7 Best Reel Mowers for Your Lawn Needs. Reel mower with bagger

Swardman Edwin 2.1 55

Swardman Edwin 2.1 reel mowers are designed for every lover of a low-cut lawn; for those who require the highest quality of the lawn as well as of the machine that they take care of it with.

When constructing their mowers, Swardman puts emphasis on high quality of materials and top class manufacturing to ensure the most gentle and precise cutting of grass blades on a scissor-like principle.

The model series Edwin 2.1 is equipped with a 4-stroke petrol Briggs Stratton engine, which powers the drive of the mower, as well as the mowing cartridge or regenerative cartridges. A multifunctional system of regenerative cartridges can transform Edwin into a verticutter, scarifier/dethatcher or a rotary brush for sand application within two minutes.

The model Swardman Edwin 2.1 Standard 55 is delivered with a working range of 55 centimetres in an anthracite colour with a 5-blade cylinder. This version, which is 10 cm wider than Edwin 2.1 Standard 45 is designated for larger and more homogenous lawn areas up to 2000 m 2. where you drive straight most of the time and don’t need to avoid many obstacles.

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Production, materials and design

Swardman mowers are completely developed in the Czech Republic and manufactured in our own facility. We manufacture a vast majority of parts ourselves. For some parts, we cooperate with premium European suppliers. A robust, fully-metal construction with a minimum of plastic parts emphasises high reliability and longevity of the product with minimal impact on the environment.

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Strong, quiet and reliable Briggs Stratton engine

A 4-stroke Briggs Stratton OHV engine with 127 cc displacement and a gross torque of 5.5 ft-lbs (7.4 Nm) is an ideal combination for easy upkeep, low weight, consumption and CO2 emissions. However, the biggest advantage of the engine is its extremely quiet operation that makes Swardman Edwin 2.1 the quietest gas mower in the world, with the noise level at the operator’s ear at only 77 dB.

Reel mowers, unlike rotary or robotic mowers, do not slash the grass; they cut it. When developing the Edwin, the goal was to create the best reel lawn mower in the world, with a perfect cut on a scissor-like principle for low-cut, English-style lawns. A perfect cut without frayed grass blades gives the lawn less stress, greener appearance and higher resistance against diseases and pest.

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Striped lawn instead of wheel traces

Reel mowers move on rollers, not on wheels. The rollers are gentler to the lawn thanks to the even weight distribution, they do not leave wheel traces, and they are responsible for the striped effect on the lawn. The front roller flattens the grass blades to make them rise again, and the reel trims them cleanly against the bedknife. The rear roller with a differential constantly evens out small surface bumps, prevents scalping, enables easy manipulation and turning on one spot.

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Multifunctional system of cartridges 5 in 1

A system of interchangeable cartridges 5 in 1 allows you to choose from a 5-blade, a 6-blade or a 10-blade reels, or from the selection of regenerative cartridges. With these cartridges, you can transform your mower into a verticutter, scarifier/dethatcher, groomer or a rotary brush for sand application within 2 minutes. This makes Edwin 2.1 a universal machine that allows complete English-style lawn care. It will also save you substantial expenses for greenkeeping services and will provide your turf with the best care.

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Best Reel Mower Reviews

Great States 5-Blade Reel Lawn Mower

The first on our list is the Great States 415-16 push reel lawn mower, known for its excellent cutting power. With an adjustable blade height of 0.5-2.5″, this mower does a fantastic job of manicuring your lawn.

We chose it as our top pick due to the blade quality – constructed with heat-treated alloy steel, the blades retain their sharpness for a long time, making this reel mower a quality long-term investment. The sharpness of the blades allows you to create neat borders along your lawn. The mower comes with a cushioned and comfortable grip that is easier to push, even on the most overgrown lawn

All it needs is one push to get it started, making it a no-hassle manual lawn mower. The Great States 415-16 reel lawn mower is also lightweight, making it easy to maneuver across the yard.

The reels snip the grass off without any ripping or tearing, resulting in a well-trimmed, smooth lawn. And, if this wasn’t enough, the mower is also easy to store. You can hang it on a wall or tuck it in the corner of your garage.

What Is a Reel Mower?

Reel mowers feature a cutting reel that comprises 3-7 blades and a bed knife. They’re built with either two or four wheels to allow for noiseless, fast-cutting mowing of a lawn. When the mower is pushed forward, the blades begin to spin vertically. The motion causes the mower blades to lift the grass between themselves and the bed knife, in turn clipping off the grass blades in a scissor-like action.

Compared to cylinder reel mowers used in the past, these new models are easier to push and result in a cleaner, healthier lawn. The biggest benefit of reel mowers is that they don’t tear or rip the lawn during the cutting process. Like rotary mowers, reel mowers don’t hurt individual grass blades.

Are Reel Mowers Effective?

Reel mowers or push lawn mowers are effective as they improve the health of your grass, but they aren’t as powerful as electric or gas-powered mowers. The mower blades use a scissor-like cutting action that doesn’t tear up the grass blades.

The snipping action of a reel mower allows the grass to retain its natural moisture, thereby making it more resistant against insects and diseases. Grass blades become weak and vulnerable to diseases when they’re habitually torn or ripped apart as they would be with a traditional lawnmower.

Above all, most reel mowers are noiseless and extremely easy to use. All they require is a push to get the cutting started on the lawn. They are also economical and are relatively low maintenance. They don’t even require any gas or oil for power, resulting in zero fuel costs. Easy to assemble and lightweight with lots of bonus features, a push lawn mower is a great one-time investment for your lawn.

If you live in a close-knit neighborhood, the grinding sounds of a rotary mower can quickly annoy people…trust me! On the other hand, push mowers only make a gentle ‘snip-snip-snip’ sound. Before you know it, the job is done.

Lastly, push mowers are excellent for the environment. They don’t use any fuel and hence, don’t contribute to pollution. Push mowers are simple, practical, and hassle-free machines for modern gardeners.

Features of Reel Mowers

To determine the best reel mower for you, it’s important to analyze its different features. There are many things that constitute a high-quality reel mower. Here we’ve explained the major features of a reel mower.

Blade Cutting Height

A reel mower usually has an adjustable cutting height of a few inches, usually 1-3 inches. Staying in these parameters allows the blades to neatly cut the grass without harming it in the long term. Adjusting the blades at a proper height depends on the length of your grass blades.

By setting the right blade cutting height, your grass remains more vigorous and healthy.

Number of Blades

The number of mower blades greatly influences the performance of the machine. The number indicates how many times the blades can cut through the grass within a meter-long span. For example, a 5-blade reel with a high number of revolutions will result in cleaner and well-trimmed grass as compared to a 10-blade reel with a low number of revolutions.

A high revolution count can easily damage the blades with aggressive cutting. This can also influence the service life of the reels and the quality of their sharpness. The ideal rule is to ensure a high-quality cut with a moderate number of blades, somewhere between 4-7.

Blade Durability

The blades of a rotary mower can be aggressive and, therefore, not that durable. The rough cutting motion causes the blades to lose their sharpness quickly. When buying a reel mower, always make sure that the blades are constructed with high-quality material, preferably alloy steel.

A reel mower whose blades are heated with alloy steel tends to stay sharper for longer. Alloy steel has an extremely high tensile strength, which makes the blade resistant to corrosion and extremely durable over many uses.

Swath Width

The standard swath width of a good reel mower ranges from 15-20 inches. A wide swath width would mean that you have to mow more frequently. This can also make the machine difficult to push because the grass can become resistant. Therefore, a good swath width is around18 inches, which will help you use the mower blades to their maximum capacity.

Slope

If you have a uniform and level lawn, you can use any reel mower. However, if your yard is bumpy or slightly sloped, you should look for a reel mower that can cut across different angles. This way, you won’t have to run the mower multiple times across the same path.

Grass Spray

All the grass a reel mower cuts will eventually have to go somewhere. If you don’t want to be covered in the clippings, you can use a frontal grass spray to keep your feet away from the mess or select a mower with a grass catch.

Weight

It’s important to choose a lightweight reel mower as the weight can be a huge problem the longer you push the mower. You might be tempted to choose a heavy reel mower for a big lawn as it’s easier to push over a large area. That’s not a bad idea, provided you won’t become fatigued. Lighter machines are easier to push but can also not adhere as well to the ground over bumpy surfaces. The best reel mower will be light enough to push easily for a long period of time while still being heavy enough to effectively do the job.

RM3100

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18-INCH CUTTING WIDTH

Makes it ideal for light to medium duty yard work.

best, reel, mowers, your, lawn, needs

2-IN-1 MULCHER

The 2-in-1 mulching feature allows you to collect clippings while you mow.

best, reel, mowers, your, lawn, needs

DURABLE CUTTING BLADES

Durable 5-blade adjustment reel cuts with ease.

Not every big yard needs an expensive lawn mower. An 18-inch cutting width is excellent for larger yards. And with a familiar design, 2-in-1 mulcher and multiple height adjustments, this environmentally friendly push mower can take on more than just a modest lawn.

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Remington RM3000 16″ Reel Mower

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The Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new outdoor power equipment. It will help you assemble, prepare, maintain and safely operate your machine. Your outdoor power equipment was built to be operated according to the rules and instructions for safe operation which are contained in the operator’s manual and on the machine itself.

Safety rules and instructions, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of the operator and others. Read and follow all instructions in the manual before attempting to operate your outdoor power equipment. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. Your machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the safety rules and instructions, both on the machine and in the Operator’s Manual, could result in serious injury or death.

IMPORTANT: MTD, its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, is concerned about the safety of its customers and others. Due to the size of the Operator’s Manual, some Operator’s Manuals are broken down into two or more segments so that the entire Operator’s Manual can be downloaded easily. Cub Cadet is requiring all those who wish to download a copy of the Operator’s Manual to acknowledge that he/she will download the portion of the Operator’s Manual that contains the Important Safe Operation Practices section, as stated below. This is to ensure that this section is reviewed and accessible when operating, servicing and/or maintaining the machine.

NOTICE: BY CONTINUING I AFFIRM THAT I WILL DOWNLOAD THAT PORTION OF THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL WHICH CONTAINS SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES, AND THAT I WILL READ AND FOLLOW THE SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED.

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Best for Thick Grass

Craftsman M110 140cc 21-inch Gas Push Lawn Mower

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With a 140cc Briggs Stratton engine, this gas push mower from Craftsman is best for smaller lawns that are no more than 1/4 acre in size, but it easily handles even thick or tall grass. Unlike many other gas mowers, this one starts up easily, so you won’t be yanking on the cord in frustration. The 21-inch cutting deck is wide enough to get the mowing down quickly, and there are six cutting height levels ranging from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches. The sturdy wheels maneuver easily over rough terrain or slight slopes. You can set the mower to side discharge clippings, collect them in the included rear bag, or mulch them back into the lawn.

At 65 pounds, this isn’t a light lawn mower, but it does handle easily. On the downside, this mower does require periodic oil changes, and you’ll need to tip the mower onto its side to drain the old oil before adding fresh 10w-30 oil. As a general rule, the oil should be changed at least once each year. However, there is no need to mix oil with gas as the mower has a 4-stroke engine. A two-year warranty covers the mower.

Price at time of publish: 369

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 65 pounds | Power Source: Gas | Clippings Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

Best for Small Yards

Worx WG779 Power Share 40-Volt 14-Inch Cordless Walk Behind Mower

best, reel, mowers, your, lawn, needs

This excellent mower from WORX comes with two 20-volt, 4.0-Ah batteries, both of which power the mower simultaneously for a total of 40 volts. That lets you mow up to 5,000 square feet on a single charge of the two batteries. The cutting deck is only 14 inches wide, so this mower is best for smaller yards, but you’ll be able to easily maneuver the mower around tree trunks, flowerbeds, and other obstacles. There are six height adjustments ranging from 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches. And the mower has WORX’s IntelliCut feature, which lets you up the power when tackling tough or thick grass, and then dial it back down again to conserve battery life.

At only 29 pounds, it’s not tough to push this mower, even on slight slopes. You can mulch the grass clippings or collect them in the included 0.85-bushel bag, which has an indicator that lets you know when the bag is full. There is no side-discharge option, however. The mower’s handle folds down for easy storage. Along with the two batteries, you get a dual-battery charger to charge both batteries together. The batteries can be used with any other WORX products. The mower is covered by a three-year warranty, and the batteries by a one-year warranty.

Price at time of publish: 300

Cutting Width: 14 inches | Weight: 29 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Clippings Options: Bag, mulch

Best Battery Powered

EGO Power LM2021 20-Inch 56-Volt Push Lawn Mower

best, reel, mowers, your, lawn, needs

It’s not inexpensive, but at up to a 60-minute runtime and a blazing 40-minute recharging time, this cordless mower from EGO has one of the best runtimes of any battery mower. Nor is it lacking in power; the included 56-volt, 5-Ah battery and high-efficiency brushless motor give this lawn mower plenty of oomph for handling tall or thick grass. It occasionally struggles a bit with wet grass, however. The cutting deck is 20 inches wide, and there are six height adjustments ranging from 1.2 inches to 4 inches. You’ll also appreciate the bright LED headlights, which make it easier to mow at dusk or in the morning.

You can bag your clippings in the included grass catcher, which is very easy to lift for emptying, let them discharge to the side, or mulch them into the lawn. And when you are finished mowing, the mower’s handle folds down so you can store it easily. The mower comes with a battery and charger. Like all EGO tools, the battery is compatible with any other EGO product. The warranty is good for five years.

Price at time of publish: 499

Cutting Width: 20 inches | Weight: 57.5 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Clippings Options: Bag, mulch, side discharge

Best Mulching

Toro 21311 Recycler Gas 21-Inch Push Mower

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Unlike many other gas mowers, you never need to do an oil change on this one; just check the oil level and top it off when necessary. And you’ll love the power of this mower, which has a 140cc Briggs Stratton engine that easily handles thick or tall grass, even if wet. The mowing deck is 21 inches wide. There are nine cutting levels ranging from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches; that’s one of the widest cutting height ranges available and lets you closely adjust the cut to suit your lawn grass. Nor is it difficult to start; generally, it will roar to life with just one or two pulls of the cord.

Where this mower really shines is in its ability to reduce grass clippings into the finest mulch, which Toro calls “lawn vitamins.” But if you prefer not to leave the clippings on your lawn, then you’ll appreciate the included two-bushel bag. The mower can also side-discharge clippings, but to get the free side-discharge chute, you’ll need to first register your mower with Toro, who will then mail you the chute. Thanks to the tractioned 10-inch rear wheels and 8-inch front wheels, the mower handles even rough terrain easily, and it’s not difficult to push or maneuver. The mower comes with a three-year warranty.

Price at time of publish: 369

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 62 pounds | Power Source: Gas | Clippings Options: Bag, mulch, side discharge

We love Greenworks’ 16-Inch Corded Electric Lawn Mower. With its powerful 12-amp motor, this corded electric lawn mower eliminates the need for gas, oil, and the hassle of a dead battery in the middle of mowing. If you’re on a tighter budget but still want a high-quality mower, we recommend the Sun Joe Electric Mower. You can keep your lawn looking great without disturbing the neighbors thanks to its small size, light weight, and quiet operation.

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What to Look for in a Push Lawn Mower

Type

Gas mowers are fueled by gasoline. These are generally the most powerful push mowers, and as long as the tank has fuel, the mower will keep running without concern for losing power. On the downside, these mowers are noisy, they emit smelly fumes and pollutants, and they can be hard to start. The Craftsman M110 21-Inch Push Mower is an excellent gas mower.

Corded electric mowers are not as popular as they once were, but are still a good option for buyers who have small lawns and are looking for a bargain. These mowers must be plugged into an electrical outlet, meaning that you will need a long, outdoor-rated extension cord for power. Along with low cost, the pros of these mowers include that they do not emit any fumes, you don’t need to keep track of battery life, and they are relatively low maintenance. However, you’ll need to take care not to run over the extension cord while you mow. We recommend Greenwork’s 20-Inch Corded Push Mower.

Battery or cordless push mowers are powered by a battery. That means you don’t have to worry about an extension cord, and you won’t be bothered by fumes. However, even though battery technology is ever-improving, you can still expect only 30 minutes or so runtime on a single charge, although some more powerful mowers can run close to an hour before the battery runs down. While there are cordless mowers powered by an 18-volt battery, most use 40 volts or more. Our top pick, the Ryobi 20-Inch Push Mower, runs on a 40-volt battery.

Manual, or reel mowers, rely on your own muscle power to push the mower. These old-fashioned, environmentally friendly mowers have no motor or engine. However, they can do an exceptional job of neatly clipping lawn grass, as long as the grass isn’t too high or thick. These are generally very inexpensive but are suited only to small lawns, and they can be tiring to use. The 14-inch reel mower from American Lawn Mower Company is a great choice.

Wheels

Some mowers, especially older models, have four wheels that are all the same size, generally between 6 and 8 inches in diameter. However, many mowers today, especially higher-end models, have typical 7- or 8-inch wheels in front but higher wheels in back. Often labeled as “high wheel” mowers, the rear wheels on these models are typically 10 to 12 inches in diameter.

The Troy-Bilt TB110 21-Inch Push Mower has 11-inch rear wheels, so it easily rolls over just about any lawn. Having the higher rear wheels lets the mower move more easily over rough terrain and makes pushing the mower uphill easier. Note that higher wheels do not mean that the mower’s deck is higher; the mower deck should still sit just a few inches above the lawn.

The tread of your mower’s wheels is also a consideration. The more grooved and patterned the tread, the easier it will be to push the mower over wet grass, soft grass, or dirt.

Cutting Deck

The cutting deck of a lawn mower is the base that houses the spinning blade that cuts the grass, and the size of the cutting deck determines the width of the cutting path achieved by one pass of the mower. The most common cutting deck size for a push mower is between 20 and 21 inches, but you’ll find mowers with smaller decks and some larger ones. Keep in mind that the larger the cutting deck, the more energy you’ll need to exert to push the mower, and the more difficult it will be to maneuver around tree trunks and other obstacles.

Smaller mowers with decks that are less than 18 inches are good for small lawns or lawns that require considerable maneuvering between trees, flowerbeds, or other obstacles. The Sun Joe Electric Lawn Mower is a corded push mower with a 14-inch deck that is perfect for small yards.

Grass Disposal Options

There are three basic options for handling the grass clippings that accumulate as you mow. Some mowers have all three options, while others only have one or two of them.

Side discharge means the mower simply shoots the clippings out of a chute on the mower’s side and back onto the lawn. You can then either rake up the clippings or leave them in place. Keep in mind that leaving large clippings on the lawn can smother the grass, however.

Mulching the clippings means the mower blades chop the clippings into very fine pieces before dropping them back onto the lawn from underneath the mower’s deck. These finely-cut clippings decompose much faster than unmulched clippings, so they won’t smother your lawn and provide valuable nutrients to the grass as they decompose.

Bagged mowers have a rear bag that catches the clippings as they are cut. You then lift the bag off the mower and empty it once you’re finished working.

The EGO Power LM2021 20-inch push mower includes all three clippings options.

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A push mower’s engine or motor merely powers the cutting blade; it is not connected to the mower wheels. That means you are required to supply the pushing power yourself to keep the mower moving across your lawn. A self-propelled mower, however, uses its engine or motor to power the blade and the wheels, meaning that the mower moves forward on its own power, leaving you to basically just steer. Self-propelled mowers are easier to use, especially when mowing up hills, but you’ll pay much more for these mowers. Still, it might be worth it if you have a very large or very hilly yard.

If properly cared for, a good push mower can last you a decade or longer. However, to achieve that goal, you need to carry out regular maintenance, which can include oil changes and filter changes on gas mowers, periodic blade sharpening, removal of caked-on grass and mud from the mower’s deck, and storage of the mower in a spot where it isn’t subjected to weather extremes. You should also take care not to mow over rocks or large sticks, which can damage the mower’s blades, deck, or motor. As a rule of thumb, gas mowers tend to last longer than battery mowers.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was researched and written by Michelle Ullman, who is a writer specializing in home and garden products. She has been a commerce writer for The Spruce since 2020, covering a wide range of home improvement products, including power and hand tools, painting supplies, landscaping tools, and tool organizers.

To choose the best push lawn mowers for this article, she evaluated dozens of mowers based on power, range of cutting heights, ability to mow over uneven terrain or handle thick grass, options for disposing of grass clippings, and overall value. She also considered feedback from customers, both positive and negative, as well as product reviews on home improvement and lawn care websites.

She also received extensive, helpful input from Noah James, a professional landscaper and owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance.

This article was updated by Daniela Galvez, a Senior Commerce Editor for The Spruce specializing in home improvement, gardening, and lifestyle. For this roundup, she reviewed testing results to select the best push models that performed best.