Wilson Burn 100 V5 Tennis Racket Review

The Burn 100 from Wilson is the ideal choice for players who prefer hitting from the baseline. This tennis racket boasts a traditional 16x19 string pattern, and its carbon fibre composition and increased frame stiffness result in a powerful punch. It delivers exceptional pace upon contact, with the burnt orange colour of the v5 providing an impressive visual effect on the court.

The Wilson Burn 100 V5 is more suited for players who desire more power in their games and are willing to sacrifice some feel and control.

The Burn, a line of Wilson's spin products, presents a budget-friendly combination of easy spin and power to tennis enthusiasts. Given that racket prices have surged recently, with the new Pro Staff range at USD 279, the Burn's new frame retailing at USD 179 USD is a welcome addition.

One might wonder, though, why exactly is the Burn priced lower than other Wilson rackets? Is it composed of lower-quality materials? Not as far as the available information shows. And interestingly, it plays similarly to the Wilson Ultra 100 V4, which constitutes Wilson's pure power line, but is not quite as spin-friendly as the Burn. It bears mentioning, however, that the Burn V5 does not present significant tech updates over its predecessor V4; it seems to more closely resemble a cosmetic update.

Groundstrokes 6.5/10

When it comes to groundstrokes, I found that the Wilson Burn 100 V5 produced too much power for me! The strung weight of the racket at 316g, combined with its stiffness, gave my balls so much pop that I had to reduce my racket head acceleration to keep my shots in the court.

Despite a stiffness rating that may spark concerns among players grappling with arm issues, it did not cause me any discomfort. Credit goes to the Parallel Drilling technology implemented by Wilson across their racket that helps dampen vibrations. This same technology facilitates increased string movement and generates more spin, as well as power, but also creates a trampoline effect in the string bed.

For better feel and control on the Burn 100 V5, I would suggest stringing with higher tension and using softer strings like multifilament or synthetic instead of a full bed of polyester strings.

Volleys 6.5/10

The racket is highly stable and offers immense power, giving me the confidence to put away volleys. However, I found it challenging to react to balls that were coming to me with pace. I struggled a little bit with placement, as I was not able to acquire the touch and feel I desired of the Burn 100 V5

In my opinion, this is a racket designed for players who like to take the ball earlier and put away volleys aggressively. It offers loads of power, but no real finesse so it might not be ideal for those who prefer volleying with more feel.

Serves 8/10

On serves the Wilson Burn 100 V5 excelled. I was able to generate impressive power, and the crisp sound upon contact was a real pleasure. The stiff frame enabled me to get a good amount of spin on my serves and I could place them with ease on different parts of the service box.

If your tennis game is built around your serve, you will find that this racket can help you dominate your service games. The combination of power and spin made it a very reliable racket for my second serves, which is something I enjoyed about this model.

Overall Score 7/10

The Wilson Burn 100 V5 is a great option for those who want more power and spin from the baseline, as well as a reliable racket on serves. It has all the features necessary to help your game, but it may require some adjustments to get the feel and control that you need.

With its power and spin potential, plus extra stability due to Parallel Drilling technology, this is a great option for intermediate players who are looking for an upgrade in their rackets at a reasonable price. Overall, I would give this racket 7 out of 10.

Specifications

Head Size (sq in): 100

Length (in): 27

String Pattern: 16x19

Strung balance (pts): -4

Strung Weight (grams): 316

Unstrung Weight (grams): 300