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Best Reel Mower
Reel mowers are classic pieces of technology. Unlike other types of mowers, the blades of a reel mower go north to south (or up and over, depending on your perspective) rather than circling above the grass. This means that the act of moving them is also the act of cutting the grass. Although reel mowers aren’t always the best for large swathes of lawns, they’ve maintained a strong position amongst those who like a manicured lawn, cut in a traditional way.
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Our #1
Pick
American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade
Budget
Pick
American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade
High-End
Pick
Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower
18 Inch
Topic Description
The most common usages of reel mowers are amongst greenskeepers and other professional lawn maintenance individuals. Reel mowers move at a much more relaxed pace-and this gives the user the ability to ensure an even cut. They can often cut lower than other forms of cutters, and the blade direction allows for a more precise cut.
Methodology
Reel mowers are – almost by definition – not complex pieces of technology, so you may be fooled into thinking that all the models are more or less the same. However, there is a lot of different types available. In order to best rank the many options available, we considered the following factors: Price, Weight, Build Quality, Ease of use/Ease of maintenance, Precision, and Warranty length.
This helped us to pick our top 5, any one of which would be an extremely solid choice of purchase if you’re in the market for a reel mower.
Our #1 Pick
American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14
14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Description:
This mower gets our nod by virtue of being almost perfectly built for convenience. Almost every part of it seems tailored to the user’s specific needs. The polymer wheels make it super easy to maneuver, as does the slick, light design of the mower. It’s also extremely low maintenance, meaning even for the amateur, this mower will be easy enough to use. If you want professional-quality mowing at part-time prices, this model is the best on the market.
- Size: 20 x 24 x 42.5 inches
- Weight: 20 pounds
- Warranty: 90 days limited warranty
What We Like:
- We like all of the small details: the components that show that the build quality is high.
- From the 4-blade reel with a cutting width of 14”, to the adjustable blade height, which can cut as low as half an inch, this is a piece of precision engineering.
PROs
- Low Maintenance. There’s really nothing worse than a mower that continually breaks down; this model keeps it simple internally, making it a breeze to fix.
- Lightweight. At only 20 lbs, this is easy enough to push around your yards for a couple of hours without feeling like you’ve had a serious workout.
CONs
- Warranty. A 90-day (limited) warranty is weak, particularly compared with other models out there.
- Towing. Some reports online suggest it can be difficult to maneuver when towed, which is certainly true of light mowers in general.
Budget Pick
American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14
14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Description:
Another offering from the American Lawn Mower Company gets our nod for the best budget option. Very much like its (only slightly) pricier cousin, this one is a quality build that represents great value. It has a 5-blade reel and 8.5” polymer wheels, making it an extremely reliable option. The sub-$75 fee is a winner too.
- Size: 23 x 13 x 8 inches
- Weight: 21 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
What We Like:
- We’re a big fan of adjustable blades because it allows you to take control of your own lawn.
- On top of that, not all lawns require a uniform cut. This model allows for a range of between 1” and 1.75” and uses a scissor-action cut to keep it neat and tidy.
- All this at a budget-friendly price, too.
PROs
- Hardy. This model isn’t afraid of the long grass - it’s capable of cutting grass up to 4 inches tall.
- Easy to Use. There’s no expert knowledge involved in this model; anyone can use it.
CONs
- Loud. The mechanism can be loud, particularly as it ages over time.
- Quality. Unlike some of the other American Lawn Mower Company models, this one doesn’t feel like it’s the highest quality design.
High-End Pick
Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower, 18 Inch (362050-1001)
Description:
The Fiskars StaySharp hints at its quality even in the name. The blades are designed to remain sharp even after years of wear and tear. The model is designed for whatever you throw at it. The price tag may seem particularly hefty, but given this will outlast almost every other type of mower money can buy, it’s more of an investment than a splurge.
- Size: 24 x 23.5 x 14.25 inches
- Weight: 51.7 pounds
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
What We Like:
- One of the standout features of this mower is how it operates across all different lawns and grass types. Whether you’ve got bluegrass, sandy soil, or even rocky soil, this mower will not only survive but thrive.
- It also has a StaySharp cutting system which is designed to cut ‘without unwanted contact’, thus keeping the blades lasting longer. Put another way, this mower is ready for anything.
PROs
- Warranty. A 3-year warranty is exactly how it should be, even with StaySharp technology.
- Quiet. This model is as quiet as a church mouse, making the process of it using it a lot more pleasant.
CONs
- Heavy. A hefty 51.7 lbs mean that you need to have some serious strength to move it around your lawn, particularly if you have a decent-sized space.
- Maneuverability. Connected with that weight, the turning circle of this model is not great, and it can be tricky to move around hilly terrain.
Best Wide Path Reel Mower
Greenworks 18-Inch Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher 25062
Description:
The Greenworks model caught our eye because of its 18” inch cutting path. That is one of the widest paths we found available on the market, and the knock-on effects are huge. It means that you can get through the work much faster without having to make multiple turns. For such a simple innovation, it truly makes a huge difference. The rest of the build is quality too – so this is more than just the lazy option.
- Size: 25 x 43.5 x 33.75 inches
- Weight: 29.9 pounds
- Warranty: 4-year limited warranty
What We Like:
- In addition to the wide path, this mower has 9 different height adjustments for the blades, giving you a truly precise cut.
- Although the lowest height - at 1 ¾” - isn’t the closest cut, the ability to taper to such a degree demonstrates that this model is for someone on top of their lawn maintenance.
PROs
- Fumes. This mower has extremely low fumes, meaning your great outdoors stays fresh and clean.
- Warranty. The 4-year limited warranty is a market-leading offer.
CONs
- Cutting. Not cutting any lower than 1 ¾” is not ideal, particularly if you’re using this for any sort of green keeping.
- Quality. The quality of the design is not as high as on other mowers we reviewed.
Pick #5
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2000-20S 20-Inch
5-Blade Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower
Description:
This mower manages to feel both modern and historic at the same time. It looks like a classic model, with a simple design. On top of that, it has no motor, meaning you’re providing the power. However, it does its job extremely effectively and allows for an extremely clean and precise cut. It’s a real mixture of the old and the new and works like an old favorite should.
- Size: 28 x 18 x 10 inches
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Warranty: 2-year warranty
What We Like:
- Is it wrong to like a mower for its aesthetics? We definitely appreciate the classic look. However, there’s more to it than that.
- We appreciate the even cut that it gives. The relatively slow pace of travel (i.e. at walking pace) means that it can provide an even, quality cut all the way across the lawn.
PROs
- Easy Assembly. The easy assembly meant that you can get up and running in no time - even if you’re not a seasoned mower-user.
- Lightweight. Compared with some of the 50+ lbs models out there, this 2.2 lbs offering is incredibly easy to move around.
CONs
- Price. At around $160, this is a hefty price tag for a fairly minimal (or minimalist) mower.
- Engine. The absence of an engine may stop being an enjoyable quirk after a while.
REEL LAWN MOWER BUYERS GUIDE
Why buy a reel mower?
Since there are so many non-reel mowers available on the market, a key question you may have is why buy a reel mower. After all, it’s not much fun to push a heavy mower when you can sit on a ride-on and do the same work with none of the effort. However, for some users, the work is part of the fun. Being able to push the mower, get some exercise, while giving the lawn a precise cut is an incentive enough. The reel mowers without engines are also greener, so if you’re eco-friendly, it’s a solid choice.
What to look for in a reel mower?
There are three main things to consider when finding the right reel mower for you: your grass type, the blades, and the size of your yard.
More details below.
YOUR GRASS TYPE
The first thing to consider when buying a reel mower is what type of grass you have. Thick grass types, such as Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine grasses will require a heavier mower. Although the temptation may be to buy a lighter mower, they will not be able to cut the thicker grass. The rule of thumb to follow is that the thicker your grass, the heavier reel you’ll need to buy.
THE BLADES
There is some blade maintenance required with a reel mower, so be prepared to buy a sharpening kit that will require use once every few years. The two main types of blades are tempered alloy blades and hardened steel blades. The tempered blades use friction to cut the lawn and will require an annual sharpening. The hardened steel blades can go multiple years without sharpening. If you’re not sure what type you have, listen as you mow. The friction method makes a ticking noise as it cuts, whereas the hardened steel blades don’t.
THE SIZE OF YOUR YARD
It may sound trivial, but you should also consider how big your yard is when it comes to buying a reel mower. Different models have different path sizes (widths, effectively) and this can make a major difference over the course of multiple uses. A smaller path size may help to cut the lawn shorter (since the weight over a smaller area gives greater pressure as you go), although you’ll need to make multiple trips back and forth. If you have a non-standard shaped lawn, then a smaller path will be better.
Otherwise, you may struggle to get into all the nooks and crannies. Smaller models also tend to be lighter, so factor that into the information about grass type and so on.
If in doubt, borrow a mower from a neighbor or friend and trial for a weekend. That will give you a solid idea of what works for you and what doesn’t, and will give you a great benchmark to work from.