Maintaining a lush Zoysia grass lawn requires a precise and gentle touch. Its dense, carpet-like growth can be challenging for some mowers, but a reel mower provides the clean, scissor-like cut that this turfgrass thrives on. A clean cut helps prevent browning and promotes a healthier, more resilient lawn.
Beyond the health benefits for your grass, reel mowers offer a quiet, eco-friendly mowing experience. Without the need for gas, oil, or electricity, they are a simple and cost-effective solution. This roundup features the best manual and electric reel mowers specifically suited to keep your Zoysia lawn looking its absolute best.
The Best Reel Mowers for a Perfect Zoysia Lawn
- Fiskars Push Mower, Cut Width Manual Reel Mower
- Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Manual Reel Lawn Mower
- Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
- Walensee 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
- Great States 415-16 16-Inch Reel Mower Standard Full Feature
- American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
- Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower
- Greenworks 17-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
- Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch Corded Electric Reel Lawn Mower
Fiskars Push Mower, Cut Width Manual Reel Mower
The Fiskars Push Mower is engineered for performance and ease of use. Its innovative InertiaDrive Reel provides twice the cutting power of many standard models, making it highly effective on tough Zoysia grass. The StaySharp Cutting System is a significant advantage, as it eliminates the need for manual blade sharpening, saving you time and maintenance effort.
This mower is also designed with user comfort in mind. It is built to be 60% easier to push than other reel mowers, reducing physical strain. The reversible grass chute helps keep clippings away from your path, and the one-touch handle height adjustment allows for a custom fit, ensuring a comfortable mowing session for users of different heights.
Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Manual Reel Lawn Mower
For a reliable and effective cut, the Scotts 18-Inch Reel Mower is a strong contender. It features a robust 7-blade ball bearing reel made from heat-treated alloy steel, designed to stay sharp longer and provide a consistent, even cut. The 10-inch dual tracking wheels enhance stability and maneuverability across your lawn.
The cutting height is easily adjustable from 1 to 3 inches, which is an ideal range for maintaining Zoysia grass at its recommended height. This mower combines durability with straightforward functionality, making it a practical choice for homeowners seeking a no-fuss, manual mowing solution for their turf.
Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The Earthwise 1715-16EW is built with durability and performance as a focus. Its sturdy steel side plate design and 7-blade ball bearing reel are constructed to handle regular use. The alloy steel blades are engineered to maintain their sharpness, ensuring a clean cut through dense Zoysia grass.
This model is specifically noted for its versatility on various turfgrass types, including Zoysia. With a 16-inch cutting width and 10-inch composite wheels, it offers a good balance of coverage and easy handling, making it well-suited for smaller to medium-sized lawns where a precise cut is important.
Walensee 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The Walensee Reel Mower stands out with its thoughtful features and robust construction. It features a 5-blade reel with a curved design, which the manufacturer states makes it stronger and more resistant to deformation. The high-hardness alloy steel blades are precision-ground for a sharp, scissor-like cut that benefits Zoysia grass.
A significant advantage of this model is the inclusion of a removable 7.9-gallon grass catcher, which helps keep your lawn tidy. It also offers four cutting height positions, from a very short 0.5 inches up to 1.5 inches, giving you fine control over your lawn’s appearance.
Great States 415-16 16-Inch Reel Mower
The Great States 415-16 is a classic, full-featured reel mower that has been a trusted choice for many years. It provides a 16-inch cutting width and is built for easy maneuverability with its 10-inch ball bearing wheels. This makes it an excellent option for smaller, eco-friendly lawns.
You can adjust the cutting height from a low 1/2-inch to 2-1/2 inches, offering the flexibility needed to find the perfect height for your Zoysia grass. Its straightforward, durable design emphasizes long-term reliability and simple operation without unnecessary complications.
American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
If you have a small lawn, the American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 is an ideal candidate. Weighing only 19 pounds, it is exceptionally lightweight and easy to push and store. Its 14-inch cutting width and 8.5-inch polymer wheels are designed for maximum maneuverability in tight spaces.
This mower is a truly eco-friendly option, producing zero emissions and operating silently. The blade height adjusts from 0.5 to 1.75 inches, which is suitable for keeping Zoysia grass neatly trimmed. It is a low-maintenance, simple tool for basic lawn care needs.
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower
For those with a larger lawn area, the Scotts 2000-20S offers a wider 20-inch cutting path. This can significantly reduce the number of passes needed to mow your lawn. It features a 5-blade ball bearing reel and 10-inch dual tracking wheels for smooth operation.
The cutting height adjusts quickly from 1 to 3 inches with a snap-adjustment mechanism. The blades are made from quality, heat-treated alloy steel to maintain their sharpness over time. This classic model is built for efficiency and durability on more substantial lawns.
Greenworks 17-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The Greenworks 17-Inch Reel Mower provides a middle-ground cutting width that can be efficient for various lawn sizes. With its 5-blade reel, it is designed to deliver a clean and even cut across your Zoysia turf. The specific design focuses on providing a reliable manual mowing experience.
As a manual mower from a brand known for outdoor power tools, it carries an expectation of quality and user-focused design. It offers a quiet, emission-free alternative to gas mowers, making it a solid choice for environmentally conscious homeowners looking for a effective tool for lawn maintenance.
Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch Corded Electric Reel Lawn Mower
For those who want the superior cut of a reel mower without the physical effort of pushing a manual model, the Earthwise Corded Electric Reel Mower is an excellent solution. It combines the scissor-action cutting of a reel with the convenience of electric power, making mowing less strenuous.
This mower is ideal for achieving a golf-course-quality cut on your Zoysia grass with minimal effort. The corded electric design means you never have to worry about battery life or charging, providing consistent power as long as you have an outlet within range. It’s a powerful option for a pristine lawn.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Reel Mower for Zoysia Grass
Choosing the right reel mower for your Zoysia grass lawn isn’t just about picking a brand; it’s about matching the tool to the unique demands of this dense, resilient turf. I’ve found that Zoysia’s tough, wiry stems and aggressive growth habits require a mower with specific features to get that perfect, clean cut. If you get it wrong, you risk tearing the grass blades instead of slicing them, which can lead to a brown, unhealthy-looking lawn. So, let’s talk about what really matters when you’re shopping.
First and foremost, you need to think about cutting width. A wider cut means you finish the job faster, which is great if you have a larger lawn. However, wider mowers can be harder to maneuver around tight corners and garden beds. For a typical suburban yard, an 18-inch or 20-inch model is often a solid compromise. Next, consider the number of blades (reels) on the mower. More blades generally mean a finer, more scissor-like cut because each blade blade takes a smaller “bite” of grass. For Zoysia, which thrives on a crisp cut, a 5-blade or 7-blade reel is a fantastic target. This high blade count helps prevent the mower from bogging down in thick turf.
The adjustability of the cutting height is non-negotiable. Zoysia grass performs best when cut between 1 and 2.5 inches, depending on the variety. You need a mower that lets you dial in that height precisely. Look for models with easy-to-use, individual wheel adjustments. This is crucial because an uneven cut is not only ugly but can stress the grass. Another feature I always check is the construction material. A mower with a steel reel and bed knife will hold a sharp edge longer and stand up to the abrasive nature of Zoysia far better than a cheaper aluminum model. It’s a investment in longevity.
Finally, don’t forget about weight and maneuverability. A heavier mower, often made of steel, provides a smoother, more consistent roll and can handle thicker grass without skipping. But it can also be more tiring to push. Lighter aluminum mowers are easier to push but might struggle if you let your Zoysia get a little too long between mows. Think about your own strength and the topography of your lawn. By focusing on these key areas—cutting width, blade count, height adjustment, build quality, and weight—you can confidently select one of the best reel lawn mowers for Zoysia grass lawns that will keep your turf looking like a green carpet for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a reel mower better for Zoysia grass than a rotary mower?
It all comes down to the type of cut. A rotary mower works like a hammer, using a single, fast-spinning blade to whack the grass tips off. This can tear and bruise the tough blades of Zoysia, leaving a ragged, brown edge. A reel mower, on the other hand, works like a pair of scissors. It uses multiple spinning blades to cleanly shear the grass against a stationary bed knife. This scissor-action provides a cleaner, healthier cut that Zoysia grass responds to beautifully, promoting thicker growth and a finer texture.
How often do I need to sharpen the blades on a reel mower?
This depends on how often you mow and the size of your lawn, but a good general rule is to check the sharpness at the start of each growing season. For a typical homeowner mowing weekly, you might get two to three seasons before a professional sharpening is needed. You’ll know it’s time when the mower starts pushing grass over instead of cutting it cleanly, or you see frayed tips on the grass blades. Because Zoysia is so dense, it can dull blades a bit faster than less robust grasses, so keep an eye on cutting performance.
Can I use a reel mower if my lawn is uneven?
This is the main challenge with reel mowers. They perform best on very flat, smooth surfaces. If your lawn has bumps, dips, or lots of exposed tree roots, a reel mower’s blades can scalp the high spots and miss the low spots, leading to a very uneven cut. It can also damage the mower’s blades if it hits a solid object. For moderately uneven lawns, you might get away with it by setting a slightly higher cutting height, but for significantly bumpy terrain, a rotary mower with larger wheels is often a more forgiving choice.
What is the ideal height to cut Zoysia grass with a reel mower?
Most Zoysia varieties, like Zenith or Emerald, do well when maintained between 1 and 2 inches. Some types, such as Manila or Zorro, can be cut even shorter, down to 0.5 inches, for a true putting-green feel. The key is to never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing. If your lawn has gotten too long, gradually lower the cutting height over several mowing sessions to avoid shocking the grass. This consistent, low cut is where you’ll find the best reel lawn mowers for Zoysia grass lawns really shine.
Are push reel mowers difficult to use?
They require a different technique than a power mower, but I wouldn’t call them difficult. The most important thing is to maintain a steady, walking pace. You can’t rush it. The mower cuts as you push, so a consistent speed ensures a clean cut. If you go too fast, the reel might not spin quickly enough to cut properly. They also work best when you mow frequently, so the grass is never too long and tough to push through. It’s a bit more of a workout, but it’s quiet, emission-free, and gives you a fantastic sense of accomplishment.