Tecnifibre TF40 305 Review 2026: 16x19 vs 18x20, 290 vs 305 vs 315, vs TFight and Blade 98

The Tecnifibre TF40 is a traditional 98 square inch control racquet with a thin beam, a head light balance and a precise, direct feel. The 305 gram version is the standard, and it comes in a 16x19 and this 18x20 pattern. This review tells you who it suits, how the 305 differs from the 290 and the 315, how it compares with the TFight 305S and the Wilson Blade 98, and how we string it. You can see the TF40 305 18x20 on our product page at any time, with today's price.

Tecnifibre TF40 v3 305 18x20 tennis racquet — Tecnifibre TF40 v3 305 18x20 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

Facts at a glance

Model: Tecnifibre TF40 v3 305, 18x20 string pattern, 2025 model year. Also sold in 16x19.
Price at Sturdy Racquets: $379.95, sold unstrung.
Unstrung weight 305 grams, strung weight about 323 grams, swing weight about 322.
Head size 98 square inches, 18 by 20 string pattern, 22 millimetre beam, 6 points head light, stiffness about 64 RA, length 27 inches.
Best for advanced club players and strong intermediates who want control and a direct feel. Not a beginner's racquet.
Rated 4.8 out of 5 across 23 customer reviews on our site.
Grip sizes and availability are on the product page. Stringing from $19.95 with the racquet, usually ready the next day.

The short answer

Buy the TF40 305 if you are an advanced or strong intermediate player who wants a precise, traditional control racquet and you like a quick, head light feel. It costs $379.95 unstrung. Take the 18x20 if you hit flat and want maximum control. Take the 16x19 if you hit with more spin. If you want a softer, more connected feel, the Wilson Blade 98 is the one to compare it with.

Price $379.95, sold unstrung. Grip sizes and availability are on the product page. Stringing from $19.95 when you buy the racquet from us, usually ready the next day.

See the Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20 on our product page

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

You are an advanced player who places the ball rather than hitting through it.
You like a quick, head light racquet. At 6 points head light the TF40 turns fast.
You hit flat and want a predictable, low ball. The 18x20 bed is built for that.
You play a lot of doubles and want quick hands and precise volleys.
You want a classic control frame rather than a modern power frame.

Skip it if

You are a beginner or an improving intermediate. Start with the TF40 290 or a 100 square inch racquet.
You rely on heavy topspin. The 16x19 version, or a spin racquet, suits that better.
You want free power. The TF40 gives back what you put in and no more. We rate power 7 out of 10.
You want a plush, flexible feel. The Blade 98 is softer.

How it plays

Control 9.5 / 10Spin 7.5 / 10Comfort 8 / 10Swing speed 8 / 10Power 7 / 10

Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20, head and string bed — Tecnifibre TF40 v3 305 18x20 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

Control. We rate it 9.5 out of 10, as high as any racquet on our wall. The 98 square inch head, the thin 22 millimetre beam and the dense 18x20 bed mean the ball goes where you aim it.

Feel. Direct and precise. At about 64 RA it is a medium stiffness frame, firmer than a Blade and softer than a Pure Drive. You feel the ball clearly without harshness.

Spin. We rate the 18x20 7.5. The dense pattern limits string movement, which is the trade for the control. The 16x19 version scores 8.5.

At the net. Excellent. The head light balance makes it quick to position and the dense bed gives clean, controlled volleys.

Specifications

Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20, throat detail — Tecnifibre TF40 v3 305 18x20 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

Head size98 square inches

Unstrung weight305 g

Strung weightabout 323 g

Balance6 points head light

Swing weightabout 322

Stiffnessabout 64 RA

Beamabout 22 mm

String pattern18 x 20 (16 x 19 also available)

Length27 inches, 68.6 cm

SoldUnstrung

Model year2025

Grip sizesSee the product page

The TF40 family

The TF40 comes in three weights and, in the 305, two string patterns. They share the 98 square inch head and the thin beam.

	TF40 290	TF40 305 16x19	TF40 305 18x20	TF40 315
Unstrung weight	290 g	305 g	305 g	315 g
Swing weight	about 315	about 324	about 322	about 325
Balance	1 pt head light	6 pts head light	6 pts head light	7 pts head light
String pattern	16 x 19	16 x 19	18 x 20	16 x 19
Stiffness	about 63 RA	about 64 RA	about 64 RA	about 63 RA
Our control rating	8.8	9.5	9.5	9.2
Our spin rating	8.2	8.5	7.5	7.5
Rating on our site	4.5 (30)	4.7 (3)	4.8 (23)	4.6 (26)
Our price	$234.95	$379.95	$379.95	$315.95

Tecnifibre TF40 v3 290 tennis racquet — Tecnifibre TF40 v3 290 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

The 290 is the lighter, softer, cheaper way into the TF40 and the one for intermediates. The 305 in either pattern is the standard for advanced club players. The 315 is for strong players who want the most stable, flattest ball.

TF40 or TFight 305S

Tecnifibre's two 305 gram, 98 square inch control racquets. The TFight 305S is the newer design.

	TF40 305 18x20	TFight 305S
Unstrung weight	305 g	305 g
Balance	6 points head light	7 points head light
Beam	about 22 mm	22.5 mm
String pattern	18 x 20	18 x 19
Stiffness	about 64 RA	about 64 RA
Our control rating	9.5	9.5
Our spin rating	7.5	8
Rating on our site	4.8 (23 reviews)	4.5 (16 reviews)
Our price	$379.95	$379.95

Tecnifibre TFight 305S tennis racquet — Tecnifibre TFight 305S Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

They cost the same and they measure almost the same. The TF40 is the more traditional, flatter frame. The TFight 305S has a slightly wider beam and a fraction more spin and liveliness. Players who like a classic feel choose the TF40; players who want a touch more modern help choose the TFight.

TF40 or Wilson Blade 98

The Blade 98 v10 is the most popular 98 square inch control racquet we sell, so this is the comparison most TF40 buyers make.

	TF40 305 18x20	Blade 98 16x19 v10	Blade 98 18x20 v10
Unstrung weight	305 g	305 g	305 g
Balance	6 pts head light	Even	Even
Stiffness	about 64 RA	about 61 RA	about 61 RA
Beam	about 22 mm	21 mm	21 mm
Our control rating	9.5	9	9.5
Our spin rating	7.5	9	7
Our price	$379.95	$419.99	$419.99

Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v10 tennis racquet — Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v10 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

The TF40 is head light and quick; the Blade is evenly balanced and steadier. The TF40 is a touch firmer and more direct; the Blade is softer and more connected. The TF40 is $40 cheaper. Our Blade 98 v10 review covers the Wilson in full.

How we string it

The TF40 is sold unstrung. On the 18x20 the dense bed plays tighter than a 16x19 at the same tension, so start a pound or two lower than you would elsewhere. When you buy the racquet from us, stringing is added at the discounted prices below and it is usually ready the next day.

Most players: Ultra Premium, $49.95 with the racquet. Luxilon ALU Power, Solinco Hyper-G or Babolat RPM Blast at 50 to 52 pounds.

Sore arm or more feel: Ultimate Performance, $59.95 with the racquet. A hybrid of Tecnifibre Razor Soft in the mains with a natural gut or multifilament cross at 50 to 52 pounds.

A softer full bed: Premium, $39.95 with the racquet. Tecnifibre Multifeel or Babolat RPM Team at 48 to 50 pounds.

Your own string: $15.95 labour when you buy the racquet from us.

All four packages are explained on our racquet stringing page.

Try it before you buy

We have demo racquets at the Brooklyn shop, including TF40 frames, so you can hit with one before you commit. See the demo racquets we have available, or come in and ask.

Questions players ask

TF40 305 16x19 or 18x20?

Same frame, different string bed. The 16x19 gives more spin and a little more power. The 18x20 has a denser bed for a flatter, more predictable ball. Both score 9.5 for control in our ratings, and the 16x19 scores 8.5 for spin against 7.5 for the 18x20. Both cost the same. If you hit flat and value control, take the 18x20. If you brush the ball, take the 16x19.

What is the difference between the TF40 and the TFight?

Both are Tecnifibre's 98 square inch control racquets. The TF40 is the classic, thinner-beamed, more traditional control frame. The TFight 305S is the more modern design with a slightly wider 22.5 millimetre beam and an 18x19 pattern. The TF40 feels more old school and precise; the TFight feels a little livelier. We review the TFight family in our TFight 300S review.

TF40 305, 290 or 315?

The number is the unstrung weight in grams. The 290 is the light version for intermediates, with a near-even balance and the softest frame of the three. The 305 is the standard for advanced club players. The 315 is the heaviest, for strong players who want maximum stability and a flat, controlled ball.

Is the TF40 good for intermediate players?

The 305 is for strong intermediates and advanced players who already make clean contact. An intermediate who wants the TF40 feel should start with the TF40 290, which is lighter and more forgiving at a lower price.

How does the TF40 compare with the Wilson Blade 98?

They are both 305 gram, 98 square inch control racquets with a 21 to 22 millimetre beam. The Blade 98 v10 is balanced evenly and is a touch softer at about 61 RA. The TF40 is 6 points head light and a touch firmer at about 64 RA, so it feels quicker in the hand and more direct. Blade players tend to like the softer, more connected feel. TF40 players tend to like the precision.

Does the TF40 come strung?

No. The TF40 is sold unstrung. We string it in store, usually ready the next day, from $19.95 when you buy the racquet from us.

What tension should I use on the TF40?

We suggest 50 to 52 pounds, which is 23 to 24 kilograms, with a polyester string. Go a little lower on the 18x20 if it feels too firm, because the denser bed plays tighter than the 16x19 at the same tension.

Our verdict

Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20, full view — Tecnifibre TF40 v3 305 18x20 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

The TF40 305 is the control racquet for players who want precision and a quick, head light feel, and at $379.95 it undercuts the Blade 98. Buy the 18x20 if you hit flat. Buy the 16x19 if you hit with spin. Buy the 290 if you are still building your game.