Maintaining a pristine lawn doesn’t require a noisy, gas-guzzling machine. The humble push reel mower offers a serene, eco-friendly alternative that provides an exceptionally clean cut for a healthier turf. These manual mowers are perfect for small to medium-sized yards, offering a quiet mowing experience and a bit of light exercise.
If you’re considering a return to this classic lawn care method, the options can be surprisingly varied. From compact 14-inch models to wider 20-inch cutters, and from basic designs to feature-rich versions, there’s a push reel mower to suit nearly any need. This roundup highlights the best models available to help you find the perfect fit for your grass and your gardening style.
The Best Push Reel Lawn Mowers for a Perfect Cut
- LawnMaster LMRM1401 Push Reel Lawn Mower
- GARDENA Classic 16″ Reel Lawn Mower
- Great States 815-18 18-Inch Push Reel Lawn Mower
- American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 14-Inch Mower
- Amazon Basics 18-Inch Push Reel Mower with Grass Catcher
- Fiskars 18″ Push Reel Mower
- Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 20-Inch Classic Reel Mower
- Earthwise 16-Inch Corded Electric Walk-Behind Mower
- American Lawn Mower Company 1415-16 16-Inch Mower
- Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
LawnMaster LMRM1401 Push Reel Lawn Mower
The LawnMaster LMRM1401 is designed for precision and ease of use. Its five-blade reel provides a scissor-like cut that cleanly slices grass blades instead of tearing them, which promotes a healthier and more attractive lawn. You can effortlessly customize your lawn’s look with four cutting height positions, ranging from 1 to 2 inches.
This model offers excellent maneuverability for navigating around garden beds and tight corners. The 14-inch cutting deck and 10-inch front wheels work together to make pushing and turning a simple task. It’s a straightforward, effective tool for maintaining a well-groomed yard without the hassle of power equipment.
GARDENA Classic 16″ Reel Lawn Mower
The GARDENA Classic is an environmentally conscious choice that operates without gas or electricity. This makes it exceptionally quiet, ideal for noise-sensitive neighborhoods or for those who enjoy an early morning mow. Its precision cutting system features a hardened, non-stick coated cylinder that rotates past a fixed blade without contact, ensuring a clean cut every time.
Comfort and adjustability are key benefits of this mower. The ergonomic handle and large wheels with special tread provide a comfortable grip and easy steering. With four cutting height stages between 0.47 and 1.65 inches, you have fine control over your lawn’s final appearance.
Great States 815-18 18-Inch Push Reel Lawn Mower
For those with a bit more lawn to cover, the Great States 815-18 offers an 18-inch cutting width to reduce mowing time. It features a highly adjustable cutting height, which can be set from a low 0.5 inches up to 2.75 inches, accommodating various grass types and seasonal preferences.
The durability of this mower is a significant advantage. Its blades are constructed from high-quality alloy steel designed to stay sharp for a long time, ensuring a consistent, even cut. The 10-inch composite wheels provide stable and smooth rolling over your lawn’s surface.
American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 14-Inch Mower
This American Lawn Mower Company model is a lightweight and simple option, weighing only 19 pounds. Its 14-inch cutting width and 8.5-inch polymer wheels make it highly maneuverable and easy to store, perfect for small lawns and those with limited storage space.
As a manual mower, it is a completely pollution-free and noise-free alternative to power mowers. The blade height is adjustable from 0.5 to 1.75 inches, and it is capable of cutting grass up to 4 inches tall. It represents a low-maintenance, easy-to-use approach to basic lawn care.
Amazon Basics 18-Inch Push Reel Mower with Grass Catcher
The Amazon Basics 18-Inch mower combines a wide cutting path with the convenience of an included grass catcher. This feature helps keep your lawn tidy by collecting clippings as you mow. The scissor-action cut from its five blades ensures a precise trim for a healthy lawn.
Built for durability, this mower features heat-treated alloy steel blades that are designed to stay sharp over a long service life. The adjustable cutting height ranges from 0.98 to 1.97 inches, and the 10-inch rubber wheels contribute to its overall maneuverability and ease of use.
Fiskars 18″ Push Reel Mower
Fiskars brings innovative engineering to the reel mower market with this high-performance model. Its InertiaDrive Reel is engineered to provide twice the cutting power of standard mowers, making it easier to push through thicker grass. The StaySharp Cutting System is a major benefit, as it is designed to never require manual sharpening.
User comfort is a priority with this mower. It features a reversible grass chute to direct clippings away from your path and one-touch handle height adjustment for a custom fit. Fiskars claims this mower is 60% easier to push than other reel mowers, making it a strong candidate for regular lawn maintenance.
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 20-Inch Classic Reel Mower
The Scotts Classic offers the widest cutting path in this roundup at 20 inches, allowing you to cover more ground with each pass. It features a five-blade ball bearing reel and 10-inch dual tracking wheels for a smooth, even cut across a larger area.
Adjusting the cutting height is a quick and simple process, with a range from 1 to 3 inches to suit your lawn’s needs. The blades are made from quality, heat-treated alloy steel, a feature that helps them maintain their sharpness over many seasons of use.
Earthwise 16-Inch Corded Electric Walk-Behind Mower
For those who want the clean cut of a reel mower but prefer not to push a manual model, the Earthwise corded electric is an excellent alternative. It provides gas-like power from a 12-amp motor without the emissions, noise, and maintenance of a gas engine.
This mower features a 16-inch deck with a metal blade for effective cutting and mulching, and it includes a removable mulching plug. The cutting height can be adjusted through five positions via a single-point lever, and the handle offers multiple height positions for user comfort.
American Lawn Mower Company 1415-16 16-Inch Mower
This 16-inch model from American Lawn Mower Company offers a balanced combination of cutting width and maneuverability. It features a five-blade reel for a fine scissor-action cut and durable 10-inch polymer wheels that roll smoothly over the lawn.
The cutting height is highly adjustable, offering a range from 0.5 inches up to 2.5 inches to accommodate different grass types and conditions. Like its sibling models, it uses heat-treated alloy steel blades that are built to stay sharp for years with proper use.
Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
This Great States model is a reliable workhorse for the average-sized lawn. Its 18-inch cutting width efficiently reduces mowing time, while the five-blade reel ensures a clean and even cut. The adjustable cutting height provides versatility for different seasons and grass types.
Built with durability in mind, this mower is designed for long-term use with minimal maintenance. The robust construction and quality materials make it a dependable choice for homeowners seeking a manual mowing solution that delivers consistent results season after season.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Push Reel Lawn Mower
So, you’re thinking about getting a push reel mower. It’s a solid choice for a quiet, eco-friendly cut. But before you pick one, there are a few key things I always consider to make sure it’s the right tool for my yard. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation.
First, let’s talk about lawn size and grass type. These mowers are best for smaller, flat lawns. If you have more than a third of an acre, you might find it a bit of a workout. Also, pay attention to your grass. Standard reel mowers handle common cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue well. If you have very tough, wiry weeds or St. Augustine grass, a reel mower might struggle.
Next up is the cutting width. A wider cutting bar means you’ll cover more ground with each pass, which is great for open spaces. A narrower one is easier to maneuver around tight corners and garden beds. Most models sit between 14 and 20 inches. For my average-sized city lot, an 18-inch cut feels like a good balance.
The number of blades on the reel is a big deal for cut quality. More blades generally mean a cleaner, more scissor-like cut on each blade of grass. A 5-blade reel is pretty standard and does a good job, but higher-end models with 7 or even 10 blades will give you that pristine, golf-course-quality finish. It’s a trade-off between cost and that perfect cut.
Don’t forget about the height adjustment. You need to be able to change the cutting height easily, especially as seasons change and you might want to leave the grass a bit longer. Look for a single-lever adjustment that changes the height on all wheels at once. It’s much more convenient than adjusting each wheel individually.
Finally, think about build quality and materials. A mower with a steel reel and bed knife will hold a sharp edge longer than one with composite parts. Check the frame; a sturdy, powder-coated steel frame will resist rust and last for years. The handle should feel comfortable and secure. It’s worth investing in a well-built model from a reputable brand, as it will be a tool you use for a long time. When you’re looking at a list of the 10 best push reel lawn mowers for your yard, these are the features that will help you separate the good from the great.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are push reel mowers hard to push?
This is the most common question I get, and the answer is: it depends. On a well-maintained, flat lawn with grass that isn’t too tall, a sharp reel mower is surprisingly easy to push—often easier than a gas mower. The power comes from you, so if you let the grass get too long or try to cut wet grass, it will be much harder. The key is to mow frequently and keep the blades sharp.
How often do I need to sharpen the blades?
A reel mower’s cutting action is a scissor cut, so sharpness is everything. With regular use, you might need to sharpen the blades once a season. If you hit a lot of twigs or rocks, it could be more often. Some people learn to do it themselves with a sharpening kit, but many prefer to take it to a professional shop that specializes in reel mowers. A dull mower will tear the grass instead of cutting it, which isn’t good for your lawn.
Can a reel mower handle weeds and bumpy lawns?
This is their main limitation. Push reel mowers work best on relatively even terrain and struggle with thick-stemmed weeds like dandelions. They can often push them over without cutting them. If your yard is very bumpy or has a lot of weeds, you might find the cut is uneven and you’ll have to go back for missed spots. For the cleanest results, a reel mower prefers a dedicated turf grass lawn.
What are the main benefits over a power mower?
There are several big benefits I appreciate. First, it’s quiet. You can mow early on a weekend without bothering your neighbors. Second, there are no emissions, no gas, and no cords. It’s just you and the mower. Third, they’re lightweight and easy to store. Finally, the scissor cut is actually healthier for the grass, leading to a lusher lawn over time. It’s a simple, peaceful way to care for your yard.
Is a reel mower a good choice for my entire yard?
It can be, but you have to be realistic about your yard’s condition and your own physical ability. If you have a small, flat lawn and you don’t mind the physical effort, it’s a fantastic and rewarding option. However, if your yard is large, sloped, or very weedy, a power mower might be a more practical tool for the main area. You could always use a reel mower for a smaller, showpiece section of turf. Finding one of the 10 best push reel lawn mowers for your yard is about matching the tool to your specific grass and property.