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The Best Reel Mower, Including The Best Wide Cutting Width Reel Mower

Lauraine Velez
1/4/2024 | 5 min read
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Welcome to the Thomas guide to the best reel mowers 2024. Thomas has been connecting North American industrial buyers and suppliers for more than 120 years. When you purchase products through our independent recommendations, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thomas Insights publishes the latest news and analysis every day to keep our readers up to date on what’s happening in the industry. Sign up here to get the day’s top stories delivered straight to your inbox.

While the first reel mower patent was granted almost 200 years ago, the design of reel mowers today remains virtually identical to the first model ever created. Reel mowers provide users with an opportunity to mow the lawn without the exhaust fumes that a traditional engine-style mower emits, or the limitations of an electrical cord on an electric mower, or the time sensitivities of battery-operated mowers.

Push mowers, like manual reel mowers, are low-maintenance machines (unlike gas-powered lawn mowers) and are quieter than other models, too, so you can even listen to music while cutting the lawn. A manual mower is powered by human grit, and when pushed forward, the multiple blades spin and, in a scissor-like fashion, clip grass blades.

Manual reel mowers are great for people with allergies as, in addition to the fact that they don’t emit fumes, they also don’t stir up dust and debris. Other pros of opting to purchase a manual reel mower are that these mowers are more economical, lightweight, compact, environmentally friendly, and quieter than rotary mowers.

Here is a list of the best reel mowers, followed by a buying guide to help you select the best reel mower.

Thomas’ Top Picks for the Best Reel Mowers 2024

Read our top picks for the best push reel lawnmowers from top brands like Greenworks and Fiskars.

Best Reel Mower: American Lawn Mower Company | Buy Now

Best Reel Lawn Mower: Fiskars Staysharp Max Reel Mower | Buy Now

Best Push Reel Lawn Mower: Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Push Reel Mower | Buy Now

Best Reel Mower with Grass Catcher: Greenworks Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher | Buy Now

Best Steel Blade Reel Mower: Great States Reel Lawn Mower | Buy Now

Best Wide Cutting Width Reel Mower: Scotts Push Reel Mower | Buy Now

Best Adjustable Reel Mower: Sun Joe MJ501M 9-Position Height Reel Mower | Buy Now

Best Reel Mower for Tall Grass: American Lawn Mower Company Reel Lawn Mower | Buy Now

Best Reel Mower to Mow Wet Grass: Fiskars 17-inch Reel Mower with Staysharp Cutting System | Buy Now

Best Multiple Cutting Blade Reel Mower: Earthwise Reel Mower | Buy Now

Scroll down to read more about the top reel mowers and why thousands of customers chose to buy them.

*Prices listed in this article were as shown in US$ on amazon.com (USA), walmart.com (USA), and homedepot.com as of January 2024

1. Best Reel Mower—American Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel Mower

Customers requiring a high-quality reel mower from a trusted company will appreciate the features of this manual reel mower from the American Lawn Mower Company.

Features include a heavy-duty cutting reel that houses four steel manual grass cutter blades and a cushioned handle for a more comfortable grip. Its lightweight design makes pushing this manual lawn mower easier and less strenuous.

One customer with a 1,200 square foot lawn wrote, “I push the whole yard in about 20 minutes, including a few overlaps to get stragglers… My lawn has improved since switching to this from having a yard service do it with their big rotary machines.”

Specifications

Cutting deck: 14-inches

Blades material: Alloy steel

Adjustable cutting height: 0.5–1.75 inches

BUY NOW: US$89.99, Walmart

Also Available at: Lowe’s

2. Best Reel Lawn Mower—Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower with Inertiadrive Reel

With its Inertiadrive technology drive reel, this Fiskars Stay Sharp Max reel mower features twice the cutting power of other mowers.

The grass blades stay sharper longer with the StaySharp technology, while the reversible grass chute moves cut grass out of the user’s walking path. The cutting reel is durable, and the five blades can tackle even the toughest grass-like St. Augustine, Zoysia, or Bermuda grasses.

One reviewer explained, “My yard has a lot of weeds and crabgrass, and who knows what… This mower is quiet, it smells nice when I mow, and it’s actually a little easier to mow with than with my old gas mower.”

Specifications

Cutting deck: 18-inches

Mower blades material: Precision-ground steel

Adjustable cutting height: 1–4 inches

BUY NOW: US$167.65, The Home Depot

3. Best Push Reel Lawn Mower—Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Manual Reel Mower

This Scotts tool has some of the best reel mower reviews on Amazon for its versatility, lightweight, and overall design.

The ergonomic, padded handle makes mowing more comfortable, and assembly is toolless and straightforward, unlike other reel mowers. The adjustable height feature is easily changed with the lever located near the rear wheels.

One buyer clarified, “Very good. I like how it cuts. Easy to push. Fairly light. Expect to do cross-cut or multiple passes sometimes.”

Specifications

Cutting deck: 20-inches

Blades material: Heat-treated alloy steel

Adjustable cutting height: 1–3 inches

BUY NOW: US$149.99, Walmart

Also Available at: Overstock

4. Best Reel Mower with Grass Catcher—Greenworks Reel Mower with Grass Catcher

Most reel mowers aren’t capable of mulching and cutting, nor do they come with a grass catcher like this Greenworks mechanical lawn mower.

While it may take a few rounds to mow through grass that is 10 inches high with its fewer blades, its three blades can easily tackle weeds and tough or thick grass. Customers suggested avoiding mowing over sticks as they may get caught in the blades.

“This little mower is awesome,” expressed one consumer. “My ten-year-old daughter had no issues using it, and it was her first time ever handling a lawnmower. When the mower gets a little stuck, all it needs is to be pulled back a little and then pushed forward again.”

Specifications

Cutting deck: 16-inches

Blades material: Alloy steel

Adjustable cutting height: 1 ⅛ – 2 ¼ inches

BUY NOW: US$129.21, Amazon

Also Available at: Overstock, Sears

5. Best Steel Blades Reel Mower—Great States Manual Reel Mower

The composite wheels on this Great States manual reel mower make maneuverability over uneven ground easier than other reel mowers.

In addition, most reel mowers feature alloy steel blades, but the five blades on this reel mower provide the maximum cutting potential for St. Augustine grass and other difficult grasses and weeds.

One 60-year-old reviewer with back and knee issues described mowing an acre of uneven lawn with this mower. “It handles it like a champ,” they wrote, “and in many ways better than a gas mower by virtue of it being so lightweight and compact. And I’m nowhere near as tired when I’m done.”

Specifications

Cutting deck: 18-inches

Blades material: Alloy steel

Adjustable cutting height: 0.5 – 2.75 inches

BUY NOW: US$116, The Home Depot

Also Available at: Overstock

6. Best Wide Cutting Width Reel Mower—Scotts Reel Mower

This Scotts manual reel mower is packed with features, including seven adjustable cutting heights, an ergonomic handle, toolless assembly, a ball-bearing reel, and five blades made of heat-treated steel alloy.

The blade-cutting deck is made of 10-gauge steel, unlike the plastic deck of other reel mowers. Users advised ensuring that the bed knife on this blade mower is positioned well when putting it together to maximize its cutting ability.

“This reel mower we purchased is awesome,” raved one purchaser. “No fumes from gas. No residues from pollen, grass, or sticks flying up, hitting us, or getting into our noses. No loud annoying noises or vibrations from this Scott’s mower.”

Specifications

Cutting deck: 20-inches

Mower blades material: Heat-treated alloy steel

Adjustable cutting height: 1–3 inches

BUY NOW: US$169, The Home Depot

7. Best Adjustable Cutting Height Reel Mower—Sun Joe 9 Adjustable Heights Reel Mower

For customers who require maximum height adjustment options, this Sun Joe is the perfect reel mower as it features nine adjustable heights that can reach up to 2.44 inches.

The five durable blades on this reel mower are made of hardened steel, while the seven-gallon grass catcher provides mulching and cutting capabilities. This tool comes with a two-year warranty.

“This is all you will ever need in a ¼ acre or smaller yard,” explained one buyer. “No more gas fumes, oil changes, gas station trips, hard starts. My eight-year-old can push this no problem.”

Specifications

Cutting deck: 18-inches

Mower blades material: Hardened steel

Adjustable cutting height: Up to 2.44 inches

BUY NOW: US$98.05, The Home Depot

Also Available at: Tractor Supply, Snow Joe

8. Best Reel Mower for Tall Grass—American Lawn Mower Company Reel Mower

Most reel lawn mowers can’t boast blades or a bed knife made of tempered steel or an unbreakable steel side plate like this American Lawn Mower Company 16-inch push reel lawn mower.

The blades slice grass blades that reach up to four inches tall, similar to a pair of scissors, unlike the ripping motion used on a rotary gas or electric-powered mower.

“This thing is phenomenal,” expressed one reviewer. “The most surprising thing to me is how easy it is to use. I was expecting it to be a lot of manual labor, but it just isn’t. It’s not quite effortless, but it’s very close. You can easily push this thing through even tall grass with one hand.”

Specifications

Cutting deck: 14-inches

Mower blades material: Tempered alloy steel

Adjustable cutting height: Up to 2.5 inches

BUY NOW: US$105, The Home Depot

Also Available at: Lowe’s

9. Best Mower to Mow Wet Grass—Fiskars Reel Mower

The precision-ground, Interia Drive reel and thicker blades provide 50% more cutting power to this Fiskars manual reel mower. What’s more, this reel mower cuts moist grass for early morning lawn maintenance in humid temperatures.

When assembling this mower, many buyers note that it’s essential to ensure the alignment is correct; otherwise, it will only cut on one side.

“I love this mower because it’s easy to use, so quiet,” described one shopper. “I don’t have to worry about gas, and it’s so much lighter than a regular mower. Also, in case anyone is disabled, I have fibromyalgia, and I was able to put this together and do my lawn with this.”

Specifications

Cutting deck: 17-inches

Mower blades material: Heat-treated alloy steel

Adjustable cutting height: Up to 3.5 inches

BUY NOW: US$153.02, The Home Depot

Also Available at: Walmart

10. Best Multiple Blades Reel Mower—Earthwise Reel Lawn Mower

The seven blades on this Earthwise manual reel mower mean more cutting on one pass than other reel mowers. The alloy steel blades are positioned on a ball-bearing reel for more efficient cutting, and assembly is easy.

This compact tool also takes up very little room in a garage or shed and weighs a mere 21.83 pounds, one of the lightest reel mowers in the industry.

A seventy-two-year-old customer described, “I found the mower to be as easy to push as a non-self-propelled power mower. The handle is sturdy with no flex. The handle grips are plenty wide enough as the mower is easy to turn and maneuver. The foam grips seem as sturdy as any other foam grip I have used.”

Specifications

Cutting deck: 16-inches

Mower blades material: Alloy steel

Adjustable cutting height: Up to 2.5 inches

BUY NOW: US$129.99, Walmart

Also Available at: Overstock

The Best Reel Mower—Summary

For thicker, unruly grass, the Earthwise manual push reel lawn mower (US$105, The Home Depot) is a good choice. For larger yards that require a wider cutting width and versatile settings with more adjustable height options, opt for the Scotts push reel lawn mower (US$169, The Home Depot).

Choosing the Best Reel Mowers—Buying Guide

Push mowers to come in a range of power options and are available as manual reel mowers, rotary mower options, and gas or electric mower models. Reel mowers, when pushed, activate multiple cutting blades, whereas rotary mowers are designed with one blade powered by gas or electricity that runs at higher speeds. Below we will cover the different types of push lawnmowers and their uses.

Manual Lawn Mowers

Reel lawn mowers feature up to twelve blades that catch and slice grass and even work on tall, and in some instances, wet grass. Reel mowers weigh less than other models, making them easier to maneuver, and, since they are quieter, users don’t need to wear ear protection while operating them.

These mowers are also low maintenance and only require sharpening the reel mower blades every few years. They’re also a great way to exercise! Best for a small lawn with few inclines, reel lawn mowers are also more economical than most other lawn mowers.

Electric or Gas Powered Reel Mowers

Reel mowers are available in electric or gas-powered models but, similar to other gas or electric mowers, aren’t as eco-friendly as manually-powered reel mowers. When opting for a manual reel mower, a lawn must be maintained regularly as grass that is allowed to grow too tall will get tangled in the blades, whereas this isn’t the case when it’s an electric or gas mower.

Cutting Width and Reel Blades

Unlike the more traditional one-blade mowers, reel mowers come with up to seven blades and up to 18-inch cutting widths. The more blades, the thicker and taller grass it can handle, creating a more even cut. Seven-blade models with an 18-inch cutting width are suitable for medium lawns. A reel mower that comes with four or five blades and smaller cutting widths can successfully cut most small to medium lawns if they are consistently maintained.

Cutting Height

Some more expensive reel models come with an adjustable blade height feature which is an important consideration for warmer, wetter climates where grass grows quickly. These settings are usually anything from 0.5 to 4 inches.

Extras

Some reel lawn mower models come with grass collection bins attached, ergonomic, and cushioned handles to allow for more comfort when mowing medium-sized lawns. Another feature to look for in a reel mower is an InertiaDrive reel that offers a more precise cut and is especially useful for tall and thick grasses.

We hope our review of the top reel mower has been helpful. For more suppliers of related products, including lawn mower bladesbagshandles, or rollers, consult our additional guides, or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform.

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