Mike has tested the surprising Dunlop CX 400 Tour 2027! This racket is one of the few versatile, controlled 100 sq/inch options on the market. Read his extensive review here.
Intro:
Exactly today (October 30, 2026), Dunlop is launching the new CX racket family for 2027. One model that seems to have done well with the previous generation of the CX, but which I actually never had the chance to test myself, is the CX 400 Tour. With a 100 sq/inch blade (officially 100.5 sq/inch) and a beautiful 23mm straight beam frame construction, 300 grams and a 16x19 string pattern, it is an ideal frame for me on paper. So now, finally, the test.
Positioning and racket specifications:
At Dunlop, it really comes down to 3 racket families: the FX series for power, the SX series for spin and the CX series for control. This CX series houses beautiful slim control rackets, but these are more demanding than their FX and SX siblings. In the past, I have tested the CX 200 and CX 200 Tour, true classic control rackets. With this CX 400 Tour 2027, you get a lot of control and touch on the one hand, and on the other hand, you get more forgiveness than with its heavier brothers with smaller blade sizes, as well as more spin potential. So, a modern control racket.
Specifications:
Brand: Dunlop
Model: CX 400 Tour 2027
Blade size: 100.5 sq/inch
Weight: 300 gr
Balance: 32.0 cm
String pattern: 16×19
Length: 27 inch
RA: 67
Swingweight: 315
Beam: 23mm
Stringing: Dunlop Explosive Red 1.25 at 23/23 kg.
Baseline:
From the baseline, the CX 400 Tour 2027 performs incredibly solid: this racket is super reliable, but still has plenty of 'pop', but also decent spin potential, without immediately getting a high ball trajectory. The racket plays very consistently and stably and is actually also surprisingly comfortable. This racket should be able to compete with the Wilson Blade 100 V10, Yonex Percept 100, Babolat Pure Strike 100 and maybe steal a little bit from the Head Gravity MP and the Tecnifibre T-Fight 300(S). However, there is not super much competition in the control-oriented 100 sq/inch genre and this CX 400 Tour dives right into it! What a nice and reliable weapon from the baseline, with also decent access to spin. The power level is more than enough, without going over the top like the FX 500. The spin is therefore also decent, without the more 'loopy' ball trajectory of an SX 300. In short: a very nice all-rounder from the backcourt.
Net:
This Dunlop CX 400 Tour is nice and fast at the net for good reflexes. Next to this, the racket is super solid with hard incoming balls. Only the blade size is therefore more generous than what you might expect with most control rackets and that gives the racket just a bit more ease at the net.
Service and return:
Anyway, I have been serving nicely lately, but during my first session with this racket in the fast Fablohal in Haarlem, I think I didn't make a single double fault in 2 hours! You can hit full through with that racket without having to be afraid of flying out of the court. Services also come through easily, where also the grip on the ball for kick and slice is nice.
It may sound monotonous, but the returns also go consistently and full from the blade. The racket is perfectly maneuverable and thus quickly in position.
Power/control:
In terms of power/control, this Dunlop CX 400 Tour 2027 is nicely balanced. Due to the slim flat frame construction, you get a classic playing feel with a lot of control over the ball and nice stability, but with modern (controlled) power and spin potential. In terms of power/control ratio simply put one of the best rackets on the market!
Comfort/arm-friendliness:
The characteristic Sonic Core technology in collaboration with BASF provides a filled racket wall. In the racket wall is a kind of membrane which makes the racket twist less, but this also provides a bit of damping. This torsional stiffness and damping provide above-average comfort. The nice thing is, however, that the racket also still feels 'crisp' and direct enough.
Dunlop CX 400 Tour 2027 at the bottom line:
In my opinion, this CX 400 Tour 2027 is a real hidden gem: you really should have had it in your hand once, otherwise you might pass this frame by. The power/control ratio is spot-on, the spin potential and comfort are solid and the racket just feels very solid and consistent. It cannot be otherwise that this racket will do well in the new CX line-up!
This racket will soon be available in our webshop and is delivered strung for free with a string of your choice.
