Owners overwhelmingly love this baitcaster for being light, smooth-casting, and tough enough to last many years of hard use without problems. The most common knocks are a learning curve when tuning it in and a handful who feel it's pricey next to rivals like Shimano or Lew's. It's a solid pick for anglers wanting a dependable, lightweight reel in the mid-price range, including first-time baitcaster users.
84% of 63 verified owners recommend the Abu Garcia Revo SX.
What 63 owners say
294 comments reviewed · scored on the 63 clearest verdicts
84%
Recommend
53 owners
3%
Neutral
2 owners
13%
Don't recommend
8 owners
Source
Breakdown
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
84%
63
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
Affiliate blogsiThese blogs earn a commission when you buy. Across our data they rate products ~35 points more positively than actual owners — shown for transparency, never counted in the score.paid commission
100%
3
Affiliate blogs here say 100% recommend, while the owner-based score is 84%. They earn a commission on every sale — so we show them for transparency but never let them move the score.
The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, and blogs with no affiliate links. YouTube and affiliate blogs are shown for perspective but kept out — hover the i for why.
What owners like
Holds up for years of regular use with no issues · 12 · 19%
Light and easy to palm, comfortable to fish all day · 9 · 14%
Casts smoothly and gets good distance · 9 · 14%
Strong value for the money, often found on sale · 8 · 13%
Feels well-built and higher quality than budget reels · 5 · 8%
What owners flag
Some feel it's overpriced or beaten by rivals like Shimano and Lew's · 4 · 6%
Finicky to dial in, with backlashes and nests on mono · 3 · 5%
A few find it heavier than competing reels · 2 · 3%
Top quotes, sourced
294 reviewed · 66 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“am still unable to cast more than 30 to
40 feet.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I haven't had any problems out of my Abu Garcia Revo SX reels.”
Reddit— neutral
“the revo sx series has a huge jump in drag power over similar class reels if that is any concern. On the downside, the worm gear on these do wear out quicker than others but that is a cheap replacement.”
Reddit— neutral
“The abu Garcia revo sx is another reel I have that performs well, I got it on sale for $110 so I wouldn’t spend the normal price of $160 on it myself.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“As for the reel, I have mine paired up with an Abu Garcia Revo SX baitcasting reel and I absolutely love it. Awesome reel for the price.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“Lew's speed spool LFS is better than Abu Garcia Revo SX. I have both. Abu Garcia is overpriced and overhyped”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I just bought the Abu Garcia revo sx reel. Its about 160 but worth every penny. Its really light and very smooth. I highly recommend it.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“I currently use an Abu Garcia Revo SX as my all around casting reel and though I like the external breaking system it's a pretty finicky reel for the price point and don't think I'd buy one again unless I got a screaming deal.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“The Revo SX is a heavy thing man. But I cant afford a lighter reel rn.”
Reddit⚠ product linkThis comment contains a link to buy the product. Not a confirmed affiliate link, but a buy link in an opinion can be a form of marketing — weigh it accordingly.▲ recommend
“I have 3, and love them all. My oldest one I've had for three years without any issues.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“The one that gives me the most trouble is strung up with mono. I get awful nests...so frustrating that I've stopped using the entire set up. This also happens to be an Abu Garcia...Revo SX.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I've been using an Abu Garcia Revo s for over a year and just picked up an SX and love them.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“It's the reel I use and love it.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“I also have an Abu garcia revo sx with msrp 160 bucks. The baitcasters are almost identical at least on the outside and the supreme is smoother, I would def buy one again”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“The only bait caster I have and don’t like the quality is a abu Garcia revo sx. After the abu Garcia I will never buy anything that’s not shimano.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I just picked up one of the new GL2 cranking rods paired with a Shimano Curado and a GL2 jig and worm rod with an Abu Garcia Revo SX. I think I have two new favorite rods.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“my brothers SLX XT DESTROYS my old $250 Abu Garcia Revo SX”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I just got one paired with a St. Croix mojo bass flippin stick, a little over the listed budget but I've been enjoying it so far, especially the rod.”
Reddit⚠ product linkThis comment contains a link to buy the product. Not a confirmed affiliate link, but a buy link in an opinion can be a form of marketing — weigh it accordingly.▲ recommend
“I've bought 2 of these reels now, and I love them both.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I won an Abu Garcia Revo SX at a tournament last year. Decided to rig it up and give it a try, ended up liking it a lot. They are slowly replacing my Lew's Tourney-Pro's.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“Below 200 I absolutely adore my Abu Garcia Revo SX! Love it love it love it. And you can find them on sale for like $120 fairly often. I think it’s the best bang for your buck around that price point.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I use the Abu Garcia Revo SX and the Revo Inshore series. The SX is a bit faster at 7:1 gear ratio, while the Revo Inshore is a bit slower at 6:1, I personally like the 7:1 reels when jigging or throwing topwater lures”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I have 3 Abu Garcia Revo SX's. I absolutely love them. In my opinion they have the best product on the market right now.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“My cranking setup is a 7'0" shimano convergence medium fast tip rod paired with an abu garcia revo sx 6.4:1. Casts a mile”
