Best 5 Reel Slots (Highest RTP/Payouts): Guide and Full List
Last updated: September 5, 2022
Starting from the late 2000s 5 reel slots have been dominating the online casino world. According to my slots database 80% of all online slots come with 5 reel layout.
There were days when 3 reel slots had been the most popular ones. However, this time has passed and now 5 reel slots have taken their place. So, I guess, it is fair to say that 5 reel slot machines are classic games of modern days.
On what we call the best 5 reel slots.
I believe that a RTP level plays the most crucial role when we assess how good or bad a particular slot is. As a result, the best 5 reel slots which you can find below are filtered exactly by their RTP. So to say, the best 5 reel slot has got the highest RTP level. Other parameters matter much less than RTP.
Best Paying (RTP) Online Slots with 5 Reels
Full list of 5 reel slots which offers the best payouts
What are 5 reel slots?
A 5 reel slot is an online casino game, which consists of 5 vertical lines, which we call in the casino industry reels. Each reel can only be 1 paying symbol wide. That’s how we separate reels from one another.
What are reels and rows on online slots
Just take a look at this screenshot, and the 5 reel concept will become crystal clear.
How to play and how to win on 5 reel slots?
The process is pretty much straightforward. You just need to set the bet size you would like to play with.
The absolute majority of 5 reel slots come with all lines covered bets so you basically need to set how much you wish to bet per spin in one click.
However, some 5 reel slots introduce coin value and bet level mechanics. In this case you will need to set both parameters separately.
Once you have done with the bet size setting, you are ready to go. Just press the spin button and that’s basically it.
To win on 5 reel slots you need to play only the highest RTP games, which I have listed above. This will guarantee that winnings are going to appear quite frequently.
What’s special about 5 reel slots?
This is the most prevailing layout nowadays as 80% of produced slots offer 5 reel layouts.
There are often somewhere around 10-50 paylines on 5 reel slot machines available. However, some slots may have 243, 1024 or even 16807 paylines.
The absolute majority of 5 reel slots include 3 rows. The maximum quantity of rows I have come across on 5 reel slots so far is 6 rows.
There are many classic bonus features (such as Free spins, Scatter, Wild, Multipliers) implemented in the gameplay of 5 reel games.
Modern bonus features (such as Avalanche reels, Buy bonus etc.) are not rare when it comes to this type of slots, especially in newer titles.
The gameplay of 5 reel slots is usually a good balance between simplicity of the gaming process and how engaging it is as these slots offer quite a few features, but not too much on the other hand.
There are some 5 reel slots on the market which offer a progressive jackpot. Mega Moolah (Microgaming) and Divine Fortune (Netent) are the most popular.
16807 paylines is the maximum available number of paylines. This is the smallest number among Megaways slots by the way.
RTP of 5 reel slots
The average RTP of online slots across the board is somewhere between 96 and 96.8 %. The same is true for 5 reel games.
However, some 5 reel slots definitely stand out among others. For example, Book of 99 (Relax Gaming) comes with an unbelievable RTP of 99%.
There are also quite a few games on the market which offer a very high RTP of 97%+. For example, Marching Legions (98.12%), Bloodsuckers (98%), Jokerizer (98%), Polar Paws (97.84%), White Rabbit Megaways (97.72%) and many others.
Though please keep in mind that some 5 reel slots offer really poor RTP (95% or even lower). So you need to check the RTP of any new game you are about to try.
Volatility of 5 reel slots
There is the whole spectrum of volatility levels available, speaking about 5 reel video slots. So to speak, feel free to play any volatility level which suits you best:
Best 9 online casinos that offer 5 reel slots
All online casinos below have spotless reputation. Moreover, I have manually checked the validity of their licenses:
Best 10 slot studios which produce 5 reel slots
These software providers not only offer the highest RTP levels, but also have their games properly tested and RNG verified by independent testing labs:
List of 5 reel slots
The origin of 5 reel video slots goes back to the late 19th century. That's when a 3 reel slot machine first appeared, capable of yielding winnings as low as 50 cents. Over a hundred years, this type of gambling has evolved considerably. Today, users can enjoy playing video slots not only with 3 reels but also with 4 to 9 reels right from home. Of this variety, the most popular versions remain with 5 reels. They differ from the classic models in many ways: graphics, animation, bonus options, storylines, mini-games and even the frequent presence of introductory video clips.
These games strike a balance between simple slot machines and innovative technology. Often, slots with 5 reels have clear mechanics and exciting gameplay, with simple settings and advanced features. An example would be any of the models in the Vikings line from Yggdrasil, Star Wars from NetEnt, Fruit Warp from Thunderkick, or Jekyll and Hyde from Microgaming. These slot machines have it all - exciting gameplay, well-defined graphics, and lots of cool features while offering a simple and straightforward interface.
How to play 5 reel slots
Essentially any slot machine, regardless of the number of reels, has the same game rules. In order to pay out, the symbols set by the mechanics of the game must fall on the screen. In line slots, the high-paying symbols must fall on a line, in games with Ways to Win they must be placed side by side. Only a small number of titles with 5 reels payout according to Megaways mechanics. In this case, the expanding reel feature is often used, increasing the number of reels up to 10.
The basic rule of the game remains the need to bet and hope for luck. In slots with Lines mechanics, the player essentially bets on a line. In doing so, the amount of the bet multiplied by the number of directions is deducted from his balance. The line plays an important role in these games. It is by the amount of the line bet that the winnings are calculated when it is triggered. In games with younger payout mechanics, the bet is on the spin. In terms of monetary costs, this is a more favorable option. The player in machines with 5 reels is required to place a bet, set optional extra options (Autoplay, Turbo Spins, much more rarely Right/Left hand) and spin the reels. Play responsibly. If the game doesn't go, return to it later.
How to win playing 5 reel slots
Slots with 5 reels often feature Wild symbols and Scatter symbols. The Wild symbol can replace any of the losing symbols on a line to create a winning combination. The second symbol does not need to be on the line to create a payline. They also give users the ability to activate a bonus game or other features. And already some titles are able to lead to maximum payments. And, after all, these symbols are often the highest-paying symbols in a game.
Every day, tens of thousands of users go to casinos to fill their pockets with money. Everyone wants to gamble and win, but not everyone does. Such an outcome is affected by many factors. For example, an incorrectly chosen bet size, underestimation of the importance of indicators such as RTP, Volatility. You can read about what this means in many sources. The easiest way to do this is on the website you are currently on. Remember that video slots are a game of chance, that is, a game in which the risk of losing is high. There is no single scheme that allows you to win exclusively. And only if you treat this type of game in terms of having fun, and choosing the right name for your abilities, can you start winning, or at least not go into a deep deficit.
There is a debate going on between players as to which of the existing playing strategies is more effective. However, there is no point at all. Every video slot has a random number generator built into it. Even if you win a large amount, the machine will still take its own within the RTP set by the creator. If you're looking for big payouts, it's best to play at the maximum wager. Yes, the risk of losing more money is higher, but if you win, the payout will also be many times higher than with the minimum bets.
Can I play 5 reel slots for free?
There are now more than a hundred video slot providers active in the creation of video slots. Every day they are busy producing software for online casinos. And they understand that the games they create must be competitive and accessible. What do I mean by accessible? Ideally, their 5 reel slots are found in a variety of online casinos, ranging from the very top to the youngest. This allows the studio to popularise its software.
That's not the only thing that makes the company's software affordable. The fact is that it's very important for players to be sure of the quality of the slot machine and that it fits all the features. You can't tell from a picture how many reels, lines, betting range, functions and so on. Any slot has a lot of nuances. About them, you need to know before you have the desire to spin the reels.
We come to the most important thing. The key to making video slots accessible to users is the ability to play them for free. This allows you to both learn the gameplay and get the confidence that the original model is in front of the player. The demo mode retains almost all the functionality of the title. The only difference between the free version of the slot is that the game is played for virtual currency. Getting real payouts in this version is impossible. All accruals will remain virtual, and after closing the slot are reset.
Most operators realise how important it is for players to make sure that the slot they are interested in is suitable in all respects. To do this, they leave the demo mode open. Any casino visitor can spin the reels even without registration. This is an incredibly convenient and popular feature used in the bulk of gaming clubs. That being said, there are still some establishments that are still active in terms of marketing aggressively encouraging you to register on their platform. In this case, the free versions of the games are only opened after registering with the casino. Not a good solution, especially if the player is making attempts to fight his gambling addiction.
Conclusion
Summing up, let’s consider advantages and disadvantages this type of slots has.
Pros of 5 reel slots:
There are thousands of 5 reel slots on the market so you will definitely find something which you are going to enjoy playing.
There is no lack of reliable providers' products.
Huge diversity of features in the gameplay of 5 reel slots.
Any volatility level is available.
Many products with very high (98%+) or high (97%+) RTP.
Cons of 5 reel slots:
The gameplay of some slots is a bit boring.
Some older 5 reel products have poor graphics and sound.
There are no true Megaways (46,656 paylines+) products as it is not possible due to limitations of 5 reel layout.
Check out other Slots articles:
