Top 5 Best Spinning Reels Under $50 – Review & Buying Guide

Starting from beginners to professional anglers, everyone uses spinning reels. Are you wandering; why? Actually, these can be used anywhere you require. Moreover, they have a varied price range.

Yes, Of course.

You won’t believe if we tell you that you can have a lower budget yet get a good quality spinning reel.

In this article we have listed the top 5 best spinning reels under $50 which we have tested for months. Moreover, we have also given their detailed and genuine review after using them.

You don’t simply judge a spinning reel by its price tag.

What is the reason behind?

In fact, there are many expensive spinning reels which are not worth your money. Hence, you should check for the best spinning reels without watching the price range.

Also, for making your choosing process easier we have featured a detailed buying guide for spinning reels.

Are you ready?

Now, let’s get started with the detailed reviews of the best spinning reels under $50. 

At a Glance:

DesignReviewsRetailer
2. Piscifun Flame Spinning Reels– Best Spinning Reel under $50 2023
Check Price
Staff Pick3. Lews Fishing Mr. Crappie Slab Shaker Spinning Reel– Top spinning reel for crappie
Check Price
4. Lew’s Fishing Mr. Crappie Slab Shaker Reel– Best Cheap spinning reel under $50
Check Price
Budget Pick5. Tempo Vertix Fishing Reel– best cheap spinning reel
Check Price

1. Goture Spinning Fishing Reel– Best spinning reel under $50 for money

Best Pick

Why We Love It

  • Best choice for freshwater fishing especially for bass, trout and crappie with its 4000 size
  • Moreover, the 6+1 ball bearings provide a velvety performance with an anti-reverse feature too
  • Also, the spinning reel stays stable, and strong under heavy loads with no breaking

The first best spinning reel under $50 is actually under $30. The company has made it the perfect choice for people who are searching for a cheap yet medium sized spinning reel.

What’s about feasibility?

The lightweight makes the Goture spinning reel even more easy to use and manage. Moreover, you can handle it all day long.

Also, the double anodized aluminum spool makes it corrosion resistant. 

Where to use?

You can use this spinning reel for heavy freshwater fishing and light saltwater fishing. However, make sure you clean the reel and keep it dry.

Moreover, the reel provides a good and super smooth drag with a max drag of 7 kg, which is way more for trout fishing and bass fishing.

Congratulations!

The pack comes with an extra spool if any mishap takes place. 

BrandGoture
MaterialGraphite
ColorGT-S
Handle materialAluminum
Product weight (in grams)365 Grams
Hand orientationAmbidextrous

Pros

  • Extra spool included
  • Multi disc drag system
  • Lightweight and sturdy design
  • 7 kg max drag

Cons

  • Handle is loose
  • May break if overloaded

2. Piscifun Flame Spinning Reels– Best Spinning Reel under $50 2023

Why We Love It

  • The Flame only weighs 8.5 oz which makes it extremely manageable and easy to use
  • Moreover, the 9+1 stainless steel ball bearings provide a frictionless performance and a great casting
  • The Flame also includes a braid ready spool which is rare to find at such a cheap price range

If you love bass fishing or trout fishing, the Flame by Piscifun is made for you. Right? It’s way too cheaper yet has a great finish as compared to more expensive options.

What does make it perfect?

They areproviding you a super-smooth drag with a max drag of 20 lbs which is perfect for crappie, bass and trout fishing.

The Flame can be an agreeable companion for your next lakeside fishing trip. 

The next lines will leave you in amaze.

Moreover, it’s also available in different sizes starting from 2000 and ending at 5000, all of them are under $50 so worry not.

What makes it more special is the numerous ball bearings it includes for an ultra smooth casting and retrieving.

The good choice,

Therefore, do consider this option if you are searching for the best spinning reel under $50 2023.

Specifications

BrandPiscifun
MaterialAluminum, Graphite
ColorRed
Handle materialEVAFoamslidering
Product weight (in kg)0.31 Kilograms
Hand orientationAmbidextrous

Pros

  • Cheap price
  • Lightweight design
  • Smooth reel performance
  • Good finishing

Cons

  • Weak handle
  • Looks cheap

3. Lews Fishing Mr. Crappie Slab Shaker Spinning Reel– Top spinning reel for crappie

Staff Pick

As the name of the spinning reel suggests, it is the best and actually made for crappie fishing.

Perfect!

However, the features are way more for only crappie and can also help you in bass and trout fishing.

With the gear ratio of 5.2:1 you can retrieve the line much faster and as required for trout fishing.

That’s impressive!

Moreover, it’s a plastic reel, so it weighs only 0.4 pounds and cannot handle a large amount of weight. 

In addition, it’s great for light freshwater fishing and cheap too.

Getting more involved,

However, it’s not that smooth but can work fine for a while. Also, we will not recommend you to use this reel for heavy tasks as it has a fully graphite construction and may break if overloaded. 

BrandMr. Crappie
MaterialSynthetic
ColorMulticolor
Handle materialPlastic
Product weight (in pounds)0.4 Pounds
Hand orientationAmbidextrous

Pros

  • Fast retrieve
  • Works finely
  • Inexpensive
  • Good for crappie

Cons

  • Plastic reel
  • Not smooth

Opinion

We would recommend you to not go for this spinning reel if you can increase your budget range because it is a lightweight yet a delicate reel with a full graphite body.

Also, works fine, but you may experience some resistance in between. However, if you have no choice, you can go for it but remember, it is not as smooth as other reels and you can only use this for crappie, bass and other light freshwater fishing.


4. Lew’s Fishing Mr. Crappie Slab Shaker Reel– Best Cheap spinning reel under $50

Why We Love It

  • This spinning reel has a full graphite build making it weigh only 3 ounces
  • Moreover, it’s the cheapest spinning reel in the list of best spinning reels under $50
  • Also, the spinning reel is pre spooled with a premium line so you don’t have to spool it on your own

One of the cheapest spinning reel with a unique and big design, this Slab shaker reel by Lew’s will make your next fishing trip exciting.

Congratulations!

With a smooth and multi-disc drag, you can handle small fishes easily. Moreover, the large design is said to reduce tangles, but we found out that it doesn’t help.

However, it does increase the speed of retrieving.

The key reason behind it’s construction…

This reel is not like a normal one and is specially designed for jiggling, which is what it does perfectly. Therefore, choose one of those other 4 if you are not searching for a jiggling reel.

The most attractive point,

Furthermore, the graphite build makes the reel easy to handle and lightweight. Hence, you can go for this cheap spinning reel for jiggling.

BrandLew’s
MaterialSynthetic
Colorblack
Handle materialplastic
Product weight (in ounces)3 Ounces
Hand orientationAmbidextrous

Pros

  • Interchangeable handle
  • Smooth casting
  • Graphite frame
  • Extremely lightweight

Cons

  • Build is not great
  • Line gets tangled

As our opinion matters, we would suggest that you get this spinning reel by Lew’s only for jiggling because these reels don’t work like a normal spinning reel and you may encounter a problem while using. Besides that, it’s smooth and durable for its size.

Moreover, it comes with a smooth drag force which will leave you with no disappointments. Hence, you can get this spinning reel but do keep in mind that the spool design may lead to line tangling.


5. Tempo Vertix Fishing Reel– best cheap spinning reel

Budget Pick

Why We Love It

  • Provides an ultra smooth performance and comfort to the angler with its 10+1 stainless steel ball bearings
  • Has a good construction for light freshwater fishing of crappie, bass and trouts
  • Available in 4 sizes ranging from 1000 to 4000 so you have the choice of choosing one according to your preference

Check Price Now

Coming from a good brand like Tempo, this spinning reel will never disappoint you. Wait, you have to use and maintain it properly.

What does profile say,

It has a quite durable build but not great for heavy fishing. In addition, it also features a smooth and powerful drag system with a max drag of 11 lbs for the 1000 size.

Furthermore, the drag increases as the size of the reel increases. 

A deeper look,

Other than that, the reel comes in the ultralight spinning reel range and weighs only 6.7 ounces. Well, it is great for an all day long fishing trip.

You May Also Love to Read: best spinning reels under $100

Moreover, the handle is designed in such a way that it won’t slip away from your hands easily even if they are sweaty.

Last but not least,

The smooth and fast retrieve is because of its gear ratio, which is 5.2:1.

BrandTEMPO
MaterialAluminum, Stainless Steel, Graphite, Magnesium, Carbon
ColorSilver
Handle materialStainless Steel
Product weight (in Ounces)6.7 Ounces
Hand orientationAmbidextrous

Pros

  • 10+1 ball bearings
  • Effortless performance
  • Weighs only 6.7 oz
  • Braid ready Aluminum spool

Cons

  • Weak construction
  • Cannot handle big fish

The Vertix is the best spinning reel under $50 for money with all the amazing features you will only find in a top and expensive spinning reel such as the high number of ball bearings, magnesium build, stainless steel handle and many more.

Therefore, we highly recommend this spinning reel if you have a budget of more than $30 and less than $50. Besides that, it’s only for freshwater and will yield best results if used so.


Buying Guide: How to Choose Best Spinning Reels Under $50

Be it an expensive reel or a mere $50 spinning reel, it’s important to get the best deal at any price range.

Do you agree?

Therefore, we have brought before you a buying guide so you can choose the best spinning reel under $50, which will be the best for you.

Here we have given some important factors you should look for in a spinning reel while buying one so you will never regret your choice.

Yes,

Get ready to consider following points;

Size of the spinning reel

The size of a spinning reel depends on the targeted species you are intending to catch. Moreover, a big reel size for a small crappie will not do any good.

At the price range of $50, you can only get small reel sizes ranging from 500 up to 4000.

Keep in mind,

Anything over that will not have an outstanding quality. You can check out our spinning reel sizes for detailed information and choose the right size of reel for your fishing trip.

Durability of the reel

The durability of the spinning reel should be checked personally or through online reviews before buying one.

You know,

No one wants to waste their hard earned money. Right? Many spinning reels under $50 are usually made of graphite or plastic, which are not very durable but can handle small fishes.

However, if you get a metal spinning reel, do not let go of the deal and get the spinning reel.

The smoothness of the reel

The smoothness of the spinning reel comes from the high number of ball bearings. It includes the high quality gear it uses.

For a finely smooth reel you will require at least 5 ball bearings, anything below that won’t work properly. Also, the gear ratio should be high if you want a smooth and fast retrieve.

Compatibility with the fishing rod

Whenever buying a spinning reel you should look for a compatible fishing rod or a spinning reel which is compatible with our existing fishing rod.

As the best pair will always yield the best results, the worst pair wont work at all and leave you with nothing. Therefore, get a compatible spinning reel.

Additional features

There are a lot of features in a spinning reel which are not important but can enhance the performance of your spinning reel.

It includes the anti-reverse ball bearing by which you can lock the handle and spool at its place to avoid tangles and unspooling.

Moreover, the corrosion resistant coatings will help the reel to be intact even after saltwater fishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What company makes the best spinning reel under $50?

The Tempo is known for making the best spinning reels under $50 as they provide the best quality reels at a very cheap price. Moreover, Tempo spinning reels are known for their long-lasting life. One of the best Tempo reel is given in this article Tempo Spinning Reel- Vertix Fishing Reel.

Are expensive spinning reels worth it?

It’s not always true that expensive means good. Sometimes, the expensive spinning reels have no quality yet overpriced, only because of the brand name. You can get the same quality and size of reel below $50 if you search for them. Therefore, we can’t say expensive spinning reels are worth spending your hard earned money unless you are a professional angler.

Are Lew’s spinning reel any good?

Yes, the Lew’s spinning reels are the best at their price range as they provide a number of features at a cheaper price. However, we would suggest you to not get a graphite reel for heavy tasks.

Is more ball bearing in a spinning reel better?

Absolutely yes, a spinning reel with more ball bearings is always welcomed by anglers as the more ball bearings provide a smooth and frictionless performance while casting and retrieving. A spinning reel with less or no ball bearings should be an always no.

Conclusion

So that’s our list of top 5 best spinning reels under $50. We have tried to include all the best spinning reels for different tasks so that you can find the one you need.

Apart from it,

we also gave a small but detailed buying guide so you can know what to look for in a spinning reel.

However, if you have not chosen any of these we would recommend these two cheap spinning reels for you.

  • Piscifun Flame Spinning Reels– best spinning reel under $50 2023
  • Tempo Spinning Reel- Vertix Fishing Reel– best cheap spinning reel

We hope that at least now you have chosen the best for you. As the best spinning when paired with the best fishing rod performs better.

You can also check out our article on best spinning rod and reel combos for more information. Also, if you are a beginner check out how to use a spinning reel for a detailed guide.


Share post on

Spinning Reel Insider is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Spinning Rod and Reel Combo – Detailed  Review Reviews

Best Spinning Rod and Reel Combo – Detailed Review

A powerful fishing rod when paired with a worthy spinning reel will make your...

By James Deguzman
Updated
Best Inshore Spinning Reels – Our 5 Top Picks & Buying Guide Reviews

Best Inshore Spinning Reels – Our 5 Top Picks & Buying Guide

Planning a one day fishing trip to the shores and still don’t have a...

By James Deguzman
Updated
Best Spinning Reels for Crappie of 2023 – Review & Buying Guide Reviews

Best Spinning Reels for Crappie of 2023 – Review & Buying Guide

Everyone loves crappies, right? However, if you don’t, this article is not for you....

By James Deguzman
Updated
Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Under $100 –  With Buying Guide Reviews

Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Under $100 – With Buying Guide

Fishing is fun when you have the right equipment and skills with you. Of...

By James Deguzman
Updated
Top 5 Best Spinning Reels for Surf Fishing of 2023 – Best Guide Reviews

Top 5 Best Spinning Reels for Surf Fishing of 2023 – Best Guide

Surf fishing is one of the most popular types of fishing. This trend required...

By James Deguzman
Updated
Best Spinning Reels for Bass of 2023 [Top 10 Expert Reviews] Reviews

Best Spinning Reels for Bass of 2023 [Top 10 Expert Reviews]

There are many people like you and me who love eating bass. Am I...

By James Deguzman
Updated
Best Ultralight Spinning Reel – Top 10 Expert Reviews Reviews

Best Ultralight Spinning Reel – Top 10 Expert Reviews

A good spinning reel is the basic equipment you require while fishing after a...

By James Deguzman
Updated
Best Trout Spinning Reels of 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide Reviews

Best Trout Spinning Reels of 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

A lakeside fishing trip during weekends can work as an escape from daily routines....

By James Deguzman
Updated