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Tennis is a sport that requires maximum focus and concentration in order to sustain hand-eye coordination. However, the vibrations created by the ball hitting the racket can be extremely distracting.
Whether you’re a seasoned tennis player who’s tired of being thrown off their game by vibrations, or a beginner who wants to start out on the right foot, you can minimize distractions and unwanted feedback by investing in a tennis dampener.
A tennis racket dampener is an accessory, usually made of rubber, that fits into the string bed of a tennis racket and effectively acts as a shock absorber. Not only does a dampener help to reduce the noises caused on impact.
Read on to check out our 10 most highly recommended tennis dampeners!
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10 Best Tennis Dampeners Reviews
Best Overall: Wilson Pro Feel Tennis Vibration Dampener
If you’re looking for high-quality sports equipment and accessories, you’ll struggle to do better than Wilson products. Wilson is a revered and trusted sportswear and equipment brand that has been manufacturing sporting goods since 1913.
This pack of Pro Feel Tennis Vibration Dampeners from Wilson contains 2 dampeners, which means that you can always have a spare on hand in case one gets lost.
What really makes these tennis dampeners stand out, however, is their premium-quality construction. Each dampener is made from a polymer blend material. As with most polymer blends, the result is a stronger and more durable material that ensures longevity.
Additionally, the sandwich construction of the Pro Feel Tennis Vibration Dampener makes for heavy-duty vibration reduction due to the multiple layers of material, which absorb vibrations effectively before they can manifest as noise or feedback.
The only potential issue with these tennis dampeners is the fact that they are very small, meaning that they might not properly fit larger rackets with wider string patterns.
Pros
- Wilson brand – Trusted sports equipment manufacturer
- Polymer blend material – Highly durable
- Sandwich construction – Effective vibration reduction
- 2-pack – Provides a spare
Cons
- Very small size – Not ideal for larger rackets
- Reduce vibrations
- Provides more comfort while playing
- Available in various colors
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Runner-Up: Tourna Sampras Vibration Dampener
Our runner-up pick is the Tourna Sampras Vibration Dampener, which is undoubtedly one of the best purchases you can make to improve the noise levels of your tennis racket.
The Tourna Sampras dampener comes in a 2-pack, so even if one of your dampeners flies off during practice, you have a replacement to work with. Alternatively, if you have 2 tennis rackets, you can fit one into each racket!
These tennis dampeners feature a circular or ‘donut’ construction, with a hole in the center. This stops the dampener from creating air resistance and drag during a swing because the hole in the middle allows air to pass through.
The soft rubber used to make these tennis dampeners is highly effective at minimizing the noise created by string vibrations. Meanwhile, the tight groove around the edge of the dampener ensures a secure fit.
However, it should be noted that the Tourna Sampras Vibration Dampener is designed primarily to minimize vibration noises as opposed to dramatically altering the feel of your racket on impact.
Pros
- Circular shape – Minimal air resistance
- Soft rubber material – Absorbs vibrations
- Tight external groove – Secure fit
- Pack of 2 – Convenient backup
Cons
- Less effective at reducing physical feedback – Not for significant feel alteration
- Proprietary Vibration Reduction: Crafted with proprietary soft rubber, these dampeners effectively...
- Efficient Hole Design: With a central hole, these dampeners are faster, lighter, and more efficient...
- Secure O-Ring Design: The O-ring design ensures a secure fit within your string bed, preventing any...
- Proprietary Vibration Reduction: Crafted with proprietary soft rubber, these dampeners effectively...
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Budget: Tourna Vibrex Neon Tennis Vibration Dampeners
Luckily, the vast majority of tennis vibration dampeners are quite affordable, so you don’t have to compromise your budget to enjoy a quieter, smoother tennis-playing experience.
However, if you’re specifically looking for good quality at the lowest price, we recommend the Tourna Vibrex Neon Tennis Vibration Dampeners.
This is a pack of 3 tennis vibration dampeners, so if you lose one, there’s no need to worry! Just swap your missing dampener for a new one from the pack, and you’re good to go!
With that being said, you may actually be less likely to misplace or lose these tennis dampeners because of their bright neon colors. If your dampener does happen to fly off your racket (on a hard mishit, for example), you’ll be more likely to find it on the court.
These dampeners are made from premium silicone, which is not only a very durable material but also a highly absorbent one.
Additionally, the groove around the outside of each dampener is deliberately deep, making for a firm and long-lasting fit. Because of this, you can rely on the Tourna Vibrex Tennis Vibration Dampeners to minimize racket noise for the foreseeable future.
Because the Tourna Vibrex dampeners are so small, however, it might be a good idea to use 2 dampeners per racket, if your string pattern allows it.
Pros
- 3-pack – Provides replacements
- Premium silicone – Durable and absorbent
- Deep groove – Stays firmly in place
- Neon colors – Easy to find
Cons
- Small size – Using 2 per racket is recommended
- Vibrant Neon Trio: Each pack includes three neon-colored dampeners, adding a burst of color to your...
- Vibration Control Excellence: Tourna Vibe dampeners effectively reduce string vibration, providing...
- Secure String Placement: Specially designed to fit between the strings with a groove, the dampeners...
- Premium Shock Absorption: Crafted from premium silicone, these dampeners excel in ending string...
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Worm: Just Tennis San Diego Vibra Worm
Worm-style vibration dampeners are popular in the tennis world because they have the ability to cover multiple racket strings at the same time, thus further reducing vibration sounds.
These worm dampeners are long enough to cover between 5 and 6 racket strings, so they provide more of a dampening effect than most smaller dampeners with less coverage.
In addition to their length, the Vibra Worm dampeners have gel fillings that further contribute to their vibration absorbency.
Despite being larger than the majority of tennis dampeners on the market, the Just Tennis San Diego Vibra Worms are surprisingly lightweight. They won’t feel cumbersome or affect your play when attached to your racket.
One pack of these tennis racket dampeners contains 6 units, so you won’t have to purchase any more for a long while.
Sadly, while the gel-filled dampeners themselves are quite durable, the hooks that clip them into the racket are less so. If you hit the hooks directly, they might break, rendering the dampener effectively useless. For this reason, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend these dampeners to beginners.
Pros
- 5 to 6-string coverage – Enhanced dampening ability
- Filled with gel – High absorbency
- Lightweight – Will not affect play
- 6-pack – Plenty of spares
Cons
- Relatively fragile hooks – May break if hit directly
- Gel Filled Vibration Dampener
- Covers 5 or 6 strings for more vibration reduction
- Economical 6 pack - 3 Black, 1 Yellow, 1 Red, 1 Blue
- Identical to Gamma Shock Buster
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Customizable: Babolat Custom Damp Vibration Dampener
There isn’t much room for customization with most tennis dampeners. However, the Babolat Custom Damp Vibration Dampener is the exception to that rule.
Babolat’s Custom Damp Vibration Dampener comes in a pack of 2, so you can either fit 2 different rackets with a dampener or keep one as a spare.
These dampeners are very lightweight, at just 0.05 grams per unit. That means that they won’t slow down your play by weighing down your racket.
Despite being so lightweight, however, the Babolat dampeners are incredibly durable. They are made mostly from silicone, with the additional reinforcement of 10% metal.
The silicone is highly effective at absorbing string vibrations, while the metal enhances the longevity and impact-resistance of the dampener.
The real selling point of these dampeners, though, is the fact that they come with rubber inserts that can be left in or removed, depending on your desired effect. If you leave the inserts in the dampeners, they will increase the absorbency levels for maximum noise control.
Alternatively, if you choose to remove them, you’ll still get to benefit from a more moderate dampening effect while also reducing air resistance.
However, we did notice that these dampeners fit more loosely than many players might like. Because of this, they have a tendency to pop out of the racket, particularly when the ball is hit too low down.
Pros
- Silicone and metal construction – Absorbent and durable
- Customizable – Adjusts for more or less dampening
- 2-pack – Enough for 2 rackets
- 0.05 grams – Very lightweight
Cons
- Looser than average fit – May fall out of racket
- 2 per pack.
- Color: White/Blue/black
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Highly Commended Picks: HEAD Djokovic Tennis Racket Vibration Dampener
Our first of 5 highly commended tennis dampeners is the HEAD Djokovic Tennis Racket Vibration Dampener.
HEAD is a reputable brand known for manufacturing high-quality, professional-grade tennis rackets. Therefore, you can trust HEAD with the task of dampening your string vibrations and delivering a more pleasant playing experience.
The dampeners come in a 2-pack, which is really handy if you either have 2 rackets or want to have a spare ready at all times. Plus, for the price, a pack of 2 is great value for money!
HEAD’s Djokovic dampeners are made of silicone, which means that they have good resistance to most weather conditions. This is really important if you regularly play outdoors. Plus, silicone is an absorbent material when it comes to vibrations.
Unfortunately, due to their small size, these dampeners have a tendency to slide out of place between the racket strings, so you might need to pause and readjust them now and again.
Pros
- HEAD brand – Reputable tennis brand
- Silicone construction – Absorbs vibrations
- Pack of 2 – Good value for money
Cons
- Sometimes shifts on racket – May need readjusting
- HEAD PERFORMANCE: Born out of revolutionizing how we ski and play tennis, HEAD has constantly pushed...
- VIBRATION ABSORBING: String dampeners help disperse the energy of the ball when it hits the racket....
- IMPROVED FEEL: Less vibration means more precision and control when you swing.
- ARM PROTECTION: Racket dampeners can help reduce the strain on your arm by reducing the shock of the...
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
HEAD SmartSorb
Another great tennis dampener from HEAD is the SmartSorb.
The SmartSorb is a multi-string vibration dampener that can be laced through the lower strings of your tennis racket. This, in conjunction with the rubber elastomer compound material, makes for more effective dampening, because it isn’t limited to a couple of strings.
You’ll also notice that the shape of the SmartSorb is tapered, narrowing at the ends and widening towards the center. This tapered shape provides more dampening in the areas where it’s most necessary and where most vibrations tend to occur.
HEAD’s SmartSorb comes in 5 different colors, including black, gray, red, blue, and yellow. You’ll have no trouble matching your dampener to your racket for maximum color coordination.
Sadly, the plastic clips at either end of the dampener are not as durable as the rest of the unit, meaning they break relatively easily on direct impact.
Pros
- Rubber elastomer material – Maximum absorption
- Multi-string coverage – Wide dampening area
- Tapered shape – Targets areas with most vibration
- Available in 5 colors – Easy to match to your racket
Cons
- Plastic clips are not durable – Prone to breakage
- HEAD PERFORMANCE: Born out of revolutionizing how we ski and play tennis, HEAD has constantly pushed...
- VIBRATION ABSORBING: String dampeners help disperse the energy of the ball when it hits the racket....
- IMPROVED FEEL: Less vibration means more precision and control when you swing.
- ARM PROTECTION: Racket dampeners can help reduce the strain on your arm by reducing the shock of the...
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Racket Expressions Tennis Dampeners
We’d also like to recommend the Racket Expressions Tennis Dampeners if you want to simultaneously minimize racket vibrations and make your racket more fun to look at.
These Racket Expressions Dampeners are made of soft PVC, which does a great job at absorbing vibrations from the strings, reducing the amount of audible feedback. The 2-sided construction also enhances the dampening effect because vibrations are stifled on both sides of the racket.
The really appealing thing about these tennis dampeners is the range of fun designs you get to choose from. From skulls to hearts, to beer mugs and martini glasses, there are plenty of designs to reflect your personality.
The Racket Expressions dampeners come in packs of 2 so that you can have a backup dampener for one or multiple rackets.
Having a second dampener in this case is extra useful because, unfortunately, we did notice that the grooves around the edges of the dampeners are relatively shallow, so they’re more likely than some other products to fall off mid-game.
Pros
- Soft PVC material – Absorbs most vibrations
- 2-sided construction – Optimal dampening
- 22 fun designs – Expresses individuality
- 2-pack – Decent value
Cons
- Shallow grooves – Loose fit
- REDUCES STRING VIBRATION: These tennis racket dampeners effectively minimize string vibrations,...
- FUN ADULT BEVERAGE DESIGN: Add personality to your tennis racket with these stylish tennis dampeners...
- DURABLE PVC MATERIAL: Crafted from premium soft PVC, these tennis shock absorbers are built for...
- IMPROVES FOCUS AND CONTROL: By reducing racket vibrations, these tennis string dampeners help...
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
ADV Tennis Sorbz Tennis Dampeners
The Sorbz Tennis Dampeners by ADV Tennis are similar to the Racket Expressions dampeners in the sense that they are designed for personalization and self-expression at the same time as vibration reduction.
These dampeners are sold in packs of 12, and you can get them in 3 different ‘themes’. This particular pack is the ‘Winners’ pack, which features 12 dampeners in eye-catching designs, including a panda, a frog, a heart, an American flag, a flower, and many more.
ADV Tennis makes its dampeners out of high-quality silicone. The silicone is both impact-resistant and durable as well as effective at absorbing string vibration.
However, a couple of the dampeners are noticeably looser-fitting than the others, so you might want to try out a few different units on your racket before your game or practice session to ensure you get the right fit.
Pros
- High-quality silicone – Excellent dampening effect
- Wide range of designs – Good for personalization
- 12-pack – Great value for money
Cons
- Some fit looser than others – Quality control inconsistency
- 🎾 More variety, more fun! Express yourself with this exclusive 12-pack which has the most unique...
- 🎾 Durable and long lasting cushioned feel: your racket will have less shock after every shot and...
- 🎾 Quick installation for dampeners that will stay put. Each dampener is easy to install and will...
- 🎾 Share and gift. These make great gifts for all your friends and family members who love tennis....
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gamma Shockbuster II
The Gamma Shockbuster II is a worm-style tennis string dampener. We would recommend this dampener if smaller units aren’t working for you and you need something a bit more heavy-duty.
This dampener has a tubular shape that allows it to cover several strings at once, maximizing the amount of vibrations it’s able to dampen.
Thanks to the Zorbicon gel inside the dampener, the Gamma Shockbuster II can absorb an impressive amount of vibrational shock, so your racket will remain noise-free throughout your games or practice sessions.
When it comes to the clips on either end of the dampener, there is an upside and a downside. The upside is that the clips are ergonomic and uncomplicated to work with, so installation is easy. Unfortunately, they are also quite fragile, so they’re the part of the dampener that is most likely to break.
Pros
- Tubular design – Covers multiple strings
- Zorbicon gel – Dampens vibration and shock
- Attachment clips – Ergonomic and easy to install
Cons
- Fragile clips – Susceptible to breakage
- EXTREME DAMPENING: Contacts all critical main strings for maximum reduction in vibrations.
- 2x ZORBICON: Double the Zorbicon gel construction kills harmful shock.
- PROTECT AGAINST INJURY: Can help to alleviate and protect against painful tennis elbow.
- CUSTOMIZE: Available in many different color combinations.
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Get A Tennis Racket Dampener?
There is some debate within the tennis community surrounding the functionality and necessity of tennis dampeners.
It is widely agreed that a tennis dampener does help to reduce the vibrational sound that occurs when the tennis ball hits the racket (often described as a ‘ping’ sound), which can minimize distraction. However, the other purported benefits of dampeners have yet to be conclusively proven.
For instance, many tennis enthusiasts believe that using a dampener will significantly reduce the vibrations in the frame of their racket. In theory, this would prevent vibrational shock from traveling into the arm, reducing the likelihood of injuries such as tennis elbow. However, there is currently no hard evidence to support this.
Ultimately, therefore, we wouldn’t recommend buying a tennis dampener if you’re hoping to minimize your risk of tennis elbow. However, if you find vibrational noises distracting, a tennis dampener is the best way to prevent them.
Where Should I Put My Tennis Dampener?
You’ll want to position your tennis dampener outside of the cross-string pattern on your tennis racket.
That means that you should put your tennis dampener low down towards the ‘neck’ of the racket, below where the horizontal strings end.
The reason for this is that you don’t want your dampener to interfere with your ability to hit the ball. If you put your dampener too close to the middle of the racket, where you want to be making contact with the ball, interference becomes more likely.
This positioning is not just suggested for practicality, but it’s also written into the rules of professional tennis. If you’re going to be playing tournaments any time soon, it’s important to place your dampener on the correct area of your racket to avoid breaking the rules.
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