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5 Best Reels of 2026

Last Updated - 07/01/2026

1
Best Choice

✖
Our rankings are cleverly generated from the algorithmic analysis of thousands of customer reviews about products, brands, merchant’s customer service level, popularity, trends and more. The rankings reflect our opinion and should be a good starting point for shopping.

Abu Garcia

Abu Garcia Cardinal X Spinning Reel; 4000 Size, High-Performance for Predator Lure Fishing In Freshwater, Smooth and Durable Design, Ideal for Targeting Trout, Perch, Pike & Salmon, Unisex, Black/Red

Abu Garcia

£37.95

More Details
Main highlights
- Very Smooth Rotation - 3+1 high quality stainless steel ball bearings make the reel turn with very low resistance. The classic black and red color combination, gives it a luxury and expensive appearance.
- Strong, lightweight Abu Garcia design - The body and rotor of the spin reel are made from a strong graphite material that is very durable. It features a double anodized aluminum spool and strong diecast foldable handle with a soft rubber handle knob.
- Multi-purpose - These fishing reels are affordable workhorses designed for all kinds of techniques, species and applications. They come in sizes 1000 to 5000 with a 5.2:1 gear ratio.
- High Performance Fighting Drag - features a quality felt washer front drag system, which gives the reel a reliable and very consistent fighting drag performance. This is vital when fighting the fish of a lifetime! It also comes with good stopping power / maximum drag (4kg / 8lb for the 1000-3000 size and 5.5kg / 12lb for the 4000 and 5000 size).
- Accurate Distance Casting - The Cardinal reels feature a large diameter braid ready aluminum spool which makes it easy to cast. In combination with the gear ratio the have reels a relatively high line retrieve per handle turn of 72cm on the smallest size and a stunning 92cm on the 5000!
£37.95
2

✖
Our rankings are cleverly generated from the algorithmic analysis of thousands of customer reviews about products, brands, merchant’s customer service level, popularity, trends and more. The rankings reflect our opinion and should be a good starting point for shopping.

Abu Garcia

Abu Garcia Cardinal X Spinning Reel; Precision Fishing Reels for Predator Lure Fishing, Ideal for Trout, Perch, Pike and Salmon, 2000 Size, Unisex, Black/Red

Abu Garcia

£34.92

£35.99
(3% Off)

More Details
Main highlights
- Very Smooth Rotation - 3+1 high quality stainless steel ball bearings make the reel turn with very low resistance. The classic black and red color combination, gives it a luxury and expensive appearance.
- Strong, lightweight Abu Garcia design - The body and rotor of the spin reel are made from a strong graphite material that is very durable. It features a double anodized aluminum spool and strong diecast foldable handle with a soft rubber handle knob.
- Multi-purpose - These fishing reels are affordable workhorses designed for all kinds of techniques, species and applications. They come in sizes 1000 to 5000 with a 5.2:1 gear ratio.
- High Performance Fighting Drag - features a quality felt washer front drag system, which gives the reel a reliable and very consistent fighting drag performance. This is vital when fighting the fish of a lifetime! It also comes with good stopping power / maximum drag (4kg / 8lb for the 1000-3000 size and 5.5kg / 12lb for the 4000 and 5000 size).
- Accurate Distance Casting - The Cardinal reels feature a large diameter braid ready aluminum spool which makes it easy to cast. In combination with the gear ratio the have reels a relatively high line retrieve per handle turn of 72cm on the smallest size and a stunning 92cm on the 5000!
£34.92
£35.99 (3% Off)
3

✖
Our rankings are cleverly generated from the algorithmic analysis of thousands of customer reviews about products, brands, merchant’s customer service level, popularity, trends and more. The rankings reflect our opinion and should be a good starting point for shopping.

Mitchell

Mitchell MX1 FS 4000 Allround Fishing Reel - Spinning Free Spool Freshwater Carp Fishing Reels and Deadbait Pike & Zander Anglers - Robust and lightweight Black Aluminium - 2+1 Bearings

Mitchell

£21.49

More Details
Main highlights
- Reliable and smooth - The multi-disk drag system in the front of the reel ensures a smooth line take while fighting the fish. The 2+1 quality stainless steel ball bearings make the reel rotate buttery smooth. Thanks to the parallel line lay oscillation system, the line is always neatly spooled on to the spool.
- Multi-purpose use - These carp reels have been designed with fishing for carp in mind, but are real allround super stars. Thanks to the free spool function these fishing reels are also great for deadbait fishing for pike and zander. And on the river they are very well suitable for species like barbel and chub.
- High-performance robust design - strong reinforced ABS graphite light weight body construction, double black anodized aluminium spool with line clip, diecast foldable graphite handle with T-shaped rubberized handle knob. Strong aluminium bail wire and inside the reel you find a strong Zinc alloy pinion and drive gear set.
- Free spool system - The MX1 spinning reel comes with Mitchell's proven free runner system (also known as free spool, live liner, bait running systems). This is a free-spool feature that can simply be engaged by flipping the small lever on back of the reel. It allows the line to run of the spool in a controlled and low-resistant way without opening the bail.
- Comes in various sizes and gear ratios - 4000 with a gear ratio of 5.1:1 and 5500 / 6500 with 4.9:1. Ideal for the beginning or recreational carp, coarse and feeder angler.
£21.49
4
Best Value
16% Off

✖
Our rankings are cleverly generated from the algorithmic analysis of thousands of customer reviews about products, brands, merchant’s customer service level, popularity, trends and more. The rankings reflect our opinion and should be a good starting point for shopping.

Abu Garcia
16% Off

Abu Garcia Cardinal X Spinning Reel; 1000 Size, Reels for Predator Lure Fishing In Freshwater, Ideal for Trout, Perch, Pike and Salmon, Unisex, Black/Red

Abu Garcia

£27.68

£32.99
(16% Off)

More Details
Main highlights
- Very Smooth Rotation - 31 high quality stainless steel ball bearings make the reel turn with very low resistance. The classic black and red color combination, gives it a luxury and expensive appearance
- Strong, lightweight Abu Garcia design - The body and rotor of the spin reel are made from a strong graphite material that is very durable. It features a double anodized aluminum spool and strong diecast foldable handle with a soft rubber handle knob
- Multi-purpose - These fishing reels are affordable workhorses designed for all kinds of techniques, species and applications. They come in sizes 1000 to 5000 with a 5.2:1 gear ratio
- High Performance Fighting Drag - features a quality felt washer front drag system, which gives the reel a reliable and very consistent fighting drag performance. This is vital when fighting the fish of a lifetime It also comes with good stopping powermaximum drag (4kg8lb for the 1000-3000 size and 5.5kg12lb for the 4000 and 5000 size)
- Accurate Distance Casting - The Cardinal reels feature a large diameter braid ready aluminum spool which makes it easy to cast. In combination with the gear ratio the have reels a relatively high line retrieve per handle turn of 72cm on the smallest size and a stunning 92cm on the 5000
£27.68
£32.99 (16% Off)
5

✖
Our rankings are cleverly generated from the algorithmic analysis of thousands of customer reviews about products, brands, merchant’s customer service level, popularity, trends and more. The rankings reflect our opinion and should be a good starting point for shopping.

Mitchell

Mitchell MX1 FS 6500 Allround Fishing Reel with Line - Spinning Free Spool Freshwater Carp Fishing Reels and Deadbait Pike & Zander Anglers - Robust and lightweight Black Aluminium - 2+1 Bearings

Mitchell

£30.99

More Details
Main highlights
- Reliable and smooth - The multi-disk drag system in the front of the reel ensures a smooth line take while fighting the fish. The 2+1 quality stainless steel ball bearings make the reel rotate buttery smooth. Thanks to the parallel line lay oscillation system, the line is always neatly spooled on to the spool.
- Multi-purpose use - These carp reels have been designed with fishing for carp in mind, but are real allround super stars. Thanks to the free spool function these fishing reels are also great for deadbait fishing for pike and zander. And on the river they are very well suitable for species like barbel and chub.
- High-performance robust design - strong reinforced ABS graphite light weight body construction, double black anodized aluminium spool with line clip, diecast foldable graphite handle with T-shaped rubberized handle knob. Strong aluminium bail wire and inside the reel you find a strong Zinc alloy pinion and drive gear set.
- Free spool system - The MX1 spinning reel comes with Mitchell's proven free runner system (also known as free spool, live liner, bait running systems). This is a free-spool feature that can simply be engaged by flipping the small lever on back of the reel. It allows the line to run of the spool in a controlled and low-resistant way without opening the bail.
- Comes in various sizes and gear ratios - 4000 with a gear ratio of 5.1:1 and 5500 / 6500 with 4.9:1. Ideal for the beginning or recreational carp, coarse and feeder angler.
£30.99

5 Best Reels of 2026

Abu Garcia Cardinal X Spinning Reel; 4000 Size, High-Performance for Predator Lure Fishing In Freshwater, Smooth and Durable Design, Ideal for Targeting Trout, Perch, Pike & Salmon, Unisex, Black/Red

Abu Garcia Cardinal X Spinning Reel; Precision Fishing Reels for Predator Lure Fishing, Ideal for Trout, Perch, Pike and Salmon, 2000 Size, Unisex, Black/Red

Mitchell MX1 FS 4000 Allround Fishing Reel - Spinning Free Spool Freshwater Carp Fishing Reels and Deadbait Pike & Zander Anglers - Robust and lightweight Black Aluminium - 2+1 Bearings

Abu Garcia Cardinal X Spinning Reel; 1000 Size, Reels for Predator Lure Fishing In Freshwater, Ideal for Trout, Perch, Pike and Salmon, Unisex, Black/Red

Mitchell MX1 FS 6500 Allround Fishing Reel with Line - Spinning Free Spool Freshwater Carp Fishing Reels and Deadbait Pike & Zander Anglers - Robust and lightweight Black Aluminium - 2+1 Bearings

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