best reel mowers

Best Reel Mowers

18 minutes

Want to have a low cut of the grass of your lawn? Then you must go with a reel mower. Only reel mowers can give you a perfect shape of your lawn with a lower cut.

Now as you want to buy a reel mower, you have to know every detail about this type of mowing device. Only then, you can hope to get the best one for you.

You have to invest huge amounts of time in market analysis and product selection. But what if we manage all these hassles for you?

Yes, you don’t need to search here and there. We are going to introduce you 10 best best reel mowers that will really amaze you with their quality and performance.

No more wait. Let’s dive in.     

Top 10 Best Reel Mower Reviews

We know you want to get the best one for you. That’s why we gave our best effort to sort out these 10 reel mowers. We tested them thoroughly. 

If you find your desired one from here, our effort will be fulfilled.  

1. Fiskars 362050-1001 StaySharp Max Reel Mower 

Fiskars 362050-1001 StaySharp Max best Reel Mower

The Fiskars 362050-1001 is an ergonomically designed reel mower. It is much easier to use. In fact, this mower is about 60% easier to push compared to other reel mowing devices.

The mower is featured with the InertiaDrive reel that offers two times more cutting power. And it is intended for all types of lawn. It may even cut all types of grass. More precisely, it can smoothly move through rough terrain owing to its durable wheels.  

Moreover, this mower is fitted with a grass chute that is reversible. And this grass chute can be placed to direct clippings. So you can discharge the grass far away from your feet.   

Features and Benefits:

Design

The Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower features a chain-drive design. So you will get an improved speed. Apart from that, it offers an optimized inertia with less friction. Iit will allow you to mow the lawn with ease due to its convenient design.

More Cutting Power

Featuring the InertiaDrive technology and a wider cutting reel, the mower can easily cut through hard weeds and tough grass. Moreover, the device is equipped with a thicker blade that offers more efficient cutting. And the cutting height can be balanced from 1” to 4”.

Sharpness

The sharpness of this reel mower is more precise than that of its traditional counterparts. And the sharpness will remain for a long time. With the better sharpness, it makes the mowing easier. 

Better Edging

By using wheels and knives that increase the entire span of the mower, you can avoid the conflict of streaking and rough edges along the walkways, railing, and bases as well.

So, when you are looking for a perfect reel mower, then this can be a great option for you. 

2. American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 Push Reel Lawn Mower

American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 Push Reel Lawn Mower

American Lawn Mower Company comes with a 14-Inch top-rated lawn mower.

This heavy-duty mower is equipped with 4-Blades that makes it highly functional. And this versatile lawn mower is a perfect alternative to a gas lawn mower.

In fact, it performs like a gas lawn mower. So you will get 2-in-1 features. Want to know how? Well, first thing is that it offers excellent performance like a heavy-duty gas mower. And the second thing is that it doesn’t emit any fume, so it’s completely eco-friendly.

However, you can use this lawn mower with ease. And it requires less maintenance due to its user-friendly design. The blades of this mower need to sharpen every 3-5 years.

You also do not need to be worried about changing the fuel. So surely it can be a smart selection for you. 

Features and Benefits:

Mowing Quality

With the 14″ Cutting width as well as 4 sharp blades, the mower can perfectly mow the lawn. The blades of this mower are made from heat-treated alloy steel that makes it highly durable and reliable. And it can keep its sharpness for a long time.

Cutting Capacity

This multi-purpose lawn mower is suitable for cutting almost all types of common grass including bluegrass, fescue, and rye. It also can cut mixed weed as well as crab grass.  

Height Adjustability

You can adjust the blade yourself depending on your needs. In fact, the cutting height can be adjusted from ½” to 1.75” for efficient cutting. 

Wheels

The mower is fitted with the 8.5” composite wheels. And these wheels are made from polymer materials.  

This mower is easy to assemble. And it is environment-friendly. So you can consider this lawn mower.

3. Great States 815-18 Push Reel Lawn Mower

Great States 815-18 Push Reel Lawn Mower

If you are looking for a high-quality push mower, then this can be a nice option for you. It offers some great advantages over others. And it comes with an ergonomic design and durable construction. 

The mower is made from durable materials, so it will last longer. With the 5 blades and wider cutting path, it can deliver more with less time and effort. 

The ease of use as well as easy maintenance are its great features. And it doesn’t produce any contaminants.

As a push reel mower, it performs superb. In fact, it is one of the best push reel mowers in its class.

Features and Benefits:

Cutting Quality

The Great States 18 Inch mower incorporates 5-blades for high-precision cutting. It also comes with the 18″ cutting width that can cover a wider area with a single pass. So it takes less time to mow the lawn. 

Height adjustability

You can adjust the cutting height quickly. And it can be adjusted from 0. 5″-2. 75″ to make the mowing convenient.

Wheels

The mower is outfitted with 10″ composite wheels that offer better traction.

Blades

The blades of this mower are made out of top-quality materials. More specifically, it is made from heat-treated alloy steel to keep it sharper for a long time.  

Comfortable Handle

Featuring a loop-style handle with comfy grip, the mower is extremely easy to use. It doesn’t require any tool to assemble it.  

Easy Maintenance

As it is a push mower, you can safely and quietly mow your lawn. There is no required gas or motor to operate it. And there is no need to sharpen the blade frequently. So it is easy to maintain for sure.

If you are looking for a cost-effective solution, then you should not ignore it anyway.

4. Snow Joe MJ501M 18-Inch Manual Reel Mower

Snow Joe MJ501M 18-Inch Manual Reel Mower

If you are looking for a sophisticated reel mower, then the Snow Joe MJ501M manual mower would be an excellent option for you. This mower comes with a compact design that makes it lightweight. 

The Snow Joe MJ501M mower comes with a rich set of features. Of course, with sharper blades and wider cutting area, the mower has impressive mowing capacity.

Featuring all the easy-to-use features, the mower will allow you to mow the lawn with convenience. The mower also features an easy disposal system. 

Features and Benefits:

Design

When it comes to design and construction, it will be considered like a pro. This excellently designed mower will last longer due to its robust construction. 

Mowing Quality

The mower is equipped with 5 ultra sharp blades that are made of top-rated steel. Apart from that, it features a 18” cutting path for covering a wider area. And it takes minimal time to mow the lawn. 

Height Adjustability

You will be allowed to adjust the cutting height in 9 positions, ranging from 1.4 inches – 2.5 inches.

Maneuverability

The Snow Joe MJ501M is fitted with 10” front wheels and 6” rear wheels that make it perfect for all types of terrain. And with these top-quality wheels, you will be allowed to maneuver it with ease.

Grass Disposal

The model is featured with a grass catcher that can hold up to about 7 gallon grass. In fact, it will allow you to dispose of the grass with ease.

By considering these stunning features, you can choose this reel mower to mow your lawn.

5. Snow Joe MJ500M 16 inch Manual Reel Mower

Snow Joe MJ500M 16 inch Manual Reel Mower

This is another great reel mower from the Snow Joe. This mower is almost similar to the previous model. But featuring an elegant design, the mower is stylish to look.

The Snow Joe MJ500M is an easy to push mower. And the basic difference with the previous model is that it comes with the 2 wheels. The mower is even featured with an ergonomically designed handle. 

If you ask me about its most attractive feature, I should mention its impressive cutting capacity. Even though it’s a lightweight mower, it won’t frustrate you while mowing the lawn. Let’s explore more about this mower.

Features and Benefits:

Cutting Capacity

Well, the mower comes with 5 sharper blades. These blades are made of high-quality steel. So its sharpness will last longer.

 It has a 16” cutting deck that is made from rust-resistant materials. You can manually adjust the cutting height in 4 options from 0.88 inches to maximum of 1.81 inches.

Ease of use

You can easily turn this mower on a smaller lawn. It is fitted with an adjustable handle that makes it easier to use.      

Attachment

The mower is outfitted with a grass catcher that has the capacity to hold up to 6.6-gallon grass. And it can detach the grasses with ease

Wheels

The device is equipped with 2 large 8.8-inch wheels that offer excellent maneuverability while mowing the lawn. 

This lawn mower can be the best option for those who are looking for an extremely lightweight mower.

6. Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2000-20S Push Reel Lawn Mower

 Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2000-20S Push Reel Lawn Mower

The Scotts Outdoor Power Tools comes with a classic lawn mower. In fact, the mower offers safe, quiet and reliable operation. 

Unlike the gas lawn mower, it doesn’t produce any fume. However, this eco-friendly lawn mower is featured with the 20 inches cutting deck. And this wider deck is equipped with 5 sharp blades with which you can make your lawn perfect.

With Scotts 20″ classic push reel lawn mower, you can perform mowing without  ripping or tearing of the blades. And it doesn’t need any gas or motor to be operated.  

As it is lightweight, you can easily store it in the storage area. The mower is easy to assemble as well. It doesn’t require any extra tool. 

Features and Benefits:

Cutting Capacity

Surely this mower has impressive cutting capacity, thanks to its heavy-duty 20” mowing deck. Not only that, it is featured with a 5-blade ball bearing reel. 

Blades

The blades of this reel mower are made of top-quality heat-treated alloy steel. So the blades will remain sharper for a long time.  

Cutting Height

With the Quick-snap cutting height adjustment system, you can adjust the height from 1″-3″ for a precise cutting.

Wheels

The mower is fitted with 10″ dual tracking wheels that offer better traction even on the toughest terrain.

Comfort

With the compact and lightweight design, the mower is really easy to push. For added comfort, the mower features a comfortable handle with cushioned grip. So you can operate it with convenience.

Maintenance

It is fairly easy to maintain the lawn. You can assemble it without any tools. And it won’t create any hassle of changing oil or charging the battery. 

On the whole, If you look for a top-rated lawn mower, then surely this is a considerable one.

7. Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 304-14S Push Reel Mower

 Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 304-14S Push Reel Mower

This is also a great reel mower from Scotts Outdoor Power Tools. Basically, this mower would be the best option for those who are looking for a cost-effective solution. And within this budget, this mower offers just excellence. 

With a T-style handle, the mower is convenient to push around your yard. Like the 2000-20S model, this mower also emphasizes its cutting capacity.

Most importantly, the 304-14S mower comes with a simple but elegant design. With this mower, you will get a well-groomed appearance of your lawn.

Features and Benefits:

Cutting Quality

The Scotts 304-14S reel mower features a cutting width of 14″. Not only that but it also comes with the 5-blade ball bearing reel. So it offers an easy cutting.  

Cutting Blade

The heat-treated alloy steel blade will be highly durable. It will also remain sharper for a long time.  

Height Adjustability

The cutting blade of this device can be adjusted in multiple positions from 0. 5″-1. 75″. 

Wheels

Featuring the 8. 5″ composite wheels, the mower is easy to maneuver around the obstacles.  

Ease of use

The mower is featured with a T-shaped handle with a cushioned grip for ensuring comfort while mowing the lawn. And since the mower is lightweight, you can easily carry and store it as well.

After all, if you want to have the best reel mower under 100 dollars, then look no further. This would be the smartest option for sure.

8. Earthwise 1715-16EW Reel Lawn Mower

Earthwise 1715-16EW Reel Lawn Mower

The Earthwise 1715-16EW mower is one of the best reel mowers out there on the market today. It comes with top-quality alloy steel construction with an ergonomic design. 

The Earthwise lawn mower is always great for both in terms of cutting quality and ease of use. And the mower is available in three different colors: gray, silver, and green. 

This mower can excellently cut the grass. In fact, it features even and precise cutting. Want to know more? Keep continuing.

Features and Benefits:

Cutting Quality

It features a 16″ cutting deck with 7-blade ball bearing reel that makes it highly effective to cut the overgrown grass. Apart from that, it is featured with an unbreakable Steel side plate that is durable enough.

Blades

Like most of the top-rated reel mowers, this model also incorporates high-quality blades. These blades are made from durable alloy steel. And the blade will stay sharper for a longer period of time.

Mowing Capacity

This high-performance mower can perfectly cut the Bermuda, Centipede,  Seashore paspalum, St. Augustine, and Zoysia. 

Height Adjustability

The mower features an adjustable cutting height. And you will be able to adjust the cutting height from 0.5″-2.5″ for custom cutting. 

Maneuverability

The mower features 10″ Composite wheels that offer improved traction. It is also easy to maneuver around the obstacles.  

The mower comes with all the important features that a top-rated mower should have. So this is still a great option for the homeowners.

9. Great States 415-16 Push Mower

 Great States 415-16 Push Mower

When you are looking for the best reel mower under 200 dollars, then surely this would be a great option for you. This is one of the most popular push mowers available on the market today. 

The mower comes with most of the convenient features. It features a wider cutting path as well as sharper blades for high-precision cutting. And it is easy to use and maintain as well. 

Features and Benefits:

Cutting Quality

Featuring 16″ cutting width as well as 5-blade ball bearing reel, the cutting quality of this mower is highly impressive.

Wheels

This push mower is fitted with the 10″ composite wheels that offer increased traction. And with these top-quality wheels, the mower is easy to use and maneuver as well. 

Blades

With the heat-treated alloy steel construction, the blades of the manual hand push reel lawn mower are of quality, heat-treated alloy steel for staying sharp longer

Height Adjustability

This push reel lawn mower will allow you to adjust the cutting height, ranging from 0. 5″-2. 5″ for a clean and even cut every time.

Comfort

Featuring a T-style handle with cushioned grip, the mower is extremely comfortable to use. Another feature that makes it comfortable is its lightweight design.  

So if comfort is your main priority, you can consider this effective tool.  

10. Greenworks 25052 Reel Lawn Mower

Greenworks 25052 best Reel Lawn Mower

Greenworks is always a reliable name when it comes to choosing lawn mower. If you are looking for a versatile reel mower, then you can’t ignore the Greenworks 25052 mower anyway.

This model is available in two cutting deck sizes: 16” and 18” as well. However, you will get an extra blower with both options, but you may need to spend a few more bucks. 

But it is recommended to choose the 16” model as it is lighter in weight. And it is also easy to maneuver.

Features and Benefits:

Mowing Options

The Greenworks 25052 reel mower comes with a 2-in-1 mowing option that will allow you to mulch as well as rear bag. 

Cutting Path

The mower is available both in 16″ cutting path as well as 18” cutting path. With this cutting quality, you will get your job done fastly and efficiently.  

Cutting Height

With the 4 position cutting height adjustment system, you can adjust the cutting height from 1-⅛”  to 2-¼” for the perfect and precision cut. You have to adjust the cutting height depending on the grass types.

Maneuverability

Featuring the 10″ front wheels as well as 2″ rear rollers, the mower is incredibly easy to maneuver across your lawn.

Maintain

Like other reel mowers, this one is also easy to maintain due to its hassle-free design. 

With this top-quality reel mower, you can maintain your lawn properly. In fact, you will get a beautiful view of your lawn.

Things To Consider To Choose The Best Reel Mowers

best reel mowers

The reel mower is one of the most popular types of mowers. However, you must consider some important things before choosing a reel mower for you. So let’s have a look at these crucial factors.

Cutting Quality

When it comes to choosing a reel mower, the cutting quality is the first and foremost thing to consider. Actually, it is the main factor. So make sure that the mower has excellent cutting capacity. 

Blades

The number of blades is also an important consideration. You also need to consider the sharpness of blades. Choose the model that comes with sharper blades. 

Cutting Height

The reel mowers generally have the cutting height adjustability with a range of 1” to maximum of 4”. Now come to the point which cutting range will be perfect for you?

Well, it completely depends on the types of grass and its density. However, it is recommended to choose the model that has more height adjustability.

Weight

Surely it is better to choose the mower that is compact and lightweight. The amazing thing is that most of the reel mowers are compact and lightweight. 

So you will be allowed to carry and store it with ease. However, you must have to make sure that you are going to purchase the mower that is lightweight but sturdy enough. 

Affordability

The reel mowers are the most cost-effective tools that you can have to mow your lawn perfectly. You may purchase a model within just $90 to $100. 

You will even get a top-quality reel mower within $200. So surely it would be the best financial advantage to have a reel mower.

And there is also a significant advantage over electric or gas powered lawn mowers as the reel mower doesn’t require any fuel or electricity to be operated. These are also more affordable compared to its gas or electric counterparts.  

How to Use a Reel Mower?

Once upon a time, the reel mower was the best tool for the homeowners when electric or gas mowers weren’t available. In fact, it is still effective to keep your lawn well-maintained. But it is perfect for small lawns.

Alright, if you are not so expert, then you need to know how to use a reel mower.

The reel mowers work with a set of blades that rotate when you manually push the tool forward. 

When you will move forward, the blades of grass fall between the mowing knives and a sharp bed knife so that the mower can cut the grass much like scissors. These mowers are an amazing alternative to its power-driven counterpart. And it requires minimal maintenance. 

It’s fairly easy to use a reel mower. First of all, you need to adjust the cutting height at your preferred height between 1-½” to 3-½”. The cutting height may vary from model to model. However, you should adjust the height based on the grass density of your lawn. 

Once you adjust your preferred cutting height, you just need to simply move forward by pushing the mower at a regular walking speed. And the mower will cut the grass like a scissor, thanks to its rotating mechanism. Keep moving until the whole yard is being well-groomed. 

Final Verdict:

The reel mowers are really excellent tools for mowing smaller to medium-sized lawn. But you have to choose the best model for getting effective and efficient cutting.

Don’t forget to consider the above things to pick the best reel mowers. All the models we’ve reviewed are excellent in terms of features and specifications. You can choose whatever the model you want.

 Yet you want to know our best pick, we must say Fiskars 362050-1001 Reel Mower. This one is unmatched from all the sides.  

If you have any queries, feel free to share your thoughts with us using the comment section.

Todd L Miles
Lawn Mowers Enthusiast
I started "Landscape and Lawns Care" to provide clients with lawn care with better service, better products and, most importantly, better ethics. My promise to every customer is to give the greenest grass possible while controlling weeds, insects, and diseases! The most important thing is that I strive to always do the right thing for you, your lawn and your wallet!