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 choices, 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.
From the manual
- Before the first racquet, turn the rocker bumper toward the front so it holds the tension rod upright. p. 3
- About every six racquets, clean the string jaws with alcohol, since string coating makes them slip; never sand the jaws. pp. 3, 8
- The rod needn't sit dead level: anywhere within about 1.5 inches above or below gives the same tension, but never force it. p. 8
- Klipper suggests adding 3 to 5 pounds on the last string of each side to offset knot loss, then resetting the weight. pp. 17, 21
Why the Klippermate M100 is our top pick
Our pick wins on what lasts: its maker's guarantee covers the whole machine and every tool for life, clamps included,2,3 while our runner-up, the Gamma Momentum 2, gets five years on mechanical parts and one year on its string clamps.4 Gamma's store page for the 2 promises a limited lifetime warranty, but its guide spells out those shorter terms.5,4 That cover goes only to the original buyer and excludes machines from unauthorized or third-party sellers,4 which matters for a used or marketplace purchase.
The M100 is also the gentler start. It comes fully assembled,3 while the runner-up has you fit the winder stand, turntable, support posts, weight and bar stop first.4 Its manual also gives a tolerance: the tension rod only has to float within about an inch and a half of level, above or below, for the same accuracy.1 The runner-up's guide gives none and has you re-pull whenever the bar settles above horizontal.4 The clamps are steel, not composite,3,4 and TENNIS Magazine found the two-point mount held a racquet securely.6
The runner-up does win in two places. Its two-piece weight reaches down to 9 pounds, against the M100's 20,4,2 and its decals guide you through the job.4 Both are drop weights with floating clamps and two-point mounts, so neither is faster; the difference is the warranty and the setup.
| Klippermate M100 | Gamma Momentum 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | Lifetime, machine and tools | 5 years; clamps 1 year |
| Assembly | None, ready out of the box | Stand, posts, weight, bar stop |
| Clamps | Floating, steel | Floating, composite |
| Tension range | 20-90 lb | 9-90 lb |
Sources
- Klippermate 1Owner's manual (PDF), p. 8 2Product page 3FAQ
- Gamma Momentum 2 4User guide, MOM211 (PDF), pp. 3, 4–10, 19, 23, 29 5Product page
- 6TENNIS Magazine: stringing machine comparison, republished by Klipper
From the manual
- Five years on mechanical parts, one on string clamps; the warranty doesn't transfer or cover machines from unauthorized or third-party sellers. p. 29
- Below 20 pounds you use only the small half of the two-piece weight; above 77, the bar's end cap has to come off. p. 14
- Both plastic adapters on the support posts must touch the frame, or the racquet can be damaged. p. 12
- If the string won't release from the gripper, remove the tension bar stop screw, and start each pull with the bar lowered. p. 25
Compare the specs
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Product | Tensioner | Mounting (points) | Tension range (lb) | Clamps | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Klippermate M100 | Drop weight | 2 | 20-90 | Floating, steel | Lifetime, tools included |
| 2. Gamma Momentum 2 | Drop weight | 2 | 9-90 | Floating, composite | 5 yr; clamps 1 yr |
| 3. Gamma Momentum 6 | Drop weight | 6 | 9-90 | Floating, composite | 5 yr; clamps 1 yr |
| 4. Tourna 350-CS | Crank, lockout | 6 | 9-102 | Fixed, swivel | — |
| 5. Gamma Momentum ELS | Electric, constant pull | 6 | 11-90 | Fixed, metal | 5 yr; clamps, electric 1 yr |
| 6. Tourna 550-ES | Electronic, push button | 6 | — | Slim, dual action | 2 yr |
Gamma's warranties give five years on mechanical parts and one on clamps and electronics, and exclude machines from unauthorized or third-party sellers; Gamma's Momentum 2 web page says lifetime, but its guide says five years. Tourna publishes no range for the 550-ES and no warranty for the 350-CS; retailers list 15-81 lb and two years.
Sources
From the manual
- It ships with the bar horizontal; engage the bar stop at assembly, or the bar can swing into the racquet. p. 7
- Two nylon washers under the support posts are for shipping only; remove and discard them. p. 10
- Snug the center supports only to slight resistance, because overtightening stretches the racquet head. p. 15
- Mechanical parts get five years, clamps one; machines from unauthorized or third-party sellers aren't covered. p. 35
From the manual
- Remove the motor and load-cell shipping screw before first use, and keep it for any future shipment. p. 5
- Use a grounded outlet; any extension cord must be grounded and rated for 15 amps. It's for indoor use only. p. 7
- Gamma advises slow speed for low-stretch strings like Kevlar, and tension 4 to 5 pounds lower for aramid or metal strings. pp. 10, 16
- The foot pedal is optional, the string length meter is sold separately and not yet available, and electronics and clamps get one year of warranty. pp. 4, 6, 10, 28
Editor's Notes
November 4, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
We read Klipper's and Gamma's manuals for four of the six machines and added notes from them under those picks, along with a spec table and a section on why the Klippermate leads. We corrected the Momentum 6 entry, which credited it with the 6 Plus's swivel clamp bases, and the Momentum 2 entry, which said Gamma lists no tension range; its guide gives 9 to 90 pounds. The Momentum 6 and ELS entries now say that clamps and electronics get one year of warranty, not five.
October 15, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
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.
Earlier notes
November 25, 2020, by Cat Bushen:
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. [2026 update: a drop weight pulls accurate tension as long as the bar floats level when you clamp; what it costs you is time.] 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, by Brett Dvoretz:
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?
You set the weight for the tension you want, let the bar fall, and clamp when it's level.
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 at about $15 saved per string job, even the priciest machine in its comparison, around $1,200, paid for itself in 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 Gamma says prevents the frame from distorting (Gamma). Klipper, maker of the two-point Klippermate, argues that a rigid six-point mount can stress a frame instead (Klipper). 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. In a 2026 Tennis Warehouse forum thread, a home stringer listed fixed clamps and six-point mounting as must-haves, and replies pointed to Alpha's Pioneer DC Plus, which is 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; Gamma's covers only the original buyer (Gamma manual).
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 and kept six. We read Klipper's Klippermate owner's manual and Gamma's user guides for the Momentum 2, Momentum 6 and Momentum ELS; Tourna posts no manual for the 350-CS or 550-ES, so their details come from Tourna's product pages, Tourna Mexico's 350-CS listing and retailers' spec sheets. Beyond the manuals, a TENNIS Magazine comparison that included the Klippermate, Gamma's buying advice and a 2026 Tennis Warehouse forum thread mattered most. The CPSC recall database lists nothing for Klipper or Tourna, and Gamma's only recall, in 2011, covered children's racquets, not stringing machines.
Sources (13)
- TENNIS Magazine: stringing machine comparison (republished by Klipper USA)
- Klipper USA: Klippermate
- Gamma: guide to the Momentum stringing machines
- Tennis Warehouse forum: best-value machines in 2026
- Wikipedia: Stringing machine
- United States Racquet Stringers Association
- CPSC recalls
- Klipper USA: Klippermate owner's manual (PDF)
- Klipper USA: frequently asked questions
- Gamma: stringing machine manual archive (Momentum 2, 6 and ELS user guides)
- Gamma: So, you're thinking of buying a stringing machine?
- Tourna: 350-CS
- Tourna: 550-ES
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 and stringing pliers, which most machines include, plus cutters, a starting clamp and, ideally, a tension calibrator.
