String comparison
4G Rough vs ALU Power Rough
Luxilon 4G Rough against Luxilon ALU Power Rough: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. 4G Rough leads on control, durability and tension hold. ALU Power Rough leads on power and comfort. For a junior with arm concerns, ALU Power Rough 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 4G Rough if…
- You want more control (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more durability (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (9 vs 6 out of 10)
- You restring often and want it cheaper to keep up (cost score 3/5 vs 2/5)
- Best for: elite juniors wanting spin + control + tension stability
- Best for: players who like 4G but want more spin
- Best for: heavy hitters with solid technique
Pick ALU Power Rough if…
- You want more power (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (4 vs 3 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 2/5 vs 1/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 14 vs 15)
- Best for: spin-focused advanced juniors
- Best for: heavy topspin baseliners
- Best for: players with western or semi-western grips
Specs side by side
| Spec | 4G Rough | ALU Power Rough |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Textured co-polyester monofilament | Textured co-polyester monofilament |
| Gauges | 16L | 16, 16L |
| Stiffness | Very high | High |
| Set price | $21–22 | $21–22 |
| Reel price | $170–200 | $170–200 |
| Arm friendliness | 1/5 · Not arm friendly | 2/5 · Low |
| Cost to maintain | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 15 | Age 14 |
| Levels | Elite | Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Go lower than smooth 4G. | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Textured surface grabs ball so you can string lower. |
4G Rough in short
Luxilon 4G Rough combines the legendary tension stability of 4G with a textured surface for enhanced spin. Designed to give strong players the needed control to unlock their top swing speed. The result is one of the stiffest, most control-oriented strings on the market. This is a specialty string for elite players with complete games and no arm concerns.
ALU Power Rough in short
ALU Power Rough takes the proven ALU Power formula and adds a textured surface for enhanced spin potential. The rough surface grabs the ball at contact, allowing players to generate more RPMs on their shots. Designed to grip the ball for increased spin, though not quite as durable as standard ALU Power due to the texturing.
4G Rough vs ALU Power Rough: quick answers
Which has more spin, 4G Rough or ALU Power Rough?
They tie on our spin rating (9/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Luxilon ALU Power Rough scores 2/5 for arm friendliness, against 1/5 for 4G Rough. It is recommended from age 14.
Which lasts longer?
Luxilon 4G Rough rates 8/10 for durability against 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
4G Rough costs about $21–22 a set and ALU Power Rough about $21–22, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (4G Rough) and 2025-01 (ALU Power Rough).