I get asked about Luxilon strings all the time from my clients and fellow players, and the question that comes up the most is: “What holds tension better than ALU Power?” It’s a fair one. ALU Power is legendary for performance, but is also known to lose tension and feel harsh if you’re not used to it. So in the last few months I tried a fair number of Luxilon strings to find some that either hold their tension longer or feel more forgiving, but still have the crisp Luxilon response.
More recently I have gone back to 4G Soft and Adrenaline for my own set up and a few clients. Both have impressed me with their tension stability and length of play. I’ve still added ALU Power to this list for clarity, because it’s the string that everyone compares everything to. But I’ve ranked it with the other combos that I think have better tension maintenance or a more forgiving feel now. Here’s my order of preference based on what I’ve found on court, from the string I’d most recommend to the one that’s more niche.
| Rank | String | Best for | Main appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luxilon 4G Soft | Players wanting 4G control with extra comfort and tension stability | Best blend of control, comfort, and tension maintenance. |
| 2 | ALU Power Savage | Players wanting control with extra bite and spin | Crisp, grippy, spin-oriented performance. |
| 3 | ALU Power | Players wanting the classic Luxilon performance feel | Classic Luxilon blend of control, spin, and response. |
| 4 | Adrenaline | Players wanting power with good tension stability and comfort | Softer, more lively, easier to use. |
| 5 | Element | Players wanting the softest, most comfortable Luxilon option | Soft, plush, and very arm-friendly. |
1. Luxilon 4G Soft
If someone asks me about tension maintenance without the full on harshness of 4G, 4G Soft is now my number one choice. It takes the 4G control identity and softens it a bit, making it more playable and a little more comfortable without losing that disciplined, control-first feel. In the last few months I have gone back to 4G Soft for me as it holds tension very well and stays consistent for a long time.
Specs:
- Type: Softer control polyester
- Feel: Firm but more forgiving than 4G
- Best for: Players who want 4G-style control with extra comfort and tension stability
2. Luxilon Savage
Savage is where Luxilon adds more bite and texture, without straying too far from their performance identity. It gives you a little more string-to-ball feedback than regular ALU Power, which helps with spin and grip on the ball, but still has that crisp, controlled Luxilon feel. Tension maintenance is solid and holds up well for players that want aggression without losing too much consistency.
Specs:
- Type: Performance polyester with texture
- Feel: Crisp, grippy, spin-oriented
- Best for: Players wanting control with extra bite and spin
3. Luxilon ALU Power
It’s a good reason why Luxilon is most known for ALU Power string. It’s got that famous combination of control, spin and lively response, with a bit more pop and feel than 4G. Still a performance string but a little more on the side of playability and all around versatility. But, it does lose tension faster than 4G Soft, which is why I ranked it lower when tension stability is the main concern.
Specs:
- Type: Performance polyester
- Feel: Crisp, responsive, balanced
- Best for: Players wanting the classic Luxilon balance of control and feel
4. Luxilon Adrenaline
The Adrenaline is the power focused option in the range and it’s one of the strings I’ve gone back to more recently. It gives you better access to depth and pace with a touch softer feel than ALU Power. It’s good at keeping tension, and it’s playable for a long time. This is a good choice for players who don’t get as many free power from their setup, but want the poly feel.
Specs:
- Type: Power-oriented polyester
- Feel: Softer, more lively, easier to use
- Best for: Players wanting more comfort and easier depth with good tension stability
5. Luxilon Element
Element is the softest and most comfort oriented string in this group. It’s a multi-mono construction and is clearly aimed at players who want comfort, touch and easy power without totally giving up the poly feel. Great for players sensitive to arm. But for tension holding and control based play, it is lower on the list than the others. Read more in our review of the Luxilon Element Soft strings.
Specs:
- Type: Soft polyester
- Feel: Comfortable, powerful, plush
- Best for: Players wanting a softer Luxilon with easier access to power
Other Notables to Consider
Depending on what you want, Luxilon has a couple other strings worth mentioning. Element Rough adds a bit more bite and texture if you want the softer Element feel with extra spin potential. Smart is a more niche option for players looking for a more modern and adaptive response.
4G Rough is also a handy alternative to the standard 4G for a firmer, more traditional Luxilon feel and more texture. It allows for a little more string-to-ball interaction, but still maintains the control-first identity. For tension-focused players, 4G (non-Soft) is even more locked-in, but it is harsher and less forgiving.
Final verdict
If I were ranking these Luxilon strings based on tension stability, control, and overall playability after months of testing, I’d put them in this order:
- 4G Soft for the best blend of control, comfort, and tension maintenance.
- ALU Power Savage for control with extra bite and spin.
- ALU Power for the classic Luxilon performance feel.
- Adrenaline for power with good tension stability and comfort.
- Element for the softest, most comfortable option.
Buy the latest Luxilon strings from Tennis Warehouse Europe or at Tennis Warehouse US.
