The new Dunlop CX 2027 is almost here, and some retailers have already listed several models, giving us a good look at what to expect from Dunlop’s fourth-generation control racquets.
Dunlop is keen to stress that this is more than a paint job. The frame construction has been reworked to improve feel and stability while adding ball speed, power and spin to a line that has traditionally prioritised control.
The CX is Dunlop’s control-focused family, aimed at aggressive players who want to dictate play with precision. Here’s what we know so far, starting with the CX 400 Tour.
The new look
The final cosmetic replaces the blacked-out test frames we’ve been playing with since early October. The outgoing 2024 CX used a deep red and black base with a brighter neon-red flash on the hoop, and red has long been a defining colour of the CX range.
The 2027 generation returns with a red and neon-red colour scheme, retaining the familiar CX identity while giving the frames a fresh look.
But the bigger story is underneath the paint. Dunlop has made meaningful changes to the frame construction, with the aim of delivering more stability and ball speed without losing the feel associated with a traditional box-beam racquet.
What’s changed under the paint
The headline change is an updated frame design that optimises stiffness in different directions.
According to Dunlop, the new frame is approximately 4% more flexible in the inward direction vertically and 2% horizontally compared with the previous generation. At the same time, stiffness in the outward direction has increased by approximately 1% in the throat and 4% in the hoop.
The idea is to improve the sensation of holding the ball on the strings while reducing unwanted frame twisting at impact. Dunlop has also increased the moment of inertia around the racquet’s central axis by approximately 7%, helping to reduce movement during the swing and improve energy transfer to the ball.
In other words, Dunlop is trying to preserve the feel and control of a traditional box-beam racquet while delivering greater stability and ball speed.
The established technologies remain part of the package:
- Sonic Core with Infinergy by BASF: A lightweight, highly elastic material positioned at 3 and 9 o’clock to help generate power, improve feel and dampen vibration.
- Vibroshield: A vibration-dampening layer in the shaft designed to filter out unwanted vibrations and provide a cleaner, more comfortable feel.
- PowerGrid StringTech+: An updated stringbed layout designed to balance power and spin, with more even power distribution across the stringbed, particularly towards the top of the racquet.
- Control Frame Geometry: The box-shaped frame design retains its traditional control-oriented character. The concave area inside the hoop is designed to improve feel and reduce air resistance, helping with manoeuvrability.
On court, this matches what we found with the test frames: more stability, a bit more free power and spin, and still a clear control identity. You can read our full first impressions of the CX 2027.
Dunlop CX 400 Tour 2027 specs
The CX 400 Tour keeps the recipe its fans know: a 100 sq. in. head, 16×19 string pattern and a 23 mm beam, now with a listed stiffness rating of 70.
| Specification | CX 400 Tour 2027 |
|---|---|
| Head size | 100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm. |
| Length | 27 in. |
| Unstrung weight | 300 g / 10.6 oz. |
| Strung weight | 315 g / 11.1 oz. |
| Strung balance | 4 pts head light |
| Swingweight | 317 |
| Stiffness (RA) | 70 |
| Beam width | 23 / 23 / 23 mm |
| String pattern | 16×19 |
| Recommended tension | 45–65 lbs. |
| Composition | Graphite, Sonic Core Infinergy |
| Grip | Dunlop Viper Dry |
The listed swingweight of 317 is slightly lower than our test frame, which measured in the low 320s. That’s a useful reminder that individual frames can vary, but it puts the CX 400 Tour in a similar general playing category to racquets such as the HEAD Speed MP or Prince Tour 100: some accessible depth and spin, with enough control for aggressive targets.
The 70 stiffness rating is also worth noting. Dunlop’s focus is not simply to make the frame softer overall, but to optimise its stiffness in different directions to improve feel and stability.
Dunlop CX 200 2027 specs
This is their most popular model and their main competitor to the Blade 98 and Radical MP. They added some swing weight, but it is still very whippy and may need a small amount of lead in the hoop.
| Specification | CX 200 2027 |
|---|---|
| Head size | 98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm. |
| Length | 27 in. |
| Unstrung weight | 10.8 oz. / 305 g |
| Strung weight | 11.3 oz. / 320 g |
| Strung balance | 7 pts head light |
| Swingweight | 315 |
| Stiffness (RA) | 66 |
| Beam width | 21.5 / 21.5 / 21.5 mm |
| String pattern | 16×19 |
| Recommended tension | 45–65 lbs. |
| Composition | Graphite, Sonic Core Infinergy |
| Grip | Dunlop Viper Dry |
The rest of the 2027 CX lineup
Retailer listings and Dunlop’s official information point to seven models in the new range:
- CX 200 Tour
- CX 200
- CX 200 18×20
- CX 200 LS
- CX 200 OS
- CX 400 Tour
- CX 400
The CX 200 18×20, introduced as a limited edition in 2025, now joins the regular lineup. The CX 200 OS is also part of the new generation, with a beam that’s 1 mm thicker than the previous model.
We haven’t yet confirmed every final production specification for the CX 200. Our test frame retained the familiar 305 g unstrung weight, 98 sq. in. head and 16×19 string pattern. It also measured with a swingweight in the low 320s, and the beam appeared slightly thicker than the outgoing 21.5 mm design.
We’ll need to compare the final production specifications with our test measurements to establish exactly what has changed. Whether the 95 sq. in. CX 200 Tour with an 18×20 string pattern continues in the new range also remains to be confirmed.
Who is it for?
The CX 400 Tour is the more forgiving way into the CX line. If you like control frames but don’t want to manufacture every bit of depth yourself, it makes a lot of sense. Its blend of power, spin and stability could make it an appealing option for intermediate and advanced players who like to take the ball early and dictate rallies.
Players who prioritise precision and a more traditional control-oriented response will likely still gravitate towards the CX 200. The CX 200 Tour is aimed at more demanding players who want a smaller head and a more control-focused frame, while the lighter CX 200 LS and larger CX 200 OS offer different routes into the family.
As always, the best choice will depend on your swing speed, preferred weight and the level of manoeuvrability you want.
Don’t miss our video where we’re play testing the new Dunlop CX 2027 frames:
When will the Dunlop CX 2027 be available?
The official global release date for the Dunlop CX 2027 racquet line begins in early January 2027. However, the rollout starts earlier with regional drops and pre-orders starting in November 2026 in select Asian markets like Japan. Early listings and pre-orders at major retailers generally go live between late November and December (check later here at Tennis Warehouse or Tennis Warehouse Europe), leading up to full availability at physical and online stores worldwide at the start of the year.
We’ll publish a full review once we’ve tested final production frames and verified the specifications across the complete 2027 CX lineup.
