Babolat Addixion+ Tennis String Review

Babolat AddiXion+ is a polyamide multifilament tennis string built around comfort, accessible power and better resistance to wear than Babolat’s previous AddiXion. It sits below premium comfort options such as Xcel in Babolat’s range, but it is intended to give recreational and club players a more durable route into multifilament performance.

The plus sign matters because AddiXion+ is an updated product rather than simply a different spelling of the older AddiXion. Babolat states that the 1.30mm version lasted 25% longer than the previous generation in its own comparison testing. That figure applies to a specific gauge and test, so it should not be treated as a guarantee for every player or setup.

AddiXion+ is best suited to players who want easier depth and a softer impact response without paying for natural gut. It can also make sense for players moving away from a firm polyester string. If you are still comparing string types, the Tennis String Finder can help narrow down the options that fit your game.

Babolat AddiXion+ Rating

These ratings compare AddiXion+ with the wider tennis-string market, not only with other multifilaments.

Babolat AddiXion+ Specifications

Gauge and package availability can differ between regions. Babolat’s current product page lists all three diameters, although an individual retailer may stock only one or two.

Material and Construction

AddiXion+ uses a flexible polyamide multifilament structure. Instead of relying on one firm polyester strand, it combines multiple flexible fibers to create a more elastic stringbed. This construction is intended to absorb more impact energy and return more energy to the ball than a typical control-oriented polyester.

Babolat’s current technical information identifies the composition as polyamide. It does not confirm the polyurethane matrix and PTFE-fiber description found in some older or third-party listings. Those materials should therefore not be presented as established specifications for the current AddiXion+.

The string has a round profile and smooth exterior. Specialist retailers describe a silicon and co-polyamide outer treatment designed to reduce frictional wear and help the strings move more freely. Babolat does not give that treatment a named technology on its current public product page, so it is better understood as a construction detail than as a separate performance system.

AddiXion+ is slightly firmer than Babolat Xcel. That firmer response helps explain its emphasis on durability and control while it retains the elasticity expected from a multifilament.

Babolat AddiXion+ Performance

Power

AddiXion+ provides easy depth compared with most polyester strings. Its flexible polyamide structure can return more energy at impact, which reduces the amount of racket-head speed needed to move the ball through the court.

The power level should still be kept in context. Natural gut and some premium multifilaments can feel more explosive and elastic. AddiXion+ instead aims for a practical balance of lively response, durability and manageable control.

Players with compact or moderate swings should receive more assistance from it than they would from a firm co-polyester. Players with very fast strokes may find that the launch becomes harder to manage in an open string pattern or a powerful racket.

Power rating: 8/10.

Spin

AddiXion+ does not use sharp edges to grip the ball. Its spin potential depends on the player’s swing path, the stringbed’s movement and the ability of the mains to return toward position after impact.

The smooth surface can support some string movement, so its spin potential is more useful than a simple description such as “limited” suggests. However, multifilament fibers can notch as they rub against one another. Once notching restricts movement, snapback and spin consistency can decline.

Players with sound topspin technique can produce effective rotation, especially with the 1.25mm gauge. Heavy topspin players who depend on aggressive bite and long-lasting snapback will normally get more from a shaped polyester such as Volkl Cyclone.

Spin rating: 6/10.

Control

AddiXion+ offers good directional control for a lively multifilament. Its slightly firmer response relative to Xcel should make it easier to predict than an especially soft or springy stringbed.

Control is most suitable for recreational and intermediate stroke speeds. The string provides enough feedback for targeting and all-court play, but it does not deliver the low-powered, locked-in trajectory associated with a firm polyester.

Racket power, head size, string pattern, gauge and tension all influence the result. A player who finds AddiXion+ too lively may benefit from the thicker gauge or a controlled hybrid before assuming that every multifilament will behave the same way.

Control rating: 7/10.

Comfort and Feel

Comfort is the main reason to consider AddiXion+. The flexible polyamide structure is designed to reduce the harsh response that can occur with a stiff monofilament, particularly on slower swings and off-center contact.

The feel should be soft and forgiving, but slightly crisper than Babolat’s most comfort-focused multifilaments. That distinction gives the string a useful middle position: it is more forgiving than polyester without becoming as muted or elastic as some premium multis.

No string can prevent an injury, and comfort also depends on the racket, tension, technique and the condition of the stringbed. Even so, AddiXion+ is a more appropriate starting point than a firm polyester for players who prioritize shock reduction.

Comfort rating: 9/10.

Durability and Tension Maintenance

Physical durability describes how well a string resists fraying, notching and breaking. Useful playability duration describes how long it continues to provide an acceptable combination of power, control, feel and spin. These are related, but they are not the same measurement.

AddiXion+ is designed to improve physical durability within the multifilament category. Babolat reports up to 25% more playing time than the previous AddiXion in a comparison performed with the 1.30mm gauge. The thicker 1.35mm version should offer even more material to wear through, although actual lifespan will depend heavily on the player and racket.

It is still not a direct replacement for polyester durability. Heavy hitters, frequent string breakers and players using very open patterns can fray or break it significantly faster than a co-polyester. Visible fraying is normal for a multifilament and does not automatically mean the string must be removed, but deep notching or a major change in response indicates that the setup is approaching the end of its useful life.

Tension stability should be more consistent than that of many polyester strings because polyamide multifilaments do not lose elasticity in exactly the same way. However, the current manufacturer material does not provide a comparative tension-retention figure. Claims that it holds tension better than most multifilaments should therefore be avoided unless they are supported by a specific test.

Choosing the Right Gauge

The 1.30mm gauge is the most logical starting point for most players. The 1.25mm version makes sense when feel and responsiveness matter more than lifespan. The 1.35mm version is the practical choice when the thinner gauges fray or break too quickly.

Full Bed or Hybrid Setup

Full Bed

A full bed of AddiXion+ delivers the clearest version of the string’s comfort, power and forgiving response. This setup suits beginners, recreational players, doubles players and club players who do not need polyester-level spin or control.

It is also the simplest way to evaluate the string. A full bed avoids the uneven wear patterns and competing characteristics that can make a hybrid harder to interpret.

AddiXion+ in the Mains With Softer Crosses

The main strings have the greatest influence on the stringbed. Using AddiXion+ in the mains with natural gut or another soft multifilament in the crosses keeps the setup comfort-focused. The result may adjust feel or cost, but it will not dramatically increase spin or control.

For most players considering two similar soft strings, a full bed of the preferred option is easier and more predictable. A soft-soft hybrid is most useful when a player already understands what each component contributes.

Softer Mains With AddiXion+ in the Crosses

AddiXion+ can work as a comfortable cross behind natural gut mains. It can also be used in the crosses with polyester mains to soften the overall response, although the polyester remains the dominant string.

When paired with a shaped polyester main, the sharp edges can saw into the multifilament crosses. This may shorten physical life even if the hybrid initially feels more comfortable. Players considering that arrangement can compare it with the purpose-built Babolat RPM Blast and RPM Soft hybrid.

General Tension Guidance

Start within the tension range printed on the racket and use your normal nylon or multifilament setup as the reference. Players moving from polyester should not automatically copy their lower polyester tension because AddiXion+ is more elastic and powerful.

A lower tension generally increases pocketing, comfort and easy depth. A higher tension can produce a firmer response and a lower launch, but excessive tension can reduce the comfort that makes the string valuable.

Racket head size, beam stiffness, string pattern and gauge matter as much as the number on the machine. Change only one variable at a time and use the Tennis String Tension Calculator as a starting point rather than a universal prescription.

Who Should Use Babolat AddiXion+?

AddiXion+ is most suitable for:

• Beginner and intermediate players who want accessible depth
• Recreational and club players who prioritize comfort
• Players moving away from a firm polyester setup
• Flatter hitters and all-court players who do not depend on extreme spin
• Players who like multifilament feel but want more resistance to wear
• Doubles players who value touch, reaction volleys and a forgiving stringbed

Who Should Avoid Babolat AddiXion+?

It may be a poor fit for:

• Advanced heavy topspin players who need persistent snapback
• Frequent string breakers who require polyester-level resistance
• Players seeking a very low-powered, firm response
• Players who already find powerful multifilaments difficult to control
• Buyers expecting the feel and tension stability of natural gut at a synthetic-string price

Pros and Cons

Babolat AddiXion+ Compared With Other Strings

Final Verdict

Babolat AddiXion+ is a sensible comfort string for recreational and intermediate players who want easier power with better wear resistance than the previous AddiXion. Its current construction is best described as a flexible polyamide multifilament, not as a polyester and not as a confirmed blend of polyurethane and PTFE.

The string’s strongest qualities are comfort, accessible depth and practical gauge selection. Its limitations are the familiar ones for a multifilament: less persistent snapback, less control on very fast swings and lower break resistance than polyester.

The 1.30mm version is the best starting point for most players. Choose 1.25mm for more response or 1.35mm for additional resistance to wear. Players who want a soft full bed without moving to the price of natural gut should find AddiXion+ particularly relevant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Babolat AddiXion+ a polyester string?

No. It is a polyamide multifilament. Its construction is softer and more elastic than a typical co-polyester monofilament.

What is the difference between AddiXion and AddiXion+?

AddiXion+ is the updated version. Babolat states that the 1.30mm gauge provided 25% more playing time than the previous AddiXion in its testing. That result should not be generalized to every gauge, player or racket.

Is AddiXion+ suitable for tennis elbow?

It is a more comfort-oriented option than firm polyester, but no string treats or prevents an injury. Players with persistent pain should address the full setup, technique and medical cause rather than relying on a string alone.

Does AddiXion+ generate good spin?

It provides adequate spin for players who create rotation through technique, and its smooth surface can support some string movement. It does not provide the same shaped bite or long-lasting snapback as a spin-focused polyester.

Which AddiXion+ gauge should most players choose?

The 1.30mm gauge offers the most balanced starting point. The 1.25mm version favors feel and response, while 1.35mm favors physical durability and stability.

Can AddiXion+ be used in a hybrid?

Yes. It can soften a setup when used with polyester or provide a lower-cost cross behind natural gut. A shaped polyester can notch it more quickly, so hybrid durability should not be assumed to exceed a full bed.

How often should AddiXion+ be replaced?

Replace it when it breaks or when deep notching, excessive fraying or a clear loss of control and response makes the stringbed unreliable. Calendar-based rules are less useful than monitoring how the setup actually changes.