Following the introduction of PowerDrive Design with the 25 SALTIGA, DAIWA’s new design philosophy for tough SW spinning reels, the second reel to adopt this concept has now been announced for 2026: the DAIWA 26 Certate SW.
So, what exactly has changed in the new Certate SW?
Let’s take a closer look.
PowerDrive Design Adopted in the 26 Certate SW
First introduced with the 25 SALTIGA, PowerDrive Design is DAIWA’s latest design concept for saltwater reels.
This concept consists of two main elements:
- PowerDrive Engine
- PowerDrive Rotor
In the case of the new 26 Certate SW, the PowerDrive Engine features an Oversized Digigear and Roller Power Oscillation.
Meanwhile, the PowerDrive Rotor is based on the spherical shape of the AirDrive Rotor and is equipped with a Crank Power Bail and Tough Line Roller.
Yes — in terms of core structure, it’s exactly the same as the 25 SALTIGA.
That makes the big question clear: just how close can the 26 Certate SW get to the performance of the 25 SALTIGA? That’s what makes this reel so interesting.
ZAION PowerDrive Rotor Continues from the Previous Model
The newly adopted PowerDrive Rotor is made from ZAION, just like the rotor on the 21 Certate SW.
This means DAIWA has kept the same core concept as before:
- If you want maximum toughness with a full-metal rotor and don’t mind extra weight, SALTIGA is the choice.
- If you want plenty of durability with lighter rotation, easier handling, and a more accessible price point, Certate SW is the answer.
As some of you may have already noticed, the 26 Certate SW continues the same material combination as the 21 model:
SALTIGA body + ZAION rotor.
In other words, the 26 Certate SW offers the powerful, torque-heavy winding performance of the 25 SALTIGA — at a lower price.
At the time of writing, the 26 Certate SW has not yet been released. However, we were able to handle the actual reel at the recent DAIWA “The ONE” event in Australia.
If you’re interested, be sure to check out our video as well.
What’s Been Updated from the 21 Certate SW?
Based on our hands-on impressions from the event, here’s what has changed compared to the 21 Certate SW.
1. Lighter Rotation with the PowerDrive Rotor
The most obvious change is the appearance — the rotor shape is completely different, just like with AirDrive Design.
With the PowerDrive Rotor, the reel feels noticeably lighter to turn.
The previous Air Rotor always had a slight sense of weight, both at startup and during continuous rotation.
The spherical structure inherited from the AirDrive Rotor improves strength while allowing the rotor to be lighter overall — and that difference is clearly noticeable.
Even the metal-rotor 25 SALTIGA feels lighter than the 21 Certate SW, so with a ZAION rotor, the effect is even more pronounced.
2. Significantly Increased Rotor Rigidity
The ZAION PowerDrive Rotor is also clearly stiffer than the previous Air Rotor.
In the video, we apply force to the rotor by hand, and even when an adult male bends it with full strength, it barely moves.
It’s extremely rigid.
3. Greatly Improved Bail Operation
On the 21 Certate SW, there was an issue where the bail sometimes wouldn’t return properly — something we mentioned in our review video. Because of that, we always had to be careful when opening and closing the bail.
With the 26 Certate SW, that concern is essentially gone.
The bail holds its position firmly when opened and closed.
This is exactly what we wanted.
4. Much Larger Body with PowerDrive Engine
With the adoption of the PowerDrive Engine, the body is noticeably larger — just like the 25 SALTIGA.
It honestly feels about the same size as the 18000-size body of the 21 Certate SW.
Inside that large body is a massive drive gear, along with a bearing-supported oscillation system.
This structure may also contribute to the lighter, smoother rotation mentioned earlier.
5. Smoother Winding Feel
The winding feel itself has improved significantly. Rotation is extremely smooth and refined.
This is likely due to the Roller Power Oscillation system.
While bearing condition always plays a role, the 21 Certate SW tended to develop a slight “grainy” feeling relatively early on.
With the 26 Certate SW, that sensation is completely absent — it feels very smooth.
6. Increased Winding Torque
We haven’t fished with it yet, so this is an assumption based on the 25 SALTIGA — but winding torque is almost certainly improved.
The physically larger gear naturally increases cranking torque, and on top of that, the Roller Power Oscillation system reduces unnecessary friction, minimizing power loss from the handle — similar in concept to SHIMANO’s Infinity Drive.
Overall, while the appearance has changed significantly, the 26 Certate SW is actually a true evolutionary update — improving the 21 Certate SW in every direction, little by little.
Because it’s lighter than the 25 SALTIGA due to material choices, many anglers may actually find the 26 Certate SW easier and more comfortable to use.
Specs and Release Date
The 26 Certate SW focuses on larger sizes, with a lineup ranging from 8000 to 20000.
The fact that there’s a size capable of holding PE10 × 300 m is particularly impressive.
The scheduled release is March 2026, which is next month.
DAIWA rarely delays release dates, so expectations are high.
| Model | Gear Ratio | Weight (g) | Line Retrieve (cm/handle turn) | Max Drag (kg) | Spool Dia (mm) | Line Capacity PE (Gou-m) | Handle Length (mm) | Bearings (Ball/Roller) | Price (yen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW 8000-P | 4.8 | 655 | 94 | 25 | 63 | 3-460, 4-300 | 80 | 9/1 | 93,100 |
| SW 8000-H | 5.6 | 665 | 110 | 25 | 63 | 3-460, 4-300 | 80 | 9/1 | 93,100 |
| SW 10000-P | 4.8 | 660 | 99 | 25 | 67 | 4-380, 5-300 | 85 | 9/1 | 93,100 |
| SW 10000-H | 5.6 | 670 | 117 | 25 | 67 | 4-380, 5-300 | 85 | 9/1 | 93,100 |
| SW 14000-P | 4.8 | 675 | 102 | 25 | 69 | 5-340, 6-300 | 85 | 9/1 | 93,100 |
| SW 14000-XH | 6.2 | 675 | 133 | 25 | 69 | 5-340, 6-300 | 85 | 9/1 | 93,100 |
| SW 18000-H | 5.5 | 885 | 129 | 30 | 75 | 6-420, 8-300 | 90 | 9/1 | 104,500 |
| SW 20000-P | 4.4 | 895 | 111 | 30 | 80 | 8-370, 10-300 | 90 | 9/1 | 104,500 |
| SW 20000-H | 5.5 | 895 | 138 | 30 | 80 | 8-370, 10-300 | 90 | 9/1 | 104,500 |
* Braided line capacity is based on Japanese size “Gou”. Please refer to Gou and Diameter table to see diameters of each Gou.
Conclusion
What do you think?
Honestly, ever since handling this reel at The ONE event, we’ve been really looking forward to fishing with it.
We’ve pre-ordered the 8000-H for review. While our 21 Certate SW is a 10000 size, the body is the same, and we plan to use thinner lines for a wide range of applications — both shore and offshore — which is why we chose this size.
Once it arrives, we’ll do a thorough review and publish a video, so stay tuned!
