The Rundown
Best Overall: KastKing Summer and Centron
“Don’t be fooled by its compact design — this reel is capable of snagging the largest fish out there with its high-powered drag system and quality 9-ball bearings. Perfect for anglers who love a good fight.”
Runner Up Option: KastKing Sharky III
“This reel is just the thing that anglers need to catch that trophy fish. It has a triple disc drag, a special shield system to keep it clean, and double-shielded bearings. It has everything you could possibly ask for.”
Best Premium Option: Penn Battle II & III
“If you’re an angler who’s looking for a good dual purpose reel, then you’ll love these reels. They have a full metal structure, an impressive drag system, and handy capacity indicators in the spool.”
Spinning reels have been, and continue to be, among the most popular reel options available to anglers, mainly due to their versatile nature, as they allow anglers to cast accurately, present their bait in a multitude of fashions, and land even the most aggressive of game fish.
The highest quality spinning reels are lightweight, yet durable, feature robust carbon-fiber drag systems, and employ the use of durable ball bearings for smooth operation – read on below to find out more about the best choices on the market today.




Table of Contents
The 10 Best Spinning Reels in 2020
KastKing Summer and Centron
Best Overall: Subdued in cost, but not in features
KEY FEATURES
- Compact, lightweight design
- High-powered 17.5 lb. drag system
- 9-ball bearings for an ultra-smooth performance
If you’re on the hunt for a quality spinning reel that is economical in price, you can’t go wrong with KastKing Summer and Centron Reels. This series of reels features a lightweight graphite frame that is compact in design and durable as well. Each Summer and Centron Reel uses 9-ball bearings, ensuring an ultra-smooth performance, free of any hard spots or operational lags.
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KastKing Sharky III
Runner Up Option: Has the features of a spinning reel and the power of a winch
KEY FEATURES
- First-class 39.5 lb. triple disc drag
- Special Intrusion Shield System that prevents water and dirt ingress
- Includes 10+1 saltwater rated, double-shielded ball bearings
The KastKing Sharky III is a spinning reel designed to tackle the challenge of hauling in the biggest fish on any body of water. It features a first class 39.5 pound triple disc drag system and 10+1 saltwater rated, double-shielded ball bearings that offer unmatched strength and agility. This is the perfect reel for those who regularly fish for catfish, musky, or striped bass, and any kind of hard-fighting saltwater species.
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Penn Battle II & III
Best Premium Option: As at home in saltwater as it is freshwater
KEY FEATURES
- Full metal body, side plate, and rotor for heavy-duty use
- HT-100 drag system for superior line control and fighting power
- Superline spool that includes capacity indicators
While many of the reels on this list are approved for use in saltwater, Penn’s Battle II & III reels are built specifically for dual purpose use. This means that the Penn Battle line of reels is perfect for any angler who lives in coastal states, where they are just as likely to fish in saltwater as they are in freshwater. This reel uses a full metal body, side plate, and rotor, plus five shielded stainless-steel ball bearings specifically engineered to handle the rigors of saltwater fishing.
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PENN Pursuit III
Best Corrosion Resistance: Impervious to the elements so you can fish relentlessly
KEY FEATURES
- 4+1 stainless steel shielded ball bearing system for smooth operation
- Lightweight graphite body for ease of handling
- HT-100 carbon-fiber drag system for rich fighting potential
If you never know where your adventures will take you, and you need a reel capable of pulling both freshwater and saltwater duties, then the Penn Pursuit III is just what you are looking for. This reel features an ultra-lightweight, corrosion-resistant graphite body and a 4+1 stainless steel shielded bearing system, which makes it just as well-suited for catching vermillion snapper in coastal waters as it is tackling largemouths in inland lakes.
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Daiwa Bg
Best Overall: A high-performance reel that is equally rich in cosmetic appeal
KEY FEATURES
- Oversized Digigear for increased torque
- ABS spool for enhanced line capacity
- Sleek black anodized aluminum housing
The Daiwa Bg Spinning Reel is equal parts form and function, offering anglers a reel that should not only perform to high efficiency, but look good while doing so. This reel features a sleek black anodized, machined aluminum housing, an oversized Digigear for increased torque, an infinite anti-reverse system, and a lightweight Dynamic Cut Aluminum ABS Spool. If you are in search of a high-end spinning reel that offers numerous premium features, then this is just the product for you.
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Piscifun Flame
Best Lightweight Option: A featherweight reel with heavyweight performance
KEY FEATURES
- Lightweight graphite frame
- Powerful 19.8 lb. drag system
- Ergonomic design for ultimate comfort
The Piscifun Flame Spinning Reel is the perfect choice for those that have grown tired of bulky reels in the past, as it was engineered for the ultimate in angler comfort. The combination of a lightweight hollow graphite frame and an ergonomic grip and handle is enough to make any angler pick this reel up and never want to put it down again. This reel is jam-packed with helpful features, such as a robust 19.8 lb drag system, a smooth 9+1 bearing system, and a braid-ready spool.
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Sougayilang
Most Comfortable: Satisfactory performance at an equally satisfactory price
KEY FEATURES
- 11 total ball bearings for a seamless operation
- S-curve oscillation system for uniform spooling
- Compact, streamlined design for comfortable use
The Sougayilang series of reels carries several noteworthy design attributes, such as an 11 ball bearings internal configuration, S-curve oscillation system, and an ultra-compact profile. What makes this even better is the fact that this reel can be purchased for less than most will spend on bait during any given outing.
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KastKing Megatron
Most Durable: Tough beyond compare, yet fluid in its performance
KEY FEATURES
- Aerospace aluminum alloy frame that can take a beating and then come back for more
- Durable gears that resist premature wear
- 30+ pound drag for true fighting potential
If you’re the type who can be rough on their fishing equipment, and so needs a reel that can stand up to anything that mother nature throws at it, the KastKing Megatron is just the thing you’ve been looking for. This reel features an aerospace aluminum alloy frame, a zinc alloy drive gear, and a sturdy, yet lightweight spool, all culminating in a unit that even the most haphazard of anglers will be unlikely to damage or render inoperable.
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Pflueger President
Most Reliable: A trouble-free reel engineered to keep you fishing for as long as possible
KEY FEATURES
- Specialized gearing that prevents lines from twisting
- Sealed drag system for all-weather performance
- Graphite body and rotor for a lightweight feel
The Pfluger President is an investment worth making. This reel features specialized gearing that slows oscillation to prevent line twisting and kinks. It’s also fitted with a waterproof sealed drag system, 7-corrosion resistant ball bearings, and a lightweight graphite body and rotor.
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Penn Slammer III
Most Advanced: Manufactured from the latest technological advances
KEY FEATURES
- CNC machined gear set for high precision
- IP6 Sealed body and spool design for ultimate weather resistance
- Sealed Slammer drag system with Dura-Drag
The Penn Slammer III takes precision engineering to new heights, offering anglers a spinning reel that looks stylish, includes the latest innovative features, and should hold its own with any spinning reel on the market today. This reel consists of a full metal body, side plate, and rotor that uses the latest in CNC gear technology and includes one of the most comprehensive drag systems available. If you are an angler that wants nothing but the finest in your boat, then the Penn Slammer III is your best option.
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Criteria Used For Evaluation
When choosing the perfect spinning reel, there are a few factors to consider. By keeping the following factors in mind, you will be better equipped to locate a reel that will suit your needs the best.
Criteria #1: Drag System
Few factors weigh as heavily into one’s ability to successfully battle sizable fish to the boat, as the quality of a reel’s drag system.
A reel’s drag system operates on the principle of friction, which is facilitated through the use of multiple friction discs. When properly adjusted, a drag system’s friction discs prevent line breakage by allowing a certain degree of internal slippage. As these friction discs slip, line pressure is reduced, allowing a fight to be sustained in an efficient manner.
The vast majority of today’s highest quality drag systems are sealed from environmental ingress and are pre-lubricated for enhanced durability and wear protection. A number of the most robust drag systems currently available feature working capacities in excess of 30-pounds, which promotes efficient line dispersal, even under periods of extreme stress.
Criteria #2: Bearings
In order for a reel to operate in the most efficient manner possible, and provide years of seamless operation, it must employ the use of quality, corrosion-resistent bearings.
Every spinning reel utilizes a series of bearings to evenly distribute the rotational force that is required for line spooling. As a reel’s handle is turned, a series of gears transfer motion to the unit’s spool. This spool relies upon a system of bearings to reduce friction, sustain preset tolerances, and avoid siezing.
It is important for a reel to not only house a high number of individual bearings, but for any bearings used to be of the utmost quality, and absolutely uniform in composition. Premium reels typically feature 7, 8, or even 10 bearings, all of which are produced to the highest degree of uniformity.
Criteria #3: Comfort
An uncomfortable reel is of little use to the avid angler, and is likely to take up permanent residency in your garage, rather than your boat.
Many anglers spend a significant amount of time on the water during any given year, much of which is spent with a rod and reel in their hand. Single outings can last more than 10 hours, leading to extensive angler fatigue, if all gear which is used is not lightweight and ergonomic in nature. This often leads anglers to cast bulkier, more cumbersome reels to the side, in favor of a different model that is rich in comfort.
Alternatively, reels that are composed of graphite and aluminum, which tend to be lightweight by design, often become favorites of those who fish for hours on end. As a result, reels of this type are often preferred and see a significant amount of use.
Questions & Answers

What Kind of Fishing is a Spinning Reel Best Used for?
The best thing about spinning reels is that they are extremely versatile. They can be used in almost any situation, and so basically it’s really up to an angler as to when and where they will use one. But if you’re really curious, there are a few particular kinds of fish that stand out above the rest as being more heavily suited to the use of spinning equipment. One example would be bass since spinning reels are great for finesse fishing.

Are Spinning Reels Difficult to Use?
While the idea of using a spinning reel might seem intimidating if you are used to fishing with alternative reel types, there is little to worry about. One can become proficient in the use of a spinning reel in a matter of just a couple of afternoons. In fact, most anglers end up asking themselves why they didn’t make the switch to spinning tackle sooner.
The main learning curve pertaining to spinning reel use lies in an angler’s ability to familiarize themselves with the correct casting procedure. For some, manually holding their line with a finger, while flipping the bail, can take a little getting used to. However, doing so becomes second nature for most after no more than a handful of casts.