Maintaining a small, manicured lawn doesn’t require the roar and fumes of a gas-powered machine. Reel mowers offer a peaceful, eco-conscious alternative, providing a clean, scissor-like cut that promotes healthier grass. Their simple, mechanical design means no more trips to the gas station, tangled cords, or dead batteries. You get a quiet, satisfying mowing experience that’s as good for your yard as it is for the environment.
Choosing the right reel mower, however, depends on your lawn’s specific needs, from the cutting width and blade count to adjustable height settings and ease of use. To help you find the perfect match, we’ve curated a list of the top-performing manual mowers on the market. This roundup will guide you through the key features and benefits of each model, making your decision process smooth and straightforward.
The Best Reel Lawn Mowers for a Perfect Cut
- Fiskars Push Mower, Cut Width Manual Reel Mower
- Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
- Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2000-20S 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower
- GARDENA Classic 16″ Reel Lawn Mower with 5 Blades
- VEVOR Push Reel Lawn Mower 16 inch, 5 Blades Manual Push Mower
- 12 Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Cordless Manual Lawn Mower
- Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
- American Lawn Mower Company GC91416 Reel Lawn Mower Grass Catcher
- LawnMaster LMRM1602 Push Reel Lawn Mower 16-Inch 5-Blade
- Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower 18 Inch
Fiskars Push Mower, Cut Width Manual Reel Mower
This Fiskars model stands out for its innovative engineering that makes manual mowing significantly easier. Its InertiaDrive Reel is designed to provide twice the cutting power of standard mowers, while the StaySharp Cutting System means you’ll never have to manually sharpen the blades. It’s also engineered to be 60% easier to push, reducing the physical effort required for your lawn care routine.
User comfort is a key focus, with a reversible grass chute that helps keep clippings off your path and shoes. The one-touch handle height adjustment allows you to quickly customize the mower to your height for optimal control and comfort. As a completely motor-free mower, it requires no gas, oil, or cords, making it a truly eco-friendly choice for regular lawn maintenance.
Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The Great States 815-18 is a reliable and straightforward reel mower built for consistent performance. It features a generous 18-inch cutting width and a 5-blade reel supported by ball-bearings for smooth operation. The cutting height is easily adjustable from 0.5 inches to 2.75 inches, giving you the flexibility to achieve your desired lawn length.
Durability is a strong point, with blades crafted from high-quality alloy steel that are built to stay sharp over a long period. The 10-inch composite wheels provide stable movement across your lawn. This mower is a testament to simple, effective design, offering a clean and even cut without the complications of engine maintenance.
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2000-20S 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower
For those with a bit more ground to cover, the Scotts 2000-20S offers a wide 20-inch cutting path, which can reduce mowing time. Its classic design includes a 5-blade ball bearing reel and 10-inch dual tracking wheels that help the mower move in a straight line with less effort from the user.
The cutting height can be quickly adjusted from 1 to 3 inches with a simple snap mechanism, ensuring a clean and even cut every time. Like other high-quality models, its blades are made from heat-treated alloy steel for long-lasting sharpness. This mower is a solid, time-tested choice for maintaining a healthy and attractive lawn.
GARDENA Classic 16″ Reel Lawn Mower with 5 Blades
The GARDENA Classic emphasizes precision and quiet operation. Its hardened, non-stick coated cutting cylinder uses a contact-free cutting technique, rotating past a fixed counter-blade to deliver a precise, clean cut similar to using lawn shears. This method is not only effective but also very quiet, making it ideal for use in noise-sensitive neighborhoods.
It is designed for everyday use with an ergonomic handle and large wheels that have a special tread for easy steering and comfortable operation. You can adjust the cutting height in four stages between 0.47” and 1.65” to suit your lawn’s needs. By using no gas or electricity, it helps reduce your carbon footprint while saving on energy costs.
VEVOR Push Reel Lawn Mower 16 inch, 5 Blades Manual Push Mower
The VEVOR Push Reel Lawn Mower is built for accuracy and durability. Its 16-inch width and 5-blade design work together to ensure a precise and uniform trim across your lawn. The cutting height is adjustable from 0.6 to 1.75 inches, allowing you to adapt to different grass types and seasonal growth patterns.
This mower features five high-quality steel blades and a shock-resistant design for reliable performance over multiple uses. A significant advantage is its portability and easy assembly; the handle attaches to the main unit quickly without tools, getting you ready to mow in about 10 minutes. It also includes a grass catcher bag to help keep your lawn tidy.
12 Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Cordless Manual Lawn Mower
This compact 12-inch mower is an excellent option for very small lawns, courtyards, and garden patches. Despite its smaller size, it maintains high working efficiency with its 5-blade design, allowing you to achieve a smooth and tidy lawn quickly and with minimal noise. The narrow cutting width makes it highly maneuverable in tight spaces.
Constructed with a manganese steel blade, a galvanized pole, and plastic wheels, this mower is built to be stable, rust-resistant, and long-lasting. It comes with a large-capacity 23L (6-gallon) grass catcher bag that can hold a significant amount of clippings, reducing the frequency of stops to empty it during your mowing session.
Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The Earthwise reel mower distinguishes itself with a 7-blade ball bearing reel, which can provide an even finer and more frequent cut compared to 5-blade models. This 16-inch mower features a durable steel side plate design and 10-inch composite wheels for steady operation on various lawn types.
It is a versatile tool capable of cutting different kinds of grass, including Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine. The blades are made from alloy steel, which is engineered to stay sharp for a long time, ensuring consistent cutting performance and reducing the need for maintenance.
American Lawn Mower Company GC91416 Reel Lawn Mower Grass Catcher
This product is not a mower itself but a dedicated grass catcher designed specifically for American Lawn Mower Company’s 14-inch and 16-inch reel mower models. It is an essential accessory for anyone who prefers a neatly cleared lawn after mowing, as it collects leaves and grass clippings efficiently.
By preventing clippings from being strewn across your lawn, it helps maintain a clean appearance and can be beneficial for lawn health. The bag is constructed from high-quality, durable materials, including a plastic bottom, rot-resistant polyester fabric, and a heavy-duty wireframe to maintain its shape and longevity.
LawnMaster LMRM1602 Push Reel Lawn Mower 16-Inch 5-Blade
The LawnMaster LMRM1602 is designed to promote a healthier lawn through its scissor-like cutting action, which cleanly slices grass blades instead of ripping or tearing them. This results in a better-looking lawn that is less susceptible to disease. You can effortlessly customize the cut height with four different positions ranging from 1 to 2 inches.
Maneuverability is a key benefit of this model. The 16-inch deck and 10-inch front wheels make it easy to navigate around flower beds, trees, and other obstacles in your yard. This combination of a clean cut and easy handling makes it a strong contender for maintaining a well-manicured small lawn.
Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower 18 Inch
Another advanced offering from Fiskars, the StaySharp Max Reel Mower builds upon the brand’s reputation for innovation in manual lawn care. It is engineered to require even less effort to push while delivering a superior, clean cut. The StaySharp technology ensures the blades self-sharpen as you mow, eliminating a common maintenance hassle.
This mower is designed for user comfort and efficiency, featuring an 18-inch cutting width to cover more ground with each pass. Like its sibling model, it operates without gas, oil, or cords, providing a quiet and emission-free mowing experience. It is an excellent choice for those seeking a premium, low-maintenance reel mower for their small lawn.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Reel Lawn Mower for a Small Lawn
I’ve been using a reel mower for years on my modest-sized yard, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer for the right space. But not all reel mowers are created equal. If you’re looking at the list of the 10 best reel lawn mowers for small lawns, you’ll want to know what actually matters before you click “buy.” Here’s my personal take on what to look for.
First, consider the cutting width. For a small lawn, you don’t need a massive mower. A narrower cut, say 16 to 18 inches, is usually perfect. It makes the mower lighter and easier to maneuver around tight corners, garden beds, and patio furniture. A wider mower might seem like it will get the job done faster, but on a small plot, the difference is negligible, and the added weight and bulk just make it harder to handle.
Next, think about the number of blades, or reels. A mower with five blades will generally give you a cleaner, more scissor-like cut than one with six or seven. More blades mean each blade is closer to the next, resulting in a finer shearing action on each grass blade. This is what gives you that pristine, striped look you see on putting greens. For a typical small lawn, a five-blade reel is often the sweet spot of performance and price.
Adjustability is a huge one. Can you easily change the cutting height? I’ve found that being able to adjust the height is crucial as seasons change. You might want a shorter cut in the spring and a taller one during the hot summer to help the grass retain moisture. Look for a mower with a simple, single-lever adjustment for all wheels. This is far easier than adjusting each wheel individually, which can be a real pain and often leads to an uneven cut if not done perfectly.
Then there’s the frame material. You’ll see mostly steel and some aluminum. Steel is incredibly durable and often less expensive, but it’s heavier. Aluminum is lighter and won’t rust, which is a big plus if you store your mower in a damp shed. For a small lawn, the weight might not be a massive issue, but if you have any slopes or simply prefer a lighter tool, aluminum is worth the extra investment.
Finally, don’t forget about the grass catcher. While I often just mulch the clippings back into the lawn as a natural fertilizer, there are times when the grass is a bit too long or wet, and a catcher is necessary. See if the mower you like offers a catcher as a standard accessory or an optional add-on. It’s a feature you’ll be happy to have when you need it. By focusing on these aspects—cutting width, blade count, adjustability, material, and accessories—you can find a reel mower that will keep your small lawn looking sharp with minimal effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are reel mowers actually good for your lawn?
Absolutely, and that’s a big reason I switched. Unlike rotary mowers that tear the grass, a reel mower uses a scissor-action to cleanly slice it. This cleaner cut is healthier for the grass blade, helping to prevent browning at the tips and reducing the chance for disease to enter the plant. It promotes a thicker, lusher lawn over time. For anyone compiling a list of the 10 best reel lawn mowers for small lawns, this benefit is usually at the top of the list.
What type of grass is best for a reel mower?
Reel mowers perform best on fine, smooth grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermudagrass, and Perennial Ryegrass. They struggle with thick, coarse-stemmed grasses like St. Augustine or tall Fescue, especially if you let it get too long. The key is consistent mowing; you never want to cut off more than a third of the grass blade at a time. If your lawn is mostly weeds or very tough, broadleaf grasses, a reel mower might not be the right tool for you.
How often do I need to sharpen the blades?
This depends on how often you use it and what your soil is like. If you hit a lot of twigs, stones, or sandy soil, the blades will dull faster. As a general rule, with regular use on a clean lawn, you might need to sharpen the blades once every one to two years. The good news is, many modern reel mowers have a “backlapping” feature. This is a process where you apply a special grinding compound and run the blades backwards to sharpen them yourself without taking the mower apart.
Can a reel mower handle slightly overgrown grass?
This is their main weakness. Reel mowers are designed for regular maintenance, not for reclaiming a jungle. If your grass gets too tall, the reel blades will just push it over instead of cutting it. My rule of thumb is if the grass is more than about 4-5 inches tall, you’re better off using a string trimmer to knock it down first or taking multiple passes with the reel mower, raising the height for the first cut and then lowering it for the second.
Is it really that much of a workout to use one?
It’s more of a workout than pushing a self-propelled gas mower, but less than pushing a heavy, old-fashioned rotary mower. On a flat, small lawn, it’s very manageable. You’re providing the power, so you set the pace. I find it to be a pleasant, quiet form of exercise. If you have a lot of hills, it can be quite strenuous, and you might want to consider a powered model or a different type of mower altogether.