String comparison
ALU Power vs Poly Plasma
Luxilon ALU Power against Signum Pro Poly Plasma: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. ALU Power leads on power. Poly Plasma leads on comfort and tension hold. For a junior with arm concerns, Poly Plasma is the safer choice. Poly Plasma 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 if…
- You want more power (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- Best for: advanced juniors with full swings
- Best for: players who generate their own power
- Best for: tournament-level competitors
Pick Poly Plasma if…
- You want more comfort (6 vs 5 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (9 vs 6 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 3/5 vs 2/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 12 vs 14)
- You want to spend less (from $8 vs $21 a set)
- Best for: players frustrated by tension loss
- Best for: control-oriented baseliners
- Best for: players seeking consistent response over time
Specs side by side
| Spec | ALU Power | Poly Plasma |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Co-polyester monofilament | Round co-polyester monofilament with added resin |
| Gauges | 16, 16L | 16, 16L, 17L |
| Stiffness | Medium high | Medium |
| Set price | $21–22 | $8–11 |
| Reel price | $170–200 | $80–100 |
| Arm friendliness | 2/5 · Low | 3/5 · Moderate |
| Cost to maintain | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 14 | Age 12 |
| Levels | Advanced, Elite | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter, All court | Baseliner, All court, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 48-52 lbs for juniors (vs 50-55 for adults). Start low and adjust. | 50-54 lbs for juniors. Excellent tension maintenance allows consistent play. |
ALU Power in short
Luxilon ALU Power is the gold standard of co-poly monofilaments with an iconic pro tour pedigree. In addition to being one of the most popular choices on the ATP Tour, this string helped usher in the polyester revolution in tennis. The firm monofilament construction enables players to take huge cuts at the ball without losing control, generating massive stroke speed that produces a dangerous combination of pace and spin. Despite countless attempts to duplicate or improve it, this string remains the gold standard on the professional tour.
Poly Plasma in short
Signum Pro Poly Plasma is the flagship co-poly from the German manufacturer, voted String of the Year 2004 by Tennis Magazin Germany and 2005 by Stringforum.net readers. One of the first colored co-polyester strings available, Poly Plasma is known for exceptional tension maintenance - one of the best in its class. The added resin creates predictable, controlled response that inspires confidence on full swings without feeling overly stiff or anemic outside the sweetspot.
ALU Power vs Poly Plasma: quick answers
Which has more spin, ALU Power or Poly Plasma?
They tie on our spin rating (7/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Signum Pro Poly Plasma scores 3/5 for arm friendliness, against 2/5 for ALU Power. It is recommended from age 12.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (8/10). Tension maintenance: ALU Power 6/10, Poly Plasma 9/10.
Which is cheaper?
ALU Power costs about $21–22 a set and Poly Plasma about $8–11, 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) and 2025-01 (Poly Plasma).