String comparison
Xcel vs AK Pro CX
Babolat Xcel against Gosen AK Pro CX: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are multifilament strings. Xcel leads on comfort. AK Pro CX leads on spin and control. For a junior with arm concerns, Xcel is the safer choice. AK Pro CX 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 Xcel if…
- You want more comfort (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 5/5 vs 4/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 8 vs 10)
- Best for: young juniors (8+) just starting
- Best for: players with arm sensitivity
- Best for: those wanting gut-like feel without gut price
Pick AK Pro CX if…
- You want more spin (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more control (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want to spend less (from $12 vs $18 a set)
- Best for: players wanting control with comfort
- Best for: those with arm sensitivity
- Best for: all-court players with longer strokes
Specs side by side
| Spec | Xcel | AK Pro CX |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Multifilament | Multifilament |
| Construction | Polyamide fibers in polyurethane matrix with dual coating | Umishima structured monofilament surrounded by heat resistant polyamide fibers with CX composite micro fiber |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 16, 17 |
| Stiffness | Low | Medium |
| Set price | $18–21 | $12–16 |
| Reel price | $180–220 | $120–150 |
| Arm friendliness | 5/5 · Excellent | 4/5 · Good |
| Cost to maintain | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 8 | Age 10 |
| Levels | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | All court, Serve and volley, Touch player | All court, Baseliner, Touch player |
| Junior tension | 52-56 lbs for juniors. Multifilament is forgiving at various tensions. | 52-58 lbs for juniors. Very arm-friendly with good control. |
Xcel in short
Babolat Xcel is described as the closest to natural gut in terms of feel and comfort. Polyamide fibers twisted into a polyurethane matrix deliver exceptional elasticity and arm-friendly playability. The dual coating of polyurethane followed by polyamide provides a friction barrier, resisting string burning and notching. Testers found it surprisingly controlled for a soft multifilament - one of the lowest powered multis available, making it ideal for players who want comfort without excessive power. A gift to the tendons and joints of tennis players.
AK Pro CX in short
Gosen AK Pro CX uses the unique Umishima (marine island) structure developed to enhance sharpness and high resilience. The CX fiber complements the nylon in durability and tension maintenance, creating the almost perfect tennis string with crisp and soft pocketing feel combined with polyester-like control. TW playtesters found it easy to keep the ball in play on full swings while maintaining comfort - impressive for a string with this much control.
Xcel vs AK Pro CX: quick answers
Which has more spin, Xcel or AK Pro CX?
Gosen AK Pro CX, with a spin rating of 7/10 against 6/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Babolat Xcel scores 5/5 for arm friendliness, against 4/5 for AK Pro CX. It is recommended from age 8.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (6/10). Tension maintenance: Xcel 7/10, AK Pro CX 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
Xcel costs about $18–21 a set and AK Pro CX about $12–16, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (Xcel) and 2025-01 (AK Pro CX).