Best Power Reel Mowers for Cutting Thick Grass
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A power reel mower is a term many shoppers use, but the listings in this roundup describe these machines as manual push reel mowers, with no motor. The reel turns when you push the mower, and the blades scissor against a bed knife. This roundup compares seven reel mowers from the product pack by listed cut width, blade count, cutting height range and wheel size, and it says plainly what each listing states and what it leaves out. The pack includes no motorized reel mower, so this is a guide to manual reels.
Quick answer
- The listings describe these reel mowers as manual push mowers. None of the reel mowers in this roundup lists a motor.
- Cut width ranges from 14 inches to 18 inches across the listings, with 7-blade and 5-blade reels in the pack.
- Listed cutting height runs from about 0.5 inch to 2.75 inches, depending on the model, and one listing says the reel cuts grass up to about 4 inches tall and is less effective on taller grass.
- Choose a 14- or 16-inch reel for a small to medium lawn, and read the cutting height and wheel size before buying.
What “power reel mower” means for these listings
The keyword in this roundup suggests a motor, but the pack contains no motorized reel mower. The Scotts 16-inch listing gives the power source as manual, and the Great States, American Lawn Mower and Scotts listings give manual operation as well. One American Lawn Mower listing has a power source field that reads “self-propelled,” while its operation mode field reads manual. Read that field as a listing error and treat the mower as manual unless the seller confirms otherwise. The EGO cordless mowers in the pack are battery-powered lawn mowers, but their titles do not describe a reel mower, so they fall outside this roundup.
In practice, a reel mower relies on the movement of your body and the speed of your pushing. The listings say reels cut with a scissor action that does not bruise grass blades, and they recommend mowing no more than one third of the blade height in a pass. That is a good rule to keep in mind whichever model you choose.
Comparison table
| Listing | Cut width | Blades | Cutting height stated | Wheel size stated | Listed weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts 2607-16S | 16 inches | 7-blade reel | Not stated | Not stated | 23 pounds |
| Earthwise 1715-16EW | 16 inches | 7-blade ball bearing reel | 0.5 to 2.5 inches | 10 inches composite | Not stated |
| American Lawn Mower 1815-18 | 18 inches | 5-blade reel | 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches (bullet); 1.27 to 6.4 inches (spec) | 16 cm (spec) | 27 pounds |
| Great States 304-14 | 14 inches | 5-blade ball bearing reel | 0.5 to 1.75 inches | 8.5 inches (bullet); 10 inches (spec) | 9.3 pounds |
| Great States 415-16 | 16 inches | 5-blade ball bearing reel | 1 to 2.5 inches | 10 inches composite | 20.9 pounds |
| Scotts 304-14S | 14 inches | 5-blade ball bearing reel | 0.5 to 1.75 inches | 8.5 inches composite (bullet) | 18.1 pounds |
| American Lawn Mower 1204-14 | 14 inches | 4-blade reel | 0.5 to 1.75 inches (bullet); 1.3 to 4.45 inches (spec) | 8.5 inches polymer | 19 pounds |
Where two listings disagree, the table shows both values. The pack gives no way to settle a conflict, so check the box or the seller’s current page before buying.
Scotts 2607-16S 16-inch push reel mower
The Scotts 2607-16S has a 16-inch cutting width and a 7-blade reel. The listing describes a padded U-handle for comfort and control, a lightweight build and simple maintenance. It names fine to medium turf grasses such as Bermuda, zoysia, ryegrass and fescue as suited to a 7-blade reel. The listing says the mower is ideal for small to medium lawns. It gives a weight of 23 pounds and a product size of 19.29 inches deep, 21.81 inches wide and 49.45 inches high. The listing does not state a cutting height range, so check the adjustment before you buy if you have a particular height in mind.
Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-inch reel mower with SK-2 sharpener
The Earthwise listing pairs a 16-inch push reel mower with an American Lawn Mower SK-2 hand sharpener. The mower has a 7-blade ball bearing reel, 10-inch composite wheels and an adjustable cutting height of 0.5 to 2.5 inches. The listing describes the blades as alloy steel that stays sharp longer, and it names grass types such as Bermuda and zoysia. The listing also describes a durable steel side plate and calls the mower an eco-friendly alternative to gasoline push mowers. The SK-2 sharpener is described as compatible with American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise and Scotts reel mowers. The listing does not give a weight.
American Lawn Mower 1815-18 18-inch reel mower
The 1815-18 has the widest cut in this roundup at 18 inches and a 5-blade reel. The listing gives an adjustable blade height from 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches in its bullets, and it says the mower is suited to dry grass under 4 inches, with a single pass for well-maintained lawns and multiple passes for taller grass. Its listed weight is 27 pounds, and the listing describes a durable 18-inch cutting path for small to medium yards. The bullets mention a 5-year manufacturer protection plan, while the specifications list a 1 year limited warranty. Confirm the warranty with the seller before you buy, because the listing gives both figures.
Great States 304-14 14-inch reel mower
The Great States 304-14 is a 14-inch, 5-blade reel mower in red. The listing gives a cutting height of 0.5 to 1.75 inches, heat-treated alloy steel blades and a T-style handle with a cushioned grip. Its bullets describe 8.5-inch composite wheels, while the specifications give a 10-inch wheel size. The listing gives a weight of 9.3 pounds and describes the mower as requiring no gas or oil and as easy to assemble without tools. The specifications list a 90-day limited warranty. For a small or medium lawn with a 14-inch width, this is the lightest 5-blade option in the table.
Great States 415-16 16-inch reel mower
The Great States 415-16 is a 16-inch, 5-blade reel mower with a cutting height of 1 to 2.5 inches and 10-inch composite wheels. The listing describes heat-treated alloy steel blades that stay sharp longer and a T-style handle with a cushioned grip. The specifications list a weight of 20.9 pounds and 19 cutting height positions, while the bullets describe a quick, adjustable height. The listing says the mower is clean and quiet and needs no gas or oil. It gives a 1-year limited warranty. A 16-inch cut with a higher cutting range than the 14-inch models may suit a lawn that is kept a little taller.
Scotts 304-14S 14-inch reel mower
The Scotts 304-14S is a 14-inch, 5-blade reel with 8.5-inch composite wheels and a cutting height of 0.5 to 1.75 inches. The listing describes the blades as heat-treated alloy steel, a T-style handle with a cushioned grip and easy, tool-less assembly. It says the mower is lightweight and needs no gas or oil. The listed weight is 18.1 pounds, which is heavier than the Great States 304-14 at 9.3 pounds. The specifications list a 90-day limited warranty and give the cutting width only in centimeters, 35.6, while the title and bullets describe a 14-inch cut.
American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-inch reel mower
The 1204-14 is a 14-inch, 4-blade reel mower with 8.5-inch polymer wheels and a listed weight of 19 pounds. The bullets describe a height range of 0.5 to 1.75 inches and say the mower can cut grass up to about 4 inches tall but is less effective on taller grass. The specifications give a different height range, from 1.3 to 4.45 inches, so the two figures disagree. The listing describes the mower as pollution-free, noise-free and low maintenance. It also says to mow when the grass is dry, because reel mowers do not work well on wet grass. Confirm the height range with the seller before you rely on it.
Who each reel mower suits
A small yard with a fine turf lawn is served well by a 14-inch, 5-blade reel. The Scotts 304-14S and Great States 304-14 are the two lightest 5-blade options in the table, and the Great States is listed at 9.3 pounds. A larger flat lawn that is cut once a week suits a 16-inch or 18-inch model, such as the Earthwise, Scotts 2607-16S or American Lawn Mower 1815-18. A homeowner who wants a sharpener in the box can look at the Earthwise listing, which pairs the mower with an SK-2 sharpener.
Where the lawn is tall, read the height data carefully. The 1204-14 listing says it works best on grass up to about 4 inches, and the 1815-18 listing says it suits dry grass under 4 inches. The Great States 204-14 listing in the pack describes multiple passes for overgrown grass, so plan for extra passes on a tall lawn.
Mistakes to avoid
- Expecting a motor. The listings describe manual push mowers, and the reel must be turned by pushing.
- Mowing grass that is too tall. The 1204-14 listing says it is less effective on taller grass, and the 1815-18 listing suggests multiple passes for it.
- Mowing wet grass. The 1204-14 listing says not to use a reel mower on wet grass.
- Cutting more than a third of the blade. The reel listings recommend mowing no more than one third of the grass height in a pass.
- Trusting one figure when the listing gives two. The 304-14, 304-14S and 1204-14 listings disagree on wheel size or height, so check the mower itself.
Maintenance that keeps a reel cutting
Reel mowers depend on sharp blades and a correct bed knife setting. The Earthwise, Scotts and Great States listings describe alloy steel blades that stay sharp longer, but they still need sharpening over time. The SK-2 sharpener in the Earthwise listing is described as designed for reel mowers, and the Scotts listing says only the blades need occasional sharpening. Remove debris before mowing, and keep the reel clean. Mowers in the pack that include a grass catcher, such as the Scotts 18-inch bundle, list rot-resistant polyester fabric and a wire frame.
For more on how reel blades compare with other blade styles, read Best Blade Style for Lawn Mowers: Rotary, Mulching, Reel or Flail. For replacement parts for reel and other mowers, see Best Replacement Mower Blades, and the Reel and Robot Mowers Listed Beside Them.
FAQ
Is a power reel mower powered by a motor?
No. The listings in this roundup describe the reel mowers as manual push mowers. The pack contains no motorized reel mower.
What cut width should I choose?
The listings range from 14 inches to 18 inches. The 14-inch models are the lightest in the table, and the 16-inch and 18-inch models cover more ground per pass.
How tall can a reel mower cut?
The listings give cutting height ranges from about 0.5 inch to 2.75 inches. The 1204-14 bullets say the mower cuts grass up to about 4 inches tall, and the 1815-18 listing suits dry grass under 4 inches.
Do these mowers need gas or oil?
The Great States 304-14, Great States 415-16 and Scotts 304-14S listings say they need no gas or oil. The reel mower is pushed by hand, so there is no engine to fuel.
Do the listings include a sharpener?
The Earthwise 1715-16EW listing includes an SK-2 sharpener. The Scotts 304-14S and 18-inch listings include an SK-2 sharpener in some bundles, and the listings say which bundle is included.
Are these mowers good for thick grass?
The pack does not say that. The 1204-14 listing says it is less effective on taller grass, and the 1815-18 listing suggests multiple passes for taller grass. Confirm the height range before you buy for a thick lawn.
Bottom line
If you want a manual reel mower for a small to medium lawn, a 14-inch or 16-inch model with a height range you can use is the place to start. The Great States 304-14 and Scotts 304-14S are the lightest 5-blade options, and the Earthwise pairs a 16-inch reel with a sharpener. For a wider cut, the American Lawn Mower 1815-18 is the 18-inch choice in this roundup. Check the cutting height and wheel size against the figures on the current listing, because several listings disagree.
