Wilson Burn 100 Review and Playtest

It’s not a secret that I greatly favor the Wilson brand for its high-quality rackets; however, I have to admit that I had never been a fan of their Burn line. Their stiff frames, the muted feeling, and the lack of responsiveness were a big turn-off, and I never gave these models a second thought. So when I decided to review their newest addition Wilson Burn 100, I flabbergasted even myself, but after so much publicity, curiosity got the best of me.

My hopes and expectations weren’t high on this one, but the racket completely took me by surprise. If you, too, are wondering if the new Burn addition is worth the hype it’s getting, keep scrolling! It might be just what you have been looking for. 

Wilson Burn 100 Specifications

One thing that Wilson did right with this racket is the design. Personally, I loved the modern edge of this racket, and it has a cool color palette combination. Wilson Burn 100 features a midsize 100 sq. in head with an open string pattern that is loaded with both spin and power. 

When strung, it has a rather hefty weight of 318 grams o 11.2 oz, which provides decent control and stability for the player. I found this racket to be well-balanced and very responsive, delivering a nice, crispy feel which made it easier to connect with the ball.

The height of the racket is pretty standard, offering enough leverage even for the most difficult angles; however, the Wilson tennis racket brand has integrated new technology for a more narrowed grip so that the player can switch positions faster. It is easy to maneuver this racket, which adapts well to all court areas. 

The frame is a bit stiff, but it does have a large sweet spot and is still comfortable for the arm and shoulder. This racket appeals to a wide range of players, especially those who perform at intermediate levels. 

Wilson Burn 100 specs:

• Head size: 100 sq. in / 645.16 sq. cm
• Length:27 inch / 68.58 cm 
• Weight (strung): 318 grams / 11.2 oz 
• Balance: 3 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 328 
• Stiffness: 71
• Beam width: 23.5 mm / 25 mm / 23.5 mm
• String pattern: 16 mains / 19 crosses 

Groundstrokes – Score: 8.5

It might sound like a far-reach, but this might be one of the best tennis rackets I have played with when it comes to groundstrokes. I loved everything about it, as it balanced out all the right features to give the player the most advantage for strokes. 

Wilson Burn 100 delivered amazing power levels, which were very easy to tap into. The hefty weight made the racket feel solid while offering a good deal of control to redirect the ball. This made it easy for me to hit all my targets and add more depth with each shot for more penetration on the other side of the court. 

The racket can generate some serious speed and spin, too, with just a little effort. Depending on your skill levels, some players might find it difficult to swing with it, but I had no issue whatsoever. The racket moves through the air while the bed string feels responsive, allowing enough dwell time. 

I can not stress enough how much I loved the beam’s new update, which made it so much easier to switch grip positions fast. Backhand slices were my absolute favorite, which came more naturally to me and even helped me enjoy the game much more. 

Depending on the skill level, some people might find the frame too stiff or even need some adjustment at swing weight to make it easier to control the racket, so I would suggest considering Wilson Burn 100 only if you already have some solid skills and techniques. 

Volleys – Score: 8.4

Up in the net, I really enjoyed the combination of power and stability that the Wilson Burn 100 has to offer. I was able to control and redirect the ball with ease while adding more depth at each punch, putting my opponent in a defensive mode pretty quickly. 

I was expecting to have some difficulties maneuvering the racket considering the heavyweight; however, that wasn’t the case at all. 

With the new technological enhancements, Wilson Burn 100 was easy to manage, allowing more than enough time to switch positions. I am not a fan of stiff frames, but I liked how solid the racket was, which helped me to maintain balance and pace while keeping a pace I felt comfortable with. 

Punch volleys were my favorite, as I found myself being more aggressive than usual due to that much-appreciated extra power of the racket. While I would say Wilson Burn 100 was quite comfortable to play with close to the net, I could immediately feel the harsh vibrations and shock impact every time I missed the sweet spot. In the brand’s defense, the racket has a generous sweet spot, considering the racket head size; however, this did kind of ruin the experience for me. 

Serve – Score: 8.5

I have mixed feelings about Wilson Burn 100 when it comes to serves. While I do enjoy the extra push at the baseline, more often than not, the racket’s power became overwhelming. Some serves were longer than I intended, making me miss targets and even costing me some precious points. This made the racket’s performance erratic even as I struggled to find pace and rhythm for a long time. 

However, once I got my momentum, things got much easier, and I was able to establish some solid consistency, especially during the first serves. 

Wilson Burn 100 can create some serious spin and speed with little to no effort, which helps to balance out the racket’s performance. This allowed me to be more aggressive, particularly with kick and side serves that were a personal favorite. Despite the hefty weight, the racket was quite easy to maneuver in any court direction.

As long as you don’t miss the generous sweet spot, it is quite comfortable to play with. However, I felt the harsh vibrations on my arm almost immediately for those occasional off-center shots, so I would suggest those recovering from any injuries stay away from this racket and go for an arm-friendly tennis racket.

Returns – Score: 8.4

Overall, I liked the Wilson Burn 100 performance when it comes to returns. The racket feels solid enough to confidently hit ambitious targets, or block some dangerous, big serves. It was easy to establish some good rhythm once I got used to it, which helped me remain consistent throughout the game. 

I loved how responsive and lively the racket was every time it came in contact with the ball. It delivered a clean feeling while it allowed enough dwell time. I was careful to remain a little too conservative with my targets because the power potential has the tendency to become overbearing, which would totally kill my game at returns. 

Compact swings and backhand slices were my favorites, as they helped me to stay more alert and even go into the offensive mode to force my opponent out of position for forced errors. The racket offers some good control due to its ample weight; however, there were times I was craving for more so that I could be more precise on the court. 

While by no means is this the most uncomfortable racket to play with, every time I missed the center shots, I could feel the harsh vibrations stirring on my arm, so consider yourself warned about this. 

Overall – Score: 8.46

Overall, I would say Wilson Burn 100 does a good job at the court, as long as you stay vigilant on its downsides. The new technological updates have paid off big time, enhancing the racket’s playability and performance, compared to previous models of the same line.

After trying it out myself, I would say that this Wilson tennis racket appeals mostly to intermediate players who have some decent skills and techniques to know how to control and take the most advantage of the various features. 

Establishing a good rhythm might take a while, but once you get there, the racket feels solid and reliable. 

The hefty tennis racket weight provides some descend control allowing the player to be precise while still being able to maneuver it with ease. The high levels of power are simply impressive; however, you must be constantly aware of controlling its potential because it can quickly become overbearing. 

I loved the spin and speed I was able to generate with this racket, which helped me be more aggressive in the game. It delivers a clean and plush touch when it comes in contact with the ball; however, often, the feeling is muted, which makes the racket feel disconnected. 

Another major drawback was the immediate transmission of harsh vibration for the off-center shots. Wilson Burn 100 was comfortable for as long as you didn’t miss the sweet spot, which was disappointing considering the generous head size and other specifications. Overall, I do think it has potential and can provide a good learning experience; however, I would suggest being mindful of the advantages and disadvantages that it has to offer. 

Different Models

If you are skeptical of Wilson Burn 100, maybe it’s time to take a look at other similar models of this line. This review wouldn’t be completed without making a comparison between these Wilson tennis rackets and trying to evaluate their main differences in features and performance. Here’s my take on it. 

Wilson Burn 100S 

Wilson Burn 100S shares some striking resemblance with its sister model; however, I found the performance of this racket to differ way more than I expected. For starters, it has unusual 18×16 string patterns that provide more control and stability on the court. It makes the racket feel stiffer, though, which can become tiring after a while. 

The Wilson Burn 100S tennis racket can hit some good punches, but the power level didn’t come to the point of feeling overbearing, which is a good thing. With a little effort, you can generate the same spin and speed potential if you are confident enough to step up your game. The feeling was, for the most part, muted, but I liked the combination of various features that can put you ahead of the competition. 

Specs 

• Head size: 100 sq. in / 645.16 sq. cm
• Length: 27 inch / 68.58 cm 
• Weight (strung): 315 g / 11.1 oz 
• Balance: 4 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 325
• Stiffness: 70
• Beam width: 23 mm / 25 mm / 23 mm
• String pattern: 18 mains / 16 crosses 

Wilson Burn 100 Team

Wilson Burn 100 Team is mostly suitable for beginners and low intermediate levels. This racket provides an easier and more fun learning experience than Burn 100 does. It features a midsize head but with a lower swing weight offering controllable power. The in-between 16 x 20 string pattern combines stability and spin at decent levels. 

This racket has a lower stiffness rate making it way more flexible and responsive at the net. While Burn 100 has a hefty weight, Wilson Burn 100 Team is light and well-balanced, making it incredibly easy to manage. However, it is nowhere as precise, nor does it offer the same control as Burn 100, which is a fair trial. Overall, I would say Burn 100 Team is a bit more comfortable to play with, making it even more appealing to those players who are still relatively new at the game. 

Specs

• Head size:  100 sq. in / 645.16 sq. cm
• Length: 27 inch / 68.58 cm 
• Weight (strung): 283.5 g / 10 oz 
• Balance: 1 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 293 
• Stiffness: 60 
• Beam width: 22 mm / 22 mm / 22 mm
• String pattern: 16 mains / 20 crosses 

Wilson Burn 100 LS

Wilson Burn 100 LS was one of my favorites during the playtest. This Wilson tennis racket is way lighter than Burn 100, making it easier to maneuver in court. It offers excellent power levels without having to worry about overhitting. With the right skills and some extra effort, it can turn into a true weapon in the baseline, as it works best at strokes and serves. 

The racket has dense 18×16 string patterns; however, compared to Burn 100, it offers less control and spin potential. The frame is also less stiff, but to remain comfortable is important to aim at the center shots. Wilson Burn 100 LS appeals more to beginners and junior players that are transitioning into intermediate levels. 

Specs 

• Head size:  100 sq. in / 645.16 sq. cm
• Length: 27 inch / 68.58 cm 
• Weight (strung): 10.4 oz / 294 g
• Balance: 2 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 301
• Stiffness: 68
• Beam qidth: 23 mm / 25 mm / 23 mm 
• String Pattern – 18 mains / 16 crosses 

Wilson Burn 100 ULS

Wilson Burn 100 ULS is packed with power, spin and speed. Similarly to Burn 100, this racket features a 100 sq. in head with a generous sweet spot for a more beginner-friendly experience. However, Burn 100 ULS weights significantly less, making it easier to manage. 

What I loved most about this racket is the lively response on the court, which made the game fun. The technological enhancement of the slightly oversized beam makes the racket move into the air, allowing for full, powerful swings. Aggressive baseliner can take full advantage of all what Burn 100 ULS has to offer, as the racket works best during groundstrokes where it’s easy to weaponize. It appeals to a wide range of players, both at beginner and intermediate levels. 

Specs 

• Head size: 100 sq. in / 645.16 sq. cm
• Length: 27 inch / 68.58 cm 
• Weight (strung): 9.7 oz / 274 g
• Balance: 1 pts HL 
• Swingweight: 295
• Stiffness: 70 
• Beam width: 23.5 mm / 25 mm / 23.5 mm
• String pattern: 18 mains / 16 crosses 

Conclusion

Overall, I had a much more enjoyable experience testing the new Burn rackets line than I expected. Wilson takes the players’ feedback seriously and is trying to step up to their usual levels of high standards to improve these models’ playability and performance. 

While they still have work to do in this regard, they are definitely on the right path by integrating new technology or making new adjustments. The Burn rackets are loaded with power, spin, and decent control levels. 

They mostly appeal to beginners and intermediate players that are ambitious about the game and want a racket that will help them improve. While these rackets have a lot of potentials, I would love to see even more changes to increase their comfort level and energy transfer. 

FAQs

If you have a few more questions about Wilson Burn 100 tennis racket, then continue reading. Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about this Wilson tennis racket.