Wilson Ultra 100 v5 Review 2026: Who It Suits, vs 100L, 99 Pro, Clash, Best Strings

The Wilson Ultra 100 v5 is Wilson's power racquet for club players. It is a 300 gram, 100 square inch frame with a wide beam and a stiff build, which means the ball leaves fast without a big swing. This review tells you who it suits, how it compares with the Ultra 100L, the Ultra 99 Pro, the Clash 100, the Blade 100 and the Babolat Pure Drive, and how we string it. You can see the Ultra 100 v5 on our product page at any time, with today's price.

Wilson Ultra 100 v5 tennis racquet — Wilson Ultra 100 v5 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

Facts at a glance

Model: Wilson Ultra 100 v5, 2024 model year.
Price at Sturdy Racquets: $339.95, sold unstrung.
Unstrung weight 300 grams, strung weight about 318 grams, swing weight about 320 to 323.
Head size 100 square inches, 16 by 19 string pattern, beam 24, 26.5 and 24 millimetres, 4 points head light, stiffness about 72 RA, length 27 inches.
Recommended tension 50 to 60 pounds, which is 22 to 27 kilograms.
Best for intermediate players who want easy power and depth from a forgiving 100 square inch head.
Rated 4.6 out of 5 across 39 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 Ultra 100 v5 if you want a modern power racquet that makes the ball go deep without a big swing, and you like a firm, crisp feel. It costs $339.95 unstrung. It is the Wilson equivalent of the Babolat Pure Drive, and the two are the most direct rivals on our wall. If you want comfort instead of power, the Clash 100 is the Wilson for you. If you want control, the Blade 100.

Price $339.95, 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 Wilson Ultra 100 v5 on our product page

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

You want easy power and depth. The Ultra adds pace to a normal swing.
You hit fairly flat and like a crisp, direct response.
You are an intermediate player who has outgrown a lighter frame and wants a racquet to grow into.
You serve big and want the frame to help.
You play doubles and want power on returns and overheads.

Skip it if

You have arm trouble. At about 72 RA this is a firm frame; the Clash 100 is the comfortable Wilson.
You want to feel the ball and place it. The Blade 100 gives more feedback.
You already generate plenty of pace and the ball flies long. The Ultra 99 Pro or a Blade will control it better.
You find 300 grams tiring. The Ultra 100L is 20 grams lighter.

How it plays

Power 9 / 10Spin 8.5 / 10Comfort 7.8 / 10Swing speed 7.8 / 10Control 7 / 10

Wilson Ultra 100 v5, head and string bed — Wilson Ultra 100 v5 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

Power. We rate it 9 out of 10. The 26.5 millimetre beam and the stiff frame make the ball jump. This is the reason to buy an Ultra.

Spin. We rate it 8.5. The open 16x19 pattern gives plenty of spin if you brush the ball, though this is not a spin-first frame.

Control. We rate it 7. The trade for easy power is that a lazy swing sends the ball long. Players who commit to the shot get the best from it.

Comfort. We rate it 7.8. It is firm but not harsh. A soft polyester or a hybrid is the right string if your arm is sensitive.

Specifications

Wilson Ultra 100 v5, throat detail — Wilson Ultra 100 v5 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

Head size100 square inches

Unstrung weight300 g

Strung weightabout 318 g

Balance4 points head light

Swing weightabout 320 to 323

Stiffnessabout 72 RA

Beam24, 26.5 and 24 mm

String pattern16 x 19

Length27 inches, 68.6 cm

Recommended tension50 to 60 lb, 22 to 27 kg

SoldUnstrung

Model year2024

Grip sizesSee the product page

The whole Ultra v5 family

Wilson makes the Ultra v5 in five adult versions we stock. They share the power-first build. Here is how they line up.

	100UL	Team	100L	100	99 Pro
Unstrung weight	260 g	280 g	280 g	300 g	305 g
Head size	100 sq in	100 sq in	100 sq in	100 sq in	99 sq in
Swing weight	about 285	about 300	about 305	about 320	about 330
Stiffness	about 65 RA	about 70 RA	about 68 RA	about 72 RA	about 67 RA
Our control rating	6.8	7	8	7	8.3
Sold	Unstrung	Strung	Unstrung	Unstrung	Unstrung
Rating on our site	4.3 (56)	4.3 (66)	4.5 (18)	4.6 (39)	4.7 (70)
Our price	$264.95	$219.95	$329.95	$339.95	$295.95

Wilson Ultra 99 Pro v5 tennis racquet — Wilson Ultra 99 Pro v5 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

The standard Ultra 100 is the one most intermediate players should buy. The 100L is the lighter choice. The Ultra Team comes strung and is the cheapest way in. The 99 Pro is the control version for stronger players.

Ultra 100 or Clash 100 or Blade 100

Wilson's three 100 square inch racquets for club players sit on a line from power to comfort to control.

	Ultra 100 v5	Clash 100 v3	Blade 100 v10
Unstrung weight	300 g	295 g	300 g
Stiffness	about 72 RA	about 60 RA	about 62 RA
Beam	24, 26.5, 24 mm	24.5 mm	22 mm
Our power rating	9	8	8
Our comfort rating	7.8	10	8
Our control rating	7	8	9
Rating on our site	4.6 (39)	4.8 (63)	4.7 (55)
Our price	$339.95	$349.95	$399.99

Wilson Clash 100 v3 tennis racquet — Wilson Clash 100 v3 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

Power, buy the Ultra. Comfort, buy the Clash 100, which we cover in our Clash 100 review. Control and feel, buy the Blade 100, covered in our Blade 100 review.

Ultra 100 or Babolat Pure Drive

The Pure Drive Gen 11 is the other big power racquet and the closest rival to the Ultra.

	Ultra 100 v5	Pure Drive Gen 11
Unstrung weight	300 g	300 g
Stiffness	about 72 RA	about 72 RA
Swing weight	about 320 to 323	about 320
Our power rating	9	9
Our spin rating	8.5	9
Our control rating	7	7.5
Our price	$339.95	$395.95

Babolat Pure Drive Gen 11 tennis racquet — Babolat Pure Drive Gen 11 Tennis Racquet. Tap the photo to open the product page.

They are very close on paper and the Ultra is $56 cheaper, though the Pure Drive price includes factory strings and the Ultra is sold unstrung. The difference is feel: the Pure Drive is a little crisper and the Ultra a little more muted. Try both if you can. Our Pure Drive review covers the Babolat.

How we string it

The Ultra 100 is sold unstrung, and on a power frame the string is what keeps the ball in the court. 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 52 to 55 pounds. A firm polyester tames the power.

Sore arm: Premium, $39.95 with the racquet. Babolat RPM Team or Tecnifibre Multifeel at 50 to 52 pounds, or a hybrid with a multifilament cross.

Budget: Standard, $19.95 with the racquet. Wilson Sensation at 54 pounds, lively and comfortable.

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 Ultra 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

Is the Wilson Ultra 100 v5 good for beginners?

For an improving beginner who already rallies, yes. The 100 square inch head is forgiving and the frame gives easy power. A complete beginner will find 300 grams and the stiff frame a lot to handle; the Ultra Team at 280 grams, sold strung, is the easier start, and the Ultra 100UL at 260 grams is lighter again.

What changed from the Ultra 100 v4 to the v5?

We only stock the v5, so we have not measured the two side by side and we will not guess at numbers. The v5 is the current model and its specifications are in the table on this page.

Ultra 100 or Ultra 100L?

Weight. The 100 is 300 grams, the 100L is 280 grams with a slightly softer frame at about 68 RA against about 72. The 100 is steadier against pace. The 100L is quicker and a little more comfortable.

Ultra 100 or Ultra 99 Pro?

The Ultra 99 Pro is the control version: 305 grams, a 99 square inch head, a thinner 22 to 24 millimetre beam, a softer frame at about 67 RA and a higher swing weight of about 330. It is for stronger players who want some of the Ultra's power with more precision. The Ultra 100 is lighter, stiffer and more forgiving.

Ultra 100 or Clash 100?

Opposites in feel. The Ultra is stiff at about 72 RA and gives free power. The Clash 100 is soft at about 60 RA and gives comfort. If you want the ball to fly, buy the Ultra. If you want your arm to feel good, buy the Clash.

What are the best strings for the Ultra 100 v5?

Wilson lists 50 to 60 pounds, which is 22 to 27 kilograms. On a powerful frame we suggest a polyester at 52 to 55 pounds to keep the ball in, such as Luxilon ALU Power or Solinco Hyper-G. If comfort matters more, a hybrid with a multifilament cross at 50 to 52 pounds.

Is the Ultra 100 v5 stiff?

Yes, about 72 RA, which is firm. That is where the power comes from. We rate its comfort 7.8 out of 10. A softer string helps if your arm is sensitive.

Our verdict

Wilson Ultra 100 v5, full view — Wilson Ultra 100 v5 Tennis Racquet (Unstrung). Tap the photo to open the product page.

The Ultra 100 v5 is the Wilson to buy if you want easy power and a firm, crisp feel, and it costs $339.95. It is the direct rival to the Pure Drive and it is cheaper. Buy it if the ball needs more pace. Buy the Clash 100 if you want comfort, or the Blade 100 if you want control.