Best Push Reel Mowers for a Clean Even Lawn Cut
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A push reel mower is a manual mower with a cylinder of blades that spins past a fixed bed knife. It needs no gas, no oil and no electricity. The best push reel mower for most small to medium lawns is a model with a cutting width of 14 to 18 inches, a height range that covers the grass you have, and a weight you can push comfortably. The eight models below are all push reel mowers from the product listings we reviewed, and each block gives the facts those listings state.
Quick answer
- For a small, light mower, look at the 14-inch models: the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 (19 pounds) and the Great States 204-14 (4 blades).
- For a wider path on a small to medium lawn, the 18-inch American Lawn Mower 1815-18 and Great States 815-18 are the widest options in this list.
- If you need the highest cut, the Scotts 2000-20S lists an adjustable height of 1 to 3 inches, which is higher than most of the other models.
- Check the height range before you buy. Most of these mowers list a top height near 1.75 to 2.75 inches, so they suit lawns kept short.
How to choose a push reel mower
Start with the lawn. A reel mower cuts best on grass that is kept fairly short. The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 listing says it can cut grass up to 4 inches tall but is less effective on taller grass, and the listing advises mowing no more than one third of the grass blade at a time. If your lawn is often longer than that, a reel mower will need more passes, and a rotary mower may suit you better.
Next, look at cutting width. Wider mowers cover more ground per pass, but they weigh more and are harder to turn. The 14-inch models in this list weigh between 9.3 and 19 pounds. The 18-inch American Lawn Mower 1815-18 is listed at 27 pounds, and the 20-inch Scotts 2000-20S at 26.9 pounds.
Then check the wheels. Several listings name the wheel size. Wider wheels with a tread roll more easily over uneven ground, and the listings give the following sizes: 8.5-inch polymer wheels on the American Lawn Mower 1204-14, 8.5-inch composite wheels on the Great States 304-14 and Scotts 304-14S, 10-inch wheels on the Great States 815-18, and 10-inch dual tracking wheels on the Scotts 2000-20S.
Comparison table
| Model | Cutting width | Blades | Height range | Weight | Warranty (as listed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Lawn Mower 1204-14 | 14 in | 4 | 0.5 to 1.75 in | 19 lb | Not stated |
| American Lawn Mower 1815-18 | 18 in | 5 | 0.5 to 2.75 in | 27 lb | 1 year limited |
| Great States 304-14 | 14 in | 5 | 0.5 to 1.75 in | 9.3 lb | 90 day limited |
| Scotts 304-14S | 14 in | 5 | 0.5 to 1.75 in | 18.1 lb | 90 day limited |
| Great States 204-14 | 14 in | 4 | 0.5 to 1.75 in | Not stated | 1 year |
| Scotts 2000-20S | 20 in | 5 | 1 to 3 in | 26.9 lb | Not stated |
| Great States 815-18 | 18 in | 5 | 0.5 to 2.75 in | 27 lb | 2 year limited |
| Earthwise 1715-16EW | 16 in | 7 | 0.5 to 2.5 in | 21.8 lb | Not stated |
Where a cell says “Not stated”, the listing does not give that value.
The mowers
American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The listing describes a 14-inch cutting width, four blades and 8.5-inch polymer wheels, with a weight of 19 pounds. The blade height adjusts from 0.5 to 1.75 inches. The listing says the mower is pollution-free, noise-free and low maintenance, and it calls the reel action gentle on grass because it cuts without bruising the blade. The listing also advises raising the height and mowing more often when grass reaches 4 inches or more, and not mowing when the grass is wet. It suits a small lawn that is cut short.
American Lawn Mower 1815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
This model has an 18-inch cutting width, five blades and a listed weight of 27 pounds. The listing gives a height range of one half to 2-3/4 inches and says it is suited to dry grass under 4 inches, where it can cut in a single pass. For taller grass, the listing says more than one pass may be needed. The listing names a 1 year limited warranty and a separate five-year protection plan. The wider deck makes it the better fit for a larger flat lawn, but the extra weight means more effort on hills.
Great States 304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The Great States 304-14 is the lightest 14-inch model in this list at 9.3 pounds. It has five ball-bearing reel blades, 8.5-inch composite wheels and a height range of 0.5 to 1.75 inches. The listing names a 90 day limited warranty and describes solid rubber tires. The listing says the T-style handle has a cushioned grip and that assembly is tool-less. A light weight helps older users or anyone who finds a heavier mower tiring.
Scotts 304-14S 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The Scotts 304-14S has the same 14-inch width, five blades and 0.5 to 1.75 inch height range as the Great States 304-14. The listing gives a weight of 18.1 pounds, which is heavier than the Great States model, and a 90 day limited warranty. The listing names composite wheels of 8.5 inches and says the mower needs no gas or oil. The listing shows the manufacturer as Great States, so buyers comparing brands should check the box and the warranty card.
Great States 204-14 Hand Reel 14-Inch Push Lawn Mower
This is a four-blade, 14-inch reel mower with 8.5-inch polymer wheels and a height range of 0.5 to 1.75 inches. The listing describes a scissor-action cut. It also gives maintenance advice that appears in the other listings too: rake or clear debris before mowing, avoid overgrown lawns with divots and tall weeds, and mow smaller amounts more often than letting the grass get long. The listing names a one-year warranty.
Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The widest mower in this list has a 20-inch cutting width, five blades and 10-inch dual tracking wheels. The listing gives a quick-snap height adjustment from 1 to 3 inches, the highest range here, which suits longer grass better than the 0.5 to 1.75 inch models. The listed weight is 26.9 pounds. The listing describes it as a classic no-motor reel mower with an ergonomic handle and tool-less assembly. A wide deck on a heavy frame suits a large flat lawn with few obstacles.
Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The Great States 815-18 is an 18-inch, five-blade reel mower weighing 27 pounds. It has a height range of 0.5 to 2.75 inches and 10-inch composite wheels. The listing names a 2 year limited warranty, the longest warranty among these listings. The listing describes a loop-style handle with cushioned grips and says the mower is easy to assemble without special tools. Its wheel size and height range make it a good fit for a flat lawn that is cut regularly.
Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The Earthwise model has a 16-inch cutting width and seven alloy steel blades, which is more blades than any other model here. It weighs 21.8 pounds and has 10-inch composite wheels with a steel side plate design. The listing gives a height range of 0.5 to 2.5 inches and says the mower can cut bent grass types such as Bermuda, Zoysia and St. Augustine. The listing does not give a warranty length. The seven-blade reel is a good option when the wider deck and more blades matter more than the lightest weight.
Review: American Lawn Mower 1204-14 in depth
If you want one model to look at closely, the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 fits the most common small-lawn case. Its listing gives a 14-inch cutting width, four blades and 8.5-inch polymer wheels. At 19 pounds it is light enough to push and to lift onto a rack. The height range runs from 0.5 to 1.75 inches, which is right for a lawn kept short.
The listing’s main limit is grass height. It says the mower cuts grass up to 4 inches tall but is less effective on taller grass. The listing also advises mowing no more than one third of the blade and mowing more often rather than letting grass get long. A lawn that is cut weekly during the growing season fits this rule. A lawn left for two weeks does not.
The listing does not state a warranty, and it does not give a blade material beyond the reel design. If you need those facts, check the box or the manufacturer’s page before buying.
Two close alternatives from the same list are the Great States 204-14, which has the same width and blade count, and the Great States 304-14, which weighs less at 9.3 pounds and lists a 90 day warranty.
FAQ
What is a push reel mower good for?
A push reel mower suits a small to medium lawn that is cut often and kept short. The listings say it is quiet, uses no fuel or oil, and cuts grass with a scissor action rather than tearing it. It is less suited to tall or wet grass.
What cutting height should I use?
Most models in this list adjust from 0.5 to about 1.75 or 2.75 inches. The Scotts 2000-20S goes higher, from 1 to 3 inches. Use the highest setting that gives an even cut, and mow more often if the grass grows fast.
Is a wider reel mower better?
A wider mower covers more ground per pass but weighs more. The 20-inch Scotts 2000-20S and the 18-inch models weigh 27 pounds or more. A 14-inch model is easier to handle on a small or sloped yard.
Why does the listing say to avoid mowing wet grass?
The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 listing advises not to use a reel mower when the grass is wet. Wet grass is harder to cut cleanly and clumps on the blades. Mow when the grass is dry.
Do these mowers need gas or oil?
No. Every model in this list is a manual mower with no engine. The listings say they need no gas or oil and no electricity.
How do I keep a reel mower cutting well?
The listings advise clearing debris before mowing, not letting grass get long, and avoiding wet grass. For sharpening steps, see the related guide below.
Bottom line
Pick the cutting width by lawn size and the height range by how short you keep the grass. A 14-inch model under 20 pounds is the easiest to handle. An 18-inch model suits a larger flat lawn that is cut often. If your grass runs taller than about 4 inches, a reel mower will not be the right tool.
Related guides
For a step-by-step on keeping the blades sharp, see How to Sharpen a Mower Blade Safely. To pick a blade style for your yard, read Best Blade Style for Lawn Mowers: Rotary, Mulching, Reel or Flail.
