The 10 Best Reel Lawn Mowers

Reel mowers are quite easier to maintain than their gas-powered counterparts. But not all push reel mowers are created the same.

That’s why I’ve handpicked 10 of the best reel lawn mowers for you. I’ve reviewed them in detail below so you’ll know which one suits a particular lawn size and grass type.

I’ve also included a buying guide at the end to help you pick the reel mower that best suits your lawn maintenance needs.

Let’s go over them all.

Quick Overview: Top Choice

If there’s one reel mower I’d invest on, it’s the Greenworks 25052 Push Reel Lawn Mower.

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

1. EGO 21 in. 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Battery Push Mower

If you’re after a high-quality lawn mower that not only performs brilliantly but is also worth every penny, then the EGO 21-inch cordless lawn mower could be your preferred choice.

With an impressive design and easy-to-handle operation, it’s one of the best-looking and most efficient push lawn mowers available in the market.

With a 21-inch deck, this EGO mower could be a great choice if you have a medium-sized lawn.

Meanwhile, the 56-Volt, 5.0-Ah lithium-ion battery can give you a run time of up to 45 minutes. If you think about it, you can already do a quick maintenance work within that amount of time without breaking a sweat.

Also, the package already includes the battery charger, which is quite convenient.

Key Features

• 56-Volt, 5.0 Ah Lithium-Ion battery
• Efficient design
• Wide 21-inch head for faster mowing
• Cordless operation
• Comes with battery charger

2. Great States 304 Push Reel Lawn Mower

If you’re looking to buy an easy-to-use, lightweight lawnmower with extremely easy operation, then the Great States 304-14 might be for you.

With a simple design language and efficient operation, this could be the most reliable lawn mower you can get for its price. Yup, it’s quite affordable.

Also, the slim body of this mower makes it easier to move around corners. As a result, you could get a streamlined look for your lawn.

One thing I like about this mower is its adjustable cutting height of 0.5″-1.75″. It simply offers flexibility, in case you have various types of grass in different parts of your yard.

Meanwhile, its T-style cushioned handle provides a comfortable, ergonomic grip. It operates quietly, so it’s quite useful if you wish to mow in the morning and don’t want to disturb anybody else.

Key Features

• Adjustable cutting feature at 0.5″–1.75″
• Easy operation and cushioned grip in T-style handle
• 14” cutting width
• 8.5” composite wheels
• 5-blade ball bearing reel
• Easy and environment-friendly way to get rid of the grass

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. American Lawn Mower Company Push Reel Lawn Mower

The American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 has a pretty similar design language and structure with the Great States 304.

It also belongs to the class of reel mowers with a low price range.

If you prefer a lightweight, easy to use, and reliable lawn mower with a customizable cutting length feature, then this could be a suitable model for you.

With a slim body, it’s a great choice for buyers who are not willing to buy a bulkier lawn mower for their home due to the space constraint.

What I like most about this mower are its blades. There are four of them, all made of heat-treated alloy steel. Thus, they can stay sharp for much longer compared to other types of blades.

If you’re growing multiple grass types such as fescue, crab, rye, or bluegrass, then you may find this lawn mower pretty useful.

Key Features

• Lightweight, easy-to-carry design
• Adjustable cutting height of 0.5″-1.75″
• 14” cutting width
• 8.5” polymer wheels
• 4 highly durable alloy steel blades that can last for years
• Easy to clean and maintain

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4. Greenworks Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher

If you’re looking to buy a lawnmower that not only has a sharp set of blades but also has clever design hacks to keep the lawn clean, then the Greenworks 26-inch lawnmower could be your ideal choice.

This mower is equipped with a 16-inch cutting head that makes it work quickly through small-to-medium-sized lawns.

It also has a grass-catching net that can effectively hold the waste, helping you keep your garden clean without too much effort. This same rear bag can also help with mulching your yard.

This Greenworks reel mower is also quite versatile. It has an adjustable cutting height that ranges from 1 ⅛” to 2 ¼”, offering you a total of four different heights to cover any type of grass.

And, this mower is quite easy to maneuver across any lawn. It includes a pair of rear rollers to help balance the two front wheels as you roll it over your yard.

Key Features

• Convenient design with grass-catching rear bag
• 16” cutting width
• 4-position height adjustment feature with 1 ⅛” to 2 ¼” cutting height range
• 10” front wheels with 2” rear rollers
• Comes with a 4-year warranty

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5. Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Push Reel Lawn Mower

The Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Push Reel Lawn Mower offers you a 20-inch cutting width and five blades to work through a larger-than-usual lawn.

It also has an adjustable cutting height, ranging from 1” to 3” — quite a wider range compared to those of the previous mowers we’ve reviewed. This means this mower provides a lot more flexibility, whatever grass type you may have.

Convenience-wise, this push reel lawn mower sports a cushioned, ergonomic handle. This protects your hands from getting blisters when working on your yard for longer.

It also has a total of four wheels. Two in front and two in the rear, making it stable enough, comfortable to use, and easy to operate.

Overall, this Scotts Outdoor Power Tools equipment may be your best choice if you have a much larger lawn among those in your community. And if you don’t mind exerting physical effort to maintain your yard.

Key Features

• 20-inch cutting width
• 5-blade ball bearing reel
• 10” dual tracking wheels
• 1” – 3” adjustable cutting height
• Cushioned ergonomic grip
• Lightweight and easy-to-operate design

Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

6. Sun Joe MJ502M Manual Reel Mower

The Sun Joe MJ502M Reel Mower can be a suitable choice if you’re looking for reliable, versatile, and easy-to-use mowing equipment.

It sports a brilliant design with a large head that makes it easier to cut more grass than other lawn mowers in this price range. The cutting width is at 20 inches, like the Scotts mower above.

Meanwhile, the Sun Joe MJ502M mower also features an adjustable height, giving you nine different positions to choose from. It’s quite versatile for any grass type.

It even has a high-quality grass catcher that can easily hold up to 6 gallons of grass waste. This helps a lot if you have a medium or large lawn.

This MJ502M model may be manually operated, but its maneuverability is quite decent enough.

As in the other mowers above, this one has dual wheels — a pair in front and another pair at the rear. Together with the five sharp steel blades, they warrant a maintenance-free operation for any lawn mowing needs.

Key Features

• 20” cutting width
• Manual height adjustment for 9 different positions
• 5 efficient steel cutting blades
• Dual-wheel design for better maneuverability
• 2-year warranty

Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

7. BLACK+DECKER Lawn Mower String Trimmer & Edger

If you want a multipurpose lawn mower that not only provides great cutting but can be also used for trimming and the edging of grass, then the Black+Decker 3-in-1 cordless lawn mower can be a great buy.

It’s a cordless lawn mower that has numerous other features, making it an all-round lawn maintenance device. It can convert from mower to edger to trimmer.

Its 6.5-amp motor helps you cut through tough grass and well as weeds and overgrowth.

One thing I like about this mower is its ‘Automatic Feed Spool’ (AFS) feature that lets you work without having to stop just to adjust the spool. And that’s pretty time-saving.

And although the cutting width is only at 12”, the cutting height is adjustable, ranging from 1.6” to 2.4”. Perhaps a little compromise is enough to balance the convenience it provides as it spares your physical energy from getting drained while mowing.

Key Features

• Powerful 6.5 amp motor for outstanding performance
• Cord retention system for better storage
• Adjustable height at 1.6” to 2.4”
• Triple function: mower, trimmer, and edger
• 12” cutting width
• Automatic Feed Spool (AFS) for auto spool adjustment

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

8. American Lawn Mower Company 1815-18 Push Reel Lawn Mower

The American Lawn Mower Company 1815-18 is an intelligently designed lawnmower that looks great and can perform exceptionally well to compete with high-end conventional rotary lawnmowers.

The brilliant design and usability features are among the most talked-about points of the American Lawn Mower Company 1815-18.

Now add the fact that it also features an ergonomically shaped handle and adjustable cutting height. You can also push it easily with its large wheels, and the operation is really quiet.

Key Features

• Functions as a conventional reel mower without the battery
• LED display that shows the battery levels
• Easy to move and use with large wheels
• Ergonomic handle
• Adjustable cutting height with a handy controller

9. Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower

The Fiskars 362050-1001 StaySharp Max Reel Mower could suit you if you’re looking to buy a lawnmower with minimal design and flawless performance.

With the highly durable body and blades, it offers a long lifespan and maintenance-free- operation.

It features ‘InertiaDrive’ reels that work with all types of grass. With a lightweight design and an 18-inch cutting head, this lawnmower can suit small to medium lawns.

One usability feature I appreciate is its reversible grass chute. You can position it to direct the clippings forward, backward, downward, or simply away from your feet.

It also includes inset wheels so that the mower can extend to its full width. Thus, it can help you go through strips, edges, and other areas near fences.
Perhaps the best part is its 3-year warranty offer, which is thrice the offer in most mowers.

Key Features

• Easier to push and operate with ‘InertiaDrive’ reels
• Reliable cutting with height-adjustable blades
• Highly durable build quality
• Reversible grass chute
• Inset wheels that extend the mower to its full width
• 3-year limited warranty

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

10. Sun Joe MJ503M Manual Reel Mower

Sun Joe MJ503M 14-Inch is another brilliant choice if you’re after a compact, easy-to-use, and purely manual lawnmower.

It features an adjustable height with a total of nine different positions to handle any type of grass. The height range is from 1.1” to 2.9”.

This Sun Joe manual mower also has five extra-sharp blades and a 14-inch head, making it suitable for small to medium lawns.

MJ503M’s design makes it easy to carry, push through grass, and store. It has rugged all-terrain wheels — two in the front and two at the rear — making it convenient to maneuver.

To top it all, Sun Joe offers a two-year ‘no questions asked’ warranty.

Key Features

• 2 pairs of all-terrain wheels for better maneuverability
• 5 steel blades
• 14” inch cutting head
• Adjustable cutting height with positions ranging from 1.1” to 2.9”
• Extremely easy to use
• 2-year ‘no questions asked’ warranty

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Why Buy Push Reel Lawn Mower?

It can sometimes be confusing to choose between many types of lawnmowers. There are gas-powered ones. And there also are ‘push’ reel lawnmowers, which you literally have to push for them to pass through your grass.

Some of these reel lawn mowers even have batteries, giving you the option to operate on battery power in case that is more convenient for you.

If you’re not sure about buying a push reel lawn mower, consider its benefits below.

It’s Quiet

The best thing about push reel lawn mowers is that they are extremely silent. A reel lawn mower a great buy if you don’t want to disturb neighbors or family members while cleaning up your yard.

Battery-powered designs with corresponding motors may give off a sound, but it isn’t as loud and overwhelming as that of a gas-powered motor.

It Doesn’t Emit Air Pollution

As reel mowers are operated either by a battery or manually, they do not cause any air pollution.

Compared to rotary lawnmowers, a push reel lawn mower is the more eco-friendly choice to go for. So get a reel mower if you want to use reliable tools with a lesser carbon footprint.

It’s Safe and Easy To Use

As most of these push reel mowers are manually operated, they are relatively safer than motor-operated ones.

There’s no gas spillage to work on and be careful about. And in case your bet is a battery-powered reel mower, there are cordless models out there that save you from tripping.

It Can Be A Form Of Exercise

A push reel mower’s manual mode of operation allows you to exercise while maintaining your lawn.

In contrast, wheeling a power motor would require you not much effort, so you’ll have fewer muscles to flex while in your yard.

When you choose a hand mower, you’re actually saving yourself time — exercising and doing yard maintenance work at the very same hour.

It’s Easy To Maintain

A reel mower’s simple mechanical operation requires a corresponding simple maintenance routine.

You only have to clean the blades up after every use, wash off any excess grass clippings, and store the mower away from a moist environment to keep it from rusting.

Also, you just have to make sure it doesn’t get rained.

Charge the battery if yours is battery-operated, or buy an extra battery for extra power. And that’s about it.

It’s Great For Small Lawn and Gardens

Due to their typical manual operation, push reel mowers are best suited for small-to-medium lawns, not super large ones.

However, you can opt for battery-operated mowers with bigger cutting heads if you have a larger lawn than usual.

That said, a push reel mower is great for any homeowner who simply needs to have their lawn maintained. If that describes you, then there’s no need to look into gas-operated, high-maintenance, bulky, and quite noisy lawnmowers.

How To Choose A Push Reel Lawn Mower?

Once you’ve decided to go for a push reel lawnmower over all the other types of mowers, the next challenging part is choosing the exact model to purchase.

The following are some essential criteria to consider when deciding over the reel mower unit to buy.

Type of Reel Mower

Push reel mowers can be classified into two different categories. One is manual and the other one is operated with batteries.

Both types have their pros and cons in terms of functionality.

Battery-operated lawn mowers are suggested for bigger lawns or if you aren’t too keen to spend hours cleaning and maintaining your lawn. Plus, they’re still environment-friendly even if they have corresponding motors.

On the other hand, a manual reel lawn mower may work well with you if you have a relatively smaller lawn. And also if you want to use something that’s more energy-saving — it may only drain your energy while pushing for long hours, but you’re getting great exercise nonetheless.

Number of Blades

Like any other type of lawnmower, a push reel mower also has a set of sharp blades that can cut grass in your desired size.

Make sure to know the number of blades the mower has before purchasing it. Using the optimum number of blades can help you get a perfect cut with every pass.

With a greater number of blades, a mower can have more efficient work done in a lesser time than usual.

Width of The Mower

Another important thing that decides how quickly you can complete your mowing work is the width or size of the mower head.

Obviously, you have to choose a mower with a wider head to help you complete the work more easily. Such a mower should have bigger passes and thus help you do the work faster and in a more effective way.

Still, small heads may work better with smaller lawns. And especially around the edges and heavily fenced areas.

Size Of Your Lawn

Always consider the size of your lawn when choosing the mower to maintain it with.

Small to medium lawns require a relatively smaller amount of work compared to large ones.

If you’re fine with some physical labor no matter the size of your lawn, then go for a manual reel mower. Your only limitation is your own energy input, plus the amount of time you’re willing to put into the work.

However, there’s no guarantee that your manual lawn mower will last as long as if you’re only using it for small yards.

If your front or backyard is so huge, there’s no reason to back down from a battery-operated reel mower. It’s still more environmentally-friendly than a gas-powered one. So the only remaining factor to consider is how much you’re willing to shell out for a battery-operated mower.

Grass Strength

The type of grass you have in your lawn should also be a big factor when looking to buy a reel mower. Different grass species have different scales of ‘strength,’ which depend heavily on their thickness.

The obvious choice is a reel mower with a greater number of blades or those with sharper ones for thicker grasses.

Note also that if you’re maintaining thicker grass types, you may exert more effort when passing through your lawn with a hand mower.

Thus, manual reel mowers may be more suitable for more delicate grass species.

Push Reel Lawn Mowers Are Environmentally Friendly

All in all, if you have a small or medium-sized lawn and are looking for an affordable and environment-friendly way to keep it clean and well-managed, push reel mowers would be the ideal choice for you.

We hope that our list of the best reel mowers and buying guide above has helped you pick the model that suits your needs and fits your budget.

By picking a high-quality push reel mower, you can keep your garden clean and well-groomed without harming the environment and without wasting too much of your energy.

Which Is Best?

If there’s one reel mower I’d invest on, it’s the Greenworks 25052 Push Reel Lawn Mower. It has everything you need to make your lawn maintenance a breeze.

A manual push-mowing that’s easy to push. It cuts everything, and I mean everything- from weeds to wheat grass that grows in midsummer.

Plus, it has an ergonomic handle and adjustable cutting height controller. Large, easy-to-maneuver wheels and a waste catcher on the rear.

All that value for a mower that could last you years.

Now I’m quite stoked. Aren’t you?

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Do you have a sizeable lawn? Looking for gas-powered lawnmowers? Check out the 7 Best Gas Lawn Mowers of 2019.