. ALU gives you a flatter, more penetrating flight instead of loopy topspin.
How long it lasts
Here is the catch. The first few hours are crisp, explosive and precise. After 8 to 10 hours the tension drops, control fades and the bed starts to feel dead or springy. The string itself won’t snap easily, so this is performance durability rather than physical durability. Pros restring every session. Club players should budget for frequent restrings or run it in a gut hybrid, which stretches its life and softens the response.
Stringers, brace yourselves. ALU coils like a spring and holds its memory. Pre-stretch it.
Key specs
- Material Co-poly with aluminium
- Profile Round
- Gauges 1.20, 1.25, 1.30 mm
- Colours Silver, black, 3 more
- Variants Rough and Vibe also sold
- Power Low to medium
Verdict
Still the benchmark for feel and control, and every serious player should try it at least once. Only commit to it full time if you restring often enough to stay ahead of the tension drop.
