Best Cheap Spinning Reels under 50 Dollars – Buyer’s Guide

So, you fancy fishing! Fishing is indeed a fantastic profession or hobby to follow. It’s recreational and fun, and you can have a really amazing time in the waters. However, it can be an expensive hobby. Most fishing gears are pricey, especially when it comes to the important ones like a spinning reel. Finding the best cheap spinning reel can be a real challenge.

Spinning reels go into your fishing rods and help you catch fish with more ease and finesse, and you can significantly improve your fishing performance. So, you cannot miss out on having one. However, there are so many options; every manufacturer will claim to have the best fishing reel for your requirements.

However, most claims don’t work out well in the long run. You find fishing reels that come at a cost but don’t offer the expected quality. Moreover, you might not really want to spend too much on them, especially when you’re fishing only occasionally. So, you might question if there was any way to get a spinning reel without burning a hole in the pocket?

Well, luckily enough, you’ve got many options. You can find the best spinning reel for the money in as little as $50. Let us help you with some options by listing some of the best budget spinning reels under $50.

Top 8 Spinning Reels Under 50 Dollars in 2023

While it might be difficult to find a spinning reel under a budget, it’s not impossible, especially when you’ve reached this article. Hereinbelow, we have curated a list of the eight best budget spinning reels under $50. So, go on, have a read and find what works best for you. Also, find out a buying guide later to help you refine your options further.

Penn is very popular among anglers and has an established name in coming up with excellent quality spinning reels. While some of them are costly, Penn does come with budget-friendly, low-priced but high-quality reels.

The Penn Pursuit III and Pursuit IV are low-cost spinning reel options that you can buy without giving them even a second thought. These reels are amazing and highly loved by anglers, especially the ones who enjoy saltwater fishing.

The reel has a corrosion-resistant graphite body. So, you need not worry about it getting rusted, and if you take good care of the reel, cleaning it up after every use, then it’s going to work out well, with excellent performance for years.

Additionally, it has a carbon-fiber drag system and four plus one stainless steel bearing system, which makes the performance even better. Given the strong drag system of the reel, you will have no problem fishing even the most aggressive saltwater fish that give you tough competition by pulling fiercely at the fishing rod. Additionally, it works well even in high-pressure waters.

Moreover, the reel is lightweight, so you won’t have a problem working it out as it will be easy to hold, carry, and operate. Besides that, cleaning the reel is also very straightforward. You can disassemble it, clean it, and assemble it again once you’re done. It might seem like a task, especially when you’re a beginner, but given the ease and simplicity of the reel build and design, you’ll be able to be very quick with the assembly.

So, you can expect excellent performance with this fishing reel and have a fruitful and fulfilling fishing experience every time you hit the waters.

Pros

1. Strong, lightweight, corrosion-free body.
2. Smooth carbon-fiber drag for better performance even in harsh waters.
3. Easy to clean.

Cons

1. Makes a loud squeaky noise.

When you’re looking for the best reels under 50, it’s hard to miss the KastKing Summer and Centron Spinning Reels. This low-cost spinning reel is packed with features that every angler looks for in any high-quality spinning reel.

It has a very compact design that makes the reel extremely lightweight and makes it more convenient for you to cast it in the waters. Additionally, the super-strong drag system keeps the entire experience smooth by allowing you to fish even in harsh, high-pressure waters and catch the fiercest of the fish that resist and struggle a lot.

In addition to the excellent drag performance, this reel is designed to be highly durable as well. The entire body of this spinning reel is made up of graphite material that fights well against corrosion and makes sure that the reel keeps performing well expedition after expedition without any trace of rust.

Also, the physical appearance and looks are very attractive, along with a flexible and interchangeable design handle that adds to the functionalities and performance of the reel. The excellent finish of the polish, compact design, and sturdy look with the vibrant black and blue colors make this reel look cool, and you will love to carry it with yourself.

With all these features, KastKing Spinning Reel is surely great, and in fact, much better than other competitor models that cost a lot more for the same features. That being said, it’s surely a must-try option for the best spinning reel under $50.

Pros

1. Attractive look with a strong body and lightweight and compact design.
2. Powerful and smooth drag system.
3. Interchangeable design handle for more flexibility.

Cons

1. You might face issues managing the spool of this reel.

Another excellent and best spinning reel under $50 that you can consider purchasing is Okuma Ceymar. The reel is extremely lightweight and makes up for very smooth performance. Additionally, it has a very compact and sleek design that makes it look beautiful and helps you focus on the fish you’re trying to catch rather than the size of the reel.

Adding up to its look is the blade body design that makes it look more compact than it actually is. Bottom line, you’ll love it if you’re looking for a small reel. Besides that, the body is made with a corrosion-resistant material, so you need not worry about the reel getting splashed with water or being prone to rust. Even when you use and handle it roughly, the reel is going to be long-lasting, free of any rust.

In addition to this excellent design, the features are impressive and will work out for providing you with fantastic fishing experiences. The multi-disc drag system of the reel is very powerful and helps you fish smoothly, stopping at the right time, with proper speed, and being effective even in fierce water against fighting fish.

Adding up to the smoothness of the reel is the aluminum spool and brass pinion gear. Also, the reel has a quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing that makes up for more enhanced performance and smoother experiences.

Given all these features for the price it’s available, this spinning reel is surely a bang for the buck, something you must definitely give a try.

Pros

1. Excellent, lightweight, compact design.
2. Anti-reverse roller.
3. Blade cut, corrosion-resistant body.

Cons

1. The small size of the spinning reel might not appeal to everyone.

Piscifun Flame is another fantastic super value spinning reel if you are on a budget. It has exceptional features that make fishing a lot more exciting and fun.

It has a powerful gear system with a machined brass pinion that helps you work against the harsh waters and catch even giants. Additionally, the triple drag washer and nine quality ball bearings make the fishing experience and performance much smoother.

The major attraction is its design and build. The spinning reel is made using graphite and aluminum material. The body is entirely hollow with graphite only on the outside, and it’s paired with a beautiful-looking aluminum spool. This hollow design makes the spinning reel extremely lightweight to handle, which, in turn, gives you a better hand when trying to catch bigger fish.

Additionally, the graphite build of the body ensures that the reel remains resistant to corrosion and lasts longer. Furthermore, the body design not only adds to the features but also to the looks of this spinning reel. This spinning reel looks very classy and attractive with excellent black shiny material coupled with the red or blue aluminum spool.

Another major highlight of this spinning reel is that it has multiple size variations, and given that you choose the right size, you can use the reel for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

With all of these features, the spinning reel is the best in its class and extremely good for its price.

Pros

1. Attractive look and design.
2. Multiple size options make it suitable for freshwater and saltwater fishing.
3. Lightweight, compact, and corrosion-resistant.

Cons

1. You might see some rusting after a few uses.

The Pflueger President Spinning Reel is another excellent and best spinning reel under 50 dollars for providing you with fantastic and smooth fishing experiences. It’s a graphite body, lightweight spinning reel with seven stainless steel ball bearings, all corrosion-resistant. So, you need not worry about rusting of your reel and can really use it for a long time.

The sealed drag system of the reel makes sure that the performance is always smooth, and you’re able to have excellent fishing experiences. Additionally, since the system is sealed, it always stays lubricated, thereby ensuring that the reel’s smoothness never wanes away.

Additionally, the gearing is done differently. It doesn’t oscillate at a fast speed, so, unlike other reels, this one will not cause any line twist, and you can keep using the reel for catching fish without any problem or need to untangle the twists. In addition to great gear, the spool is also designed well and is braid-ready. So, you can simply tie the braid to the spool and get going.

With all of this, the look and appearance of the spinning reel are to die for. It features a very fantastic gray and gold color that makes it look very cool and attractive.

Given all these features, it’s a good reel under a budget, great for its price, and something that you must surely consider as an option.

Pros

1. Lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
2. The multicolor design makes it look more attractive.
3. Smooth performance with powerful gear and drag system.

Cons

1. Many buyers have reported receiving defective reels.

If you are looking for a lightweight, durable, and budget-friendly spinning reel, then you must probably give the Mitchell 300 Spinning Fishing Reel a try.

This spinning reel is designed using strong, lightweight, and durable polymeric material that is blended with an aluminum spool for added strength and durability. The performance of the reel is excellent, with high-quality ball bearings and an efficient drag system.

The reel is designed with a multi-disc drag system and has an anti-reverse reel system that ensures that the reel’s performance is smooth and consistent. Additionally, the multi-disc drag system ensures that the drag pressure remains consistent so that you are able to easily catch any kind of fish, be it big or small.

Additionally, the reel is designed to be ambidextrous. So, you need not worry if you’re left-handed or right-handed. The reel will be comfortable for use either way.

With all these things, it’s an excellent quality reel for its price, certainly value for the money, and indeed one of the best reels under 50.

Pros

1. Lightweight and durable.
2. Ambidextrous handle.
3. Multi-disc, smooth, and consistent drag system.

Cons

1. Lacks extra spool.

This is another amazing spinning reel from Piscifun that you can purchase for good and smooth fishing experiences when on a budget. It has a very ergonomic design and looks very stylish while being lightweight and strong.

The build and design are very thoughtful, and so is the material used for it. The reel is made up of a lightweight graphite body which keeps it durable and corrosion-resistant.

The gear ratios of the reel are perfect and provide the anglers with excellent speed and performance. As such, the reel is great for catching huge fish without much difficulty and at a fast speed. Adding up to the performance is the smoothness that comes from the amazingly designed stainless steel bearings.

So, fast, smooth, and high-performing – that’s what you get with this highly affordable and durable spinning reel.

In addition to these things, some more features that make this reel an excellent catch are that it’s ambidextrous and waterproof. So, you can handle it any way you like and ensure that the water, dirt, and mud remain out of your reel and house.

Given all these things, you might really want to give it a try, especially when your preference is a budget-friendly and best spinning reel under $50.

Pros

1. Fast and smooth performance.
2. Waterproof.
3. Excellent design, lightweight, strong, and durable.

Cons

1. It doesn’t have an anti-reverse button.

The final one on our list, but still one of the best fishing reels under 50 dollars, the Sougayilang Fishing Reel is a high-performing, smooth, and lightweight reel built using aluminum and graphite material.

It has a hollow frame design that keeps it lightweight. The use of aluminum and graphite material evidently means that it’s highly corrosion resistant and will remain durable, performing well even after a long time of use.

The stainless steel ball bearings add to the strength, smoothness, and durability. Additionally, the anti-reverse bearing enhances the smoothness of the reel. Besides that, the drag system is very strong and powerful and provides the anglers with excellent stopping power.

So, you can expect really fantastic fishing experiences when you use this spinning reel. In addition to all these features that keep the performance smooth and great, the reel is also built for comfort, given that it has an ambidextrous handle. Additionally, it comes with a spare spool, so you need not go looking around online for a spool in case you need one in addition to what’s already available with you.

Given all these features and additional equipment that comes with it, this reel is really one of its kind, surely the one you want to try, especially when you’re a budget-friendly fisherman.

Pros

1. Excellent build design.
2. It comes with a free spare spool.
3. It provides high performance with multifunctional bearings and a strong and powerful drag system.

Cons

1. The performance starts to deteriorate after a few uses.

Buying Guide

So, that was a review of the eight best spinning reels under $50, and each of them is worth the value. However, you surely need to choose one, and you might still be confused about which one to get. Well, this buying guide is for further help to make you reach a decision.

In this buying guide, you can learn about everything that you need to look for parts in a spinning reel. So, let’s get on with it! Here are the things that you must look for-

Material

The most important thing to look for in a spinning reel is the material used to manufacture them. Different materials are used. You want to choose a reel that’s made with strong and durable material. It’s best to check and ensure that the material is corrosion-resistant, especially when you’re into saltwater fishing.

In fact, if you’re into saltwater fishing, you might want to go the extra mile and find a reel built using specifically the material that is resistant to corrosion for saltwater.

This is important because reels are prone to rust, and if they are not corrosion-resistant, they won’t last long and fail the whole point of buying a budget-friendly spinning reel.

Gear Ratio

The spinning reel’s gear ratio will determine its speed and performance. The higher the gear ratio, the faster its performance and the more quickly you will be able to catch fish. So, if you want to catch more fish in less time, make sure that you get a spinning reel with a high and ideal gear ratio.

Drag System

The drag system of the reel must be top-notch. It determines how strongly you will be able to hold your catch. If the drag system of a reel is not good, you might be better off not using it at all because it will only result in losing your catch.

Make sure that you get a reel with a nice drag system with strong stopping power. For example, a multi-disc drag system will work great. Alternatively, you can also choose a sealed drag system.

The Type of Handle

You need to choose the handle carefully as the major part of your strength and energy will go into holding and steering the handle. It needs to be comfortable and ergonomic; else, it might end up causing injuries to your hands.

It would be best to choose a spinning reel with an ambidextrous handle. That way, you need not worry about the ability to change hands, and you won’t end up putting all the pressure on a single hand for an extended period.

Ball Bearings

The ball bearings are responsible for the smooth performance of the reel. So, it’s essential to ensure that they are good in quality. It will be best to go for spinning reels with stainless steel, corrosion-free ball bearings, as they will not only be smooth but long-lasting and durable too.

Weight

It would be best to go for a lightweight spinning reel. You will be holding the reel for a long time. So, if it’s bulky and heavy, it will only end up tiring your arm and leaving you exhausted in a very short time.

Also Read: Common Spinning Reel Problems

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to use a specific rod with a spinning reel?

Well, the spinning reel must attach ideally and comfortably with your rod. It would be best to get a spinning rod when using a spinning reel. The rod must balance well with the reel. So, you must get a rod that matches the line capacity, speed, and power of your spinning reel.

Is it better to have more ball bearings in the reel?

Ball bearings help keep the performance of the reel smooth and fast. So, of course, having more ball bearings will help with more efficient performance.

What is the best ultralight spinning reel under $50?

The weight of a spinning reel is a very important consideration. The lighter the spinning reel, the better. All the spinning reels listed in this article are ultralight and the best budget spinning reel under $50. So, you can choose any of them. If you still want to put your hand on one, you can go for Penn Spinning Reel.

What is the saltwater spinning reel under $50?

It can be very difficult to find the perfect and best saltwater spinning reel under $50, as you need to be more careful and considerate about getting one with material that’s resistant to saltwater corrosion. Nonetheless, you can go for the Penn or Piscifun spinning reels. They are great in saltwater fishing.

Final Words

So, these were some of the best budget spinning reels under $50. All of them will be great for delivering excellent fishing performance and wonderful experiences. If you’d like to look at more high-end reels, check out our reviewed article on the best spinning reels under 100 dollars. Alternatively, if you’re looking for made in USA reels, then also look at our detailed review on the best American-made spinning reels. We hope this article was helpful and you’ve found the spinning reel that works best for you.