The Anti-Review: Products That Were So Bad I Couldn't Review Them

[@FootDoctorZach]

I appreciate the kind words but you definitely knew what you were talking about when we talked shoes - and I'm glad to see you wore the Artengo, I was on the fence about picking them up but ill just link to this video if people ask me about them

[@BenQ10]

Well, I’ll personally watch your stuff however you choose to do it, because it’s always witty, amiable, thought-provoking and well-produced. Having said that, I also feel that reviews are more meaningful if they include negative impressions as often as positive. Perhaps the solution might be to film a summary, like this one, of the stuff that didn’t excite you, on a more regular basis: once every quarter, or at least twice a year. Anyway … keep up the great work!

[@TennCom]

I'm definitely open to doing these kinds of summaries more frequently

[@dandan.tennis]

i totally understand your take on the prestige pro and frames alike. but imo there is a story behind it. Head is trying to adapt and make it more "user friendly' Started with the 360+ (increasing headsize) and imo auxetic 2.0 is also more powerful which IMO blurs the gap between prestige and blade when it comes to power potential. Prestige is heavier and more HL which many players might actually prefer. IMO the most common mistake is to string Prestige with a reference tension from frames like Whiteout or Extreme. Prestige shines at lower tensions (22kg MAX with 1.25 strings). Also I often forget that not everybody has the same experience in testing racquets so it's not like "everybody" knows Prestige. Skipping Prestige line could be one of the biggest tennis mistakes :) wow I guess I am a prestige fanboy xd

[@TennCom]

Yeah the Prestige had an interesting story when the initially switched to a 98 for the Graphene 360+ version that was all red but again things have been nothing more than incremental updates. If I felt like they were actually trying something new with the updates, then we have a story for sure, but at this point I don't think Head is going to be spending a lot of development money on a dying line.

[@nicks8060]

I don’t think they’re not investing money in the prestige because it’s dying (even if the market for it these days is really small), but rather there’s not much to do with it. It’s an old style for an old feel. It’s more about retaining that feel than changing things, although, I definitely think they could keep exploring with the mp and tour. The tour as is, is pretty interesting and hits another weird niche in a modern market.

[@dandan.tennis]

@ maybe its our responsibility as a reviewers to kinda put a fair light on specific frames for specific players. We have an impact (i hope) and can protect something or let it die. I mean I totally understand that the prestige might not be for you therefore it will be hard for you to „highlight” the racquet but man…i dont know. Maybe its because i am from Europe haha 😅 i see so many 3.5+ players making great improvements because they decided to pick honest frames. Especially if the player has a background in badminton we notice in the academy that prestige is a top choice because those guys can accelerate the wrist better than some experience tennis 3.5+ Also: there is a hype in US around the vcore 95 but if you can highlight vcore 95 then prestige pro should be as easy. If not even better because basicly you dont have to customize it and vcore 95 without lead is kinda mleeh 🫶🫣🤗 Prestige Pro is in my top 3 frames from Head right now next to…Prestige MP (lol) and Gravity Pro. I have high hopes about upcoming Radical Pro. 💪

[@zcbowers94]

The prestige is interesting and I’m getting sad thinking about its future. I used it throughout college and it served me well, but even then I knew other rackets would be better. When they switched to a 98, I thought it could fill the roll of radicals of old (thinking microgel radicals). But it stayed far too control oriented and it just didn’t pan out. With how the radical has moved away from its roots, I think the prestige could move to be a blade competitor, but that’s if Head sees it the same way. Who knows 🤷‍♂️

[@Hope4unow-7]

Appreciate your honesty and transparency. You're a breathe of fresh air in this industry!

[@wangsong4511]

Love your video as always! Your transpatency and sincer is gold! I (still) played with the nCode 90 sq inch WIlson for the last 10 years or so and recently bought another pair of Pro Staff 97 V14. Not as excited as I thought it would be from the technology improvement point of view but having a bigger head size does seems to help with age.

[@KenFlanagan]

Simply one of the best videos on KZbin. Most people are happy to follow recommendations but when so much is recommended by retailer channels or affiliates who have an incentive to be positive it’s great to benchmark that against what is to be avoided. We want to avoid products that simply aren’t that good and for the reasons you gave. All valid. Not least for sheer balance it’s such a relief to hear both sides of any industry. Thanks so much.

[@Cheeseburglar-hm2]

Didn’t you hear him say he will still endorse his affiliate without liking the product but only mentioning by name the products he likes..So we need to pay attention watching his videos

[@Raetam]

thank you for mentioning kirschbaum always wondered what you thought about them. doing the community a favor as always and we thank u

[@arueda46]

I think this is the perfect video for the products you don´t like. If you don´t like a product does not make sense to waist your time, but this kind of summary going through them and explainning why it is pretty good, for example about the PS 16x20, os some of the strings. It is nice to know what you have already tested.

[@hillwellford9637]

Fair comments. In defense of Toroline, the softer strings are great for hybrids. Enso Pro 1.24 is indeed very soft, but that's by design, and it holds tension very well for a soft poly. It does a brilliant job of softening a poly hybrid when used as a cross: promotes snapback, feels soft for a poly. If you hybrid it with a multi or syngut, you get a super-soft feel that is still a bit more controlled than a full multi bed. If you go for absolute max racket head speed and want your strings to be kind of invisible, those softer Toroline offerings are great. That's not everyone's bag but if it's what you are going for, Toroline is killing it.

[@The4.0Guy]

hmm, good tip, i'm looking to go hybrid from my usual full multi, so you're saying go Enso Pro 1.24 with say Head Velocity? i have elbow issues and have found that full multi avoids issues but I would love a bit more control

[@dreamy7335]

@@The4.0Guyin my experience, toroline wasabi-x is a very good string to use for the cross in a hybrid setup. The ‘x’ in the name itself suggests that this round, slick string works well as a cross string pairing with a shaped string in the main.

[@hillwellford9637]

@@The4.0Guy yes, that would be a very soft hybrid. And I agree about Wasabi-X, I just happen to prefer the feel of Enso Pro. I'd be perfectly happy using Wasabi-X too. Wasabi-X is just a bit stiffer.

[@vovaantakalnis]

Enso Pro is UNBELIEVABLY good cross string. I have tried huge amount of strings including Natural gut, multifilament and various popular polys yet none did what Enso Pro does: great snapback, great feel, great power and great durability. I used to play with full bed of Lynx Tour or full bed of Solinco Confidential. With Enso Pro in the cross I get every characteristic improved and it lasts longer. It's unbeatable. And actually I have tried a lot of other Toroline strings and liked none of them including O'Toro which I just don't understand why it is considered great. There are strings with better spin, better power and better comfort. But even if none of other Toroline strings will be good at all, the fact that I discovered Enso Pro will pay off all the purchases, which included expensive shipping to Europe. Just ordered Enso Pro in other colors to see how it compares to the yellow one I was using.

[@redmandyl]

Love this kind of reviews. We don’t always need top review instead we want to hear more of the worst review. It’s good for the tennis world.

[@Jason-vw1fv]

Great review. The grapplesnake tour sniper did not work for me at all...I found that it offered little control (maybe string bed was too slick?) I found the feel and control of head lynx tour much better. Grapplesnake tour m8 is okay. I found kirschbaum strings to be great.

[@VictorHugodeSenaGarcez]

Huge fan from Brasilia here. Funny thing, I had just thought about why wouldn't you make shoe reviews and Zach's channel crossed my mind immediately prior to watching this video, so you could imagine my surprise when you actually talked about it. Anyhow, just tested GrappleSnake Sniper today for the first time (really hard to get my hands on those, since no one seems to know GS in Brazil), and your work (alongside with Rackets and Runners, TenniSpin and Mark's Sansait channel) made me fall in love with the tennis equipment and start a string journey of my own. In case you're interested, would you have any website or mean I could reach to and bring you the doubts and insights I'm having on my own journey over the next few months? It would be such a pleasure, since there aren't many tennis nerds around. Anyways, keep up the great work!

[@AlmirSevero1]

Como costumas conseguir coisas no Brasil? Sou brasileiro, mas já moro fora há 8 anos. Quando morava aí era um pesadelo pra achar material de tenis.

[@VictorHugodeSenaGarcez]

@AlmirSevero1 Tenho sorte de ter boas lojas por aqui (Goiânia/Brasília), porém produtos mais diferentes ou preciso recorrer a lojas de SP, representantes no Sul, via Mercado Livre, OLX, ou mesmo importar via Amazon.

[@HardCandy-d9q]

Been waiting for this as to me it’s better than best of as it saves us time and money, Ty Beckett 👍..

[@Cheeseburglar-hm2]

That Swedish brand has one nice string which I wondered why you never reviewed as I could see you liking it also this video makes sense, so from here on if I see a vid of yours that means it’s a good product in your eyes and you endorse it. Appreciate your honesty makes it a lot easier to understand your channel and its purpose.

[@TennCom]

They actually have two strings I like enjoy, Eco and Control. I may consider reviewing those in the future but probably will not. The ship hasn't completely sailed but its not exactly a ship I want to board if that makes sense.

[@msalvs]

Still crying about it I see 🤡🤡🤡

[@msalvs]

I was clearly talking about tenncom, who was deemed unprofessional by ND for basically posting a review on talktennis complaining about their frame ahead of time and then came to youtube to cry about it like the little b*tch he is.

[@msalvs]

You are an alright dude

[@Cheeseburglar-hm2]

@@msalvs cool bro I’ll take my comments down I don’t want to be “that guy” I got a bad temper and will back it Chicago born and bred la villita yeah and I play tennis 🤦‍♂ I’m the laughing stock of the hood but it’s all love , let’s put it down to a misunderstanding but I take respect seriously you showed you’re good by ended it there..Much love

[@sebastiandomagala9233]

Regarding the point of anti-reviews: Ytex Quadro Twist was the only string that worked on my racquet of the time. And still is for the guy who bought it from me. Still insists on this very string, nothing else. Just to find out that it doesn´t work at all on other frames. Maybe your (also not recommended) Monfils racquet and this string pair well.

[@caseysmith544]

I have heard the same thing for a specific model of Yonnex racquet needing Yonex strings, most other strings need to be strung high enough to give most players issues in elbow/shoulder or work so hard they are not having fun playing.

[@nicolasX2602]

@@caseysmith544 4 yonex rackets later, i can verify that yonex rackets play best with yonex strings. Playtour pro for me

[@sebastiandomagala9233]

@caseysmith544 I heard that as well. I have an Ezone Tour and a pair of Regnas. Both work well with Restring products. And there are so many Strings on the market, there surely is always an alternative. You just have to find it.

[@caseysmith544]

@@sebastiandomagala9233 The Yonnex tennis racquet model I forget the name of either needs to be Yonnex string/clone of Yonnex model most of these work, a string that is stiff strung to the modern since 2020 that some people get issues, or a mix of strings like a poly and multifilament at the most, mainly a poly and synthetic gut/gut is what people find with the model to work well using the Kevlar Nylon Gut for price and durability on Gut strings.

[@safidoesyoyo]

My favourite string of all time is the Kirschbaum Competition. I got a reel off amazon a couple years ago for only $60 aud (~$39 usd) purely because it was so cheap. I absolutely love it! Its a bit more muted than most polys that I've tried and has a fairly low launch angle which I am a fan of. But the best aspect for me is playability duration. I feel like I can easily get 2 months of playability out of it before it feels off. Its a shame this one isn't talked about much as it is incredible value.

[@applesforakbar]

WOah woah woooah! Say what you will about the other products on your list but the TR960 is an absolute gem. Akin to the Ultra Pros, they most definitely need tinkering and that's the beauty of them. But once dialed in, for the price point this can get in the zone of bigger brands pro racquets - and cost effective competition is something this market absolutely needs considering some racquets after tax are in the $400 CAD mark. So while it's not for some, I wouldn't have written it off so dismissively.

[@TennCom]

I'm just personally over these kinds of control frames so I'd rather use something with a legacy than something new. I think now I'm personally more interested to see what their 100 square inch options would play like as those could be great suggestions for beginners/low intermediates looking to get into tennis more serious.

[@paddyyyyyyyyyyyy]

​@@TennCom I bought one of the monfils ones coz it was on sale for €90 when I was in France. While I was looking into it online I saw a lot of people saying good things about the power and spin ones. I think considering how cheap all of them are it's almost unfair to give a comparison to offerings from the major manufacturers. That being said I agree with you on the monfils one, it needs so much lead and mine was under spec too. Seems artengo are actually trying though, which is cool. And they are literally half the price of most rackets on the market (at least in Europe).

[@DrewbyTwo]

Love your jacket!!

[@TennCom]

ty brotha

[@dgreer23]

I’m also more interested in a jacket review here. Stylz

[@HardCandy-d9q]

It’s a review channel it’s your opinion just because it’s bad to you doesn’t mean it’s bad to others and vice versa it’s like people not everyone’s going to like you..

[@bastie382]

*it's HIS review channel, he doesn't like it, he doesn't review it

[@HardCandy-d9q]

@@bastie382 exactly what did you think I was trying to say 🤦‍♂ I’ll say it another way it’s like a chick what’s hot to you isn’t to me and there’s no need explaining why ..Chill bro tennis is meant to be fun..

[@ramaibrahim]

You both are saying the same thing. The title is a bit clickbaity. It’s not bad, he just doesn’t like em.

[@HardCandy-d9q]

@@ramaibrahim lol you’re not wrong he may have misunderstood how i wrote it the first time no biggie..

[@jonathancormack]

Who are you again?

[@Michael-zm2hv]

Good Video Beckett! Which string from the 2020s would you recommend over Kirschbaum Evolution?

[@experientialtennispickleball]

Played 1.5 hours with Kirschbaum Flash 1.25 (orange) with the Diadem Nova V2 FS100: one of the easiest strings to get around. I've played it multiple times, does everything above average. Max Power is exactly like you state: it's made for Prestiges. Played lots of strings in 2024, very few were actually different in a good way. Too many are too similar and just rebranded stuff from China/Taiwan. I will for sure try the Tru Pro Pure Rush sometime in 2025, got a fellow raving about it! Have you had the chance to play the Dunlop SX300 Tour 2025? How about the Carves?

[@TennCom]

Carve 100 coming... haven't gotten the SXs yet

[@anthonydabaco8407]

Thanks for the non-review, appreciate the transparency. Not surprised no mention of Nordic Dots given previous video. Topic of discussion with Jonas when you guys recently caught up?

[@TennCom]

Always keep my hommies in the loop

[@circuitmouth]

I wonder if you got a severely underspecced bum PS 16x20. Everyone else seems to really enjoy it. I found one on eBay for $140 USD and think it's great, but it's a little overspec.

[@TennCom]

It definitely felt lower than the 320 avg on TW, but looking through their reviews and talking to Jonas, instability seems to be the main concern. I've also come to realize that my preferences have become... quite unique since the switch to the PARafa

[@circuitmouth]

​@@TennCom Yeah that checks out then. Mine came out to a little above 330 SW.

[@kkarx]

Yes, Gladiators have it in top 3 rackets of 2024.

[@Cheeseburglar-hm2]

@@kkarx just because one reviewer likes it , it doesn’t automatically mean another one has to. There could be many reasons why he has it in his top 3 but how many on here are on his level ability wise? This is why I appreciate Beckett making this video and staying true to himself as he said he’s basing it on what he would use and there’s no point of all reviewers feeling the need to pretend to like a racquet because another reviewer did. As consumers and viewers we want honesty and with that comes a variety of opinions..

[@kkarx]

@@Cheeseburglar-hm2 Yes but he got the racket under spec. Any under spec racket will be unstable and underpowered. That was his main issue with it. His racket of choice is Pure Aero Rafa and he says it is amazing, yet he added like 30 g of lead to it and put it among the best rackets in his rating. How is that objective and honest to rate one racket after customizing it and another one stick under the specifications?

[@17ezequiel17]

Wondering why you found the Pure Strike 100 16x20 so so awful...specs wise it seems to be pretty similar to the Strike 97/VS. Maybe you got an underspec one? The VS is the racket I'm currently using and I'm looking for something a little more forgiving in that spec range (mainly staying into the 320 swingweight category with a very headlight balance). Maybe the Ezone 100 with added weight in the handle might be better?

[@TennCom]

I would rather us a PD or EZ100 with weight in the handle over the Strike 100 any day of the week. The S100 does sort of play like the 97 but I think the 100 feels even less substantial in the hoop. I think the cap grommets on the 97 help with hitting weight.

[@Tennis040]

Special if you said the PS is the worst racket of 2024 i hate the pure aero origin maybe the strike is the way to go😂😂😂

[@jamesbittle9789]

I'm surprised you didn't mention Nordic Dots. I returned my Model 99 after seeing your video. Haha

[@TennCom]

I felt like I had discussed that as much as was necessary

[@BrooklynZue]

Maybe do shorts on the stuff you test but find unworthy of a full video review. Just a thought.

[@krzysztofgrzeszczak961]

Hello, I really like Your reviews! I have a dillemma myself. I am an intermediate 35+ recreational player who would like to advance. I am using OHBH. My main racket was 95inch pro staff classic but I am starting to struggle to hit right with it and I feel its weights too much. I switched to Wilson Ultra 100L and added weight to the hoop and I am better but I lack control and spin with it. Could You give me some recommendation which racket(s) should I test?

[@TennCom]

I would recommend trying out the EZONE 98. Right in between what you've got now, should be findable on sale too.

[@krzysztofgrzeszczak961]

Thanks, I will definitely try it out. Cheers from Poland!

[@nascentnaga]

kirschbaum hater! OMG NUU I love them because they are cheap lmao. evo bluuuuu

[@rubensousa2204]

I have the Artengo tr960 control tour but the 16x19, and also have my second racket yonex ezone 98 (new model) and yonex vcore 100 (new model) and used to have the yonex vcore 98 and wilson burn 100 - 305g, Right now "This Monfils Racket" it's my main racket, because of the control, I don't know why, when i play with this racket i feel like I am alcaraz or kyrgios, my drop shots and trick shots are always in or most of the times, and sometimes its like this racket has some kind of power i don't want to do a trick and somehow I do something crazy. and have lots of control i can put the ball where i want, in my opinion it´s not so powerful, but i am having a blast, and when i need power i use my ezone98, it depends if i am playing well or my opponent

[@vovaantakalnis]

I find it funny how most of the reviewed items feel completely different when purchased compared to what reviewer was saying, yet I keep watching those reviews and keep being influenced :D

[@routertyty]

Curious as to why you use the CT Rally shoe? I use them and I think they are the BEST shoe on the market but not everyone knows about them.

[@TennCom]

I agree they are amazing. Best shoes I've worn in years.

[@JoeJJohn]

Idk if it's on your radar, but seeing as you like S7T, why don't you review Trupro Atomos? There's little to no info/reviews on it and it came out last year so it's one of the newer gen polys. TT forum seems to think it's a decent alternative to S7T, just a little softer. And if it's doodoo, you'd save me some money as I tend to agree with most of your takes on strings 😂.

[@TennCom]

Oh yeah I forgot about that one. Doodoo. Super rubbery feeling, not close to S7T at all. Power levels are way higher and the string is a bit launchy cuz the spin isn't great. Easy avoid.

[@starfusionmz]

Try max power 1.2 definitely in the tour sniper wheel house

[@MatthieudeCrevoisier]

what would you choose between a percept 100 and a speed mp ? very good video

[@TennCom]

I would personally choose the Percept because I like the feel more

[@tennis-fan]

Wow...wasn t expecting that

[@AlexBartnik]

I would encourage you to at least somewhat reconsider shoe reviews. I agree that Zach does a great job, especially in terms of fit, but at the same time he's not really putting the shoes through real world testing for extended periods of time. Even if they don't become a staple of the channel, reviews of your favorites in the category would still be valuable in my opinion.

[@chuckgliderable]

I really enjoy your channel, but I found your words on the Tecnifibre TFX1 300 very confusing. I note that Tennis Nerd, Tennis Mentor and Tennis Guy have each independently given it favourable reviews. I found one recently second hand, and have thoroughly enjoyed playing with it (intermediate player). I can't agree with you that it has a "bad feel". And doesn't the "launchiness" of the stringbed have a lot to do with the strings and tension used? Instead, you'd recommend the Pure Drive and Ezone. I've also played with these and love them as well. You weren't sure about the demographic for this racket, but isn't it like this: "If you like power rackets like the Pure Drive and Ezone then you may love this too"? I'm puzzled by the position you've taken, that "I'm not going to review this because I like something else more". If that was the case, then there'd be hardly any reviews of anything! Please take this in the right spirit - I'm just trying to explain why I found your comments a bit odd.

[@TennCom]

So I tried at least 5 different setups at a variety of tension ranges from 48 to 55lbs and was unable to get a setup that works from a control perspective or a feel perspective. If I can't figure out who the racquet is good for, then there's no point to making a review. Maybe that's more on me than it is on the racquet. But I think not making something is a better alternative to making some waffling review where no one actually learns anything. Especially in a field that entirely subjective. Its one thing to make tech reviews and a product seems good in the ads but in reality, it doesn't perform. But with racquets, they can all perform perfectly well.

[@chuckgliderable]

@@TennCom Hi Beckett, I appreciate the honesty! Really interesting that you couldn't find a useful machine tension in that range - when my racket is due a restring, I plan on experimenting with stringbed tension. Despite the objective measurements for rackets, like mass, balance point, swingweight, beam, head size, pattern etc, the sensory descriptors used for them are things like control, power, forgiveness, sweetspot size/shape, "feel", and yes, even aesthetics (because as we all know, if I like the look of my racket I may well perform better with it!). And so it descends into a subjective assessment. I believe that if the first experience of a new racket is negative, then hardly ever will the next experiences turn that view completely around! Maybe that's what happened with you with this racket.

[@Cheeseburglar-hm2]

I believe becket was talking about the Tfx2 305 98sq inch if not I’m lost..It seems you’re talking about the tfx1 300 100 sp inch two different rackets?

[@TennCom]

@@Cheeseburglar-hm2 no I’m referring to the 100 v2. I made a review on the 98 because I was able to figure it out

[@Cheeseburglar-hm2]

@@TennCom Thank you

[@ramakrishnamitta7024]

Black friday deals for Grapplesnake strings??

[@The4.0Guy]

Hmm, I find this a bit confusing, so if you are doing a review on something that implies that you liked it? or that you felt it was worth a review because it fell within your general preferences for racquets and strings? If you try a product and hate it will we hear about it or you won't do a video on it because you feel it would be too negative? I assumed we would hear the good the bad and the ugly about any racquet/string in the tenniverse from you (if you had the time to get to them and unless the company tried bullying a la nordicdots). Indeed there are a million racquet/strings out there and I watch your channel to find the good stuff for me!

[@TennCom]

It doesn't have to be good, per se, it has to be interesting. For example, the Bolt racquets are kind of bad, but I loved reviewing them because they are so interesting.

[@The4.0Guy]

Looking forward to your review of the Big Bubba , now that is 'interesting' 😂@@TennCom

[@The4.0Guy]

@@TennCom I see, look forward to your review of the Gamma Big Bubba or modern day equivalent ultimate handheld court bazooka, now that would be 'interesting' haha

[@Cheeseburglar-hm2]

@@TennCom ok so it’s not about “Good” or “Bad” it’s about enjoyment and story ? I’m a little confused I need to watch the Bolt racquets review for context.

[@TennCom]

@@Cheeseburglar-hm2 I think that would be a more specific was of putting it yes. I could have been more clear in the vid

[@jessicavegan]

So this is the review of all those reviews you never actually reviewed 😂