String comparison
Vortex vs Cyclone
Prince Vortex against Volkl Cyclone: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. Vortex leads on power and comfort. Cyclone leads on tension hold. For a junior with arm concerns, Vortex is the safer choice. Vortex 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 Vortex if…
- You want more power (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (7 vs 5 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 3/5 vs 2/5)
- You want to spend less (from $7 vs $9 a set)
- Best for: juniors moving to their first poly
- Best for: spin-oriented baseliners on a budget
- Best for: players who restring often
Pick Cyclone if…
- You want more tension hold (7 vs 5 out of 10)
- Best for: spin-oriented players on a budget
- Best for: powerful baseliners who hit with heavy topspin
- Best for: players seeking excellent value for money
Specs side by side
| Spec | Vortex | Cyclone |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Hexagonal co-polyester monofilament with added softening agents for elasticity | Decagonal (gear-shaped) co-polyester monofilament |
| Gauges | 16, 17, 18 | 16, 17, 18, 18L, 19 |
| Stiffness | Medium | Medium high |
| Set price | $7–8 | $9–12 |
| Reel price | $79–79 | $120–140 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 2/5 · Low |
| Cost to maintain | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 13 | Age 13 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter, All court | Baseliner, Big hitter, All court |
| Junior tension | 46-52 lbs for juniors. It loses tension early, so many stringers add 2-4 lbs or pre-stretch. | 48-52 lbs for juniors. Gear shape grabs ball well so you can string lower. |
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.
Cyclone in short
Volkl Cyclone is a gear-shaped co-poly that has become one of the best value strings in tennis. The unique decagonal profile provides excellent ball bite for spin generation, while the firm construction offers predictable control. Playtesters found it surprisingly comfortable for a firm control string, and its exceptional price-to-performance ratio makes it a favorite among competitive players who break strings frequently.
Vortex vs Cyclone: quick answers
Which has more spin, Vortex or Cyclone?
They tie on our spin rating (9/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Prince Vortex scores 3/5 for arm friendliness, against 2/5 for Cyclone. It is recommended from age 13.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (8/10). Tension maintenance: Vortex 5/10, Cyclone 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
Vortex costs about $7–8 a set and Cyclone about $9–12, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2026-10 (Vortex) and 2025-01 (Cyclone).