The 26 Zillion TW 150 (Zillion 150) is a buy if you want to hold 150m of PE #3 and throw heavy lures in the sea too. Out Sep 2026, all 6 models at a list price of JPY 58,400 (excl. tax). It is 15g lighter than the earlier 18 Zillion TW HD 1520, and the brake changes to MAG-Z BOOST.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The brake on this reel goes all in on casting distance with heavy lures. MAGFORCE-Z works by centrifugal force and is best at long casts with mid to heavy lures. So I pick it not as an all-purpose reel but as the one reel for carrying heavy lures far.
Key points
- Spool width goes from 27mm to 24mm. The line capacity figure is the same
- Winding 100m takes 106.4 turns on the XH and 142.9 on the standard
- Max drag goes from 7kg to 6kg. The XH is 5.5kg
15g lighter, and drag down by 1kg
The new Zillion TW 150 weighs 215g. In Daiwa's official comparison table, the earlier 18 Zillion TW HD 1520 is 230g.
But max drag fell from 7kg to 6kg. It runs the other way. It got lighter, and the strength figure went down. I read what that means from the official numbers.
When is the Zillion TW 150 out, and what does it cost?
| Item | Official listing |
|---|---|
| Release date | September 2026 (official release month) |
| List price | JPY 58,400 (excl. tax, same for all 6 models) |
| Gear ratio (retrieve) | 6.3 (70cm) / 7.3 (82cm) / 8.4 (94cm) |
| Spool | G1 duralumin, 36mm diameter, 24mm width |
| Line capacity | PE #2 230m / #3 150m; fluorocarbon 16lb 125m / 20lb 100m |
How I judged it
The first thing I looked at was the brake description. Next I lined it up row by row against the 18 Zillion TW HD 1520 in the official comparison table.
What I weighed was the lower drag and the smaller bearing count. Honestly, it caught on me. Still, it is a buy. From frame to side plate it is hardened with aluminum, and even adds a clutch that resists salt seizing, so it has been rebuilt on the assumption of use in the sea.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Zillion TW 150
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 42,669 (as of Oct 14). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanHow is it different from the previous generation (18 Zillion TW HD)?
| Item | 26 TW 150 | 18 TW HD 1520 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 215g | 230g |
| Spool diameter / width | 36mm / 24mm | 36mm / 27mm |
| Gear ratio | 6.3 / 7.3 / 8.4 | 5.5 / 6.3 / 7.3 / 8.1 |
| Max drag | 6kg (5.5kg for the 8.4) | 7kg |
| Bearings (ball / roller) | 8 / 1 | 12 / 1 |
| Brake / drag | MAG-Z BOOST / ATD | MAGFORCE / UTD |
Line capacity does not change. Both hold PE #3 for 150m and fluorocarbon 20lb for 100m, and the listing stays the same even with the width trimmed by 3mm. Well done.
New is a drag click that sounds when line is pulled out. The handle is shorter, from 100mm to 95mm, and a new TWS (line exit mechanism) that passes knots easily is included.
With fewer bearings, why is the price still up there?
The answer is how the insides are put together. Daiwa writes that it included all four HYPERDRIVE DESIGN technologies, with the frame and both plates in aluminum alloy. The gear is G1 duralumin, and both ends of the pinion gear are supported by two ball bearings.
Counting them, the bearings sit at 2 on the pinion, 2 on the gear shaft, 2 on the spool and 2 on the knob. Even with the count cut, 2 remain at each end of the pinion and gear shaft, where the load falls. With that layout, I'm convinced.
Which gear ratio of the Zillion TW 150 should I choose?
The turns to wind 100m come from 10,000cm ÷ the retrieve length. The 6.3 is 142.9 turns, the 7.3 is 122.0 and the 8.4 is 106.4. The gap between the 6.3 and the 8.4 is 36.5 turns. Big.
Dividing the retrieve length by the gear ratio gives the length per spool lap. 70 ÷ 6.3 = 11.1cm. That nearly matches 36mm × 3.14 = 11.3cm. For fishing that needs fast retrieves, the 8.4; if you want to keep winding power, the 6.3.
If unsure, the 7.3. It is the middle. Every gear ratio has a left-handle version at the same price and weight, so you can choose by your dominant hand. How to read gear ratio numbers is collected in how to choose a reel gear ratio.
What kind of brake is the MAG-Z BOOST?
MAGFORCE-Z brakes when centrifugal force moves the inductor rotor. It is better with mid to heavy lures than light ones. It is built so the cast goes as far as the rod swing carries it.
BOOST returns the brake one step right away once the period when backlash is likely has passed, adding reach in the later part of the cast. Daiwa's official page says the "click" you hear then is not a fault.
Things to watch
This part is so-so. Max drag is down by 1kg, and the XH is 5.5kg. Bearings also fall from 12 to 8. To someone reading only numbers, it will look like a step back.
One more thing. The official page also says there are no genuine replacement spools or custom spools for it. You cannot swap spools to move toward light lures. It is a clear-cut choice.
Who is it for?
- Anglers who want to throw heavier lures far on PE #2–3
- Anglers who want one reel to go back and forth between freshwater bass and sea bass
For carrying heavy lures far on PE, the new 150, now 15g lighter, is a dependable reel. For anglers who mostly use light lures, or who want to swap spools to use different lines, there are other ways to choose.
For a Shimano baitcasting reel of a similar size, I read the numbers the same way in the Scorpion DC MD review.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Zillion TW 150
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 42,669 (as of Oct 14). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanRelease dates for other new reels and rods are in the fishing gear release calendar.
What lb PE #3 comes to, and what leader size to use, are decided from strength figures in how to choose PE line sizes.
FAQ
When is the Zillion TW 150 released?
The official release month is September 2026. Six models, right and left handle, are lined up.
How does the Zillion TW 150 differ from the TW HD?
In four ways. In Daiwa's comparison table, it is 15g lighter at 215g and the spool width goes from 27mm to 24mm. The brake changes to MAG-Z BOOST and the drag to ATD.
Can the Zillion TW 150 be used in the sea?
Yes. The usage environment in the official spec table is "saltwater compatible." The clutch has the HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH, an insulated structure that reduces seizing from salt.
