In this guide, we’re going to cover the best spinning reels on a budget-friendly price point. The best spinning reels for the UK market were compared for ease of use, cost, versatility, and strength among other attributes.
What Is The Best Spinning Reel for the Money?
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More Detailed Spinning Reels Reviews
Lew’s Mach Crush
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Lew’s Mach Crush Review
The best spinning reel comes from Lew’s, with an SLP graphite frame for durability, and side plates to keep things stable without heavily impacting the weight.
Utilize the 95mm handle with an oversized winn dri-tac handle knob to maintain perfect control under all conditions, effectively reeling in your catch with no distractions.
The MSB is entirely magnetized, and the bearing system runs 10 stainless steel balls to provide the smoothest transition you’ve ever felt in fishing.
SHIMANO Curado Baitcast Fishing Reel
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SHIMANO Curado Baitcast Fishing Reel Review
Shimano is far from the best budget spinning reel: it’s a beast that has everything you want, from a low 225 gram weight, down to the max drag force of 5 kgs.
Designed with a tough, durable handle for better reeling, this right-handed reel has a fantastic 8:5:1 gear ratio, and a line capacity up to 0.33mm.
Mono, braided, fluoro—any line you want can be used with this. With six high-end bearings, you’ll feel one of the smoothest casts of your life.
Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning Reel
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Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning Reel Review
Penn knows what you want, and made the best spinning reel for the money to accommodate for it. The aluminum main gear runs 2,500 up to 5,500 in size, and features brass pinion gears on every model.
The IPX5 seal makes this highly water resistant, so you can lean into your catch without worrying about damaging your reel.
The 100 carbon fiber drag system is a night and day difference over your current fishing rod, giving a long-lasting drag under the highest pressures.
Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning Reel
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Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning Reel Review
Finding the best seas spinning reel was difficult, until Daiwa showed up. This ridiculously inexpensive model comes with a fairly complex system featuring four stainless steel ball bearings.
The front roller brake assists with every catch you’ll make while using this reel, and the aluminum body doesn’t add as much weight as you would think, keeping this versatile.
Lastly, this works well for beginners, because every catch up to about 10 lbs will be as smooth as butter, giving the perfect conditions for any newcomers to learn in.
Penn Fathom Lever Drag 2 Speed Spinning Reel
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Penn Fathom Lever Drag 2 Speed Spinning Reel Review
Penn ends up weighing 600 grams, but for good reasons. You have two speeds that allow you to customize your experience, while the fathom lever drag smoothens every inbound catch.
Commonly hailed as the best saltwater spinning reel, the Penn Fathom Lever features a high impact resistance metal body, and line capacity rings.
Depending on the specific model you choose, the price will bounce, but Penn generally keeps things affordable. You get a one-year warranty with this purchase right from the manufacturer.
Piscifun Carbon X Spinning Reel
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Piscifun Carbon X Spinning Reel Review
Available in three sizes, Piscifun’s Carbon X series grants you the ability to reel in with confidence. The enlarged handle allows you to gain control at a moment’s notice, while the light frame helps with pull resistance.
Weighing just under 800 grams, this system hooks onto your rod with ease, and supplies up to 15 kgs of drag resistance.
If a smooth ride is your goal, then you’ll be happy to know this is one of the cheapest ways to get a 10+1 steel ball bearing system. Say hello to cleaner reeling.
KastKing Summer Centron Spinning Reel
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KastKing Summer Centron Spinning Reel Review
KastKing competes for the most inexpensive spinning reel with an impressive 9+1 stainless steel ball bearing system, and an enhanced 9.1 kgs of breaking force.
All that while still being competitively priced. The lightweight design makes this simple to use, although the string capacity has been a concern for some fishermen.
Use the anti-reverse bearing to cast with confidence, and the remaining bearings to pull back your catch like a true pro.
Spinning Reel FAQ
What is a Spinning Reel Used for?
For easy operation. You open the bail, put your finger on the line, and cast it, then close the bail to position it to easily reel back in. It’s one of the most simplistic fishing mechanisms that we’ve ever seen, and its basic concept is still in use 150 years after its original inception back in 1870. It has been improved upon, but the basic function is the same.
How do I Choose a Spinning Reel?
What are you fishing for? That’s the question that will answer your need for a spinning reel size. Find out the minimum and maximum weight of the fish you’re trying to catch, and base your spinning reel size off of that.
The lower your spinning reel size, the less weight it can handle, and that’s not a bad thing—you should use low weight spinning reels if you’re fishing for low weight fish. No need to make your reel overpowered if it’s not needed (it could be a waste of money).
Are Expensive Spinning Reels Worth It?
Price often reflects quality. More expensive spinning reels use a higher number of ball bearings, and always make them out of stainless steel for continued optimal use. Some spinning reels might even use a dozen bearings, which would make for an extremely smooth operation no matter what you’re doing with it. Pricey spinning reels almost always provide more utility and durability than cheaper models.
What Size Spinning Reel Should I Get?
Sizes come in increments of 500. From 2,000 up to 3,500, you’re expected to use mono lines up to 5 kg maximum weights, or braided lines up to 7 kg in total.
For medium-sized and large-sized spinning reels, which range from 4,000 up to 9,000, you would use a maximum of 11.kg on mono lines, and 27 kg on braided lines.
While I don’t imagine you’d run into anything larger in standard fishing practices, these sizes can go up to 30,000, which is used for very big game fishing. Here, mono lines can withstand up to 27 kg, while braided lines can handle 36 kg (and rarely more than that).
Are Baitcasters Better Than Spinning Reels?
Baitcasters are generally used by experienced fishermen more than they’re used by beginners/amateurs. Baitcasting can be more specific and be utilized for pinpoint accuracy, but at a price of decreased drag power and a harder time reeling it in.
I would only say a baitcaster is better if you plan on using specific crankbaits, jigs, or spinner baits for certain types of fish, and only if you’re confident with years of fishing experience already under your belt.
Better Fishing Every Time
Spinning reels make fishing a little easier for beginners, and give you better handling when you don’t expect a powerful catch to tug on the line. They’re becoming the gold standard for all fishermen across the UK, and it’s clear to see why.