Blog

Jan 15, 2024

Keep your lawn a cut above with the best reel mowers

by: Cody Stewart, BestReviews Staff Posted: Jun 9, 2023 / 11:35 AM PDT

by: Cody Stewart, BestReviews Staff

Posted: Jun 9, 2023 / 11:35 AM PDT

Updated: Jun 9, 2023 / 11:42 AM PDT

Keeping your lawn mowed eliminates pests and promotes healthy growth. Still, choosing the right lawn mower can be tricky. Gas mowers are loud and produce emissions, and battery-powered mowers can be inconvenient.

Reel mowers, on the other hand, don't require a power source and are easy to maintain. When choosing a reel mower, you’ll want to consider the blades, cutting width and weight.

Shop this article: Remington RM3000 16-Inch Reel Push Mower, Great States 16-Inch Five-Blade Reel Mower, Fiskars 17-Inch Staysharp Push Reel Lawnmower

Mowers with wide cutting widths help you cut your lawn faster. Many reel mowers have a 14- to 20-inch cutting width. Still, wider mowers can be more challenging to maneuver and may weigh more. Because the wheelbase is wider than the width of the reel, you’ll want to overlap slightly with each pass.

Using a reel mower can feel like an upper-body workout if you’re used to self-propelled mowers. It's good to consider the weight when buying one, so it's less strenuous to use.

These mowers generally have four to seven blades and a bed knife. Mowers with more blades are usually best for tall, coarse grass.

To ensure you’re always getting a clean cut, you can sharpen up the blades with this simple method.

A. Rotary mowers leave a jagged edge on your grass. Alternatively, reel mowers function like a pair of scissors, leaving a smooth edge on the cut grass. The clean cut leads to healthier, better-looking grass.

A. Reel mowers require upper-body strength to push. Still, they’re usually lighter than traditional mowers and shouldn't be particularly difficult to move. If you feel your reel mower is hard to use, it may be due to bent or dull blades. You may need to sharpen the edges or bend them back in shape with a hammer.

A. They can be used on damp grass, but you shouldn't run them through standing water. Rust may form if you let your mower sit while wet.

A. Reel mowers are best for short grass. If you own a reel mower, it's a good idea to trim the grass at least once a week, or it may become difficult to use.

Remington RM3000 16-Inch Reel Push Mower

What you need to know: It's easy to use and features a built-in grass catcher.

What you’ll love: It's affordable and simple to assemble. The blades are sharp, and the grass catcher is ideal for those who want mulching capabilities. The reel is also adjustable.

What you should consider: The handle is relatively flimsy, and the blades may squeak.

Sold by Amazon

Great States 16-Inch Five-Blade Reel Mower

What you need to know: It's affordable and assembly is straightforward.

What you’ll love: This model is lightweight and features a simple design. Most people love how easy it is to maneuver, and the alloy steel blades stay sharp for a while.

What you should consider: The handle isn't as durable as other reel mowers.

Sold by Amazon

Fiskars 17-Inch Staysharp Push Reel Lawnmower

What you need to know: This is one of the most-affordable Fiskars reel mowers.

What you’ll love: It's easy to assemble and use. It's durable and efficient, and you can adjust the cutting height from 1.5-3.5 inches.

What you should consider: It isn't as powerful as other Fiskars reel mowers.

Sold by Amazon

Scott's 16-Inch Walk-Behind Reel Lawn-Mower

What you need to know: It's easy to use and features a straightforward design.

What you’ll love: Ideal for small yards, you can assemble this with no tools. The blades provide a clean cut.

What you should consider: It isn't as durable as other reel mowers.

Sold by Amazon

Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Lawn Mower

What you need to know: This features a durable design and effectively cuts lawns.

What you’ll love: It's easy to use and leaves you with a precise cut. It has an 18-inch cutting path and an adjustable handle. It's also easy to assemble and adjust the blades.

What you should consider: It's relatively expensive and heavy.

Sold by Amazon

Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.

Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.

Cody Stewart writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.

Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.