Babolat RPM Power Review

The RPM Power has a bit of a difficult name to live up to. Given it is a polyester string based on a low powered, low comfort and low feel string to begin with, but branded as a ‘powerful’ string, it is kind of starting on the back foot!

That being said, the Babolat RPM Power delivers more pop than any other in the range. Babolat have developed a coating for the string which is specifically designed to increase ‘snapback’.

This means the string will return to its original instantly after it has flexed, giving you more explosive power.

Babolat has also gone to great lengths with the construction of this monofilament string to ensure it has more power than any other RPM string.

The Co PET-C extrusion technology ensures this rounded string has as much pop as possible and it is pretty malleable for a poly.

This type of string was never going to be as powerful as, say, natural gut. But, Babolat has done a great job with upgrading the power, softness and playability of the RPM string by altering its construction but still retaining the spin and control that users of RPM Blast love.

Control rates highly in the RPM Power string. Whilst it is a softer poly, it still has that underlying stiffness that limits the movement of the strings somewhat.

This means you get a crisp response from the string time after time and its predictable nature makes it easy to play with.

You can control the ball and place it easily, whilst still being able to rip it with plenty of spin and power.

Despite Babolat’s efforts, this is not the most feelsome string out there. Given it is a softer poly that has been heavily engineered to produce power, being the most communicative string was never really in its design brief.

That being said, it is definitely more forgiving and has a more dialled in connection to the ball compared to the original RPM Blast.

I’m not saying it is uncomfortable or the ball will bounce off the strings uncontrollably, but compared to a multifilament or natural gut string the RPM Power is a little muted in the touch department.

Babolat have stayed true to their roots and given the RPM Power enough spin for lovers of the iconic Blast to enjoy.

If you are changing from the RPM Blast to the RPM Power you will definitely notice a drop off in your spin level, but not so much that it is like playing with Xcel.

The string still bites the ball nicely, but also pockets it a lot more than any other in the RPM family.

You can go after your shots and enjoy the power the string can generate, safe in the knowledge that there is enough spin being produced for the ball to land safely in the court.

I have found myself hitting a little lower over the net with the RPM Power, so adding a bit more of a steep angle to my topspin shots helps generate a bit more spin.

But, I don’t have to try as hard to get the ball deep as I would with RPM Blast. This is why the RPM Power is a best of both worlds type of string that is well worth a try.

RPM Power takes away some of the stiffness that makes poly string so durable, so of course it is not going to last as long overall.

However, the resin on these strings that generates the snapback does notch quite quickly, so this is something to bear in mind. You may be best off stringing this at a lower tension to try and counteract this.

Despite this, the RPM Power is still a co-polyester compound that is inherently durable so it will be a good choice for string breakers that want a bit more pop in their game.

Babolat RPM Power is one of the most comfortable poly strings out there. Whilst it has no natural gut, it is a lot more supple than the original RPM Blast or RPM Blast Rough.

You are unlikely to get arm issues from this string as it is a good all rounder that generates a lot of power and spin, but is also relatively pliant for a monofilament.

If you are after a more plush feel, perhaps go for a hybrid setup string RPM Power in the mains and Xcel in the crosses.

Babolat RPM Power is a great all rounder that softens off the traditional RPM Blast to make it more playable. If you are a user of the original black string but want something that offers more pop, this could be the string for you.

It is not the most comfortable string in the world, nor is it actually the most powerful, but it is a middle of the road string that still retains the spin and control that RPM Blast users will be familiar with. The RPM Power is a string where it is more than the sum of its parts.

On paper it doesn’t stand out in one particular area, but is a solid feeling string that gives you a lot of confidence when ripping balls from the baseline.

Overall, the RPM Power is a good choice for a player that wants a string to match their aggressive baseline game style.

If you are not after deft touch but instead want the most power and spin possible from your forehands and backhands (circa Dominic Thiem), this could be a great option for you.