Best Rated Reel Push Lawn Mowers

Last Update: June, 2023

Let’s go back to the basics. Forget the pungent smell of your gas mower or charging your electric mower. With a reel mower, all you need to do is push. All reel mowers are relatively small, easy to store, usually inexpensive, and generally silent.

More About The American Lawn Mower Company

You have a wide, 14-inch cutting width with the American Lawn Mower Company, plus an adjustable cutting height that ranges from half an inch to 1.75 inches. Regardless of the height, you’ll get a clean, scissor-like cut with every pass over your lawn. This is because the blades are made of high-quality, heat-treated alloy steel. They’ll stay sharp longer, meaning much less work for you.
Like other reel mowers, the American Lawn Mower Company will provide you with an alternative to gas-powered mowers. It's easy to assemble. Plus, with four blades, you can use it on multiple types of grass, including weeds or crabgrass.

More About The Great States 815-18

You have a lot of adjustability with the Great States mower, with a cutting height ranging from half an inch to 2.75 inches. Make wide strokes with the 18-inch cutting width, and don’t worry about having a hard time moving around either. You’ll have a 5-blade ball bearing wheel, and 10-inch composite wheels that keep you moving over even rough terrain.
All the blades on this little mower are made of heat-treated alloy steel that will allow the blades to remain sharp for longer. Grab onto the loop-style handle, which includes a cushioned grip and lightweight design, to comfortably push the mower around your yard. Cleanly move through your yard, without the need for any gas or oil.

More About The ​Fiskars 362050-1001

With the claim that this Fiskars mower is 60 percent easier to push than other reel mowers, one thing is clear: anyone can use this mower for yard work, on any grass type. It’s designed to provide you with twice the cutting power to glide through your tough spots. With the StaySharp cutting system on the blades, you won’t have to do any extra work sharpening the blades any time soon.
Use the reversible grass chute to position your grass clippings right where you want them to go. You don’t have a grass catcher, but you do have strong inset wheels that allow the blades to extend far enough to get even corners and edges. Go right near your fences without getting stuck or breaking out the weedwhacker.

More About The ​Fiskars 17 Inch Staysharp

This 17-inch Fiskars mower, the Staysharp, is designed smartly. Like other reel mowers, it offers you a clean cut, no gasoline, no oil, no cords, and no loud engine. It’s meant to be 30 percent easier to push than other reel mowers, with 50 percent more cutting power to completely run through twigs, weeds, and other tough spots you can’t normally mow over.
If you have any problems with this mower, you do receive a lifetime warranty. Even over time though, the blades are so sharp that you likely won’t need to sharpen them any time soon.

More About The ​Scotts Outdoor Power Tools

Make use of the Scotts Outdoor Power Tools mower to handle any yard. You have a 14-inch cutting width, not to mention a 5-blade ball bearing reel, and 8.5-inch composite wheels. Adjust the height from half an inch to 1.75 inches. The blades are made of high-quality steel, meaning that you won’t need to sharpen them for a while yet.
Use the t-style handle to push it around the yard with a cushioned grip. Your hands won’t hurt, and you won’t need to struggle to push this simple mower.

Knowing the Reel Mower

The reel mower has been around for generations, even before there were gas-powered mowers and now electric mowers. You don't see people using reel mowers as often anymore. But honestly, it's surprising that more people don’t use them. Reel mowers are easy to push, not to mention that they’re ecologically aware, less noisy, and inexpensive.
All you have to do is push the reel mower. The steel blades will turn and cut the grass like a pair of scissors would instead of tearing the grass like other lawn mowers.
You should only need to sharpen the blades every few years and can use your reel mower on all shorter types of grass. Due to the structure of the mower, you'll have a harder time cutting longer grass.

Qualities to Look for When Buying

There are different types of reel mowers out there for you to choose from. But what should you look for when finding the best one?

Here are the different qualities to be aware of when searching for the right reel mower.

Blade Number  

When picking a mower that is guaranteed to cut grass in large amounts, you’ll want to find a mower with the necessary number of blades. Depending on the type of grass you’re cutting, you’ll want to shoot for approximately 5 to 8 blades.
Aim for the greater number if you’re working on thicker or larger grass types. If the blades are smaller, of course, you’ll want a smaller number of blades.

Blade Strength 

When it comes to finding a reel mower that’s right for you, durability is a huge factor to keep in mind. Look for a mower that maintains its strength for a longer amount of time, so you can mow as many lawns as needed whatever size they may be.

Mower Size 

An important feature to look out for is the size of your reel mower. You want to find one that isn't too large and clunky. Finding a mower that is light and provides the easiest push should be high on your list. Many believe the best width size is between 14 to 20 inches.

But that also equals a heavier push. If you go with a lighter mower option, you will have to use the 14-inch blades, which aren't as strong and quick as a 20-inch, but still, get the job done and provide a high-quality cut lawn.

Easy to Adjust 

Depending on the size you want to cut your grass to, you’ll want to look for a lawn mower that can change its height according to what you need. The best types of reel mowers will have at least 4 different adjustable heights that will make grasses between one inch to 4 inches.

You want your grass to be cut a certain height so it can avoid certain weeds and diseases to maintain a healthy shape. 

Not only do you want a mower with easy to adjust blades, you’ll also need one that is compact and easy to move from lawn to lawn. This is all the more important if you have several lawns to service.

Grass Catcher

It’s actually not common for reel mowers to come with a grass catcher. They usually just leave the grass clippings on the ground as you mow along. A grass catcher is not an essential feature to have but you might prefer it. For example, you might want to put the grass clippings in a composter. If that’s you, then be sure to get a reel mower with a grass catcher feature.

Reel Mower’s Effectiveness and Advantages

What’s so great about a reel mower? There are a few benefits to purchasing a reel mower, rather than a power motor. 

Cheaper Than Power Mowers 

Not only do these mowers get the job done in an efficient and timely manner, but you can find these effective mowers for a more affordable price than you may realize. The price of these lawn mowers can cost from as little as $70 to $200 depending on the quality, durability, and blade strength you’re looking for.

Once you make this payment, manual reel motors cost little to nothing to maintain.

Easy to Move 

Whether you need a mower for a large lawn or a small lawn, you should find one that is easy to travel with as you move from lawn to lawn. Reel mowers are easy to store, and usually not too heavy. They’re also easier to steer and won’t require too much of your energy and manpower to push and maneuver. 

Keeps Grass Healthy 

When it comes to effectiveness, the reel mowers are ahead of the game. These mowers can be better for your grass than powered motors that tear, rather than cut.

Reel motors cut grass in a more symmetrical fashion than most providing more of a moist feel that keeps it from gaining weeds, a dry feel and an excess number of bugs.

Usage Tips

When using a reel mower, tall thick grass means more work. It’s easier to mow smaller amounts more frequently than it is to let the grass get too long.
Here are a few tricks to keep in mind when using a reel mower. 

• Don’t mow wet grass. It prevents the lawn from looking symmetrical and even. 
• Be sure to mow the grass depending on the behavior of the weather. Sometimes the grass grows quicker if it rains a lot or the weather is hotter than usual. 
• Try to mow fairly often to keep grass from getting too tall or thick, then you won’t have to worry about doing too much work.
• Keep an eye out for different sticks or other objects in the lawn you’re about to move. Remove them to prevent any damage to your lawn mower. 
• Even though reel motors are efficient and cut a large amount of grass effectively, you’ll still want to purchase a kit that sharpens your blades. This is to keep the cutting quality impressive and never dull.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a lawn mower that’s simple, contains a more classic push, or easy to adjust, a reel motor could be the best option for you. Overall, they’re effective and considered healthier for your grass since they cut rather than tear. Once you’ve weighed all your different options and the considerations we’ve laid out, you’re one step closer to finding the perfect reel mower for you.