ALU Power is probably the most iconic polyester string in tennis history, but is it as good as you’d think? Read this Luxilon ALU Power String Review to find out.
You’ve seen it in the racquets of pros like Roger Federer (used in a hybrid with natural gut), Novak Djokovic, and countless others. But with so many modern polys flooding the market—stiffer, softer, shaped, twisted—does ALU still hold up in 2025?
Specs and Stringing
- Gauge: 1.25mm (also available in 1.20 and 1.30)
- Material: Co-polymer (polyester) with aluminum additives
- Color: Iconic silver (it is also available in other colors like Black, Orange, Ocean Blue, Lime Green)
- Shape: Round (there is also ALU Power Rough and Vibe)
As always, ALU Power is a bit of a diva during stringing. It coils aggressively and has some memory, so stringers beware. Pre-stretching helps tame it a bit if you’re doing a full bed.
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On-Court Performance
Feel & Feedback
This is where ALU Power earns its legendary status. The ball pocketing is just special. It offers a crisp but not harsh feel and communicates exactly where you are in the stringbed. If you’re into feel and connection to the ball, few polys get as close to that “direct” feedback.
However, it’s not plush or forgiving like softer polys. ALU lets you know when you’re off—especially on flatter contact.
Spin Potential
It’s not a shaped string, but the spin potential is surprisingly high due to the snapback and slick surface. You’re not going to get the RPMs of something like Solinco Tour Bite or Babolat RPM Blast, but ALU gives you a more controlled, penetrating ball flight rather than loopy topspin.
In a 16×19 pattern, it plays with excellent directional control. In tighter patterns like 18×20, you’ll need to generate more racquet head speed to access its full potential.
Power & Control
ALU sits somewhere between medium and low-powered, which makes it ideal for big hitters who want to take full cuts at the ball. What I love is that the control is almost intuitive—you swing, and it goes where you intended (assuming decent technique, of course).
But here’s the catch: the string does lose tension fairly quickly. The first few hours are magic—crisp, explosive, precise. After 8-10 hours, the feel begins to fade, and control drops off noticeably. This is not a string you want to stretch too far past its prime, especially in a full bed.
Durability & Tension Maintenance
This is probably the biggest downside for club-level players. While pros restring every session, most of us don’t. ALU Power holds up decently in terms of physical durability—it won’t snap easily—but performance durability is a different story. After the tension drop, it can feel a bit “dead” or springy, which undermines confidence in placement.
Hybrid setups (like the Fed gut/ALU combo) help extend its life and soften the response.
ERT300
Is it time to restring your racquet?
Get an ERT 300-string tension tester, a great tool to see how fast a string drops tension, when it is time to restring your racquet and get a better idea of what tension works the best for you.
Who’s It For?
- Advanced players who generate their own pace and want a crisp, responsive feel
- String breakers who need something tough but playable
- Gear nerds who want to experience the reference point for poly performance
It’s not ideal for beginners or players with arm issues. There are softer, more forgiving options if comfort is your top priority (look at HEAD Lynx or Solinco Hyper-G Soft). You can check out our page about Recommended Strings for more information.
Tennisnerd Verdict
Luxilon ALU Power is still the benchmark for many polyester strings. It’s not the most spin-friendly, nor the softest or most durable, but it strikes a balance of feel, control, and pop that makes it iconic. If you’re serious about your gear and haven’t tried ALU Power in some form—you should.
Is it worth the premium price? For some, yes. For others, it might be more of a “bucket list” string to test and appreciate—before moving on to something a bit easier on the arm and wallet.
Have you played with ALU Power? What racquet did you pair it with? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram.
