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Solinco is most well-known for producing Hyper-G, the bright green string that made our list of the best tennis strings. In 2022, they collaborated with Roman Prokes, famous for customizing racquets for Andre Agassi and Novak Djokovic, and entered the racquet market with the Whiteout and Blackout racquets.
They have a narrower selection than some of the more established brands but still offer several racquets within each model. Intermediate and advanced players will enjoy the modern twist Solinco has put on the racquet market with the Whiteout and Blackout racquets.
| Summary & Skill Level | Racquet |
|---|---|
| Best Solinco Racquet for Control Intermediate to Advanced | Solinco Whiteout Jump to Review |
| Best Solinco Racquet for Power Low-Level Intermediate to Advanced | Solinco Blackout Jump to Review |
Solinco Whiteout: A Modern Control Racquet
When I think of classic control frames, racquets like the Wilson Pro Staff and the Head Prestige come to mind; racquets with incredible feel, a small but sensational sweet spot, and great maneuverability, but may suffer in forgiveness and spin potential.
Modern control frames, on the other hand, bring to mind the Babolat Pure Strike, the Head Gravity, and now, the Solinco Whiteout; racquets with similarly great feel, but trading a little maneuverability and sweet spot perfection for extra forgiveness and spin potential.
Solinco Whiteout 305 Racquet Specifications
- Weight: 11.4 oz
- Head Size: 98 sq. inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Balance: 330.2 mm
- String Pattern: 16×19
- Swingweight: 327
- Stiffness: 66
The Solinco Whiteout 305 has fairly standard specs for a control-oriented racquet but is slightly lighter and stiffer. This creates extra power compared to most racquets in this category without compromising precision.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com
The Whiteout Has Surprising Stability Coupled With Control
Many racquets that emphasize control have a great-feeling sweet spot but suffer when it comes to stability and forgiveness on off-center shots. The Solinco Whiteout bucks that tradition with impressive performance and a large sweet spot. It is also one of the most spin-friendly racquets in this category.
Groundstrokes reminded me of a mix between a Wilson Blade and a Babolat Pure Strike, hitting very solid with good control, but with even greater spin potential. It hit penetrating shots without too much difficulty while maintaining impressive precision.
Serves and volleys also performed great with this racquet. Despite the higher stiffness rating, this racquet still felt very comfortable with excellent feel. While maneuverability could be improved, adjusting to the head heavy balance doesn’t take long compared to more traditional control racquets.
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Overall, the Solinco Whiteout is a great racquet for players looking for a modern all-around racquet with above-average control.
Other Versions of the Solinco Whiteout
Other than the standard Solinco Whiteout 305, there are five additional versions, varying in length and weight.
| Whiteout XTD | Longer 27.5-inch length. | Increased power and spin potential, sacrificing maneuverability. | Great for intermediate and advanced players wanting extra spin and power. | Buy the Whiteout XTD on TW |
| Whiteout XTD+ | Even longer 28-inch length. | Even greater power and spin potential with lower maneuverability. | Only suitable for physically strong players with long, smooth strokes. | Buy the Whiteout XTD+ on TW |
| Whiteout 18×20 | Tighter 18×20 string pattern. | Greater control with less free power. | Great for advanced players wanting a little extra control. | Buy the Whiteout 18×20 on TW |
| Whiteout 18×20 XTD | Tighter 18×20 string pattern combined with a 27.5-inch length. | Greater swingweight-based power with impressive control. | Great for intermediate and advanced players with smooth strokes. | Buy the Whiteout 18×20 XTD on TW |
| Whiteout 290 | A lighter version that’s easier to swing. | More user-friendly, especially for younger and lower-level players. | Great for intermediate players wanting a good all-around racquet that isn’t too heavy. | Buy the Whiteout 290 on TW |
Best Alternatives to the Solinco Whiteout
Below are several tennis racquets similar to the Solinco Whiteout.
- Babolat Pure Strike – A more powerful option for those who don’t mind a stiffer racquet.
- Head Gravity – A slightly more controlled racquet that also offers extended-length options.
- Wilson Blade – A more maneuverable option that has similar all-around playability.
- Yonex Percept – This racquet comes in multiple head sizes and string patterns for those looking for more standard-length options.
Solinco Blackout: Powerful Yet Plush
The Solinco Blackout is a powerful racquet with easy access to spin. The most unique aspect of this racquet is how comfortable and plush it is. Most racquets that lean towards the power end of the spectrum suffer from harsh vibrations and poor feel, but the Solinco Blackout is the black sheep of the family.
Solinco Blackout 300 Racquet Specifications
- Weight: 11.3 oz
- Head Size: 100 sq. inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Balance: 325.1 mm
- String Pattern: 16×19
- Swingweight: 316
- Stiffness: 71
The Solinco Blackout 300 screams power from the specs with its 71 stiffness, 100-inch head size, and 16×19 string pattern. The standout feature here is the maneuverable 316 swingweight aiding fast swings and promoting even more spin.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com
The Blackout Offers Comfortable Power and Superb Spin
The first thing you notice when picking up the Solinco Blackout 300 is the effortless power and spin. Next, you realize how comfortable and plush the racquet feels despite its high stiffness. This makes for a fun racquet that’s easy to swing without being hard on the arm.
Hitting groundstrokes was effortless with this racquet. Forehands and backhands exploded off the frame with ease and tons of spin. The low swingweight allowed for fast swings and great depth. However, flat shots did lack control.
Serving was fantastic, especially with topspin and kick serves. The power provided depth and the spin helped keep the ball in the court with a high margin of error. Volleys, normally where powerful racquets suffer, were surprisingly solid with great feel and control. This is the best power-oriented racquet at the net.
Overall, the Solinco Blackout is a great racquet for players looking for a powerful racquet with above-average comfort.
Other Versions of the Solinco Blackout
There are three additional versions of the Solinco Blackout with different lengths and weights.
| Blackout XTD | Blackout XTD+ | Blackout 285 |
|---|---|---|
Longer 27.5-inch length. | Even longer 28-inch length. | A lighter version that’s easier to swing. |
Increased power and spin potential, sacrificing maneuverability. | Even greater power and spin potential with lower maneuverability | More user-friendly, especially for younger and lower-level players. |
Great for intermediate and advanced players wanting extra spin and power. | Only suitable for physically strong players with long, smooth strokes. | Great for intermediate players wanting a powerful racquet that isn’t too heavy. |
| Buy the Blackout XTD on TW | Buy the Blackout XTD+ on TW | Buy the Blackout 285 on TW |
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Best Alternatives to the Solinco Blackout
Below are several tennis racquets similar to the Solinco Blackout.
- Wilson Clash – A flexible alternative that offers options for different head sizes.
- Dunlop SX – A more stable option with incredible spin and slightly less power.
- Prince Warrior – A racquet with a more open 16×18 string pattern with a softer feel.
- Head Radical – Offers slightly more control for a more balanced all-around racquet.
My Experience with the Solinco Whiteout and Blackout Racquets
I play-tested multiple versions of the Whiteout and Blackout frames over several weeks. I used the Solinco racquets in both tennis matches and practices.
Solinco Created A Unique and Comfortable Feel
Both the Whiteout and Blackout racquets felt very comfortable compared to their stiffness. I don’t know what Solinco and Roman Prokes did to achieve that, but it works. Better yet, the racquets didn’t feel muted like many racquets that have dampening technology to make up for stiffer layups.
These racquets both performed exceptionally well at the net where I appreciate feel the most, as I love sneaking in drop volleys when I play doubles. You can even play with these racquets using a full bed of polyester strings and get reasonable comfort and feel.
Depth and Spin Came Easy
While I was expecting easy depth from the Blackout, I was not expecting how easy it was to hit with consistent depth with the Whiteout. Even though the Whiteout is more control-oriented and the Blackout is more power-oriented, both make excellent all-around racquets.
Serving with the extended versions of these racquets was not my favorite. I prefer racquets that are heavier with a very head light balance when I serve, but I still was able to be very consistent with my serving no matter which Solinco racquet I picked up.
The added depth and spin from the extended length even propelled the Solinco Whiteout XTD onto our list of the best tennis racquets for advanced players, particularly for those who don’t mind the decreased maneuverability from extended frames.
Customizing is Easy with Solinco Racquets
My favorite unique aspect of the Solinco racquets is the available weighted butt caps. You can purchase extra butt caps that add 5 or 10 grams to the racquet while also making the racquets more head light. It makes it very easy for you to begin customizing your tennis racquet.
As someone who loves to tinker with his racquets, I think it’s a great addition that other companies should copy.
What did you think about the Solinco Whiteout and Solinco Blackout racquets? Let us know in the comments below!
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