Reel mowers keep lawn care quiet and free of gas-engine exhaust, but they work best when matched to your lawn and mowing routine. The best reel mower for a compact, regularly cut yard may not suit someone who needs a wider cutting path, a grass catcher, or powered assistance.
This guide compares manual and cordless reel options by cutting width, height adjustment, blade count, and included accessories. Use those details to narrow the choices, then check current listing specifications for anything important to your lawn.
Pros
- No gas, oil, or charging required
- Grass catcher included
- Cutting height adjusts from 1 to 2.25 inches
- 18-pound listed weight
Cons
- Tall, thick, or weedy grass may need extra passes
- Who should skip it: people with tougher growth or lawns needing powered mowing
Pros
- No engine noise or pollution
- Cutting height adjusts from 1 to 2.25 inches
- Hand sharpener included
- Weighs 17.5 pounds
Cons
- Avoid mowing wet grass
- Taller grass calls for more frequent mowing and overlapping passes
- Skip it if you need powered mowing
Pros
- Adjustable cutting height
- Quiet, motorless design
- Cushioned handle grips
- Assembly requires no special tools
Cons
- Manual pushing requires user effort
- Who should skip it: anyone wanting powered mowing
Pros
- Four-position height adjustment
- Large 11.9-gallon collection bag
- Battery and charger included in listed kit
Cons
- 15-inch cutting width may require more passes
- Who should skip it: buyers wanting wider cutting coverage
Pros
- Nine adjustable cutting positions
- No gas or batteries required
- Collection bag included
Cons
- Who should skip it: owners of larger lawns
Pros
- Lightweight 21-pound design
- Adjustable cutting height
- Quiet, pollution-free manual operation
Cons
- Limited to grass up to 4 inches tall
- Who should skip it: shoppers seeking a powered mower
Pros
- Adjustable cutting height
- Seven-blade ball-bearing reel
- Listed for several warm-season grasses
Cons
- Who should skip it: shoppers seeking powered mowing
Pros
- Pollution-free and noise-free operation
- Adjustable cutting height
- Designed for maneuverability
Cons
- Less effective on grass taller than 4 inches
- Skip it if grass often exceeds 4 inches
Pros
- Lightweight at 20.9 pounds
- Hand sharpener included
- Pollution-free and noise-free operation, according to product information
Cons
- Works best on short, dry grass
- Skip it if you routinely mow wet or overgrown grass
Pros
- Nine adjustable cutting positions
- No gas or batteries needed
- 20-inch cutting width
Cons
- Requires manual pushing
- Who should skip it: people seeking powered mowing
The Best Reel Mowers by Use Case
Best for Clipping Collection: American Lawn Mower 1304-14GC 14" 5-Blade Reel
The American Lawn Mower 1304-14GC 14" 5-Blade Reel stands out for a small lawn where collecting clippings matters. It has a 14-inch cutting width, five heat-treated alloy-steel blades, and an included grass catcher. Its height adjusts from 1 to 2.25 inches, so check that range against your preferred lawn height before buying. Compare it with other lawn mower types if your yard needs more than a manual reel can offer.
Reasons to buy:
- Grass catcher comes with the mower.
- Five-blade scissor-action reel and 14-inch cutting width.
- Manual operation needs no gas, oil, batteries, or charging.
Reasons to avoid:
- The 14-inch width may mean more passes across a larger lawn.
- The listing recommends small, relatively level, regularly maintained lawns; tall or thick grass can need extra passes.
Skip it if your lawn is large, uneven, or often grows tall between cuts.
Best for a Wider Manual Cut: Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn
The Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn gives you an 18-inch cutting width without adding a motor or battery. Its adjustable height spans 0.5 to 2.75 inches, a broader stated range than the 14-inch American Lawn Mower pick above. Ball bearings in the five-blade reel, 10-inch composite wheels, and a loop handle with cushioned grips are listed features for shoppers who want a wider manual mower.
Reasons to buy:
- 18-inch width covers more ground per pass than 14- or 16-inch picks.
- 0.5-to-2.75-inch adjustable cutting-height range.
- Listing specifies ball bearings and cushioned handle grips.
Reasons to avoid:
- Manual pushing still supplies the power, so it does not reduce mowing effort as a powered mower can.
- No grass catcher is listed among the published features.
Skip it if you need powered assistance or want a catcher included.
Best for Listed Warm-Season Grasses: Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn
The Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn is the most clearly specified choice here for several warm-season grass types. Its listing names Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine, and Seashore Paspalum, and specifies a seven-blade ball-bearing reel with a 16-inch cutting width. The height adjusts from 0.5 to 2.5 inches. That grass-specific listing makes it a useful starting point, but it does not establish that every lawn or cultivar will cut equally well.
Reasons to buy:
- Listing identifies five grass types for which the mower is intended.
- Seven-blade reel and 16-inch cutting width.
- Height adjustment covers 0.5 to 2.5 inches.
Reasons to avoid:
- Manual design needs you to push it through the lawn.
- No catcher is specified in the published features.
Skip it if your grass type is not listed and you cannot confirm suitability with the manufacturer or current product details.
Best Powered Reel Option: Sun Joe Cordless Electric Push Lawn Mower
The Sun Joe Cordless Electric Push Lawn Mower pairs a reel cutting system with a 360-watt motor, making it the powered alternative among these picks. It has a 15-inch cutting width, a four-position height adjustment from 0.6 to 2 inches, and an included 11.9-gallon collection bag. The listing describes its weight as just under 30 pounds. Check the current listing for battery and charger details, which are not specified in the published product information.
Reasons to buy:
- Electric motor provides powered assistance instead of relying only on pushing.
- Collection bag is included for gathering clippings.
- Four height positions cover a stated range of 0.6 to 2 inches.
Reasons to avoid:
- Battery and charger inclusion is not clear from the published details, so verify package contents.
- Its 15-inch cutting width is narrower than the 18- and 20-inch manual options.
Skip it if you want a mower that operates without batteries or charging.
Best for Fewer Passes: LawnMaster 20” 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The LawnMaster 20” 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower has the widest stated cutting width in this group at 20 inches. Its manual, motorless design avoids gas and batteries, while nine cutting positions span 1.3 to 2.6 inches. Those details may suit a maintained lawn where covering more width per pass matters, although the wider deck is not automatically easier to maneuver in tight spaces.
Reasons to buy:
- 20-inch cutting width is the widest among these listed models.
- Nine height positions provide adjustment from 1.3 to 2.6 inches.
- Manual operation needs no gas or batteries.
Reasons to avoid:
- The height range does not reach as low as several other picks.
- No grass catcher is listed in the published features.
Skip it if your lawn has narrow passages or needs a lower cut than 1.3 inches.
Also Considered
The American Lawn Mower 1304-14SK2 14-Inch 5-Blade may suit small yards where an included hand sharpener is useful, but its 14-inch width is narrower than the wider picks. Browse the Lawn & Garden category for related yard-care options.
The LawnMaster LMRM1801 Push Reel Lawn Mower 18-Inch offers nine height positions from 1.1 to 2.5 inches and includes a collection bag, but it overlaps with the wider manual and clipping-collection picks.
The American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14 14-Inch is a compact five-blade manual option with a stated ability to cut grass up to 4 inches tall, but its 14-inch width may call for more passes.
The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push is listed at 19 pounds and suits shoppers prioritizing a lightweight, compact mower, but its height range ends at 1.75 inches.
The American Lawn Mower 1415-16SK2 16-Inch 5-Blade may appeal to buyers who want an included hand sharpener and a 16-inch width, but its published features provide less detail about height adjustment than our main picks.
How to Choose the Best Reel Mower
Match cutting width to lawn layout
Cutting width affects how much lawn each pass covers. A 20-inch model such as the LawnMaster can reduce the number of passes across an open area compared with a 14-inch mower, but a narrower mower may be easier to steer around beds and tight corners. Think about the shape of your lawn, not only its total area: gates, paths, trees, and narrow strips can make maneuverability more important than width.
Check height range against your mowing routine
Compare the mower’s full adjustment range with the height you plan to maintain. The Great States model spans 0.5 to 2.75 inches, while the LawnMaster 20-inch model starts at 1.3 inches. A wider range offers more adjustment, but only matters if it includes your preferred cut. The published product information also advises mowing regularly, avoiding wet grass, and taking smaller amounts off rather than letting grass grow long. Verify height limits on the current listing before purchase.
Choose manual or powered operation
Manual reel mowers use no gas, oil, batteries, or charging, which keeps their operation straightforward but means you provide the pushing force. Sun Joe’s listing specifies a 360-watt motor, so it is the powered option here. Its published information does not confirm battery or charger contents; check the listing carefully if you choose it, and confirm replacement battery details if those affect your decision.
Consider grass type and blade count
Earthwise specifically lists several warm-season grasses for its seven-blade reel. Other models in this guide list four or five blades, but blade count alone does not prove that a mower suits your turf or will cut better in your yard. Check the manufacturer’s current guidance for your grass type and consider whether you can mow frequently enough to keep growth manageable.
Decide whether you need a clipping catcher
A catcher can collect clippings during mowing, but it adds an accessory to attach and empty. The American Lawn Mower 1304-14GC and Sun Joe models include a catcher or collection bag in the published details; LawnMaster LMRM1801 also lists a collection bag. Do not assume another model includes one because its brand or appearance is similar. Check package contents and consider whether you prefer to collect clippings or leave them on the lawn.
How We Compared
We compared the published product specifications and design details, including cutting width, height adjustment, blade count, power source, listed grass suitability, and included accessories. Customer feedback data available for these products did not provide usable review details, so this guide does not rely on unverified user experiences. Recommendations reflect stated features and the needs each model may fit, not a claim that one mower suits every lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a reel mower cut tall grass?
Some listed models are described as capable of cutting grass up to 4 inches tall, including the American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14 and the 1204-14. That does not mean tall or overgrown grass will be easy to cut. The 1304-14GC listing recommends a small, regularly maintained lawn and notes that tall, thick, or weedy areas may need extra passes. Mowing more often and avoiding wet grass can help keep the task manageable.
Is a reel mower suitable for every grass type?
No. The Earthwise listing names Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine, and Seashore Paspalum. The other published product details do not provide an equally specific list of grass types. Check current manufacturer guidance for your turf before choosing, especially if your grass is not named in the listing.
What is the difference between a manual reel mower and a cordless reel mower?
A manual reel mower gets its motion from being pushed and does not need gas, oil, or charging. The Sun Joe model is listed as having a 360-watt motor, which makes it the powered option in this comparison. The published details do not confirm its battery or charger package contents, so check those before buying.
Does a higher blade count mean a better cut?
Blade count is one comparison point, not a stand-alone measure of cut quality. These products include four-, five-, and seven-blade reels, but the published specifications do not establish that one count will perform better on every lawn. Consider grass type, mowing frequency, cut height, and the manufacturer’s recommendations together.
Do reel mowers include grass catchers?
Some do, but inclusion varies by model. The American Lawn Mower 1304-14GC includes a grass catcher, and the Sun Joe includes an 11.9-gallon collection bag. LawnMaster LMRM1801 lists a collection bag. Confirm the exact package contents for any other model, and remember to empty a catcher as it fills.
How often should I mow with a reel mower?
The listed product guidance favors regular mowing and recommends taking off no more than one-third of the grass blade where that advice is listed. It also suggests increasing overlap when grass reaches 4 inches or more. Your ideal schedule depends on how quickly your lawn grows, so check the mower’s guidance and adjust your routine to avoid letting grass become too tall between cuts.
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