Last Update: December, 2023
Choosing between a reel or power lawn mower can be challenging. You might be wondering;
what is the difference between a reel and power lawnmower? Which lawn mower will fit the needs of my lawn? Which is the cheapest option? In this article, we will compare both mowers to answer these questions.
Comparing a reel mower and a power mower
Reel mowers are perfect for lawns used for professional sports or something of the sort. They use a helical blade to cut and provide a higher quality cut at lower heights of cut.
But on the downside, reel mowers require a lot more care and maintenance than a power mower would.
Here are some instances where a reel mower would be more suitable than a power mower.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
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Reel mowers are perfect for lawns used for professional sports or something of the sort. They use a helical blade to cut and provide a higher quality cut at lower heights of cut.
But on the downside, reel mowers require a lot more care and maintenance than a power mower would.
Here are some instances where a reel mower would be more suitable than a power mower.
- Certain types of warm-season grasses tend to be coarser. In this case, it is much easier to use a reel mower than a power mower.
- In an area where the terrain changes or varies, a reel lawn mower will be better because it will minimize scalping.
- Larger plots of land - Power lawn mowers cut through a number of terrains and grasses of different heights. So if you have a larger plot of land to mow, it’s better to go for a power mower.
On the other hand, some of the best power mowers require fewer adjustments and are much simpler to use. They get the job done without being too tricky to use. In fact, at times, investing in a high-quality power mower might be a better over time because it lasts longer and is less expensive to repair if damaged.
Here is an example of where a power mower would be more suitable than a reel mower.
Pros & Cons of a Reel Lawn Mower
Pros:
Reel lawn mowers are less expensive than power mowers. This is true for both gas and electric mowers. They are also a lot safer to use than power lawn mowers because their blades do not spin anywhere near the speed that a power lawn mower does.
Reel lawn mowers are also quieter to use. There is only the small noise of the blades whirring but other than that, there is no excessive noise.
Reel mowers are also light and transportable.
Cons:
The blades need to be regularly sharpened. Otherwise, it will begin to cut the grass ineffectively. This can further cause the grass to be damaged.
Although the cost is initially less expensive than a power mower, a gas reel mower can become more expensive in the long run due to the cost of gas.
Pros & Cons of a Power Mower
Pros:
Power mower blades are much easier to sharpen than reel mowers. Furthermore, the blades spin around 3,000 RPM. This makes them much more powerful than a reel mower.
Power lawn mowers require a lot less energy from the user because of the power that it possesses. When sharpened and maintained properly, a power lawn mower is highly effective and can last a long time.
Cons:
Power lawn mowers are typically either gas or electric power. This makes them very noisy.
Furthermore, they are often heavy and difficult to transport. They can also be inconvenient at times because you will need either an electric outlet or a gas can in order to use them.
Conclusion
Between a reel lawn mower and a power lawn mower, there is an obvious trade-off. Both have their own positives and negatives. By examining the needs of your lawn, you will be able to select a suitable lawn mower that suits your purposes.
