Spinning reels offer anglers an easy method for fishing for just about every variety of fish. A quick flip opens the bail for long casts, turning the handle rotates the bail and takes up line. Because the spool is stationary, you can cast very light tackle on spinning gear but it is capable of handling the heavy stuff too. There are a bunch of great spinning reels on the market now, with advances in technology from flagship models trickling down to more affordable price points. Though the field is flooded with excellent options, only a handful can be labeled the best spinning reels of 2024.
There are two tiers of reels in our roundup. One is the top of the line, with the absolute best materials and technologies in one reel. Then there are the more practical options that represent the best value, providing performance for less money without sacrificing quality. To us, the best spinning reels blend quality materials and components, advanced technologies, and aesthetics to provide smooth drag, effortless reeling, and plenty of sensitivity to maintain contact with your lures.
We ran the gamut, testing not only the top of the line spinning reels but also the best budget reels at several price points until we found the best blends of performance and price at various levels. Here is a quick rundown of our favorite spinning reels in 2024.
OUR TOP PICKS
- Daiwa Exist G LT spinning reel – Buy from Bass Pro
- Shimano Stella FK – Buy from Bass Pro
- Lew’s Mach Crush – Buy from Bass Pro
- Shimano Vanford FA – Buy from Bass Pro
- Abu Garcia Revo Max – Buy from Tackle Warehouse
- Handing M1 – Buy from Amazon
Daiwa Exist G LT Spinning Reel
Voted Best Overall Spinning Reel (tied)
The Daiwa Exist is the new flagship of Daiwa’s freshwater reel line-up. It’s an incredible enthusiast spinning reel that incorporates the top materials and technologies available to build the most impressive spinning reel we’ve seen in a long time.
The Exist’s magnesium monocoque frame stands out as the feature that makes this reel uniquely exquisite. The frame creates a thinner rigid body that makes reel torque seem to disappear while simultaneously cutting weight. This thinner and more rigid body provides more internal area to house larger DigiGears for a longer lasting reel that will remain smoothly operating over its entire lifespan.
The screw-less Zaion Air Drive rotor has super low startup inertia and make this reel feel light and airy on the retrieve. It feels like the spool is floating.
It’s such an incredibly fun reel; one of the top two, if not the best, spinning reel in the whole world in our opinion. I have personally fished it with light tackle for panfish. I have fished it with heavier gear for bass and stripers. It’s an incredible reel that is an absolute joy to fish with. The drag is buttery smooth. The bail, the handle, the rotor are all so solid but smooth in their operation that you feel weird going back to any other reel. It’s that noticeable.
But it also comes at the absolute highest price point in the market. So you have to be a finesse fishing enthusiast to warrant this top of the line purchase.
Shimano Stella FK
Voted Best Overall Spinning Reel (tied)
I’ve tested tens of thousands of products over the last two-plus decades in fishing, and the Shimano Stella FK is the finest piece of fishing equipment I have fished with. At this level, it’s luxury engineering at its finest. The Stella FK uses the finest materials and Shimano’s decades of engineering and technology advancements to pack as many features as I’ve seen in a single piece of equipment.
The reel is so smooth you can’t feel the handle turning on the hand gripping the stem. There is no pressure whatsoever on the handle when you retrieve your lure, thanks to their Infinity Drive system, a step up from their advanced X Ship technology. On the Infinity Drive, the main shaft, which had previously been supported by the pinion gear, is now supported by a new and unique low-friction bushing that significantly decreases resistance which results in the lightest winding reel in the industry.
The Infinity Loop and anti-twist fin make for precision level winding and maintains tension to eliminate sagging. The combination ensures your line lays uniformly and evenly on the spool to give you the best line management possible.
And finally, the Duracross drag washers offer 10 times the durability without any reduction in smoothness resulting in a longer lasting, tougher drag system.
I was literally blown away by how well this reel casts light lures and how exceptionally smooth it is in every way possible. The bail is top notch. The handle, spool, and system oscillation all move so fluidly. It is an absolute dream to fish with. It is, however, one of the most expensive pieces of fishing equipment I’ve ever used at $749.
That being said, I’m planning to purchase two of them now. I was that impressed with them and think they are worth the investment for 10-20 years of top-end, luxury performance and enjoyment in my fishing. I’m at that age where I don’t spend money on a lot of things, but I will spend more on the few things I enjoy the most.
Lew’s Mach Crush Spinning Reel
The new Lew’s Mach Crush extends on the success of their Custom Lite series of spinning reels. Lew’s Mach Crush baitcasting reels have been well made and loved by anglers who want quality gear at good price points. The Mach Crush spinning reel features a lightweight aluminum frame with a C40 carbon skeletal rotor and anodized aluminum spool. And the precision-cut brass gears give the reel smooth performance and a lot of power on the hook set. The 11 ball bearings make for effortless operation on the retrieve. The drag is a smooth and lure retrieval is even smoother. Lew’s has another quality spinning reel in its line-up for around $100.
I’ve used this reel jig minnow fishing, jerkbait fishing, crappie fishing and more. It performs as well with light lures as it does with 1/2 ounce baits. The drag is smooth, casting and retrieving are a joy with this reel. It will be a workhorse reel for a lot of anglers.
Shimano Vanford FA
The Vanford was one of Shimano’s more popular spinning reel releases in the last decade. They are building on what they learned from that quality spinning reel at the middle price point and improving upon it with the new Vanford FA spinning reel. The Vanford FA features the famous CI4+ body and MGL Rotor that gives the reel it’s lightweight and very fast and responsive feel. For stop and start retrieves with light lures, this reel is the new solid performer in its class.
The significant reduction in startup inertia means this reel starts and stops with the lightest amount of pressure by the angler. This gives anglers more contact with their lure, letting them feel exactly what their lure is doing at all times. InfinityXross makes this the durable, bulletproof reel for avid finesse anglers who like chasing big smallmouth and other big fish on light gear. The DuraCross drag slips easily and smoothly throughout the fight, so you won’t lose fish boatside due to an inferior drag. This drag is made to fight big fish in close quarters on light line.
Handing M1 Spinning Reel
Best Spinning Reel Under $50
The lowest price spinning reel on Best of List for 2024, the Handing Fishing M1 spinning reel is a unique story in CDM fishing tackle. Handing seeks to build the most advanced fishing tackle they can manage at the lowest price points they can bring to anglers. They have a state of the art facility where they work on bringing performance to the masses at some of the best prices in the industry.
This reel is a solid performer; more so when you consider it’s only $25. This makes it the best spinning reel under $50 for sure. It won’t have drag that compares to top of the line reels, but it’s smooth when loose and can be wrenched down if you need to. These reels are best suited for conventional spinning rods in the medium to medium heavy weights and braided or monofilament lines in the 10 to 20 pound range.
Abu Garcia Revo Max SX Spinning Reels
Best Spinning Reel Under $100
The Abu Garcia Max SX Spinning Reel extends on the best features from the Xenon and the Revo makes and brings some of those features to lower price points. Featuring a V-Rotor and V-Spool to give anglers a compact package, the Max SX spinning reel is buttery-smooth thanks to 6 stainless steel bearings and the Rocket line management system for seamless operation and castability.
This $59 reel is another good performer at a much lower price point. It’s light, casts well and retrieves well. If your a fan of Abu Garcia reels then you will like this performance-based budget reel a lot.
OTHER SPINNING REELS WE HAVE RECOMMENDED PREVIOUSLY
Daiwa Ballistic MQ LT
The Daiwa Ballistic MQ LT made quite the impression on me. It’s light, but feels heavy duty, looks great and performs exceptionally well at price point close to $200. For a really solid top-of-the-line spinning reel, you’re generally looking at $165-$225. Those tend to be your best made workhorse reels, and that perfectly describes the Ballistic MQ LT.
The one-piece monocoque Zaion V-Body gives the reel rigidity and strength which parlays into smooth operation while handling a tough fight. The oversized Digigear gives you a higher gear ratio with more cranking power. That added speed and power makes using a spinning reel a lot more enjoyable for bass fishing or larger prey. These reels are Magsealed for longevity and their Zaion V Air Rotor and Air Bail give you perfect performance with the lightest amount of pressure.
This reel feels heavy duty without feeling heavy. It feels like it will last a long time and its casting and retrieving is buttery smooth with a seamless drag system.
Lew’s Custom Lite
In my opinion, this is the best spinning reel Lew’s has ever produced. It’s light, with no initial resistance on the retrieve and great castability with light braid. This 11 bearing spinning reel features a carbon frame and rotor, and a hybrid carbon drag system that provides consistent performance. This is going to be a very popular spinning reel this season at $159. A very solid buy at 6.6 ounces and a gear ratio at 6.2:1.
Pflueger Patriarch
Built on an ultralight magnesium body with carbon rotors and titanium main shaft, the Patriarch is updated and renovated for improved weight, durability and performance. It’s a great feeling reel in the hand, and it fished exceptionally well. A solid performer that could easily be lumped in with the absolute best reels out there, the Patriarch is a great buy at $219.
Piscifun Viper X
While this is a bit older reel, it’s been one of my favorites for crappie and panfish. It’s light, with a good drag and casts light stuff well. I own 6 of these reels that I keep on my panfish rods. I fish a lot of 1/16 ounce crappie jigs on this reel and have never had the first problem with any off my reels which is pretty unheard of at $34.
Read our full review of the Piscifun Viper X here.
Penn Authority
Penn is the name synonymous with saltwater toughness. As a Best of Show winner at ICAST 2022, the new Penn Authority puts them up in the category of premium fishing reels as well. This reel boasts beautifully engineered craftsmanship from the IPX8 Sealed body and spool to the full metal construction, stainless steel gear train and sealed Slammer Dura-Drag system.
This is a big, heavy duty reel with a very even, consistent drag that casts ver well. Retrieves fly with the big oversized EVA power knob. Even the smallest 2500 size is a beefy, strong reel; heavy at 11.9 ounces. But I can see it being a lot of fun for big saltwater fish or even some heavy duty freshwater applications like Catfish or big Muskies. It throws a big bait well and it can handle the weight of a big fight. I deadlifted a 25 pound block with it on a Penn rod and let it pull drag hard. It’s a tough piece of equipment built to last.
I can see this reel being a big winner for Penn going forward.
Shimano Exsence
Called the “Dark Horse Stella” by enthusiast anglers, the Exsence is built similarly to a Stella, but in a more heavy duty package. While the Exsence was built for inshore saltwater fishing, it has a very big following in freshwater fishing because state you get Stella-like performance for a little less money with saltwater-ready construction.
This 11+1 bearing reel is sleek at the first inspection. It’s casting and retrieve are both buttery smooth. While lesser reels lose balance when reeling at high speed (i.e. you feel the reel sway up and down and back and forth as you turn the handle), the Hagane body and the micro-module gearing keep this reel in balance at all times. It’s a really light weight reel by saltwater fishing standards, which is why it is so popular with freshwater anglers.
I tested the 4000MXG and it held the same amount of 10-pound braid as a standard 2500 reel holds. But I really liked that that the spool casts that light braid so amazingly well. The X-Ship, X-Protect and MGL Rotor give this reel great performance on the retrieve. And the line management is exceptional. I consider this a more light duty inshore reel. Using lighter lines and casting topwaters and jigs into mangroves and around docks for snook, redfish, trout and more. But it was equally impressive as a high end bass fishing reel so I can see why it has such a cult following.
Abu Garcia Revo Rocket
Abu’s Revo Rocket baitcasting reels offer the fastest gear ratios in the fishing space. And they have done it again with the Revo Rocket Spinning Reel. This newest version of the Rocket is lighter and more compact thanks to its X-Craftic body. The gear system is however 17% larger which gives it more guts, and of course gear ratio. This reel has a whopping 7.6:1 gear ratio which is unheard of in spinning reels and the fastest we’ve seen. Over the course of a day or a year of fishing, the equates to a lot of saved time and more efficiency.
The reel balances well in your hand when placed on a spinning rod. I put it on the Abu Garcia Zenon spinning rod and it was a dream combo. It casts well thanks to an improved spool design and it was quiet and smooth on the retrieve with effortless reeling. It makes for a great finesse fishing reel because it casted small lures well and retrieved them equally well. The ergonomics and aesthetics were some of the best we’ve seen with Abu Garcia Spinning reels. A sharp reel that is a joy to fish.
Read our previous model review here.
Shimano Miravel
A new reel for Shimano that attempts to bring top technologies down to a lower price point. Built on the Ci4+ Carbon-infused body with a MagnumLite rotor for smooth starting retrieves and solid hookups. The reel casts really well and retrieves equally well. The 3000 model handled light lures easily and was balanced throughout. I really like this reel, especially at a $129 price point.
Daiwa Procyon AL LT
Another of those well-priced workhorses, the Procyon AL LT is sleek but rugged, durable but precise, and an absolute pleasure to fish with. An angler would do well to have two or three of these on deck. The Procyon AL LT features a lightweight aluminum body, DIGIGEAR, Air Rotor and Bail and Long Cast ABS Spool.
It throws light lures well, but can handle big fights on its Advanced Tournament Drag. It’s buttery smooth on start and stop on both retrieves and pulling drag. It’s another crossover reel for freshwater or inshore and all species in between. And at $189 it’s very reasonably priced for this kind of performance.
Best Spinning Reel Brands
The best known spinning reel brands are easily Shimano, Daiwa and Abu Garcia. For a while there was only really these three. But, now, several brands produce high quality, great spinning reels. But the big three are still solid choices almost every time.
Brands like Lew’s, 13 Fishing, Pflueger, and others offer solid options as well. And brands that focus more on budget conscious anglers like Favorite Fishing and Piscifun are kicking out some really good spinning reels for extremely reasonable price points.
So take a look through the guide above and be confident in purchasing spinning reels from these brands.
Best Spinning Reel for Bass Fishing
For me, the best spinning reel for bass fishing is one that gives you good castability and performance with light to medium weight lures. Most good reels will last a decade. How they perform day in and day out is often a product of making sure you have the right reel for the kind of fishing you do.
For bass and most freshwater fishing, a 2000-2500 size reel works really well. The larger spool makes your coils looser and casting easier and more efficient for distance and accuracy. Some of the larger models have shallower spools to hold the same amount of line on greater surface area for better line management and longer casts.
But you don’t want a giant 4000-sized reel on a rod tiny enough to hold a 500-sized reel. So match your rods and reels and try to go with a bigger spool if you can for better casting and line management.
The most popular brands typically among avid bass fishing anglers match the brands we mentioned above.
Best Spinning Reel options
At the end of the day I feel like there are three different types of anglers when it comes to buying spinning reels. There’s the super avid enthusiast angler who wants the absolute best there is if they can afford it. Then, there is the angler that wants the most bang for their buck. And finally there is the angler who just wants a reel that works for the least amount possible.
So while price is a factor, I think the majority of us anglers fall in that middle category. They want the absolute best reel they can get in their budget. So how do you determine that?
Well you factor in all the things that makes a spinning reel good. While price matters in any purchasing decision, if you’re looking for a good spinning reel for fishing, it really comes down to these factors:
- Smoothness of retrieve
- Drag consistency
- Castability of spool
- Line management
- Durability
- Price
- Brand
So based on these factors, we have collected a large sample of the top spinning reels available. We put each through tests and fished them to get on the water experience with every reel we could get our hands on.
Over the years, we have tested a barrel full of spinning reels. We use that large breadth of knowledge and experience to assess equipment. We are familiar with many of these because they are the latest version of a model we already know from brands we trust.
When deciding which spinning reel to buy, there are options to weigh. So I’m going to run through how I decide if a spinning reel is good or not when I’m at a store. I hope this will help other anglers make good choices when choosing spinning reels.
Smoothness of Retrieve
In my opinion, smoothness of the retrieve is the single biggest factor in a quality spinning reel. If you can’t tell what your bait is doing because of your reel, then you are at a substantial disadvantage. Yes, you can catch fish with a low end reel. But you’re also missing a lot more fish that you never knew bit. You’re also not making as precise presentations. Disadvantaged. Without even knowing it most of the time.
The first test I do with every spinning reel is feeling how much pressure it takes to turn the handle. This is known as startup inertia. If it takes more than the slightest pressure, then you are not going to feel your bait very well. The harder the reel is to turn, the harder it will be to feel your lighter lures on a retrieve.
Drag Consistency
The next most important quality in a spinning reel is the consistency of the drag. When you hook a fish, you don’t want the drag to “catch” before it starts releasing line. You want it to smoothly and slowly release line under the pressure you set it to. It should start and stop effortlessly, and be consistent throughout.
You can do a quick check of the drag by tightening the tension knob and turning the spool backwards. You want to hear a consistent pinging of the drag as you wind the spool back.
Learn more about setting the drag.
Casting Ability
A spool that releases line effortlessly is also important. A lot of times this can be enhanced by using a larger spool. The larger the spool, especially a longer, shallow spool, the better the line uncoil on a cast. Companies like Daiwa and Shimano have perfected the spools on their higher end reels for the best casting performance.
Line Management
The other thing that affects casting is line management. A poorly made or adjusted spinning reel will allow the line to get up under the spool and/or criss-cross the line because the spool travels too fast as the roller oscillates around the spool. So I prefer reels manufactured for precision line winding to keep the line tight and clean on the spool to avoid loops, knots and line getting caught under the spool.
Another thing that helps with line management is closing the bail by hand. Doing so instead of turning the reel to close the bail will result in a lot less loops or overruns on subsequent casts.
Durability
The materials a reel are made out of obviously matter as well. While composite reels are fine, they will have more play over time. They will break also easier. But as long as you’re not jerking on snags, stepping on the reel or dropping it on the pavement, you’re going to be fine.
Reels need to be cleaned if used in saltwater. The better ones are sealed to keep saltwater and other deposits out of the moving parts. Saltwater reels are generally made with stronger stems. The added strength and durability of saltwater reels usually comes at a premium.
Brand
Brand has been an indicator of good quality reels in the past. The big three in spinning reels have to be Shimano, Daiwa and Abu Garcia. But there are a lot of good spinning reels being made by several other companies. That’s why we sought to bring some more reels into this guide so you can be more familiar with a larger base of options.
Price
My advice with reels, especially spinning reels, is buy the best you can afford. Good spinning reels will last a decade if you take care of them. So you’re investing in many years of use. But you can also buy cheaper reels and just replace them more often as they break or diminish.
Price usually increases as manufacturers add features and components.
Generally speaking, an 11-bearing reel will be more expensive than a 5-bearing reel. But it will also generally be a lot smoother and quieter. A reel that has a lot of tech built into the spool, gears, drag, oscillation systems, will obvious increase the price of a reel. And the materials can increase the price as well. A reel frame made out of magnesium will be stronger and lighter but also much more expensive than a composite one.
So this buyer’s guide to the best spinning reels should keep you up to date on the best options out there, and help you make your own sound decisions. Keep an eye on it, as we will add more to it as we go . Let us know your favorite brands on our social pages.
SPINNING REEL COMPARISON CHART
| Model | Price | Bearings | Gear Ratio | Specifications |
| Shimano Stella FK 2500HG | $749 | 13 | 5.8:1 | 7.4 ounces; 10/120 mono |
| Daiwa Exist G LT 2500D-PCH | $859 | 13 | 5.7:1 | 6 ounces; 8/240 mono |
| Lew’s Mach Crush 200A | $109 | 10 | 6.2:1 | 8.6 ounces; 8/120 mono |
| Shimano Vanford FA 2000 | $249 | 7 | 6:1 | 5.5 ounces; 6/165 mono |
| Abu Garcia Max SX 2000 | $59 | 6 | 5.2:1 | 7.5 ounce; 6/110 mono |
| Handing M1 2000 | $27 | 9 | 5.2:1 | 8.9 ounces; 20/185 braid |
| Shimano Exsence 4000MXG | $549 | 12 | 6.2:1 | 8.6 ounces; 10/195 braid |
| Shimano Vanford FA 2000HGFA | $249 | 6 | 6.1:1 | 5.5 ounces; 6/165 mono |
| Daiwa Ballistic MQ LT2500D-XH | $229 | 9 | 6.2:1 | 6.9 ounces; 10/250 braid |
| Daiwa Procyon AL 2500D-XH | $189 | 7 | 6.2:1 | 8.3 ounces; 10/210 braid |
| PENN Authority 2500 | $499 | 13 | 5.7:1 | 11.9 ounces; 15/220 braid |
| Pflueger Patriarch 35X | $219 | 11 | 5.2:1 | 7.3 ounces 10/150 braid |
| Lew’s Custom Lite CL200 | $159 | 11 | 6.2:1 | 6.6 ounces; 8/160 braid |
| Piscifun Viper X 2000 | $39 | 11 | 6.2:1 | 8.5 ounces; 15/150 braid |
