Best Reel Mowers for a Clean Even Cut at Home
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A good reel mower is a manual push mower that cuts grass with a spinning cylinder of blades working against a fixed bar, so the grass is sliced instead of torn. For a small or medium home lawn, the right reel is the one whose cutting width fits your yard, whose height range matches the grass you keep, and whose weight you can push comfortably over the full lawn. The eight models below are the reel mowers in our product data, and every fact about them comes from that listing data.
Quick answer
- For a small yard, the 14-inch models in this group are the narrowest options: the American Lawn Mower 1204-14, the Great States 304-14 and the Scotts 304-14S.
- For a wider pass, the Scotts 2000-20S lists a 20-inch cutting width, the widest reel in this roundup.
- The Earthwise 1715-16EW lists a 7-blade cylinder, the only model here that states seven blades.
- All eight listings describe manual mowers that need no gas, oil or electricity, so the main trade-off is cut width against the effort of pushing.
How to choose a reel mower
Start with three numbers from the listing: cutting width, height range and weight. Cutting width sets how much lawn you cover on each pass. In this group it runs from 14 inches to 20 inches. A narrower mower is easier to steer around beds and corners, while a wider one covers open lawn faster but takes more force to push through thick turf.
Height range decides which grass you can keep at a comfortable length. Five listings state a low end of 0.5 inches, and the Great States 815-18 lists the highest top setting at 2.75 inches. The Great States 415-16 and the Scotts 2000-20S start higher, at 1 inch, and go up to 2.5 inches and 3 inches respectively. The Walensee 16-inch lists four positions between 0.6 and 1.5 inches, which suits a short, finely kept lawn.
Weight matters more than most shoppers expect, because a reel mower is powered entirely by your push. The listings range from roughly 9 pounds for the Great States 304-14 to 27 pounds for the Great States 815-18. The Walensee lists 15.4 pounds and the Earthwise lists 21.8 pounds. If you have a hill or a long lawn, a lighter model with a narrower deck is usually the easier choice.
Sizing for your lawn
The listings give the clearest guidance on size. The American Lawn Mower 1815-18 is described as suited to small to medium-sized yards and to dry grass under 4 inches. Its listing says taller grass may need multiple passes. The 1204-14 listing states that it is great for small lawns and that it cuts grass up to 4 inches tall, becoming less effective on taller grass.
A rough rule from the listing text is to match the mower to the grass height you usually mow. If your lawn stays between 1 and 2 inches, a model with a low setting near 0.5 inches gives you room to adjust. If your grass often grows past 3 inches, the Scotts 2000-20S and the Great States 415-16 start their range higher and are better matched to longer turf, though both still work best when mowed frequently.
Blades, wheels and build
Blade count changes how the reel feels and how often you may need to sharpen. The listings state 4 blades for the American Lawn Mower 1204-14, 5 blades for the Great States and Scotts reels, and 7 blades for the Earthwise 1715-16EW. Several listings say the blades are made of heat-treated or high-hardness alloy steel that stays sharp longer. The Earthwise listing also says it has a durable steel side plate design.
Wheels affect how easily the mower rolls over uneven ground. The 1204-14 uses 8.5-inch polymer wheels. The Great States 304-14 and Scotts 304-14S use 8.5-inch composite wheels. The Great States 415-16, Great States 815-18 and Earthwise 1715-16EW use 10-inch composite wheels. The Scotts 2000-20S uses 10-inch dual tracking wheels, and the Walensee uses 8.5-inch drive wheels with a self-lubricating mechanism, which its listing says helps on uneven or thicker grass.
Handles differ as well. The Great States 304-14 and Scotts 304-14S list a T-style handle with a cushioned grip, and the Great States 415-16 lists a T-style handle too. The Scotts 2000-20S describes an ergonomic handle with a cushioned grip, and the Great States 815-18 uses a loop-style handle with cushioned grips. All of the listings that mention assembly say it is tool-free or easy to assemble.
Roundup: eight reel mowers from the product data
American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Reel
Its bullets state a weight of 19 pounds. It has four blades, a 14-inch cutting width and 8.5-inch polymer wheels that the listing describes as durable and easy to steer. The adjustable blade height runs from 0.5 to 1.75 inches, and the listing says it can cut grass up to 4 inches tall, though it is less effective on taller grass. Its bullets advise mowing no more than one third of the grass blade at a time so the roots stay intact, and they recommend more frequent mowing when grass grows 4 inches or more. The listing also advises against using a reel mower on wet grass.
This model suits a small lawn that you mow often and keep at a moderate height. Its narrow 14-inch deck suits tight spaces around beds and fences.
Great States 304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Reel
The Great States 304-14 is a 14-inch, five-blade reel with a ball-bearing cylinder and 8.5-inch composite wheels. Its listing gives a height range of 0.5 to 1.75 inches with quick adjustment, and it says the blades are made of heat-treated alloy steel that stays sharp longer. The T-style handle has a cushioned grip, and the listing says it is easy to assemble without tools. The listing lists the weight at 9.3 pounds, which makes it the lightest model in this roundup.
It is a good match for a small, mostly flat lawn where easy handling and a lightweight frame matter most. The listing also states that the mower needs no gas or oil and is clean and quiet to run.
Scotts 304-14S 14-Inch 5-Blade Reel
The Scotts 304-14S is a 14-inch, five-blade reel built on the same platform as the Great States 304-14. Its listing describes the same height range, from 0.5 to 1.75 inches, the same heat-treated alloy steel blades and the same 8.5-inch composite wheels. The T-style handle has a cushioned grip for comfort, and the assembly is tool-less. The listed weight is 18.1 pounds, roughly twice the weight of the Great States 304-14 in the same roundup, so the two listings differ on this point and you should check the weight on the listing before you buy.
This is the Scotts option for a homeowner who wants the same cut width as the Great States 304-14 and prefers the Scotts name. Its listing notes that it requires no gas or oil.
Great States 415-16 16-Inch Reel with T-Style Handle
The Great States 415-16 steps up to a 16-inch cutting width with a five-blade ball-bearing reel and 10-inch composite wheels. Its listing gives a height range of 1 to 2.5 inches, which starts higher than the 0.5-inch low end on the 14-inch models. The listing describes the T-style handle as comfortable and the assembly as tool-less. It lists the weight at 20.9 pounds. The listing calls the reel a clean and quiet way to keep a lawn without gas or oil.
Choose this model if you want a wider pass than the 14-inch options and your grass is usually taller than 2 inches. The higher starting height is the reason to pick it over the 14-inch models for a lawn you prefer to keep short.
Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade Reel
The Scotts 2000-20S is the widest reel in this roundup, with a 20-inch cutting width and a five-blade ball-bearing cylinder. Its listing gives 10-inch dual tracking wheels and a quick-snap height adjustment from 1 to 3 inches. The listing describes an ergonomic handle with a cushioned grip and says the mower is easy to assemble without tools. The listed weight is 26.9 pounds, which is heavy for a manual reel, so a wide mower like this suits flat, open lawns better than steep or narrow ones.
The listing says it is an engine-free reel that needs no gas or oil. Because it cuts 20 inches at a time, it covers open turf faster than any other model here, but you will feel its weight on each pass.
Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Reel
The Great States 815-18 is an 18-inch, five-blade manual push mower with 10-inch composite wheels. Its listing gives the widest top height in the 14-to-18-inch group, with an adjustable range of 0.5 to 2.75 inches. The loop-style handle has cushioned grips, and the listing describes the mower as easy to assemble without special tools. It lists the weight at 27 pounds.
This is a practical middle choice if you want a wider cut than the 14-inch models but do not need the 20-inch width of the Scotts 2000-20S. The listing calls it planet-friendly and low-maintenance, and says it is quiet because it has no motor.
Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Reel
The Earthwise 1715-16EW is the only model in this roundup whose listing states seven blades. It has a 16-inch cutting width, 10-inch composite wheels and a steel side plate design. Its listing gives a height range of 0.5 to 2.5 inches and describes the cylinder as alloy steel that stays sharp longer. The listing lists the weight at 21.8 pounds.
The listing says the mower is suited to bent grass types including Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine and Seashore Paspalum. Its bullets describe a self-cutting mower, meaning the reel does the cutting without a motor. If you keep a fine-textured lawn and want a 16-inch width, this is the model in the group that the listing ties most directly to those grass types.
Walensee 16-Inch 5-Blade Cordless Manual Reel
The Walensee is a 16-inch, five-blade manual reel with curved alloy steel blades and 8.5-inch drive wheels. Its listing gives four cutting positions from 0.6 to 1.5 inches, the lowest top setting of any model in this roundup. The listing says the blades are high-hardness alloy steel that are precision-ground, and the handle adjusts with a pull lever. The listing describes the mower as requiring no gas, electricity or batteries, and its title says it includes a removable 7.9-gallon grass catcher and a sponge grip. The listed weight is 15.4 pounds.
Choose the Walensee for a short, finely kept lawn where the low height range matters most, and where a grass catcher is part of the purchase. Its listing states that it is semi-pre-assembled and quick to install.
Who each reel mower suits
Small, flat lawns that you mow often fit the 14-inch models best. The Great States 304-14 has the lowest listed weight in the group at 9.3 pounds, and the Scotts 304-14S gives the same 14-inch width with a heavier listed weight. Medium yards with a mix of grass heights fit the 16-inch and 18-inch models, including the Great States 415-16, the Great States 815-18, the Earthwise 1715-16EW and the Walensee. Large open lawns fit the Scotts 2000-20S, though its listed weight of 26.9 pounds makes it a workout on long passes.
If you care most about a low, uniform cut, the Walensee and the Earthwise are the two whose listings give the lowest or most detailed height ranges. If you need a mower that stays easy to lift into a vehicle, the 14-inch and 16-inch models are the more practical picks.
Mistakes to avoid with a reel mower
- Cutting too much grass at once. The 1204-14 listing advises mowing no more than one third of the grass blade, so the roots stay intact.
- Letting grass grow too tall before mowing. Several listings say tall grass needs more passes, and the 1815-18 listing says dry grass under 4 inches gives the best single-pass results.
- Mowing wet grass. The 1204-14 listing advises against using it when the grass is wet.
- Skipping the overlap on the next pass. The 1204-14 listing recommends more overlap when the lawn reaches 4 inches or more.
- Ignoring the blade condition. Reel blades are alloy steel that the listings say stays sharp longer, but a dull blade still tears grass, so check the cutting edge periodically. Our blade style guide for lawn mowers explains how reel blades compare with rotary blades.
Bottom line
Pick a reel mower by matching cutting width to your yard, height range to your grass and listed weight to what you can push. For a small lawn kept short, choose a 14-inch model with a low height setting. For a wider lawn that you keep at a moderate height, choose a 16-inch or 18-inch model. For a large, flat lawn where you want the widest pass, the Scotts 2000-20S is the one in this roundup. Before you buy, check the listing for the exact weight and height range, because a few listings in this group state figures that differ from one another.
FAQ
Is a reel mower the same as a push mower?
A reel mower is a type of push mower. Several listings in this roundup call themselves push reel lawn mowers. Instead of a motor spinning a blade, the reel is a cylinder of blades that rotates as you push the mower forward, and the grass is cut against a fixed bar.
How tall can a reel mower cut?
It depends on the model. The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 listing says it can cut grass up to 4 inches tall but is less effective on taller grass. The American Lawn Mower 1815-18 listing says it is suited to dry grass under 4 inches. Check the height range on each listing, which runs from 0.5 inches at the low end to 3 inches at the top of the range.
Do these mowers need gas, oil or batteries?
The listings describe them as manual mowers. Most say they need no gas, oil or electricity. The Walensee listing says it requires no gas, electricity or batteries.
How much do these mowers weigh?
The listed weights run from 9.3 pounds for the Great States 304-14 to 27 pounds for the Great States 815-18. The Scotts 2000-20S is listed at 26.9 pounds, and the Walensee at 15.4 pounds. Because listed weights for some models differ from what you might expect, confirm the figure on the listing before you buy.
Which reel mower has the most blades?
Among the eight models in this roundup, the Earthwise 1715-16EW has the most blades, with seven listed. The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 has the fewest, with four.
Can a reel mower handle tall grass?
Tall grass is harder on any reel mower. The listings recommend mowing more often rather than letting the grass grow long, and several say tall grass takes multiple passes. A mower with a higher starting height, such as the Great States 415-16 or the Scotts 2000-20S, is a better match for grass that you let grow longer than 2 inches.
For more on keeping a mower in shape between mowing sessions, see our mower safety checklist for homeowners.
