String comparison
Tour XP vs Vortex
Prince Tour XP against Prince Vortex: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. Tour XP leads on tension hold. Vortex leads on spin and comfort. They score the same for arm friendliness (3/5).
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 Tour XP if…
- You want more tension hold (9 vs 5 out of 10)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 12 vs 13)
- Best for: players frustrated by tension loss
- Best for: spin players seeking consistent response
- Best for: budget-conscious competitive players
Pick Vortex if…
- You want more spin (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- Best for: juniors moving to their first poly
- Best for: spin-oriented baseliners on a budget
- Best for: players who restring often
Specs side by side
| Spec | Tour XP | Vortex |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Thermopoly co-polyester monofilament | Hexagonal co-polyester monofilament with added softening agents for elasticity |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 16, 17, 18 |
| Stiffness | Medium | Medium |
| Set price | $8–10 | $7–8 |
| Reel price | $90–110 | $79–79 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 3/5 · Moderate |
| Cost to maintain | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 12 | Age 13 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, All court, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter, All court |
| Junior tension | 50-54 lbs for juniors. Exceptional tension maintenance means less drop-off. | 46-52 lbs for juniors. It loses tension early, so many stringers add 2-4 lbs or pre-stretch. |
Tour XP in short
Prince Tour XP (originally released as Beast XP) is a new-age thermopoly designed to sidestep the terrible feel and abysmal tension maintenance that plagued polyester strings. Two years in development with extensive elite player feedback, Tour XP delivers spin-friendly performance with impressive accuracy on full swings. The "thermo construction" technology creates excellent ball pocketing - the ball feels like it gets a "hug" from the stringbed. Tension loss is minimal - typically 1 pound vs 4-6 pounds for standard polys.
Vortex in short
Prince Vortex is a shaped co-poly with a hexagonal profile and softening agents in the material. In the Tennis Warehouse playtest its strongest score was spin, and TW notes it has one of the top spin scores in the TWU string lab. Comfort scored very high for a co-poly and power was lively for the type. The trade-off is tension: the TWU lab measured a high tension loss, and testers raised tension and pre-stretched to manage it. At about $8 a set it is one of the cheapest ways to try a spin poly.
Tour XP vs Vortex: quick answers
Which has more spin, Tour XP or Vortex?
Prince Vortex, with a spin rating of 9/10 against 8/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
They score the same, 3/5. Tour XP is recommended from age 12 and Vortex from age 13.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (8/10). Tension maintenance: Tour XP 9/10, Vortex 5/10.
Which is cheaper?
Tour XP costs about $8–10 a set and Vortex about $7–8, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (Tour XP) and 2026-10 (Vortex).