10 Best Spinning Reels 2020 [Buying Guide]

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How to Choose the Best Spinning Reel

The best spinning reel is heaven for anglers. The best spinning reel for the money brings in beautiful small to medium-sized fish without giving you a lot of trouble. To help you find the best spinning reels, we researched a variety of new and best selling products. The result is the top ten reviews for spinning reels below. The best small spinning reel and the medium-sized ones are here, too. Before we get started, here’s what you need to know when shopping.

Max Drag: A smooth drag system puts proper pressure on a fish as you are trying to bring it in. The best freshwater spinning reel or a saltwater fish reel will have a max drag, and we indicate that for you in pounds.

Gear Ratio: The best trout spinning reel has a certain gear ratio, while you may want a different speed for faster retrieves. The best spinning reel in the world has the gear ratio that works best for you, and we’ve found it!

Ball Bearings: The best cheap spinning reel still comes with enough ball bearings for a nice and smooth retrieve. If you want the maximum amount, we selected some reels that will work well for you. Otherwise, search for 4-5 bearings, a good count!

Material: The best long casting spinning reel will be made with a hardy material. We picked out options including the following: Graphite, steel, aluminum and more! The best lightweight spinning reel will be made from one of these choices.

Weight: Weight is important in consideration of the best spinning reels, for obvious reasons. It will make a major difference in the types of fish you can pull in, how it feels in your hands, and so much more.

Warranty: A proper trout fishing with spinning reel purchase can be a real investment. If you’d like that investment to come with a warranty or some kind of buy-back guarantee in case of manufacturing issues, check this category first.

Top 10 Products

Now that you know how to choose a great trout spinning reel or a reel for catching bluegill, let’s get right to the reviews. Here’s the deal: If you’re in a hurry, take a look at the top pick and the budget pick. Both are fantastic products and are among the best we’ve found. Right below, you’ll find all runner-ups in our spinning reel reviews. If you’re looking for the best spinning reels available, they’re right here on this list.

Penn Battle II Spinning Reel

You’ve got your eye on some beautiful saltwater gamefish, but you need the right spinning reel to get out there and bring them home. Our top pick is the Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel. Penn was founded in 1932. It has been the first choice for generations of saltwater anglers. Now the next generation should take a look at the 4,000 reel. (Penn also makes reels between 1,000 and 8,000.) This one comes with heavy-duty aluminum bail wire and a carbon fiber drag system. There is a full metal body, sideplate, and rotor. There is superline spool with no backing, ready to braid. Line capacity is marked at 1/3, 2/3, and full capacity. There are six sealed stainless steel ball bearings, which means you have very smooth retrieve getting that fish back. Saltwater can be corrosive, and the Penn Reel is built to withstand years of saltwater and salt air exposure. Penn offers a one-year warranty for any purchase.

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KastKing Centron Spinning Reel

An amateur angler can become a professional with the right equipment. That’s why our budget pick is the KastKing Centron Spinning Reel. It really is possible to find a good spinning reel at a fraction of the cost of the "expert" reels. It has a narrow graphite frame system and a computer balancing system. You will be surprised by its massive stopping power: Up to 20 pounds! Smooth performance can be yours, with 9 ball bearings and one-way anti-reverse bearing. There's more: Are you worried you're going to struggle with right-handed spinning reels as a left-handed person? The KastKing is made of graphite and equipped with a unique design handle. Switch it from right to left as you see fit. The gear ratio is 5:2:1. That means the bail goes around 5 times during one rotation of the handle. The spool is made of aluminum. KastKing offers a one-year warranty on your brand-new spinning reel. Choose from black or white!

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Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Want to send out everything in your tackle box? It’s time to pick up a really good spinning reel, like the Pflueger President Spinning Reel. It is fantastically versatile. Artificial lures and live bait are both options. Pick between sizes 20, 30, 35, and 40. Both the body and the motor for each size are made of graphite. The spool is made of aluminum, and it is machine-ported and double anodized. The handle is also aircraft-grade aluminum. Instant anti-reverse bearing provides immediate crank control. You’ll pull in crappie, trout, and panfish with hardly any effort. The maximum drag is 12 pounds. Since the rod weighs just 9 ounces, this is a fantastic investment for your fishing habits. The gear ratio is 5:1, so the bail goes around 5 times during a rotation of the handle. Saltwater is not an issue, either, since this rod is built to remain impervious to corrosion on trip after trip. There’s a one year warranty!

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Goture Spinning Fishing Reel

The spinning reel is the most popular type of fishing reel on the market. Why is it so beloved? It is the easiest model to use. It is also normally more accurate than a spin cast reel. It has awesome line capacity, like the Goture Spinning Fishing Reel. Sizes for the Goture range from the 500 to the 6,000 Series. Each rod weighs about 9-10 ounces and has a maximum drag going all the way up to 14 pounds. Both the frame and the motor are made of graphite, so they are extremely durable and will hold well, bouncing around on the waves. There are 6 ball bearings, and one quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing. Everything on this reel is resistant to corrosion, so you don't have to worry about days on the seashore or out on the boat. If you want to catch bigger fish, go up on the series list. Even the 500 Series will help you bring in medium-sized fish.

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Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel

Every new sunrise offers a new opportunity to get out there and make some memories on the water. The Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel is ideal for inshore saltwater fishing. It's versatile and strong. It is made of graphite, with a rigid and machined aluminum spool. The bail wire is also made of aluminum. The rotor system is computer-balanced. You can get a fast spin without any obnoxious wobbling. 7 ball bearings work toward ultimate smoothness as well. The 15-pound monofilament line can be held for up to roughly 240 yards. The reel weighs less than a pound, so it’s super lightweight. The gear ratio is 5:1. Some of the fish you can handily catch; Striped bass, redfish, and other shallow-water bottom fish. The right fishing reel for you is out there, and we want to help you find it. Okuma makes reels up to C-65, which is their largest option. Every single rod comes with a one-year limited warranty.

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Shimano Spinning Reel

How does a spinning reel work? This type of reel has a fixed spool, and a bail wraps the line onto the spool as the handle is turned. These mechanics may sound complicated, but they amount to one very important thing: A spinning reel is fun and easy to use. Without a large learning curve, fishermen can pick out the spinning reel of their choice and head straight toward the water. If that sounds good to you, we recommend the Shimano Spinning Reel. Pick from several different line capacities, all with a 4:1:1 gear ratio. 5 ball bearings assist with a smooth retrieve. The reel is made of hard graphite, and it will hold as that trophy fish nibbles and bites. Graphite is also beloved for its lightweight attributes, and the Shimano weighs just 8.6 ounces. You get a maximum drag of 7 pounds. If this all sounds good, Shimano also offers a two-year warranty on their quality reels.

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Sougayilang Metal Fishing Reel

There is one fishing reel you cannot beat for price versus quality, and that is the Sougayilang Metal Fishing Reel. This reel is made of an aluminum alloy, very hard and strong. It is also resistant to any corrosion potential created by use in and around bodies of saltwater. A multi-disk drag system has a maximum drag of 10 pounds, allowing you to bring in small to medium bass, trout, and similar fish. The 5:2:1 gear ratio will keep your retrieve smooth as silk, no matter how much fight there is in the fish. The aluminum handle is interchangeable, making it possible for both righties and lefties to utilize the Sougayilang device comfortably. It gets better: There are 12 + 1 stainless steel bearings, precision mesh brass gears, and a stainless steel main shaft. This purchase gets you nearly prepared for your next fishing trip! All you need are some lures, a floppy hat, and a few cold beers.

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Yongzhi Spinning Fishing Reel

If you want to get a wonderful spinning reel, there are a few things to look for. Tops on the list is the construction of the rod. Do you want a product that will snap in half the first time you hook something worth reeling in? Of course not. Here’s the scoop: The Yongzhi is made without any loose or cheap parts. You get a hardened metal main shaft, precision brass gears, triple disc carbon drag washers, and an aerospace-grade stainless steel spool. That is an internal structure with strength and efficiency written all over it. A free spare graphite spool is also included! The aluminum handle can be used by both left and right-handed anglers. Sealed stainless steel bearings are used to support and stabilize your catch, and with the Yongzhi, there are 13 of them! A gear ratio of 5:0:1 means you’ll get a medium-speed retrieve. The maximum drag is truly impressive: 26 pounds of trophy fish.

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Daiwa Revros Spinning Reel

$If you plan to only get one spinning reel for your fishing arsenal, the Daiwa Revros Spinning Reel is the perfect one to consider. Why? Let’s begin with the 5:6:1 gear ratio. This is a medium-speed model, and it makes an essential addition to your collection. There are certainly plenty of nice slow-speed and quick-speed choices out there too, but you want to start out with one that hits right in the middle. Each crank will give you 5 wraps of line around this spool. It is made of aluminum, which holds together well. There are 8 ball bearings, making for a high-performance reel. Still not convinced? Check the price point. You can pick up a Daiwa for a fraction of the cost of competing reels, and it will perform just as well. Daiwa has a responsive customer service team, and you get a 1-year warranty on your spinning reel purchase. It will make fishing even more fun!$

If you plan to only get one spinning reel for your fishing arsenal, the Daiwa Revros Spinning Reel is the perfect one to consider. Why? Let’s begin with the 5:6:1 gear ratio. This is a medium-speed model, and it makes an essential addition to your collection. There are certainly plenty of nice slow-speed and quick-speed choices out there too, but you want to start out with one that hits right in the middle. Each crank will give you 5 wraps of line around this spool. It is made of aluminum, which holds together well. There are 8 ball bearings, making for a high-performance reel. Still not convinced? Check the price point. You can pick up a Daiwa for a fraction of the cost of competing reels, and it will perform just as well. Daiwa has a responsive customer service team, and you get a 1-year warranty on your spinning reel purchase. It will make fishing even more fun!

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Goswot Fishing Spinning Reel

A spinning reel needs to perform just as well the 20th time as it did the first time. It needs to stay light, and easy to handle, as it pulls in fish after fish. Bonus points if that reel functions just as well in salt water as it does in freshwater. Do you want a reel that can do all of that? Try the Goswot Fishing Spinning Reel on for size. You will get 12 ball bearings, which is nearly a guarantee of a smooth retrieve. You will head out on your boat with a smile on your face, and that smile will be in place when you return with a cooler full of fish. The Goswot comes in multiple slow-speed, medium-speed, and fast-speed sizes, but we recommend hitting right in the middle with the EF4000, the EF5000 or the EF6000. The rocker arm is interchangeable and collapsible on every model. You’ve got a stylish wooden handle for controlling the good times!

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About the Author

Kimberly Graf

Expert Researcher and Writer

Kimberly Graf is a researcher and writer for GeekWrapped.com. She covers kitchen, cooking, and home products.

Best Spinning Reels

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

Penn Battle II Spinning Reel

KastKing Centron Spinning Reel

How to Choose the Best Spinning Reel

Top 10 Products

Penn Battle II Spinning Reel

KastKing Centron Spinning Reel

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Goture Spinning Fishing Reel

Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel

Shimano Spinning Reel

Sougayilang Metal Fishing Reel

Yongzhi Spinning Fishing Reel

Daiwa Revros Spinning Reel

Goswot Fishing Spinning Reel

About the Author

TOP PICK

Penn Battle II Spinning Reel