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The Dunlop CX racquets are built for tennis players who want to add more control to their game. The Dunlop CX 200 Tour racquets are great for advanced players seeking precision and feel on their shots, but Dunlop also offers other versions of the CX tennis racquet for beginner and intermediate players.
Below, we’ll review each of the Dunlop CX tennis racquets and suggest the best alternatives to help you find the optimal racquet for your tennis game.
Review Summary & Ratings for the Dunlop CX Racquets
While Dunlop isn’t the most popular brand today, their racquets are as high-quality as any you’ll find. The Dunlop CX racquets are known for an exceptional combination of control and feel with different versions for different skill levels.
See our ratings, plus the pros and cons of the Dunlop CX below for a quick glance at how it performs compared to other tennis racquets.
Our Ratings for the Dunlop CX
- Power: 6
- Control: 9
- Spin: 7
- Serve: 8
- Return: 6
- Groundstrokes: 7
- Volleys: 8
- Price: $$$
Pros
- Great control
- Predictable response
- Maneuverable
- Great touch and feel
- Exceptional comfort
Cons
- No free power
- Not the most stable
- For advanced players only
Different Versions of the Dunlop CX Tennis Racquet
The Dunlop CX comes in several versions varying in weight, head size, and string pattern so players at different levels who prefer tennis racquets for control can all find one to their liking.
We will review each version in more detail below.
What did Dunlop Update with the 2024 Version?
Most of the time when companies come out with a new version of an existing racquet, the updates are very small, to the point where many people won’t even notice the differences. However, with the 2024 CX line, Dunlop has actually made significant changes, from the spacing of the cross strings to the actual mold they use to make the racquet.
- The CX 200 Tour 16×19 and 18×20 racquets are stiffer and more stable.
- All racquets have increased cross string spacing for great spin.
- New molds increase forgiveness and power.
Dunlop introduced Powergrid Stringtech+ technology and increased the spacing between cross strings, adding a little extra power and spin to this controlled player’s frame. A new mold, along with a slightly stiffer racquet face, also slightly slightly increases the power and stability without sacrificing control or feel.
Overall, this is definitely an upgrade for this racquet line. Previously, this racquet was severely lacking in power and stability in stock form and required customization to be usable. While this racquet still is a great racquet for those who like to customize their racquets, it is now also a solid racquet right off the shelf.
Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20: The Ultimate Control Racquet
We’ll start with the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20. Below are the specifications and on-court performance you should expect from this racquet.
Dunlop CX 200 Tour Specifications
- Weight: 11.7 ounces strung
- Head Size: 95 square inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Stiffness: 66
- Balance: 319.8 mm
- String Pattern: 18×20
Read our guide on how to choose a tennis racquet.
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Groundstrokes: Great Precision but Difficult Depth
From the first hit the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20 provides a very comfortable and low-powered response. It gives you the freedom to swing out on your shots even when flattening out your groundstrokes without worry of the ball sailing long. The racquet had surprisingly solid spin potential given the dense 18×20 string pattern in the smaller-than-average 95 square inch head size.
However, I did find that my shots tended to land short due to the low power. If you’re looking for easier power from your racquet, you might prefer the Dunlop FX 500. My slices tended to float more than usual as well. To compensate for this, I did try adding a little bit of weight in the head (and counterbalanced in the handle). I found this racquet to respond great to customization.
See the best tennis racquets for power if you need added pace to your groundstrokes.
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Serves: Pinpoint Accuracy
Similar to the groundstrokes, this racquet provides exceptional directional control right away. As with the groundstrokes, I did have to adjust to the low power to get consistent depth on my serves, but once I did, I had no issue hitting consistent flat, slice, and kick serves with pinpoint precision. The Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20 became one of the best tennis racquets for serving I have used once I added a little weight to help with getting consistent depth.
Volleys: Terrific Touch
Three things I look at when testing racquets at the net are maneuverability, stability, and touch. The 7 pt headlight balance provided great maneuverability at the net. Stability was decent, but not a stand-out feature of the racquet. This racquet had fantastic touch, however, allowing me to hit both deep, penetrating volleys and drop volleys with ease.
Returns: Lacking Stability and Depth
When returning serve, the best aspect of this racquet was its maneuverability. It allows you to react quickly to all serves and get a lot of returns back in play. Unfortunately, due to the low power, many of those returns did land short. The Dunlop SX 300 will fit you better if you’re looking for extra power and spin on your serve return.
The serve return is where this racquet reacted best with a little added weight to increase depth and stability. As with the groundstrokes, this racquet really thrives when you have full, confident strokes providing your own power.
Overall, the CX 200 Tour 18×20 Offers Excellent Control for High-Level Players
Overall, the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20 is a superb control-oriented racquet. For the advanced player looking to generate their own pace, it is a great option. It also is a great platform racquet for those that like to customize racquets to their own specs.
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Dunlop CX 200 Tour 16×19 Review
- Weight: 11.5 ounces strung
- Head Size: 95 square inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Stiffness: 66
- Balance: 319.8 mm
- String Pattern: 16×19
The main difference between the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 16×9 and the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20 is the string pattern. All other specs being nearly identical, the racquet plays very similarly. However, this racquet does have slightly better spin potential and easier access to depth.
Advanced players who love control racquets but also enjoy tennis racquets for spin and find the 18×20 version a little too low-powered will be happy with the 16×19 version.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com
Dunlop CX 200 Review
- Weight: 11.3 ounces strung
- Head Size: 98 square inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Stiffness: 64
- Balance: 320.8 mm
- String Pattern: 16×19
The Dunlop CX 200 is a more intermediate-friendly version of the CX line. It still maintains the control and comfort of the previous racquets mentioned but with a slightly larger 98-inch head size. This allows a little more forgiveness and spin potential without sacrificing feel. This racquet is where the CX line opens up to intermediate or advanced players.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com
Reviewing the Dunlop CX 400 & Other Versions
| CX 200 OS | CX 400 Tour | CX 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Larger 105 square inch head size. | Stiffer and lighter 11.2 ounce weight. | Stiffer and lighter 10.6 ounce weight. |
| Increased stability, power, and forgiveness. | More moderate power. | Easier depth and spin. |
| Maintains control with modern feel. | Overall easier to use without compromising control. | Easier to swing. |
| Great for rising intermediate players. | Great for intermediate players needing a little help with power. | Great for beginner to intermediate players who appreciate control racquets but still need some power. |
| Buy the Dunlop CX 200 OS on Tennis Warehouse | Buy the Dunlop CX 400 Tour on Tennis Warehouse | Buy the Dunlop CX 400 on Tennis Warehouse |
Who Should Use the Dunlop CX Line of Racquets?
With the variety of racquets in the Dunlop CX line, there is a racquet for almost everybody who enjoys control-oriented racquets. Players with medium-to-full, fast swings that enjoy supplying their own power will love these racquets.
- The CX 200 Tour 18×20 and 16×19 will be best utilized by advanced players, especially if they enjoy adding weight to customize their racquet.
- The CX 200 is a little easier to use and will be enjoyed by intermediate and advanced players alike.
- Dunlop also has the CX 200 OS, CX 400 Tour, and CX 400 racquets for intermediate and even some serious beginners who want to give control-oriented racquets a try.
The Best Alternatives to the Dunlop CX Tennis Racquets
Below are several tennis racquets similar to the Dunlop CX line of racquets:
- Babolat Pure Strike – A more powerful and stable alternative with slightly less comfort and control.
- Head Prestige – A similarly control-oriented racquet with fewer alternatives for beginner to intermediate players and a more classic feel.
- Wilson Pro Staff – A slightly stiffer alternative with a wide range of options and a more forgiving head size.
- Yonex Percept – A more powerful alternative with Yonex’s unique isometric head shape.
My Experience Playing with the Dunlop CX
I played with the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20 during several practice sessions and matches. From the first hit I could tell that this was a great upgrade from the previous version of the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20.
The Control and Feel of the CX was in a League of Its Own
I have been a fan of control-oriented racquets for years, and have tried just about every one easily attainable in the U.S. I immediately felt very connected to this racquet, and had greater precision than any other racquet I have used.
The racquet especially shined on serve and at net, where the maneuverability became very evident. The feel also allowed me to place volleys wherever I wanted, both deep and short.
Depth and Power Still Require Focus with the CX
Groundstrokes, serves, and returns still took a little more focus than normal to achieve decent power and depth. While it is definitely an improvement over the prior generation, it was still an area that could be improved.
Alternatively, getting to the net also solved the problem, as the racquet particularly excelled in that zone of the court.
The CX Still Responds Great to Customization
The Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20 has specs that err on the light side. This allowed me the freedom to increase the overall weight by adding lead tape around the hoop and counterbalancing it in the handle.
Customizing the racquet in this way increased power and stability without sacrificing maneuverability, feel, and control.
Overall, I recommend the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18×20 for advanced players who supply their own power, especially if they enjoy customizing their racquets.
The Dunlop CX line as a whole has a racquet for players at all levels looking for added control. They perform exceptionally well for doubles players looking for touch and feel at the net.
It is unfortunate that you were unable to test the new version of the racquet . It is unclear , other than a photo of yourself with a version that at the time of the article was 1 generation removed from the 2021 model . Early clarity would have been useful .
Hi Derek, I will be testing the newest version soon and will update this post in the next month or so with my experiences. Check back soon!