Guides

Should You Use a Vibration Dampener?

September 10, 2025 Juan

A vibration dampener is totally personal preference.

Nadal won 22 Grand Slams with one, while Federer won 20 Grand Slams without one.

This guide serves to help you decide if a vibration dampener is right for you by discussing what it is, what does it do and the different types you can use.

What Is a Vibration Dampener?

It is a small rubber piece that sits between the main strings below the lowest cross. The reason for this is that it must sit below the lowest cross to be legal in matches.

You can also tie a simple rubber band around the center mains for a retro look.

What Does a Vibration Dampener Do?

It mutes the high frequency string ping and softens perceived feel. It also reduces some vibration that travels from the racket to your arm.

If you feel sensitive to vibration, a dampener is a great first step. Try it before you start changing tension, string, or your racket.

It changes sound and feedback more than it changes performance. It does not meaningfully add power, spin, or control.

Pros

Quieter and cleaner sound on impact.
A slightly more muted feel for some players by taking away vibration.
It is cheap, removable, and easy to try. You can add it or take it off in seconds.

Cons

You get less tactile feedback if you like a livelier response.
Feedback matters because it is how your arm feels the ball and reacts.
Occasionally it can pop out of your racket if not put on firmly.

Is a Vibration Dampener Right For You?

You may like it if you prefer a quieter, more muted, connected contact.

You may not like it if you want maximum feedback from the stringbed.

Pro Player Example

Examples of users include Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andrey Rublev.

Examples of non-users include Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Taylor Fritz.

As you can see, players have had success with and without a vibration dampener. So it really is only a small factor to consider in your game.

A bigger way you can improve and get more success is by choosing the right string.

If you haven't tried ReString strings yet, consider Sync for control and feel, Zero for maximum power and spin, and Vivo for a crisp, balanced response.

Types of Vibration Dampener

Button or O ring dampeners sit centered between the mains, while worm styles weave across several mains and give the most muting.

A rubber band tie is a low cost vintage option popularized by Andre Agassi.

The good things is that all options are inexpensive and easy to replace.

Conclusion

There is no right or wrong answer here. The best way to decide is to test it yourself.

Hit for 30 minutes with a vibration dampener and 30 minutes without on the same day.

Use the same balls, court, and tension so you isolate the change.

If you like the feel, keep it in your racket. If you don’t, take it out and move on with confidence.

About the Author: Juan is the co-founder of ReString. He was born in Argentina, raised in Japan, and moved to the US to pursue college tennis. He now plays as an ATP & WTA hitting partner.