The 6 Best Tennis Stringing Machines
Updated by · How we research
Drop-weight, crank or electronic: how a tennis stringing machine pulls tension affects its speed and price. The Klippermate M100 comes first among six. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Six-point mounting spreads the load around a racquet frame and cuts the risk of distortion at high tension, while two-point mounting gives less support. Every pull on a drop-weight machine means balancing a bar, which gets tedious for anyone who strings often. A stringing machine holds the racquet and lets players, coaches and clubs restring at home instead of paying a shop.
Editor's Notes
October 15, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
Gamma has retired its Progression II and X-Stringer machines in favor of the Momentum line, and the Tourna 300-CS, Tourna 600-ES and MiStringer Personal from the 2020 version can no longer be bought, so they're gone. Two old entries also pointed at the same product. We added the Gamma Momentum 2, Gamma Momentum 6, Tourna 350-CS, Gamma Momentum ELS and Tourna 550-ES, and kept the Klippermate M100, which is still made in Illinois with the same lifetime guarantee.
We also dropped the Gamma 6900 ELS, which we couldn't find for sale at a current price and which Gamma's own store no longer lists, and the Gamma 6004, a crank that now costs more than a good electronic machine. We stopped at six because the other candidates were near-duplicates, like the Gamma Momentum ST, a spring-loaded crank in the same class and price as the Tourna 350-CS, or machines from unknown brands with almost no track record.
The evidence in this category is thin. Nobody lab-tests stringing machines, so we relied on makers' specifications, a TENNIS Magazine comparison, a stringers' forum and owner feedback, and we say so where a machine is too new to judge.
November 25, 2020:
In this latest update, we have incorporated a range of designs to try and suit most budgets and users to ensure that everyone can set up their tennis racquet just how they like it. Essentially, there are three main types of stringing machines, each with a distinct price range that's dictated by the accuracy of tension that they produce and how easy it is to use them.
At the lower end of the scale, ideal for players who only need to string a racquet a handful of times a season, you'll find the drop-weight machines. As the name suggests, these create pressure by using a weight on a long rod, which can be placed close to or far away from the pivot to create low or high tension, respectively. They are relatively straightforward to use and satisfactory for most seasonal players, but they're not as accurate as other designs. The main difference to look for in this design is the mounting system. Lower-priced options, such as the Klippermate M100 and the Gamma Progression II 200, secure the racquet in place at 2-points, which is less stable than the 6-point mounting system adopted by the Gamma X-6 and the Gamma Progression II 602FC. This last one in the list also offers swivel clamps, which are faster to work with than the floating clamps that come with the others, however, you'll need to decide if that little time saved is worth the extra cash.
Another type of machine is the manual tension winder, for which we have selected the Gamma 6004 and the Tourna 300-CS. Both are mounted atop an adjustable floor stand and can produce very accurate results. Although both are simple to use, this type of stringer will require a little more effort than the electronic versions, but they are still worth a look as some people prefer the feel of a manual option. The drastic price difference between these two selections made us favor the Tourna 300-CS at this moment in time.
Finally, for country clubs and professional tennis stores, an electronic model is the fastest and most precise design you could opt for. Of course, these will set you back a pretty penny, but they are worth it when you're stringing multiple racquets on a daily basis. We retained the Gamma 6900 ELS from our previous listing, opting not to update it to the Gamma 9900 ELS as it's nearly double the price and doesn't offer many significantly better features, though if you are looking for a linear gripper you may want to check it out. We introduced the Gamma Progression II ELS and the Tourna 600-ES as they have exceptional levels of accuracy and can be operated with ease and speed, which are basically the requirements when you're stringing racquets as a profession.
There is one more option for those who travel around to play tennis. The MiStringer Personal is an innovative design that weighs less than 6 pounds and can fit in your racquet bag. Once you get used to the style the results are surprisingly good and the fact that it's portable might be a game changer for some people, literally.
November 25, 2018:
The ability to produce consistent results was one of our top priorities when identifying the best stringing machines. A racket with inconsistent tension on its strings doesn't allow a player to perform at the top of their game. We also wanted to make sure to include models suited for home and country club use.
Special Honors
Gamma 8900 ELS For pro shops and clubs that string all day, Gamma's freestanding 8900 ELS pairs an electronic tensioner with six-point mounting and string clamps that release automatically. It's the standing electronic machine Gamma still sells now that its store no longer lists the 6900 ELS, at about $5,750. gammasports.com
United States Racquet Stringers Association The USRSA's members-only site has stringing patterns, machine calibration guides and racquet specs, and the group certifies stringers as Certified Stringers and Master Racquet Technicians. Its public directory also finds stringers near you who teach lessons, and a trial membership lets you look around first. racquettech.com
Drop Weight, Crank Or Electronic?
Every stringing machine does the same job: it holds the frame, pulls each string to a set tension and lets you clamp it there.
Every stringing machine does the same job: it holds the frame, pulls each string to a set tension and lets you clamp it there. The difference is how it pulls (Wikipedia).
A drop-weight machine uses a bar with a sliding weight. You set the weight for the tension you want, let the bar fall, and clamp when it's level. It needs no power, holds tension steadily while the bar is level, and is the cheapest type, but it's the slowest, because you rebalance the bar on every string.
A crank machine pulls with a handle and a spring until it reaches tension, then locks out. It's much faster, but once it locks, the string can relax a little before you clamp it. Electronic machines pull at the push of a button, and the better ones keep pulling as the string stretches, which is the most consistent method. They need power and cost the most.
The savings add up. TENNIS Magazine figured that if you string your own racquets regularly, even a pricey machine pays for itself in about two years, though your first racquet may take a couple of hours (TENNIS Magazine, via Klipper USA).
Two-Point Or Six-Point, And Which Clamps?
Two-point machines hold the racquet at the top and bottom of the head. They're cheaper and, in TENNIS Magazine's comparison, held a frame securely. Six-point machines add four side supports that spread the load, which reduces the risk of distorting the frame at high tension (Gamma). If you string thin or oversized frames, or string at high tension, six points are worth having.
Floating clamps hold two strings against each other and come with most budget machines. They work, but they take practice. Fixed clamps lock to the machine's turntable and hold a single string, which is faster and easier. Stringers on the Tennis Warehouse forum treat fixed clamps and six-point mounting as the first upgrades, and some recommend Alpha's drop-weight machines, which are sold through tennis retailers.
The Tourna 175-CS, a six-point drop weight with fixed swivel clamps and a 15- to 81-pound range, is another option when it's in stock. Whatever you buy, check its calibration now and then with a tension calibrator; Gamma and Tourna both sell one (Gamma).
Buying Used, Standards And Safety
A used machine can be a bargain, because the mechanisms are simple and last for years. Before you pay, check that the clamps grip a string without slipping and that their teeth aren't worn smooth. Mount a racquet and make sure the posts and side supports move smoothly and lock tight, and look for cracks in the base and turntable and a brake that works. On a crank, try several pulls; on an electronic machine, run the tensioner, the display and any string-length meter. Ask whether parts and manuals are still available, as they are for Gamma (manual archive), and assume the warranty won't transfer unless the seller shows otherwise.
For stringing patterns, calibration references and training, the standard sources are the United States Racquet Stringers Association (USRSA) and its trade magazine, Racquet Sports Industry. The USRSA also certifies stringers and lists ones who give lessons.
Wear eye protection when you cut out tensioned strings, since they can snap back, and plug electronic machines into a grounded outlet. We found no safety recalls for Klipper or Tourna in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's database; the only Gamma recall involved children's racquets in 2011, not stringing machines.
How we researched this
We compared about 30 current stringing machines, read makers' and retailers' specifications, used a TENNIS Magazine comparison, a 2026 Tennis Warehouse forum discussion and owner feedback, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. No independent lab tests of stringing machines exist.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between drop-weight, crank and electronic stringing machines?
A drop weight uses a weighted bar and gravity, a crank uses a handle and spring and then locks out, and an electronic machine pulls with a motor at the push of a button. They get faster and pricier in that order.
Are drop-weight machines accurate?
Yes, if the bar is level when you clamp. They're slow, not inaccurate, which is why many home stringers start with one.
Is two-point mounting safe for my racquet?
For most frames, yes. Six-point mounting spreads the load better and is safer for thin or oversized frames and high tensions.
Is a stringing machine worth it?
If you restring often, it usually pays for itself within a couple of years. Expect your first racquet to take a couple of hours.
Should I buy a used stringing machine?
It can be a good deal. Check the clamps, mounts, base and tensioner, and make sure parts are still available.
What tools do I need?
An awl, pliers and cutters, which most machines include, plus a starting clamp and, ideally, a tension calibrator.
