String comparison
ALU Power Rough vs Savage
Luxilon ALU Power Rough against Luxilon Savage: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. ALU Power Rough leads on power. Savage leads on comfort. For a junior with arm concerns, Savage is the safer choice. Savage 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 ALU Power Rough if…
- You want more power (7 vs 5 out of 10)
- Best for: spin-focused advanced juniors
- Best for: players with western or semi-western grips
- Best for: those who loved ALU Power but want more spin
Pick Savage if…
- You want more comfort (6 vs 4 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 3/5 vs 2/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 13 vs 14)
- You want to spend less (from $14 vs $21 a set)
- Best for: spin-obsessed juniors on a budget
- Best for: big hitters who break strings often
- Best for: players who want Luxilon quality at lower price
Specs side by side
| Spec | ALU Power Rough | Savage |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Textured co-polyester monofilament | Six-sided co-poly with Liquid Crystalline Polymer (LCP) |
| Gauges | 16, 16L | 16 |
| Stiffness | High | High |
| Set price | $21–22 | $14–16 |
| Reel price | $170–200 | $130–160 |
| Arm friendliness | 2/5 · Low | 3/5 · Moderate |
| Cost to maintain | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 14 | Age 13 |
| Levels | Advanced, Elite | Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Textured surface grabs ball so you can string lower. | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Six-sided shape grips well at lower tensions. |
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.
Savage in short
Luxilon Savage is a stiff six-sided co-poly loaded with spin-friendly bite and low-powered control. The smooth response was achieved partly through a Liquid Crystalline Polymer (LCP), one of Luxilon's successful additives. Savage is 15% stiffer than ALU Power, which translates to less ball speed off the stringbed (more control). The six edges provide excellent grip on the ball. Available in Lime, White, and Black, with the Black version having the crispest feel and least power. Savage is Luxilon's budget-friendly option that gives much of the tour-level durability and control expected from the Luxilon line.
ALU Power Rough vs Savage: quick answers
Which has more spin, ALU Power Rough or Savage?
They tie on our spin rating (9/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Luxilon Savage scores 3/5 for arm friendliness, against 2/5 for ALU Power Rough. It is recommended from age 13.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (7/10). Tension maintenance: ALU Power Rough 6/10, Savage 6/10.
Which is cheaper?
ALU Power Rough costs about $21–22 a set and Savage about $14–16, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (ALU Power Rough) and 2025-01 (Savage).