Best Diving Reels of 2026

"In my experience, these Daiwa reels deliver outstanding value and impressive smoothness thanks to their quality bearings. The fit and finish are superb, and I found assembly straightforward. I really like the braid-ready spool with its rubber insert, and the color scheme stands out visually. After trying the 3000 size, I was so satisfied I picked up two more in different sizes. Having used Shimano before, I now consider myself a dedicated Daiwa user because of their consistent quality and competitive pricing."

"This is a fantastic combo deal—with the included line and lure, you get so much for your money. The reel itself is a beast, handling a tough stingray fight effortlessly. It's smooth, fast, light, and well-sealed, making it a great choice for saltwater setups. I pair it with a Tsunami rod and the whole combo has me hooked. Thank you for such a bargain!"

"I ordered two 5000 size reels at the same time, but unfortunately, both had bails that wouldn't auto-flip after opening. This makes me question the quality control, though I'm still considering whether to return them or not."

"I love how lightweight and sturdy this reel is—it's perfect for my kayak anchor setup. The compact size saves space, and the spool turns effortlessly while the locking mechanism keeps everything secure, even in strong currents. Deploying and retrieving the line is a breeze, with no tangling at all. It’s just what I needed for anchoring while fishing or taking a break."

"Switching to this reel from my old manual wrap was a game changer. The thumb release makes letting out line incredibly easy, and the build feels solid for the price. I added a lanyard, so I can let go when I need both hands, which is really handy for taking photos underwater. Even with thick gloves, I manage just fine. For a basic diver, this is a simple, reliable way to tend a dive flag."

"I set this up as an anchor reel for my fishing kayak with a 1.5-pound anchor. The affordable price and included line were big pluses. The setup works smoothly; just feather the spool a bit to avoid backlash, and you’re good to go. For me, it’s a straightforward, effective solution that I’d happily recommend."

"I was looking for a budget-friendly anchoring solution for my kayak and found this reel to be just what I needed. The original rope is strong and works great, making my anchoring setup easy and convenient. It's definitely motivated me to use my anchor more often. Highly recommend if you want a simple, cost-effective solution."

"I'm using this reel mainly for my kayak anchor and I like how the setup keeps everything neat and tidy. Attaching it to a small buoy float means if I ever have to release the anchor in an emergency, I can easily find it again thanks to the buoy. Very practical and works exactly as intended."

"For the price, this reel is a good pick. It’s sturdy, the line is strong, and the metal line guide is well made. I use it for free-diving and spearfishing, and it has held up very well. I marked the line myself and adjusted the length, making it customizable for my needs. The quality is impressive for the cost."

"I've completed my NSS-CDS and TDI Full-Cave courses, along with about 50 cave dives across Mexico and Florida, using these spools. Absolutely dependable—I've never had any problems, and even other picky cave divers don’t complain about them. Seeing the Dive Rite CEO using the same spool at Peacock Springs just reaffirms my trust. For me, reliability is everything when my safety is on the line."

"I just wrapped up my full cave certification using these spools and they performed perfectly. They’re solid, well constructed, and did exactly what I needed throughout the course. Quality and reliability are clearly built in—I’d definitely purchase again."

"This spool is compact, sturdy, and fits easily inside my Dive Rite thigh pocket along with other gear. No surprises here—just top quality from Dive Rite. I’m happy with the purchase and would recommend it without hesitation."

"I use this on my kayak for my anchor system and it keeps my line organized and tangle-free. I swapped the original line for paracord and adjusted it for my quick-release setup. Winding the line is simple and it stays out of the way, making it perfect for kayak use."

"My wife and I use this as a long leash for our mini Australian shepherds during road trips. With a carabiner attached, the dogs have freedom to roam up to 100 feet, and the device is both durable and easy to operate. It’s held up to significant force, giving us peace of mind."

"I initially got this for my kayak anchor, but the reel failed under moderate load—the spool separated due to weak glue. While it worked at first, it's not sturdy enough for heavier anchors or rough use. I might try reinforcing it myself, but the original build leaves room for improvement."

"I really like how easy this finger spool is to manage, especially when I'm wearing gloves. The color matches perfectly and my wife is just as happy with it. Honestly, I think every diver should have one in their kit."

"After using a plastic reel that came with my SMB, I switched to this one and was impressed. It was ready to use out of the box and the metal clip feels much sturdier than plastic. The larger center hole makes handling simple with gloves. Overall, I see this as a solid, reliable choice for any diver."

"When I first got this spool, I thought it might not be durable since it's plastic. But after throwing it onto concrete from 10 and 20 feet, I was surprised to see it held up with only a slight scratch. The yellow nylon braid is bright and easy to wind, and the stainless-steel snap is perfect for saltwater. Just don't leave it in the sun too long."

"I picked the NTR I size for its beautiful build and precise feel. The wider arbor gives me options, even for a 5wt line if I want. After comparing it to the Orvis Clearwater, I’m honestly glad I went with this reel."

"For me, the drag isn’t a big deal—I’ve been freehanding fish for decades and prefer that control. At $69, this reel is a steal; I even ordered a couple more for my kids to use with their TFO rods. You can’t beat this price for the quality."

"The sealed drag and fine attention to construction detail make this reel feel like something you’d expect to pay $300 for. It’s hard to find anything comparable at this price point."

"I tried this reel for my kayak anchor after seeing someone recommend it, and I'm happy with how it keeps the line managed and out of the way. It looks pretty cool with my gear, but I wish it could hold more line—I only fit about 55' of paracord on it instead of the 100' I wanted."

"This reel has been perfect for laying a follow line during cold water recovery searches. It's easy to use and really efficient for my needs."

"I use this for walking my cat on a harness, and it's great for letting my cat explore while I stay in the street. It doesn't retract like a dog leash, but it definitely does the job for what I need."

"I found the reel super easy to set up for my DSMB and really appreciated the large center hole that fits my 7mm gloves without an issue."

"The compact size of this reel actually surprised me in a good way—it fits perfectly in my wetsuit pocket and works great for deploying my SMB!"

"Although I like how affordable and well-made this reel is, the line does feel a bit thinner than I'd prefer."

"This reel is way easier to use than the awkward solutions I’ve tried or even built myself for storing and dispensing long string lines."

"Even though it’s marketed for scuba diving, I bought it to lower my GoPro underwater and check out fishing spots under my boat. It’s worked pretty well for that, though it’s not the smoothest reel. The price is a tad high for the quality, but for my hobby use, it’s been great and reliable so far."

"It’s an affordable reel with decent stops, but the build does feel a little cheap. There’s no way to disengage the stop, so it’s tough to set out line unless you’re holding it, and I’m not sure how long it’ll last. Still, it’s fine for certain uses like a DSMB."