String comparison
RPM Team vs Element
Babolat RPM Team against Luxilon Element: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. RPM Team leads on spin, control, durability and tension hold. Element leads on comfort. For a junior with arm concerns, Element is the safer choice.
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 Team if…
- You want more spin (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want more control (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more durability (8 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (8 vs 5 out of 10)
- You restring often and want it cheaper to keep up (cost score 4/5 vs 3/5)
- Best for: players who like Blast but want more comfort
- Best for: juniors with fast swings seeking control
- Best for: all-court players wanting spin with comfort
Pick Element if…
- You want more comfort (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 4/5 vs 3/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 12 vs 13)
- Best for: juniors transitioning from synthetic gut to poly
- Best for: players wanting poly spin with more comfort
- Best for: intermediate to advanced players
Specs side by side
| Spec | RPM Team | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Eight-sided co-polymer with silicone coating and micro air bubbles | Multi-Mono Technology - tendon-friendly fibers wrapped in polymer matrix |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 16, 16L |
| Stiffness | Medium high | Medium |
| Set price | $17–19 | $18–20 |
| Reel price | $120–140 | $150–180 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 4/5 · Good |
| Cost to maintain | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 13 | Age 12 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Intermediate, Advanced |
| Play styles | Baseliner, All court, Big hitter | All court, Baseliner, Serve and volley |
| Junior tension | 48-52 lbs for juniors. Holds tension better than Blast so can string at normal range. | 50-54 lbs for juniors. Can string slightly higher than stiffer polys due to softer feel. |
RPM Team in short
The string of choice for Carlos Alcaraz when he won his first Grand Slams. Launched in 2012 as a more comfortable version of RPM Blast, RPM Team combines an eight-sided shape for bite with a cross-linked silicone surface to boost snapback. What sets it apart is its low-density design using micro air bubbles to cushion ball impact. Despite being designed for comfort, it tested as one of the firmest Babolat strings in the lab - proving the air bubble technology works. Better tension maintenance than Blast makes it more cost-effective for frequent players.
Element in short
Luxilon Element occupies a fairly unique space in Luxilon's iconic line of firm monofilament strings. Like its predecessors (M2 Pro and M2 Plus), Element features Multi-Mono Technology - several tendon-friendly fibers wrapped inside a specially designed polymer matrix. The benefit comes in the form of extra flexibility, comfort and power. It's the most arm-friendly polyester in the Luxilon lineup, making it an excellent choice for developing juniors ready to move beyond synthetic gut. Reviewers note it's soft enough to recommend to first-time poly players.
RPM Team vs Element: quick answers
Which has more spin, RPM Team or Element?
Babolat RPM Team, with a spin rating of 8/10 against 7/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Luxilon Element scores 4/5 for arm friendliness, against 3/5 for RPM Team. It is recommended from age 12.
Which lasts longer?
Babolat RPM Team rates 8/10 for durability against 6/10.
Which is cheaper?
RPM Team costs about $17–19 a set and Element about $18–20, 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 Team) and 2025-01 (Element).