Remember the satisfying, crisp sound of a perfectly cut lawn? That clean, scissor-like snip is something many modern mowers just can’t replicate. If you’re tired of the fumes, the noise, and the uneven cut from gas or electric machines, you might be looking back to a simpler time: the reel lawnmower.
Choosing a reel mower isn’t as easy as grabbing the first one off the shelf. You face tough questions: Which one handles thick grass? How do you keep the blades sharp? Many people feel overwhelmed by the different reel types and maintenance needs, worrying they might end up with a machine that pushes harder than it cuts. This confusion often stops great lawns before they even start.
But worry no more! This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly how to choose the perfect reel mower for your yard size and grass type. You will learn the secrets to easy mowing and keeping that beautiful, striped look all season long.
Top Reel Lawnmower Recommendations
- SCISSOR-LIKE CUT: No ripping or tearing of grass blades for a better and healthier lawn
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR CUT: Effortlessly change the height of your cut with 4 cutting positions varying between 1-inche and 2-inches
- MAX MANEUVERABILITY: Features a 16-inch cutting width and 10-inch front wheels for easy navigation around the lawn
- MOTORLESS DESIGN: Environmentally friendly with no gas or batteries needed
- QUALITY MATERIALS: Designed with durable steel blades built to last
- 4-blade reel mower with a cutting width of 14” and durable 8.5” polymer wheels for maximum maneuverability. Lightweight at only 19 pounds. Reel Lawn Mowers are great for small lawns..Deluxe hand-reel mower ideal for most turf grasses.
- This push lawn mower has an adjustable blade height of 0.5”-1.75”. Capable of cutting grass up to 4 inches tall and is less effective on taller grass.
- Manual grass cutter is environment-friendly alternative to other lawn mowers. This push mower is pollution-free, noise-free, low maintenance, lightweight and easy to use.
- A reel mower uses a cutting action that does not bruise or damage the blades of grass. For best results using a reel push mower, mow no more than 1/3 of the grass blade, so that the roots stay intact.
- Increase the amount of overlap while using your push mower if your lawn reaches a height of 4 inches or more. It’s better to mow smaller amounts more frequently than it is to let the grass get long. Try not reel mower when the grass is wet.
- SCISSOR-LIKE CUT: No ripping or tearing of grass blades for a better and healthier lawn
- DESIGNED FOR SMALL LAWNS: CUSTOMIZE YOUR CUT: Effortlessly change the height of your cut with 9 cutting positions varying between 1.1-inches - 2.5-inches
- MAX MANEUVERABILITY: Features an 18-inch deck and 10-inch front wheels for easy navigation around the lawn
- MOTORLESS DESIGN: Environmentally friendly with no gas or batteries needed
- QUALITY MATERIALS: Designed with durable steel blades built to last
- The Great States motor-less lawnmower with an adjustable cutting height of 0.5"-2.75" for a clean, even cut
- 18" cutting width 5-blade manual push mower with 5-blade ball-bearings, and 10" composite wheels
- Push mower blades are made of high-quality alloy steel that stay sharp longer
- Loop-style lawnmower handle with cushioned grips for comfort and maneuverability; Easy to assemble without special tools
- Planet-friendly and quiet motorless lawn mower design that is low-maintenance
- SCISSOR-LIKE CUT: No ripping or tearing of grass blades for a better and healthier lawn
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR CUT: Effortlessly change the height of your cut with 4 cutting positions varying between 1-inch and 2-inches
- MAX MANEUVERABILITY: Features a 14-inch cutting width and 10-inch front wheels for easy navigation around the lawn
- MOTORLESS DESIGN: Environmentally friendly with no gas or batteries needed
- QUALITY MATERIALS: Designed with durable hardened steel blades built to last
- 7-blade reel mower for specific lawns. 7-blade reel mowers are best suited for grass types similar to Bermuda, tiff, bent grass and zoysia
- The 7-blade reel push mower is designed for the active lawn enthusiast enjoys maintaining their short thick grass types
- 7-blade reel with a cutting width of 16" and a newly designed durable 10" wheel for maximum maneuverability
- Mechanical lawn mower with an adjustable cutting height of 0.5"- 2.5"
- Manual grass cutter blades made of heat-treated alloy steel that stays sharp for years. T-style handle with a comfortable cushioned grip for better comfort
- Hand-push reel mower with 16" cutting width, 7-blade ball bearing reel, and 10" composite wheels; Durable steel side plate design
- Versatile Earthwise Power Tools by ALM push lawn mower for cutting bent grass- Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine, and Seashore Paspalum
- Alloy steel 7-blade mower stays sharp longer
- A self-cutting mower with an adjustable cutting height of 0.5"-2.5" for clean and even cuts
- An planet-friendly alternative that matches the best gasoline push lawn mowers
The Essential Buying Guide for Your New Reel Lawnmower
Reel lawnmowers offer a quiet, eco-friendly way to keep your lawn neat. They use spinning blades to scissor-cut the grass, giving you a clean, carpet-like finish. Before you buy one, knowing what to look for will help you choose the best model for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
Several features make a reel mower easier to use and more effective. Consider these points when comparing models:
Cutting Width
This is how wide the mower cuts in one pass. Wider decks (like 18 or 20 inches) cover ground faster. Narrower decks (14 or 16 inches) are better for small, tight yards with lots of obstacles.
Cutting Height Adjustment
Good mowers let you easily change how high or low the blades cut. Look for simple levers or knobs. You should be able to adjust the height quickly without needing tools. Most mowers offer settings between 0.5 inches and 2.5 inches.
Blade Material and Number of Blades
The blades do the cutting work. High-quality blades stay sharp longer. More blades usually mean a cleaner cut. Most good mowers have five or seven blades. Seven blades provide the best finish for fine grasses.
Wheel Size and Grip
Larger rear wheels make pushing the mower easier, especially on slightly uneven ground. Wheels with good tread help the mower grip the lawn surface effectively.
Important Materials Matter
The materials used determine how long your mower lasts and how easy it is to maintain.
- Frame: Steel frames offer the best durability. Plastic frames are lighter but might not hold up to rough use.
- Blades: Look for heat-treated alloy steel blades. These resist dulling and corrosion better than standard steel.
- Bearings: Ball bearings in the wheels and the reel mechanism reduce friction. This makes pushing the mower much smoother.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the engineering significantly impacts your mowing experience.
What Improves Quality?
A mower that is properly assembled offers better performance. Precision engineering ensures the reel blades spin close to the bed knife (the bottom blade). This tight gap creates the “scissor action” needed for a healthy grass cut. Easy-to-use height adjusters are another sign of quality construction.
What Reduces Quality?
Flimsy plastic components often break quickly. If the blades rub against the frame instead of cleanly shearing the grass, you will get a ragged cut. Mowers requiring frequent, complicated blade sharpening are also lower quality.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where and how often you will use your reel mower.
Best Use Cases
Reel mowers shine on small to medium-sized, relatively flat lawns. They are perfect for grass types that respond well to a sharp cut, like Bermuda or Zoysia grass. They are silent, meaning you can mow early in the morning without disturbing neighbors.
Handling Different Grass Heights
Reel mowers work best when you cut frequently—ideally, cutting only the top third of the grass blade each time. If your grass gets very tall (over 4 inches), a reel mower might struggle to push through. In these cases, you might need to raise the cutting height significantly or use a gas/electric mower first.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Reel Lawnmowers
Q: Are reel mowers hard to push?
A: Modern reel mowers with good bearings are surprisingly easy to push on flat, healthy grass. They require more effort than a powered mower, but they are lighter.
Q: How often do I need to sharpen the blades?
A: If you buy a quality model, you may only need to sharpen the blades once per season, depending on how often you mow.
Q: Can a reel mower handle weeds?
A: Reel mowers cut soft weeds fine. However, thick, woody weeds or very tough dandelions can sometimes bend or jam the blades.
Q: Do reel mowers work on bumpy lawns?
A: They work best on smooth lawns. Bumps can cause the blades to scalp or miss patches of grass.
Q: Are reel mowers safe?
A: Yes. The blades spin relatively slowly and are shielded. They are generally considered safer than rotary (gas or electric) mowers.
Q: What is the “bed knife”?
A: The bed knife is the fixed bottom blade. The spinning reel blades cut against this stationary blade, like scissors cutting paper.
Q: Do they collect the clippings?
A: Most basic reel mowers drop the clippings directly onto the lawn, acting as a natural fertilizer. Some models offer optional bagging attachments.
Q: Are reel mowers quiet?
A: They are extremely quiet. You will mainly hear the sound of the blades snipping the grass.
Q: What is the ideal grass height for mowing with a reel mower?
A: Aim to never cut more than one-third of the grass blade height at a time. Keep your grass between 1.5 and 2.5 inches tall for best results.
Q: Can I leave a reel mower out in the rain?
A: It is best not to. While the blades are steel, leaving them exposed to moisture can cause rust over time. Always store your reel mower in a dry shed or garage.