String comparison
Plasma HEXtreme vs Tornado
Signum Pro Plasma HEXtreme against Signum Pro Tornado: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. Plasma HEXtreme leads on durability and tension hold. They score the same for arm friendliness (2/5). Plasma HEXtreme 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 Plasma HEXtreme if…
- You want more durability (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (8 vs 5 out of 10)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 13 vs 14)
- You want to spend less (from $10 vs $15 a set)
- Best for: maximum spin seekers
- Best for: players with western grips
- Best for: those wanting pioneering shaped poly
Pick Tornado if…
- Best for: spin-oriented advanced juniors
- Best for: players who like a textured, grippy string
Specs side by side
| Spec | Plasma HEXtreme | Tornado |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Hexagonal co-polyester monofilament | Heptagonal (7-sided) co-polyester with an axial twist, extruded, cooled, then reheated and twisted |
| Gauges | 16L, 17, 18 | 16, 17, 18 |
| Stiffness | Medium high | Medium high |
| Set price | $10–13 | $15–15 |
| Reel price | $120–145 | $160–160 |
| Arm friendliness | 2/5 · Low | 2/5 · Low |
| Cost to maintain | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 13 | Age 14 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 48-52 lbs for juniors. Hex shape grabs ball - can string lower. | 44-50 lbs for juniors. Signum suggests about 10% lower than usual. |
Plasma HEXtreme in short
Signum Pro Plasma HEXtreme was one of the first hexagonal shaped strings on the market, pioneering the shaped poly category that has become so popular. The six edges provide excellent ball bite for spin generation while maintaining the tension stability Signum Pro is known for. Built on the proven Plasma foundation with enhanced spin potential, HEXtreme offers German engineering in a modern spin-focused design.
Tornado in short
Signum Pro Tornado is a seven-sided co-poly with an axial twist, made by extruding a straight string, cooling it, then reheating and twisting it. Signum says the rough surface gives maximum bite on the ball and recommends stringing about 10% lower. Tennis Warehouse customers describe it as stiff and less arm-friendly. The TWU lab measured moderate-to-high stiffness and a fairly high tension loss, so expect it to need regular restrings.
Plasma HEXtreme vs Tornado: quick answers
Which has more spin, Plasma HEXtreme or Tornado?
They tie on our spin rating (9/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
They score the same, 2/5. Plasma HEXtreme is recommended from age 13 and Tornado from age 14.
Which lasts longer?
Signum Pro Plasma HEXtreme rates 7/10 for durability against 6/10.
Which is cheaper?
Plasma HEXtreme costs about $10–13 a set and Tornado about $15–15, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (Plasma HEXtreme) and 2026-10 (Tornado).