Reel mower high grass. A Traditional Approach to Gardening: The Best Reel Mower On the Market Today
The 9 Best Reel Mowers of 2023, Reviewed. Which Is the Best Reel Mower for Your Lawn?
You don’t have to fuss around brown patches, fungus, and insect infestation. These best reel mowers snip overgrown grass like a pair of scissors for a clean, healthy, and professionally manicured lawn. And all it takes is your strength – no electricity, no gas, no noisy motor, and no harmful emissions.
You can even put your leveling project permanently on hold because there’s one option made for the sloping, uneven, and rough terrains!
Here are the nine best reel mower models for a healthier, cleaner, and professionally manicured lawn.
Best Reel Lawn Mower Reviews
We’ve gone through hundreds of manual lawn mowers, so you don’t have to.
Check out our review round-up for the nine best reels mowers. Plus, read about how to choose a reel lawn mower that best caters to your lawn needs.
Great States Push Reel Lawn Mower – Best Overall
First off, we have the best overall reel mower. The Great States Push Mower is the perfect balance of cutting width, easy steering, and multiple adjustments.
The 5-blade reel has a 16-inch cutting width, making it suitable for small lawns with all types of grass. The lower blade count means it can cut taller grass more efficiently. The medium cutting width is just right for optimal steering. It’s not too narrow that you spend more time going through your lawn. But it’s not too wide that it’s hard to move around.
The weight is in the sweet spot too. At 25 pounds, it’s light enough to carry but heavy enough to keep the blades close to the ground. It’s great for uneven patches because more lightweight mowers will just bump off on impact. The added weight lets the mower hug the ground for a better cut.
You can also do a lot of fine-tuning for the wheels, rollers, and blades. It is excellent for expert lawn keepers that want a precise cut every single time. The roller adjustments are great for getting that coveted striped look on your simple yard.
Unlike the other mowers, this has a broader cutting length range. You can go as low as 0.5 inches for an ultra-tight look or a more lush and comfy height of 2.5 inches.
With all the adjustments available, this mower is for everyone. Beginners can use it straight out of the box with easy assembly. Advanced users can play around with the different levels of each component. The Great States Push mower works for any grass type and is still budget-friendly.
Sun Joe MJ501M Manual Reel Mower With Grass Catcher – Budget Pick
- Wheel size: 10″ front, 6″ rear
- Cutting width: 18″
- Blade count: 5
- Handle style: Loop
The Sun Joe MJ501M is the reel mower that you get the most out of your buck. Yes, it sounds super fancy. And for the price, it looks fancy too!
But this push reel mower has more to it than its looks. You get a wide cutting width, 4-wheel operation, and fine height adjustment. All packed with a 7-gallon grass cutter.
With all that, you can cut more grass per pass. And you can do it easily thanks to the added back wheels. You can even catch most lawn clippings (some are bound to fly out of basket range). And then use it for mulching or your chicken’s snack.
The reel mower has five blades that cut between 1.6 to 2.6 inches. It’s not the shortest range, but it’s perfect for backyard turf. The grass stays comfy enough to step on, but not long too long that the grass blades are droopy.
Within that sweet spot range, you can adjust the height in 9 levels so you can fine-tune your cuttings. That makes for a cleaner, more precise look for your yard.
A drawback here is the spacing between the wheels and the blade. There’s a significant gap, so you need to overlap your next lane with the previous one. But that doesn’t cheat you out of the 18-inch cutting width. So even with the overlap, you’re still cutting wider lanes of grass.
This reel mower is fantastic for maintaining small to medium backyards. You can cut tall grass easily with the low blade count and good steering of the four wheels. You get a lot of perks for the money that you spend. And that’s what the budget pick is all about.
Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower – Premium Pick
- Wheel size: NA
- Cutting width: 18”
- Blade count: 5
- Handle style: Adjustable wonky handle
Let’s take a look at our premium pick for reel mowers. The Fiskars StaySharp Max reel mower has a whole lot of great engineering rolled into one unit.
The blades stay true to their name. They will always be sharp, thanks to zero contact between the reel blades and the bed knife. No contact means less wear and tear and less sharpening.
It also makes this mower easier to push than others. The space between the blades makes jamming less of an issue. Plus, the added weight of the mower gives it more power to go through thick patches.
Yes, a heavy mower is a bit difficult to push and maneuver, but its momentum makes it lighter for you to steer when it does get started. The reel is even connected to a chain system rather than the wheels.
So even if you stop pushing, the reel keeps spinning—kind of like a bicycle. When you’re going fast and stop pedaling, you keep moving because the gear chains still move. That gives you time to adjust your position without starting from a stop.
And last but not least. This reel mower has a grass chute that can either toss the cut grass backward or forward. It comes super handy when you’re going out but need to do a quick mow. But you don’t want grass all over your shoes when you’re done. Just flip the chute forward, push for a few minutes without getting sweaty and be on your way.
It is the ultimate mower for homeowners without a budget issue. With the Fiskars StaySharp Max reel mower’s features, you save time and effort. You can also reduce clean-up! It cuts all types of grass, including thick ones like Bermuda.
If you like to keep your grass super short, this isn’t the mower for you because the shortest your grass will be is 1 inch tall. But as long as you don’t have an issue with a heavy start and a lighter. this mower is excellent for you.
It uses contactless cutting technology (your reel doesn’t touch the bed knife) so that there’s no swishing sound as you mow. It also helps keep your blades sharp and gives allowance in case there are bigger clumps of grass. There’s less chance for grass-jamming with this technique so expect easy pushing all the time.
This German reel mower is perfect for small lawns with short-growing grass. The five blades of the reel cut half an inch to 1.5 inches. That’s ideal for grasses like Bermuda and Kentucky Bluegrass (1).
This reel mower is also great for keeping in a small shed. The loop handle folds into thirds for compact storage.
A Traditional Approach to Gardening: The Best Reel Mower On the Market Today
What stands between you and a perfect lawn? Your grass going wild! What can you do? Mow your lawn to perfection with the best reel mower! After that, all you need to do is take out a rocking chair, lay back with your favorite book or magazine and a glass of a cold drink and enjoy the fruits of your labor- a perfectly symmetric, gloriously green lawn!
Why Choose Reel Mower?
We all know how rapidly the technology develops nowadays, and the world of lawn mowers is no exception. The modern mowers look like spaceships and are advertised to be almost self-sufficient, but do you really need all that technology that can malfunction at any time and leave you with a half-trimmed lawn? We say NO!
It is better to forsake all the electric, battery-powered and gas mowers and opt for a traditional, eco-friendly, reel mower. These classic machines might have been invented in the previous century, but they are still going strong as ever. Why is it so? Well, they have a few advantages worth mentioning:
Good for your health as well as the health of your lawn
You might be a bit skeptical and wonder how in the hell can a reel mower be good for my health, but we assure you it is really so and will explain it. First of all, you need to hand push the reel mower, and that requires physical effort. Afterall, pushing the mower will not be very easy as the rotating blades will provide resistance. In fact, pushing the reel mower for twenty minutes will burn you about 150 calories, or approximately 30% more than you would burn when using the gas push mower. Therefore, using a reel mower makes for a great exercise and fat-burning activity!
As far as the health of your lawn is concerned, reel mowers are also a better choice than rotary mowers, and there are environmental horticulture studies that prove it. Namely, the reel mowers cut the grass like scissors, unlike the rotary mowers which shred the grass blades. In that way, the tissue is less damaged, less water is lost, and the plant goes under less stress. Furthermore, the grass is less prone to diseases and even looks better when you use a reel mower to keep it in check!
Low maintenance
In the hectic modern world, we appreciate every free moment we can get a hold of and thus tend to choose things that do not need a lot of our attention- the great news is that a reel mower is exactly such a machine! It really requires minimal time and effort to be maintained. You need to lubricate it from time to time and sharpen the blades every couple of years and that’s it!
Low Noise Level
Do not expect the soundless operation, but in comparison to the smelly and noisy gas mower, the reel mower will feel like music to your ears. The sound it produces is most often described as the gentle snipping, and no one seems to be bothered by that!
Unfortunately, it is not all bells and whistles! There are actually a few downfalls to using the reel mowers we need to mention as well if we want to be objective- and we always strive to be!
Using a reel mower on a large lawn can be quite tiresome If your lawn is larger than a quarter of an acre, do not even try it! In the spring the grass grows very quickly, and the temperatures can be pretty high, so mowing a lawn this big can really exhaust you and cause health issues rather than resolve them.
Secondly, using a reel mower requires great diligence and keeping to a strict schedule. If you allow your grass to overgrow reel mower will not be able to cut it but rather just push it down and roll right over it. You also need to remove all the leaves or twigs from your lawn before using the reel mower, so if you have a lot of trees on your property it is not the greatest option for you!
Finally, if your lawn is nowhere near flat, it is best to avoid a reel mower altogether. Bumpy lawns will prove to be a nightmare for a reel mower as the wheels will lose the contact with the ground, and the reel will not turn and cut the grass evenly. As a result, the grass will be cut unevenly, and there will be spots completely unmowed. It is also impossible for a reel mower to cut the grass in tight spaces such as near the fence or walls, so take that into consideration as well.
How To Choose The Best Reel Mower For You and Your Lawn
If you have carefully read and understood all the advantages and disadvantages of using the reel mower and you have decided that it really is the best choice for you and your lawn, you should now try to find the best reel mower on the market that will suit your individual needs. We will, therefore, list all the criteria that separate reel mowers from each other:
How high/low can it cut the grass?
Every reel mower can cut the grass at the specific height. Most of them can go very low (up to half an inch), but be careful with this feature as cutting the grass too low on a hot summer day can cause it to burn and permanently ruin your lawn.
It is more important to look for a mower that can cut the grass as high as 2½ inches as to avoid damaging your lawn. Therefore when purchasing the reel mower make sure it can be adjusted to the height you need.
How wide is the mower? How much does it weigh?
The width of your lawn mower will influence the time you need to mow your lawn. In fact, the wider a mower you buy, the more length per run you will be able to cover. However, wider reel mowers will be heavier too so take that into consideration as well.
Weight can be an issue if you are not very fit and tend to tire out quickly. A wider blade is heavier, so when picking a lawnmower, make sure that the specific blade length fits you and your constitution. If you own a rather big lawn, it might be wise to find balance between a cutting performance and weight.
How hard is it to push?
Besides weight and width, wheels will have a great influence oh how easy or not your reel mower will be to push. The wheels should provide stability, but also be able to turn the reel without too much resistance.
Is it suitable for your type of grass and terrain?
The type of grass on your property greatly influences the type of reel lawn mower you should buy. Thick, strong, grass calls for thicker blades, while light grass can do just fine with lighter mowers.
The slope of terrain should be considered as well. A flat lawn can be handled by any reel mower. but sloped and bumpy one can prove to be quite a challenge for most of the mowers. In such a case, you should find a reel mower able to cut at any angle.
Is it durable?
The durability of the reel mower is influenced by the quality of the materials it is made from. All- metal construction is usually the most durable, but also tends to be the heaviest option. Special attention must be paid to the blades, as they will dull after certain usage. The reel mower with durable blades is, therefore, a priority.
The Best Reel Mower You Can Currently Buy
As we have already said, finding the best reel mower is influenced by your personal needs and type of grass and terrain of your lawn. Therefore, we have picked out five best options so that you can choose the best reel mower for your needs:
Fiskars 18 Inch Staysharp Max Reel Mower
Editor’s Rating: 95/100
Price on Amazon: [amazon_link asins=’B0045VL1OO’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’gardeningwizards-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’935cce66-1635-11e7-bbf8-13d3034b13b5′]
Fiskars 18 Inch Staysharp Max Reel Mower is the most expensive reel mower we have reviewed, so if you are on a tight budget, you might want to skip this review and move on to the next one. Fiskars is a Finnish company specialized in designing high-quality scissors, but also some impressive lawnmowers. The model we are receiving here is very powerful and can handle not only thick grass but also leaves and twigs it comes across.
The InertiaDrive reel technology actually means that this reel mower has a cutting reel with a larger- diameter, but also heavier blades than the ones found in similarly priced models and can thus handle the thick grass and twigs we have already mentioned.
Next, Proprietary VersaCut technology allows for the blades to cut the grass evenly regardless of what type or how thick it is. There is less internal friction as well. The blades on this reel mower are made from hardened steel and ground with great precision which means that they do not need to be sharpened very often and will be very durable too.
The mower is quite easy to push, especially once you adjust the height correctly. And, speaking of the height, we must say that this is a rare model that allows you to set the height from one to four inches (quite simply, we must add). Other features that add to the good maneuverability are the ergonomic, looped handle and the wheels positioned on the inside of this reel mower. The cutting deck is 18 inches wide, which means that you can mow your lawn in less time.
The clippings are thrown in front rather than back at your feet, and although they do jam occasionally, it is a rare occurrence. Weighing 52 pounds, it is rather heavy, which can be considered a fault. However, the extra weight actually allows it to run more smoothly once you get it going.
Great States 815-18 Push Reel Lawn Mower
Editor’s Rating: 97/100
Price on Amazon: [amazon_link asins=’B0007ZK5V2′ template=’PriceLink’ store=’gardeningwizards-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’935cce66-1635-11e7-bbf8-13d3034b13b5′]
If you are searching for an affordable reel mower, Great States 815-18 Push Reel Lawn Mower is definitely worth considering. It features 18-inch cutting width, the same as the previously reviewed Fiskars model, at almost half of the price. It is more suitable for flat lawns with no trees though, but do read on to find out more.
The height can be adjusted from half an inch to a little less than three inches. The cutting is rather effective as it cuts the grass very evenly and only misses the extra thick stems. However, it is not powerful enough to handle any twigs, and therefore you will need to take some extra time to rake the lawn before you start mowing it with this reel mower.
Weighing only 27 pounds, it is very lightweight and easy to push which makes it convenient for ladies and children too. The 10-inch ball bearing wheels with radial tread tires provide enough stability though. It can handle even the sloped and bumpy terrain with almost no problems. Extra tall grass might prove an issue though, so do not let the lawn overgrow in order to avoid jamming. Another downfall is its inability to handle tight spaces and corners due to the large distance between the wheels and the blades.
The powder coated finished handle is very sturdy but also ergonomic and comfortable. The Great States reel mower is also easy to assemble and easy to store- you can even hang it on the wall in your garage.The five spider blades are heat treated and do not require to be sharpened very often. It is rather quiet when operating as it produces only a whirring sound as it cuts the grass.
Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower
Via Amazon.com
Editor’s Rating: 94/100
Price on Amazon: [amazon_link asins=’B01N7K4BNX’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’gardeningwizards-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’935cce66-1635-11e7-bbf8-13d3034b13b5′]
The Fiskars company offers an extensive line of lawn mowers of high-quality, and therefore this is the second reel mower of this brand that we will review. This mower once again proves the quality and exquisite performance are worth paying a few extra dollars for. We also have to note and praise the modern design of this mower.
This reel mower features sturdy construction and the same Staysharp Cutting Technology as the previously reviewed model. It thus cuts the grass uniformly and efficiently without the need for the blades to actually touch the grass. Therefore, you will not have to sharpen the blades for a very long time which makes this mower almost maintenance-free.
Another great feature of this reel mower is the unique handle design. Namely, the handlebar is not horizontal like on most mowers. It is a bit hard to describe, but the handlebar makes use of constant loop elongated design and due to it features both horizontal side (great for thick grass as it creates better traction) and vertical side (better for short grass). The handlebar height can be adjusted as well.
The VersaCut Technology allows you to adjust cut height rather simply from 1 to 4 inches. The cut quality is even and consistent, especially once you get the right blade arrangement. This reel mower is renowned for being able to handle almost all varieties of turf as it can cut through both the softest and the thickest grass with equal success.
The inset wheel design enables this mower to cut very close to edges of lawn and handle tight spaces quite successfully. The grass discharge chute tosses the grass clippings to the front too. On the downside, like many other mowers, this reel mower has not performed great when cutting wet grass. Very tall grass also caused some problems. It is a bit cheaper than the previously reviewed Fiskars model, but still rather expensive.
Reel Lawn Mowers (15 Questions Answered)
We all want one of those lovely striped lawns you see in property magazines, and a reel mower is perhaps the best way to achieve this – plus you can keep fit and combat climate change while you’re mowing. Result!
Reel mowers cut like a pair of scissors which is better for your grass than the tearing motion of a rotary mower. This not only gives a better cut, but no engine also means no fossil fuels and a regular workout for you. That’s why for many reasons the reel mower is the traditionalist’s choice.
Read on below as we answer 15 of the most common questions about reel mowers – and if you don’t want to buy one by the end of the article then I’ll be very surprised.
Are Reel Mowers Better For Your Lawn?
The reel blades turning against the cutter bar acts like a pair of scissors, cutting through the grass. The typical rotary mower cuts grass using spinning blades, and this is more of a tearing motion. A simple cutting action is gentler on your lawn than the spinning motion of the rotary mower.
Torn grass is more vulnerable to disease, where cut grass heals much faster after being mown, and a cut blade is better at retaining moisture. These clean cuts also make your lawn look better, which is why groundsmen still often favor this traditional mower design over more powerful options.
Are Reel Mowers The Quietest Lawn Mowers?
Yes they are, because they have no motor. If you want to mow your lawn in the cool of the early morning or the evening, you can do this without disturbing your neighbors. This is a big advantage of using a reel mower, because you’re not forced to mow during civilized hours – in other words, when the sun’s high.
Sure, reel mowers do make a sound, but it’s a soothing chopping noise, which many of us reel mower fans find really relaxing.
Can You Cut Tall Grass With a Reel Mower?
Reel mowers much prefer well-manicured lawns; so if you’re choosing to use your reel mower over a rotary mower, you’re committing yourself to a more regular cutting program.
Mowing tall grass (over three of four inches high) with a reel mower is so much harder than mowing a short lawn, that you won’t mind cutting the lawn more often. If you do end up cutting four inch blades of grass, make two passes over the lawn with the mower instead of just one.
They’re also not so good with tougher grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia. If you have a tough type of grass, go for a heavier reel mower – you don’t necessarily have to give up on the manual mower idea and choose a motorized one.
Can You Cut Wet Grass With a Reel Mower?
The weather can’t be helped, but you can avoid mowing wet grass. A reel mower gives you an uneven cut if the grass is wet. It’s hard work, and the results are rarely attractive.
If you can, hold off mowing until the grass dries. But what if it’s grown a lot in the meantime? The easiest solution is to cut it in two goes (don’t go straight for the shortest cut, but mow it to the desired height in two stages).
Can Reel Mowers Cut Dandelions?
Tall weeds like dandelions are simply pushed over by the reel mower, and won’t get properly cut. If you want to use a reel mower, the best way to tackle weeds is to have a separate weed management program running in tandem to your regular lawn cutting.
Organic weed killers and good old-fashioned hand weeding will help you keep your lawn in better shape, ready for mowing. If you have to mow over weeds, set the blade to its highest position.
Will a Reel Mower Cut Weeds?
As with dandelions, reel mowers don’t care for cutting weeds. Their scissor-like action is designed for neatly clipping low stems of grass, not tall and tough stems and leaves.
However, if you set your blade to its highest level, it will have a good go at mowing your weeds. But as we mentioned with the dandelions, it’s easier to tackle the weeds separately.
Do Reel Mowers Work On Uneven Ground?
Reel mowers aren’t big fans of uneven terrain. If your lawn has a lot of bumps, the wheels won’t get good enough traction to keep the blade moving smoothly. If you have an uneven lawn, this might not be the best option.
If you have a lot of uneven ground, you’re better off looking at heavier duty mowers. However, we understand the vintage appeal of the reel mower: perhaps treat yourself to one just for a small patch of more manicured lawn, such as the front garden? They’re inexpensive to buy and easy to look after…
Can You Mulch With a Reel Mower?
A reel mower mulches as you go. Push reel mowers don’t come with a grass collection option. Some folks find this a bind, as having to collect up the clippings is an extra chore. However, we see this is a big plus, as these grass clippings are a fantastic natural fertilizer.
The action of the reel mower disperses the clippings across the lawn – they don’t clump like they do with a rotary blade. Leave them on the lawn, which will benefit from nutrients like nitrogen and potassium.
Are Reel Mowers Hard To Use?
There’s always a trade off between weight and speed when it comes to choosing a reel mower. A larger machine will naturally be heavier to push, but it will cut a larger swath of grass. They do require more physical effort on your part than a machine with a motor, but think of the work-out you’re getting…
They are also easy to use in that they’re so simple. No cords, no switches, no gas. All you have to do is walk and push. Like most simple machines, maintenance is also easy, and we’ll come onto care in a moment.
How Low Can a Reel Mower Cut?
The blades of reel lawn mowers can be adjusted to different heights, and the lowest setting tends to be about a third of an inch. Any lower and you’re risking harming the roots of the grass. Healthy roots are essential if you want a thick, green lawn.
Low isn’t always the best option. For example, in the spring when the grass is growing quickly, set the blade a touch higher, and mow the lawn more often. For an all-round, general cut, we’ve heard that somewhere between 1 ¾ and 2 ½ inches is a good height.
How Do You Set Up a Reel Mower?
The latest generation of reel mowers come pretty much ready-assembled. You may have to attach the handle, but you won’t have to install anything complex like gears.
The cutting height depends on how close the blades and the cutter bar are to each other. If they’re close, you get a shorter cut. Further apart is better for longer grass, but too far, and it won’t cut grass at all. You’ll need to set this up by adjusting the cutter bar.
Before you go ahead and adjust your mower, check the set-up instructions to see what the manufacturer recommends.
How Do You Take Care of a Reel Mower?
The main thing to do is to brush off grass clippings after each use, and make sure the blades are dry before you put the mower away until next weekend. Squirt the moving parts with something like WD-40 every so often, and make sure you keep the blades sharpened (we’ll look at this in a moment).
The beauty of these machines is their simplicity. There are very few components to look after, making them a great low-maintenance choice.
How Do You Sharpen a Reel Mower?
The easiest way to keep your reel mower blade nice and sharp is to purchase a sharpening kit. You can get these online, and they’ll make the job nice and simple for you.
To sharpen a blade, first put on your heavy work gloves, then make sure the blade is clean and dry. Apply cutting oil (a special lubricant for metalwork) to a sharpening stone. Stroke the edges of the blade with the stone, keeping the touch as light and even as possible. Top tip: put a tough stick through the reel cage, so it can’t turn while you’re working on the blades.
It’s not a frequent job (each mower manufacturer will have guidelines on this), and it may be that when you think you need to sharpen it, it’s simply a case of making adjustments to get a better cutting height for your lawn.
How Do You Adjust The Height on a Reel Mower?
At some point, you’ll need to adjust the height to suit the changing conditions of your lawn. Generally speaking, there are screws on either side of the cutter bar that let you alter the height, and you can adjust it so it’s tighter or looser against the reel. You’re looking for the mid point where the mower both cuts well and is easy to push.
Although most mowers are built along similar lines, it’s worth checking either your instructions or the manufacturer’s website to make sure you’re adjusting the height correctly.
Are Reel Mowers Better For The Environment?
With no gas or electricity needed, push reel mowers are definitely a winner when it comes to green energy.
They’re also better for the immediate environment, being quiet and non-polluting. They simply won’t work if they come across a stone or stick on the grass, and there isn’t a dangerous motor turning over if you stop mowing.
Final Thoughts
In a way, reel mowers are the traditionalist’s choice when it comes to mowing the lawn. If you keep your machine well maintained and mow when the grass is dry – then using a reel mower will help you achieve one of those beautiful striped lawns you see in magazines. As these mowers don’t have engines they’re great for the environment too.
The only downside is that you’ll have to be pretty fit to push one of these up and down your lawn. However, that isn’t really a negative point either – as this in itself will be great for your health.
So in the final analysis, if you want a great looking lawn combined with an easy way to fight the flab and save the planet – go buy yourself a reel mower. You’ll soon discover they’re the ‘reel deal’ (sorry I just had to!).
Homeowner and property investor Larry Jones founded Take a Yard in 2020 to bring you the very best outdoor living content, based on his years of experience managing outside spaces. Read more
About UsHi, I’m homeowner and property investor Larry Jones. I founded Take a Yard to bring you the very best outdoor living content. Read
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The 8 Best Reel Lawn Mowers to Cut Fuel Costs and Grass
Give your wallet a break. Explore eight of the best cheap, lightweight reel lawn mowers that will cut fuel costs, grass, and pollution.
Are reel lawn mowers effective? The answer is complicated. A manual push mower is plenty effective for smaller spaces that receive regular upkeep. In fact, you may start to see more of these zero-emission lawn mowers make an appearance around your neighborhood this summer. The price of gas is skyrocketing, and every precious gallon you can save, the better. Not to mention, manual push mowers are better for the environment, better for bees, and better for your health.
Read on to learn about the eight best reel lawn mowers for summer 2022, according to Popular Mechanics.
Great States Push Reel Lawn Mower
Popular Mechanics named the Great States 415-16 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower the best budget reel mower. With a price of just about 100, this is a cheap and simply manual push mower. Tackle your yard and embrace a slightly longer lawn with five blades and rugged 10-inch wheels.
Sun Joe Manual Reel Mower
The Sun Joe MJ500M 16-Inch Manual Reel Mower is the best value push mower with a price of 110 and an included grass-clippings collector bag attached. It’s lightweight but wide and best for small, level yards. It requires little to no lawn lower maintenance.
DuroStar Reel Lawn Mower
The DuroStar 10-in Reel Lawn Mower is the best small manual mower, but don’t let its pint-sized frame fool you. Chunky-treaded wheels, heat-treated blades, and rear tracker wheels make this a robust and lightweight mower.
Scotts Outdoor Rush Reel Lawn Mower
The Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 304-14S 14-Inch 5-Blade Rush Reel Lawn Mower is the best midsized reel mower for the money. It costs only 100, takes about 10 minutes to put together, and weighs less than 20 pounds. A 14-inch cutting width means more ground covered with each push.