We Mowed Multiple Acres of Grass and This Reel Mower Came Out On Top

Quiet in operation, simple to maintain, and largely affordable, reel lawn mowers can be smart options for yard maintenance. Since they only take up about a third of the storage room needed by traditional mowers, they’re easy keepers. In this guide, we’ve tested nine of the best reel mowers for stealthy and sustainable lawn care.

Along with being affordable and easy to store, reel mowers might also be better for a lawn’s health than standard lawn mowers. They make a sharp cut along the top of the grass blade, similar to the way scissors cut. The blades on a traditional rotary mower tend to tear the grass, which causes ragged brown tips and increases the risk of disease.

While all reel motor mowers function similarly, there are differences among the options. We tested the following models to find out how blade width, mowing height, handle design, and other details affect performance in different settings. Our best overall reel mower is the Fiskars StaySharp 18-Inch Max Reel Mower for its 18-inch swath, 5-blade, heavy-duty construction, adjustable mowing heights, and easy-to-maneuver oversize wheels. 

Keep reading to learn what to look for when shopping for a reel mower and why the following models are among the best reel mower options available.

1. BEST OVERALL: Fiskars StaySharp 18-Inch Max Reel Mower
   ↓ Jump to Review
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Great States 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
   ↓ Jump to Review
3. BEST ELECTRIC: Scotts 16-Inch 20V Cordless Electric Reel Mower
   ↓ Jump to Review
4. BEST FOR TOUGH GRASS: Earthwise 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
   ↓ Jump to Review
5. BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: American Lawn Mower Company 14-Inch 4-Blade Mower
   ↓ Jump to Review
6. BEST FOR LARGE YARDS: Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Mower
   ↓ Jump to Review
7. BEST DURABLE: American Lawn Mower Company 18-Inch 5-Blade Mower
   ↓ Jump to Review
8. BEST EASY TO PUSH: Sun Joe 18-Inch Manual Reel Mower
   ↓ Jump to Review
9. BEST EASE OF USE: Gardena 16-Inch Classic Reel Mower
   ↓ Jump to Review

Reel Mowers Comparison Chart

Our Top Picks

Using a reel mower is an environmentally friendly way to mow the lawn and get a bit of fresh air and exercise at the same time. We tested these manual models on our lawn to discover the best reel mowers for a variety of users and circumstances. Read on to learn more about the performance details of each mower.

Best Overall

Fiskars StaySharp 18-Inch Max Reel Mower

Buy at Amazon Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Heavy-duty construction can last for several years
• Ergonomic design is comfortable to use
• Easy to adjust and maneuver with oversize wheels
• Cuts close to edges like a trimmer

What We Don’t Like

• Twice the price of other reel mowers
• 52-pound design takes up a lot of space

---

Product Specs

• Number of blades: 5
• Swath: 18 inches
• Mowing height range: 1 to 4 inches

This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.

Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
 

Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Ease of Use 5/5; Maneuverability 4.5/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Value 4.7/5

The saying “you get what you pay for” rings true with this reel mower from Fiskars. Boasting hardened steel StaySharp blades that reduce the need for resharpening, this model also includes two small front rollers to help balance and stabilize the mower. Additionally, it features InertiaDrive, a chain-driven design that can power the reel mower through thicker grasses. This system allows the reel to spin freely under its own inertia when the user stops pushing the mower forward—a seemingly minor detail but one that reduces the operator’s workload, especially when pushing the mower around obstacles or changing directions.

You can adjust the cutting height from 1 to 4 inches, which is ideal for both warm-season and cool-season grasses. An adjustable chute directs the clippings to fall either in front of or behind the mower to suit the operator’s preference. The Fiskars mower cuts a generous 18-inch swath, making it well suited to mowing small- and medium-sized yards. An optional grass catcher can be purchased separately.

For a premium price compared to other models we tested, the Fiskars StaySharp reel mower delivered the performance to justify the price. Weighing in at a hefty 52 pounds, the build felt heavy-duty but worked smoothly and efficiently. The ergonomic handle was extremely comfortable, and the machine moved almost effortlessly over all but the roughest ground. The only criticism we had was that the 8.5-inch drive wheels felt somewhat undersize for higher mowing. 

Unlike other reel mowers, the cutting reel is mid-mounted with the drive wheels offset to the rear, preventing them from flattening the grass before it is mowed. This configuration allows the mower to cut within an inch of the edge rather than 3.5 inches from the edge like other reel mowers. The toolless single-lever height adjustment worked in seconds. 

Notably, this was the only manual reel mower we tested that could mow effectively with sticks and other debris lying on the grass. It was a pleasure to mow with this tool, and the finished cut was clean and even.

Read our full review: Fiskars StaySharp Max 18-Inch Reel Mower

What our tester says: “I really liked the Fiskars model for routine lawn care. The height adjustment lever made it easy to match the mowing conditions for different types of grass and varying terrain. As one of the best manual mowers available, it could be an excellent choice for anyone with a small to midsize yard who wants to reduce their dependence on gasoline and batteries.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Fiskars reel mower at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Bang for the Buck

Great States 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower

Buy at Amazon Buy at the Home Depot Buy at Walmart

What We Like

• Lower profile for easy storage
• Comfortable handlebar-style grips
• Easy-to-use knob screw-style height adjustment

What We Don’t Like

• Cuts too low for taller grasses like fescue
• Sticks, acorns, and pine cones stop the blades abruptly
• Does not cut to the edge

---

Product Specs

• Number of blades: 5
• Swath: 16 inches
• Mowing height range: 1 to 2.5 inches

Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Ease of Use 3.5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Cut Quality 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5

For affordability and mowing ease, this five-blade reel mower from Great States is a worthy option. It features a smooth cutting operation and a cushioned T-style handle for easy maneuverability around corners. The 16-inch swath width makes it relatively simple to push, and back rollers offer added stability. 

This reel mower’s five heat-treated alloy blades resist dulling, and blade height is adjustable from 1 to 2.5 inches, making it optimal for mowing short grass species, such as buffalo or zoysia. It’s also a lightweight option at just under 25 pounds. 

We found this 16-inch mower to be a good “middle-of-the-road” option: narrow enough to move well through thick grass but still wide enough to get the job done quickly. The T-style handle grips gave the mower a comfortable feel as it glided effortlessly around the yard. The 16-inch blade moved slightly easier through dense grass than the 18-inch model, but still cut a generous swath.

Get the Great States 16-inch reel mower at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, or American Lawn Mower Company. 

Best Electric

Scotts 16-Inch 20V Cordless Electric Reel Mower

Buy at Amazon Buy at American Lawn Mower Company

What We Like

• Battery-powered mowing reel reduces jamming
• Works with or without battery
• Operates quietly and efficiently on flat terrain

What We Don’t Like

• Pricier than other manual reel mowers
• No self-propelled feature or push assistance
• Low max height limits use to warm-season grasses

---

Product Specs

• Number of blades: 5
• Swath: 16 inches
• Mowing height range: 1.54 to 2.8 inches

Our Ratings: Assembly 4/5; Ease of Use 3.5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Cut Quality 4.5/5; Value 3.7/5

For those who like the idea of a reel mower but have to deal with tougher mowing conditions, this manual-electric reel mower from Scotts lets the operator cut dense grass and debris-covered areas with ease while retaining the advantages of reel mowing. It features a 20-volt 2-amp-hour battery-powered motor that can tackle tougher mowing scenarios but is also capable of working with only the traditional gear drive system to extend battery life.

This motorized reel mower weighs 37 pounds, cuts a 16-inch swath, and comes equipped with a convenient grass catcher. It has a padded loop handle with a secondary wire bail handle and a power switch to engage the electric motor. When the motor is not engaged, the wheels are geared to power the mowing reel. Mowing height adjustments are not as easy to make, requiring adjustments to a pair of screws at the rear of the machine. The height range is relatively limited at 1.54 to 2.8 inches, so it’s best for warm-season grasses.

We were impressed by this power reel mower’s ability to power through dense grass and debris-laden patches of lawn, but we couldn’t help but wonder if the capability was worth the added cost. The mower did a great job in every area of the lawn and operated fairly quietly, but it was heavier and bulkier than the conventional 16-inch reel mowers. Buyers will need more storage space and have to maintain a battery and charger for this model.

Get the Scotts battery-powered reel mower at Amazon or American Lawn Mower Company.

Best for Tough Grass

Earthwise 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower

By at Amazon Buy at Walmart

What We Like

• 7 alloy-steel blades are great for coarse grasses
• Includes easy-to-use height-adjustment knob screws
• Cleanly maintains dense grasses at low height

What We Don’t Like

• Harder to push than 5-blade models
• Does not work as well on extra-long grass
• Not suitable for taller grasses like fescue

---

Product Specs

• Number of blades: 7
• Swath: 16 inches
• Mowing height range: 0.5 to 2.5 inches

Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Ease of Use 3.5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Value 4/5

The Earthwise reel mower features seven blades—two more than most reel mowers—which gives it extra oomph to power through dense grass. This mower cuts a 16-inch swath with its steel-alloy blades that are designed to stay sharp longer. The grass-cutting height is adjustable from 0.5 to 2.5 inches, suitable for a range of grasses like St. Augustine, buffalo, and Bermuda. 

The mower is on the lightweight side at only 26 pounds. The T-style handle makes it easier to maneuver around the corners of houses and trees, and the nonslip, cushioned handgrips reduce hand fatigue and blistering.

In our tests, this seven-blade mower gave the cleanest, most consistent cut. We even used it to scalp a section of dormant centipede grass, where it left a smooth, even finish. Unfortunately, the additional blades offered more resistance, so it is more difficult to push than the five-blade models. Since the height adjustments range from 0.5 to 2.5 inches, a good strategy would be to mow regularly at 1 or 1.5 inches and leave a little room to move higher if the grass grows too long between cuts. 

Get the Earthwise reel mower at Amazon or Walmart.

Best Lightweight

American Lawn Mower Company 14-Inch 4-Blade Mower

Buy at Amazon Buy at The Home Depot Buy at American Lawn Mower Company

What We Like

• Very budget-friendly compared to similar options
• Easy to push, even in dense grass
• Durable construction, yet still lightweight and maneuverable

What We Don’t Like

• Fewer blades produce a less thorough cut
• Requires a wrench for height adjustments
• 8.5-inch wheels do not roll as well over rough ground

---

Product Specs

• Number of blades: 4
• Swath: 14 inches
• Mowing height range: 0.5 to 1.5 inches

Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Ease of Use 3.5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Value 4.5/5

With a total weight of just 20 pounds, this 14-inch model from American Lawn Mower Company is one of the lightest reel mowers in this guide. It features four cutting blades made from heat-treated steel alloy to reduce dulling and 8.5-inch polymer wheels and rear rollers to increase stability. 

This smaller mower is naturally well suited to mowing a small lawn. The low weight makes it not only simpler for more petite users to operate but also light enough to hang on wall hooks in a garage or storage shed. The T-style handle folds down for storage, and nonslip, cushioned grips allow for more comfortable mowing. Cutting height is adjustable from 0.5 to 1.5 inches, although a wrench is required to make those adjustments. 

With only four 14-inch blades slicing against the bedknife, this model offered the least resistance of all the mowers we tested, making it the easiest mower to push. However, fewer blades meant a less consistent finish in dense or overgrown grass. Overall, the mower felt strong, durable, and easy to use, but it required a second pass to clean up some of the more difficult areas. It’s probably a good choice for keeping up with pathways in the vegetable garden or other secondary grassy areas.

Get the American Lawn Mower Company reel mower at Amazon, The Home Depot, or American Lawn Mower Company.

Best for Large Yards

Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Mower

Buy at Amazon Buy at Ace Hardware Buy at Walmart

What We Like

• Wide 20-inch cutting swath
• Quick-snap height-adjustment levers
• Padded ergonomic loop handle for comfort
• Rear-tracking wheels improve maneuverability

What We Don’t Like

• Does not include a grass catcher
• Wider mower requires more effort to push

---

Product Specs

• Number of blades: 5
• Swath: 20 inches
• Mowing height range: 1 to 3 inches

Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Ease of Use 4/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Value 4/5

Although reel mowers are mostly limited for use on smaller yards, the Scotts 20-inch reel mower excels at the upper end of the yard size range. It comes equipped with one of the widest cutting reels available and includes several design details that make it more suitable for extended use over varying terrain.

The mower features two quick-snap levers to set the mowing height between 1 and 3 inches. It is also equipped with 6-inch rear tracking wheels instead of rollers, which helps to more easily cover bumpy ground. At a middling weight of 34 pounds, it was heavy enough to “stick” to rough ground instead of bouncing around like some of the lightweight models were more likely to do. We also liked the ergonomic raised loop handle. It allowed for multiple grip positions to relieve user strain during longer mowing sessions.

This reel mower utilizes a traditional gear drive system that makes it somewhat susceptible to jamming with debris. However, possibly due to the increased effort required to push the wider mower in the first place, we experienced less jamming compared to most of the other mowers we tested. Our overall impression was that this mower would make a good choice for those who care for midsize lawns up to a quarter acre or so.

Get the Scotts 20-inch reel mower at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Walmart.

Best for Large Yards

American Lawn Mower Company 18-Inch 5-Blade Mower

Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Heavy-duty construction
• Wide cutting height range
• Padded wraparound handle

What We Don’t Like

• Changing cutting height is tedious

---

Product Specs

• Number of blades: 5
• Swath: 18 inches
• Mowing height range: 0.5 to 2.75 inches

Our Ratings: Assembly 3/5; Ease of Use 3.5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Cut Quality 4.5/5; Value 4/5

American Lawn Mower Company’s reel mower hits the sweet spot when it comes to cutting width and weight. Its five 18-inch-wide cutting blades can handle larger yards while still being nimble enough to work around landscaping and trees. It also has a broad cutting height range, capable of mowing down to just 0.5 inches up to 2.75 inches, perfect for warm-season grasses yet still high enough to handle some cold-season varieties. 

At 25 pounds with 10-inch composite wheels, this mower was heavy enough to stay glued to the ground over more difficult terrain, yet was still lightweight enough that it was fairly easy to push. This 18-inch lawn mower also has two rear rollers, which helped keep the mower stable. The five tempered steel blades cut smoothly through grass and are made from a heat-treated alloy to reduce dulling. 

The American lawn mower comes equipped with a wrap-around style handle with a foam coating that made it easier to grip and push around than the T-style handles on other reel mowers we tested. While we liked its broad cutting height range, changing the cutting height was a pain, requiring us to remove two bolts to make adjustments. 

With its all-steel construction and hard rubber wheel, this mower has a sturdier feel than most. Given its cutting width and sturdy build, we recommend it for lawns up to a quarter acre. 

Get the American Lawn Mower Company 18-inch reel mower at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Best Easy To Push

Sun Joe 18-Inch Manual Reel Mower

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart Buy at Sun Joe

What We Like

• Four wheels and lightweight make it easy to push
• Easy to change cutting height
• Includes a bagging attachment

What We Don’t Like

• Low max cutting height suitable for warm-season grasses only

---

Product Specs

• Number of blades: 5
• Swath: 18 inches
• Mowing height range: 0.47 to 2.44 inches

Our Ratings: Assembly 4/5; Ease of Use 4/5; Maneuverability 4.5/5; Cut Quality 3.5/5; Value 4/5

Sun Joe’s four-wheel design makes it one of the easiest reel mowers to operate of those we tested. It offers an 18-inch wide cutting width with four adjustable cutting heights between 0.47 inches and 2.44 inches. There’s also a rear bag catcher for clippings and a wraparound foam-covered handle. 

With its large 10-inch front wheels and two 6-inch rear wheels, the SunJoe was one of the easiest reel mowers to push around the yard. Couple that with its five 18-inch wide blades, and we were able to cover a lot of ground with this reel mower in a relatively short period of time. That said, this is a mower for shorter grasses. Like the other reel mowers we tested, this one struggled with taller cool-season grasses. It immediately came to a halt when we attempted to take it through thicker, slightly taller grass. 

The rear bagging attachment does an effective job of catching most clippings and is easy to remove and empty. Changing the blade height on this mower to one of its nine height options is an easy process that requires no tools. Overall, the Sun Joe 18-inch reel mower is a great option for larger yards up to a quarter acre. 

What our tester says: “The large front wheels and two rear wheels make this reel mower surprisingly easy to push around for a machine with an 18-inch cutting width.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Sun Joe manual reel mower at Amazon, Walmart, or Sun Joe.

Best Light-Duty

Gardena 16-Inch Classic Reel Mower

Buy at Amazon Buy at Gardena

What We Like

• Lightweight design makes it easy to push
• User-friendly height adjustment knobs
• Easy-to-fold handlebar for storage

What We Don’t Like

• Can’t handle taller grass

---

Product Specs

• Number of blades: 5
• Swath: 16 Inches
• Mowing height range: 0.47 to 1.65 inches

Our Ratings: Assembly 4/5; Ease of Use 4.5/5; Maneuverability 4.5/5; Cut Quality 3/5; Value 4/5

Gardena’s lightweight, user-friendly design is ideal for those looking for a mower that’s easier to operate for lighter-duty jobs. Weighing in at under 20 pounds, this mower was a dream to push through the yard, requiring very little effort to float through grass. And that wasn’t the only user-friendly thing about this reel mower. A simple-to-use adjuster near the rear roller bar allowed us to change height easily. Plus, there are easy-to-read height labels that eliminate any guesswork when setting the cutting height. You can also release and fold up the handlebar by loosening one knob, which makes it easier to store. 

While we liked how easy this mower was to push, it’s limited to shorter grass. Taller, thicker grass stopped the Gardena reel mower in its tracks, which makes sense given that its max cutting height is just 1.65 inches. It also has a narrower 16-inch cutting width, which limits it to smaller lawns. While easier to push, its lightweight means the reel mower has less traction over grass. In our testing, the wheels tended to slide over wet grass. Given that lighter weight and lower mowing height, it’s really best suited for warm season grasses that are kept short.

Get the Gardena classic reel mower at Amazon or Gardena.

ALSO TESTED 

Equipped with a 40-volt rechargeable battery, the Pulsar 16-inch 40-Volt Cordless Reel Mower did a pretty good job in our tests, but overall, it misses the mark in a couple of areas. Height adjustment is limited from 0.6 inch to 2.15 inches; height and handle adjustments require the removal of bolts. It’s also excessively noisy at 96 decibels—nearly as loud as a gas-powered lawn mower and not at all what we expected or wanted in a reel mower.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Reel Mowers

We tested eleven reel mowers in two different yards located in the South, using each one to mow a combination of warm-season grasses—some Bermuda grass and some centipede grass—along with some cool-season grasses, including tall fescue. The test areas were a combination of flat, sloped, and uneven lawn.

We divided the lawn into test plots so that each reel mower would have a chance to prove its capability under a variety of conditions. To be eligible for inclusion in this guide, each mower had to effectively perform the basic function for which it was built: mowing to reduce the grass height by approximately one-third. 

Then, beyond basic weed-free lawn mowing, we also tested each mower on the tougher conditions of overgrown and weed-infested grass. All of the reel mowers in this guide easily passed the basic functionality test and earned bonus points by tackling one or more adverse conditions, as noted in the reviews. While testing each reel mower, we also considered ease of use, assessing how easy or difficult it was to push each mower and make adjustments to height. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Reel Mower

For any home with a lawn, mowing is a fact of life that is required in most neighborhoods. To cultivate a lush green expanse, regular mowing is essential. When mowing is done correctly—frequently enough to remove no more than one-third of the height of the grass—it promotes dense, uniform growth.

Manual vs. Powered

Unlike standard or automatic robotic lawn mowers, the majority of reel mowers are manual, although consumers can find a handful of gas-powered reel mowers as well as battery-powered models. 

• Manual: Everything old is new again—or so it seems with more old-fashioned push lawn mowers popping up in home improvement centers and online stores. One of the drivers of this manual push mower’s resurgence is its eco-friendliness: no fuel to store, no fumes, and no pull cord that can cause a struggle.

The downside to mowing with a manual lawn mower is the near impossibility of cutting the grass if it’s allowed to grow too tall before mowing, especially if the lawn is dense. The thickness and coarseness of the grass help dictate if it is too tall, but if the grass is twice as tall as its recommended cutting height, it usually can pose a problem for a manual reel mower. For the best results with a manual reel mower, cut the grass more often during fast-growth periods, such as in early spring and the rainy season.

• Powered: Like traditional lawn mowers, reel mowers may be powered by either gas or a battery, which makes it immeasurably easier to mow dense or tall grass. Some gas and electric reel mowers also include self-propulsion, which virtually eliminates the need to push the mower—the user needs only to guide it. 

While a gas-powered reel mower is just as noisy as its traditional counterparts, electric mowers are not as noisy as gas mowers. However, they still have a motor and will produce more noise than a manual reel mower. Opting for either a manual or powered reel mower is mostly a matter of personal choice. For those with large lawns, gas-powered reel mowers or electric reel mowers might make better sense. 

Blades and Cutting Height

Reel mowers feature between four and seven steel blades. On some models, the blades are treated with a nonstick coating for easier mowing. More blades lead to a cleaner cut because the grass blade doesn’t bend as far before it’s severed. For most lawns, mowers with four or five blades work well. A few reel mowers have six or seven blades, which makes them ideal for achieving a uniform cut on dense grass. Reel mowers are also suitable for lawn striping, a mowing technique that leaves an attractive alternating pattern in the grass. 

The blade cutting height is preset on a few reel mowers, often at around 1.5 to 2 inches, which is well suited to short grasses but not tall-growing varieties, such as fescue. Other models offer adjustable cutting heights. As a result, it’s important to consider grass type and its optimal growing height. If the grass is of the tall variety, choose a reel mower that will adjust to the best mowing height for the grass.

Swath Width and Grass Type

North American lawns feature a multitude of grass types. Easy-to-cut grass varieties include perennial rye, Kentucky bluegrass, and fescue; these are suitable for cutting with wider mowers. Thick grasses, such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, and zoysia, are better suited to mowing in narrower cutting widths (swaths). In either case, frequent mowing will make using a manual mower easier.

The swath width of a reel mower and the type of grass the yard contains both influence usability. Standard swath widths on reel mowers range from 14 to 20 inches. While a wider swath means it won’t take as many passes to finish mowing, it also makes the mower more challenging to push because more grass means more resistance.

Additional Features

Reel mowers don’t come with many bells and whistles, but a few added features can enhance the mowing experience.

• Grass catcher: Some users prefer to allow grass clippings to settle back on the lawn. The clippings act as a mulch that biodegrades to offer organic nutrients to the soil. Those who prefer a bag vs. mulch function on their mower will want to look for models that feature a rear-mount grass catcher. 
• Padded handles: Nonslip, padded foam handles make it easier to grip the mower handles and reduce the risk of blisters.
• Rollers: Reel mowers have two sizable front wheels, but some come with additional back rollers or front rollers that add stability to the mower and help you maneuver near borders and edges for clean cutting.

The Advantages of Using a Reel Mower

Reel mowers are almost always powered manually. The physical pushing of the mower turns the blade cylinder, which in turn cuts the grass. Since they’re push-powered, reel mowers excel when cutting fine, straight-growing grasses, but can bog down in coarse, wiry grass. Here are some of the advantages of using a reel mower: 

• Avoidance of diseases. A clean cut helps grass avoid diseases like “brown patch,” which can leave a lawn pockmarked with areas of dead grass.
• Affordability. While pricing varies based on quality and design, expect to pay about half the cost of a powered push mower.
• Low maintenance requirements. Manual reel mowers rarely need repair and only require occasional cleaning and blade sharpening. A gas reel mower requires the addition of oil, draining fuel over winter, and other maintenance tasks.
• Relatively compact and lightweight models. Many reel mowers weigh around 20 to 30 pounds, and they often feature fold-down handles for easy storage.
• Free of exhaust and fumes. Breathe the aroma of freshly cut grass rather than toxic exhaust fumes when using a reel mower.

FAQs 

With no toxic fumes, no need to store fuel or charge batteries, and quiet operation, the reel mower is making a comeback. This eco-friendly mower will reduce the carbon footprint while offering some physical exercise. For those thinking of investing in a reel mower, a few questions are to be expected.

Q. Are reel mowers any good?

In a word, yes! They operate quietly, are quite affordable, and are easy to store. Plus, since they make a sharp cut along the top of the grass blade (instead of tearing the grass like a traditional rotary mower), they are healthier for the lawn and can decrease the risk of disease.

Q. Is it hard to push a reel mower?

Manual reel mowers are easy to push in thin, sparse grass, but it takes more force to move one through tall, dense, or coarse grass. 

Q. Can I mow wet grass with a reel mower?

Although a manual reel mower can easily cut through wet grass, doing so frequently is not advisable. As with other mowers, clippings will clump and look unsightly. Wet clippings that stick to the mower increase rust formation, dulling the blades prematurely.

Q. How often should I mow with a reel mower?

Mow as often as is necessary to keep from removing more than one-third of the grass blade. This may mean mowing two or more times each week during the fast-growing grass season. You can also follow other standard lawn mowing best practices.

Q. When should I sharpen my reel mower?

In general, it’s a good idea to sharpen the blades on a reel mower after 20 to 25 hours of use. For some users, this may be once a year; others may need to sharpen blades two or more times in a season.

Q. Are reel mowers hard to maintain?

Unlike gas-powered mowers that need oil changes and tune-ups, reel mowers are easier to maintain. Rinsing the mower after use, sharpening the blades, and lubricating the gears when needed are the most important maintenance tasks for these machines.

Q. Can you leave a reel mower outside?

If you do decide to store a reel mower outside, cover it with a heavy-duty tarp. Consider elevating it off the ground to allow air to circulate.

Meet the Tester

Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with more than 20 years of experience in the nursery and landscaping industries. He reviews the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor-living goods.

Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, landscaping, technology, home security, and design. His articles have been featured on such sites as Popular Mechanics, Futurism, SFGate, Pro Tools Review, and more. With each review, his goal is to help readers determine whether a product meets their needs and if it is or isn’t worth its price tag

Additional research provided by Glenda Taylor.

 

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We’ll help you set up your first garden—whether that’s a few pots on your patio, a raised bed, or an in-ground plot out back—and select the right plants for your soil and region.

GET STARTED