String comparison
RPM Power vs Hawk Touch
Babolat RPM Power against Head Hawk Touch: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. RPM Power leads on power, durability and tension hold. They score the same for arm friendliness (4/5). Hawk Touch costs less per set.
Ratings
Power
Spin
Control
Comfort
Durability
Tension hold
Ratings are on a 1–10 scale. The higher score is in bold when they differ.
Pick RPM Power if…
- You want more power (8 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more durability (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (8 vs 6 out of 10)
- You restring often and want it cheaper to keep up (cost score 4/5 vs 3/5)
- Best for: juniors wanting comfortable poly with power
- Best for: players transitioning from multifilament to poly
- Best for: flat hitters who want some spin
Pick Hawk Touch if…
- You want to spend less (from $14 vs $18 a set)
- Best for: players wanting soft poly with great feel
- Best for: those transitioning from multifilament to poly
- Best for: arm-conscious players who need poly control
Specs side by side
| Spec | RPM Power | Hawk Touch |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | CO-PET-C extrusion technology with snapback coating | Round co-polyester with enlarged Crystal Core technology |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 17, 18, 19 |
| Stiffness | Medium | Low |
| Set price | $18–20 | $14–18 |
| Reel price | $130–150 | $140–170 |
| Arm friendliness | 4/5 · Good | 4/5 · Good |
| Cost to maintain | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 12 | Age 12 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
| Play styles | All court, Baseliner | All court, Touch player, Baseliner |
| Junior tension | 50-54 lbs for juniors. Can string at normal tensions due to comfort. | 50-54 lbs for juniors. |
RPM Power in short
Babolat RPM Power delivers more pop than any other string in the RPM range. Made with Babolat's unique CO-PET-C extrusion technology, it packs unprecedented power for a monofilament while keeping good spin. A specially added coating increases snapback for explosive power. One of the most comfortable poly strings available - unlikely to cause arm issues. Excellent tension maintenance means it stays playable much longer than RPM Blast. Best suited for players who play flat or cover the ball rather than extreme topspin.
Hawk Touch in short
Head Hawk Touch builds on Hawk with an enlarged crystalline core for greater feel and comfort. Softer than RPM Blast, it sits somewhere between RPM Power and Hyper-G in comfort. "A very soft feeling poly that combines feel, control and spin to great effect." The low-powered response allows big hitters to take huge cuts at the ball while the soft feel makes it accessible to a wider audience than traditional polys. Zverev's string of choice. Note: Some users report playability drops quickly after first few hours.
RPM Power vs Hawk Touch: quick answers
Which has more spin, RPM Power or Hawk Touch?
They tie on our spin rating (7/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
They score the same, 4/5. RPM Power is recommended from age 12 and Hawk Touch from age 12.
Which lasts longer?
Babolat RPM Power rates 7/10 for durability against 6/10.
Which is cheaper?
RPM Power costs about $18–20 a set and Hawk Touch about $14–18, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (RPM Power) and 2025-01 (Hawk Touch).