Shimano 20 Stella 18000 HGX vs Shimano 21 Nexave FI 2500X

Shimano 20 Stella

Spinning

84.10 out of 100

Value for money3 out of 5

Quality classExcellent

Durability9.5 out of 10

Ergonomics4 out of 10

Gear ratio5.7:1

Maximum drag25kg / 55.12lbs

Weight670g / 23.63oz

Line retireve per crank129 centimeter / 50.79 inch

Ball bearings13

Technical Specifications

BrandSHIMANO
The main category of the reelSpinning
Price range~ €895.33
Is saltwater resistantYes
Spare spoolNo
Reel size18000 HG
Handle typeSingle handle
Drag typeFront drag
Handle orientationLeft, Right
Line capacity monofilmm/meter: 0.52/310

Shimano 21 Nexave FI

Spinning

52.30 out of 100

Value for money3 out of 5

Quality classLow

Durability2.86 out of 10

Ergonomics6.17 out of 10

Gear ratio5.0:1

Maximum drag-

Weight250g / 8.82oz

Line retireve per crank73 centimeter / 28.74 inch

Ball bearings4

Technical Specifications

BrandSHIMANO
The main category of the reelSpinning
Price range~ €41.33
Is saltwater resistantNo
Spare spoolNo
Reel size2500
Handle typeSingle handle
Drag typeFront drag
Handle orientationLeft, Right
Line capacity monofilmm/meter: 0.2/240

Conclusion

Shimano 20 Stella 18000 HGX clearly outshines Shimano 21 Nexave FI 2500X, offering significantly better performance in maximum drag (25kg / 55,12lbs) and durability (9.5 out of 10). While Shimano 21 Nexave FI 2500X may be a budget-friendly option. For most anglers, Shimano 20 Stella 18000 HGX is the kind of reel you can trust when performance matters.

What's the difference between Shimano 20 Stella and Shimano 21 Nexave FI?

Shimano 20 Stella 18000 HGX

With a great drag score 10 out of 10 (25kg / 55,12lbs), the reel is built to handle big fish confidently.. whatever the setting, freshwater or inshore salt
Saltwater-safe design makes it perfect for spinning conditions.

Shimano 21 Nexave FI 2500X

With a score like 8.33 out of 10 (250g / 8,82oz), the reel feels light in the hand.. ideal for active techniques like twitching, jigging, or topwater.
When it comes to retrieve speed, a score of 5.43 out of 10 (73 centimeter / 28.74 inch) means slower line pickup, great when you need more control for slower fishing styles
The reel scores 7 out of 10 (4) in bearings, offering smooth performance for regular use with no issues