The Best Reel Mowers – Tested by Bob Vila

If you’ve ever wished mowing didn’t sound like a small aircraft doing donuts over your yard, meet the reel mower: quiet, human-powered, and weirdly satisfying. Modern reel mowers still use the same simple ideaspinning blades that snip grass like scissorsbut today’s best models add smarter height adjustments, smoother rolling wheels, and sturdier frames that make manual mowing feel less like a history lesson and more like a legit lawn-care strategy.

This article synthesizes BobVila.com’s hands-on reel-mower testing with practical guidance from U.S. home-improvement and lawn-care experts. The goal: help you pick a reel mower that matches your lawn, your schedule, and your tolerance for surprise cardio.

Why reel mowers can give a cleaner-looking cut

Reel mowers cut by shearing the grass blade between a rotating reel and a fixed bed knifethink “haircut,” not “weed whacker.” That scissor action can leave a cleaner tip than some rotary mowers, which may tear grass when blades are dull. A cleaner cut isn’t just cosmetic; it can reduce stress on the turf, especially when you’re mowing regularly and not taking off too much at once.

They’re also quiet and emissions-free in use. But reel mowers are picky about conditions: they like grass that’s not overly tall or soggy, and they don’t love surprise obstacles like acorns, twigs, or the toy your kid “definitely put away.”

What “tested by Bob Vila” actually means here

BobVila.com’s review team evaluated reel mowers in real yards and real grassacross multiple conditions, not just perfectly manicured turf. Their testing included different grass types (warm-season and cool-season), plus tougher scenarios like overgrown and weedier sections. They also scored assembly, ease of use, maneuverability, cut quality, and value to separate “nice in theory” from “nice on Saturday morning.”

Reel mower buying guide: the short list of features that change everything

Cutting width: 14–20 inches

Wider reels finish faster (18–20 inches), but can feel heavier in turns. Narrow reels (14–16 inches) are lighter and easier to steer, especially in tight yards.

Blade count: 4, 5, or 7

Five blades is a common “do-most-things” setup. Seven blades can look fantastic on dense, warm-season turf if you mow often. Fewer blades can push easier but may struggle more when grass gets tall.

Height adjustment (and how much you’ll actually use it)

If your mower makes height changes easy, you’ll adapt your cut to seasons and conditions. If it requires tools and patience, you’ll “set it and forget it”even when your lawn begs for a change.

Wheel size and your terrain

Big wheels roll over bumps and thicker patches with less effort. Small wheels can be fine on smooth, flat lawns but feel choppy on uneven ground.

Weight and build quality

Lightweight reels store easily and suit small lawns. Heavier reels can feel more stable and powerful, but they demand more storage spaceand more enthusiasm.

The best reel mowers (Bob Vila-tested picks)

These picks come from BobVila.com’s reel-mower testing lineup. Use them as “starting points,” then match the mower to your lawn size, grass type, and how often you realistically mow.

Best Overall: Fiskars StaySharp 18-Inch Max Reel Mower

Who it’s for: homeowners who want premium cut quality and a smoother push, especially on small-to-midsize lawns.

In BobVila.com’s testing, the Fiskars StaySharp stood out for clean, even results and user-friendly operation. It uses a 5-blade reel with an 18-inch cutting swath, and the cutting height adjusts from about 1 to 4 incheswide enough to suit many warm-season and cool-season lawns. The tradeoff is size: it’s a heavier manual reel (around 52 pounds), but that weight also contributes to a stable, confident feel when you’re moving at a steady pace.

• Best trait: high-end performance that makes reel mowing feel “easy.”
• Tradeoff: higher price and bulkier storage footprint.

Best Bang for the Buck: Great States 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Mower

Who it’s for: small yards, consistent mowing schedules, and budgets that want value without drama.

This is a classic 16-inch reel that balances coverage and maneuverability. In the common configuration, it’s a 5-blade mower with a height range around 1 to 2.5 inches. It’s a strong entry point if your lawn is relatively clean and you mow before the grass gets too tall.

• Best trait: strong value and respectable cut quality for routine maintenance mowing.
• Tradeoff: debris can stop the reel; tall, thick grass can feel stubborn.

Best Electric Reel: Scotts 16-Inch 20V Cordless Electric Reel Mower

Who it’s for: people who like the reel-style cut but want extra help powering through thicker patches.

A battery-driven reel can reduce jamming and lessen push effort compared with fully manual models, while still keeping noise low versus gas. It’s a “training wheels” option for those transitioning to reel mowing.

Best for Dense Warm-Season Turf: Earthwise 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower

Who it’s for: frequent mowers with Bermuda, zoysia, centipede, or similar dense turf.

Seven blades can deliver a finer-looking cut when you mow often and keep turf in a reel-friendly range. This style is typically designed for a 16-inch width and a height range around 0.5 to 2.5 inches. If you routinely let cool-season grass get tall, expect more resistance.

Best Lightweight: American Lawn Mower Company 14-Inch 4-Blade Reel Mower

Who it’s for: tiny lawns, side yards, and anyone who wants easy carrying and storage.

Compact reels shine in tight spaces. A typical 14-inch model uses a 4-blade reel and offers a height range around 0.5 to 1.75 inches, which is plenty for routine maintenance on small lawns. It’s ideal for regular trimsespecially if you’re mowing often and not asking it to chew through tall, wet grass.

Best for “Large” Yards (in reel terms): Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Mower

Who it’s for: flatter lawns where you want fewer passes per mow.

A wider reel can meaningfully cut down mowing time, but wider decks can feel heavier on turns and uneven ground. If your lawn is smooth and you mow regularly, the extra width is a win.

Best Durable Step-Up: American Lawn Mower Company 18-Inch 5-Blade Reel Mower

Who it’s for: homeowners who want wider coverage and a sturdier feel without jumping to the priciest designs.

This type of 18-inch reel sits between compact budget reels and premium systems. It’s most satisfying when the lawn is kept tidy and relatively even.

Easy-rolling option: Sun Joe manual reel mower (wide-cut style)

Who it’s for: homeowners who prioritize push comfort and quick coverage on flat terrain.

In BobVila.com’s testing, wheel design played a big role in push effort. Sun Joe’s wide-cut manual reels are often built around an 18-inch deck, and a reel that rolls smoothly can feel dramatically easier to useeven with that wider widthwhen the lawn is short and dry.

Easy-to-use design: Gardena Classic Reel Mower

Who it’s for: small lawns and tidy, routine mowing.

Gardena’s reel mowers are popular for smooth operation and storage-friendly designs. The Classic-style reel is typically a 16-inch mower with a short-cut height range (roughly 0.47 to 1.65 inches), which makes it a good fit for routine maintenance mowing on smaller lawns.

How to make a reel mower feel “easy” instead of “punishing”

Mow more often (especially during spring growth)

Reel mowers are happiest when grass is short enough that the reel can keep spinning without you forcing it. If you’re switching from a rotary mower, plan on a slightly more regular schedule during active growth.

Follow the one-third rule

Don’t remove more than one-third of the grass blade at one time. This helps turf stay healthy and keeps reel mowing realistic.

Cut at a healthy heightdon’t scalp

Extension guidance commonly recommends keeping many home lawns around the 2.5- to 3-inch range, and mowing higher can support deeper roots and better weed competition. If your mower can reach that range comfortably, your lawn and your weekends may both improve.

Spend 2 minutes on debris

Twigs and acorns are tiny reel-mower enemies. A quick sweep prevents constant stops and keeps cutting edges happier.

Maintenance basics that protect cut quality

• Clean after mowing: remove clippings around the reel and bed knife so the mower stays smooth.
• Check adjustment: too loose can miss grass; too tight can feel harder to push.
• Sharpen smart: many owners use backlappinga process that spins the reel in reverse with abrasive compound to restore the cutting edges. Professional grinding is a deeper “reset” when edges are badly worn.

When a reel mower is the wrong choice

• You have a big, hilly lawn: reel mowers are best for smaller, level spaces.
• Your yard drops a lot of debris: constant twigs/acorns can interrupt mowing and wear blades.
• You rarely mow: if grass frequently gets tall, a battery push mower may fit your lifestyle better.

Real-world reel mower experiences (about )

Reel mowers look simple on paper. In real life, they come with a learning curve that’s less “hard” and more “ohhh, that’s why people keep saying ‘mow regularly.’” Here’s what many first-time reel-mower owners experience over a season, and what those moments teach you.

The first mow is all about sound. The quiet is almost the point. You hear the reel’s soft snip-snip and the wheels rolling, not an engine roaring. It feels calmer. It also makes you realize how loud you’ve been. If you’ve ever finished mowing with ringing ears, a reel mower can feel like a lifestyle upgrade.

Then you meet your lawn’s “problem zones.” Every yard has them: the strip that stays damp, the corner where grass grows thicker, the patch that’s slightly bumpy. A reel mower doesn’t hide those differencesit highlights them. On the smooth, dry parts, the mower glides. In the thick parts, you feel resistance and learn to slow down, take a partial pass, or raise the height a notch. It’s not failure; it’s feedback.

By week three, routine becomes your superpower. The best reel-mower experience usually comes from shorter, more frequent mows. Instead of waiting until the lawn is tall, you mow before it gets unruly. Each session is quicker and easier, and the cut looks more consistent. Many owners also discover the value of “two light passes” (especially in thick turf) instead of “one heroic pass.”

Seasonal height adjustments start making sense. In hot weather, mowing a touch higher can help turf handle stress. People who can easily adjust height tend to do it; people whose mower requires tools tend not to. The funny part is that once you’ve felt how much easier mowing becomes at the right height, you suddenly care a lot about height adjustment mechanismssomething you probably never expected to have an opinion on.

Maintenance is small, but it’s real. Reel mowers don’t need gasoline, but they do want cleanliness and alignment. A quick brush-off after mowing and a periodic check of the reel-to-bedknife adjustment help keep the mower feeling “smooth.” When the cut starts looking less crisp or pushing feels harder than usual, many owners learn about backlapping or sharpening. Do that occasional upkeep and the mower keeps rewarding you with that clean, scissor-like finish.

Weather sneaks into the story, too. Reel mowers prefer dry grass. Morning dew can make clippings clump and add drag, so many owners shift mowing to late morning or early evening when the lawn has dried. You also learn to respect growth spurts after rain or fertilizer: if you miss a week, a reel mower can still handle it, but it may take a higher setting and an extra pass. The lesson is simple: reel mowing is less about brute force and more about timing.

What people usually wish they knew sooner:

• Keeping a small rake or blower handy for a quick debris sweep saves a ton of stops.
• Sharpness and adjustment matter more than “strength.” If pushing suddenly feels hard, check the mowernot your biceps.
• Edges and tight corners take a little practice; slower, controlled turns beat yanking the mower around.
• If you want a shorter “show lawn” cut, you’ll mow more often. There’s no cheat code for physics.

The big payoff: once the habit is established, reel mowing can be surprisingly enjoyable. It’s quiet, it’s simple, and it’s consistent. The tradeoff is commitment: reel mowers reward people who mow a little more often and pay attention to conditions. If you can live with that, you get a great-looking lawn and a weekend routine that doesn’t smell like a gas station.

Conclusion

BobVila.com’s testing shows that reel mowers aren’t all the same. Premium options like the Fiskars StaySharp can make manual mowing feel genuinely smooth, while classic value picks like Great States deliver strong results when you keep grass in reel-mower range. Choose the right width, match blade count to your turf and habits, and you can get a cleaner cutwithout noise, fumes, or a charging cable.