Best Overall
Fiskars StaySharp 18-Inch Max Reel Mower
Runner-Up
Craftsman 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Best Bang for the Buck
Great States 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
We may clear tax income from the products available on this pageboy and participate in affiliate programs . see More ›
hushed in functioning , simple to maintain , and mostly low-priced , Scottish reel lawn lawn mower can be chic options for yard maintenance . Since they only take up about a third of the storage elbow room needed by traditional mower , they ’re well-off custodian . In this pathfinder , we ’ve tested some of the good reel mowers for stealthy and sustainable lawn care .
Scottish reel mowers also might be better for a lawn ’s wellness than standard mowers . They make a tart cut along the top of the locoweed blade , standardised to the means scissors cut . The blades on a traditional rotary lawn mower be given to pull the grass , which causes ragged brown tip and increases the risk of disease .
Our pick for the best overall bobbin mower is theFiskars StaySharp 18 - column inch Max Reel Mower . We chose it for its 18 - inch swath - cutting ability ; five - blade , heavy - tariff structure ; adjustable cut down heights , and easy - to - maneuver oversize wheels .
While all reel motor mowers serve similarly , there are differences among the alternative . We tested the following framework to find out how blade width , mop height , do by excogitation , and other details affect functioning in unlike configurations . Keep reading to learn what to look for when shop for a reel lawn mower and why the take after models are among the best reel mower options useable .
How We Tested the Best Reel Mowers
We tested these 10 reel mowers in a Georgia backyard in the middle of the winter . That meant a combination of inactive warm - season grasses — some Bermuda Gunter Grass and some centipede Gunter Grass — along with a few areas overrun with cool - seasonlawn weedslike one-year Bluegrass Region , chickweed , henbit , dandelion , and barbaric onion . The trial domain were a combination of flat , aslant , and scratchy lawn .
We dissever the lawn into test plot of land so that each reel lawn mower would have a hazard to prove its capability under a mixture of conditions . To be eligible for comprehension in this guide , each mower had to effectively perform the basic affair for which it was built : mowing to reduce the weed altitude by approximately one third .
Then , beyond basic weed - free lawn mowing , we also tested each lawn mower on the tough condition of overgrown and weed - infest grass . All of the spool mowers in this scout well passed the basic functionality mental testing and earned incentive distributor point by undertake one or more adverse conditions , as noted in the reviews .
Our Top Picks
Using a reel lawn mower is an environmentally friendly way to mow the lawn and get a bite of clean air and exercise at the same time . We tested these manual model on our lawn to happen upon the best reel mowers for a variety of users and circumstances . record on to learn more about the performance details of each lawn mower .
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct carry our brand ’s high level of passport .
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our material - world examination and that instance core values of the Bob Vila firebrand , include workmanship , invention , and value for the dollar bill . Winners of this designation come advocate by our professional critical review team and are in person approved by Bob Vila .
Our Ratings : Assembly5/5 ; Ease of Use5/5 ; Maneuverability4.5/5 ; Cut Quality5/5 ; Value4.7/5
The saying “ you get what you pay for ” gang true with this Scottish reel lawn mower from Fiskars . self-praise harden steel StaySharp blades that quash the penury for resharpening , this model also admit two small-scale front roller to help oneself equilibrate and stabilize the lawn mower . Additionally , it features InertiaDrive , a concatenation - driven intention that can power the Virginia reel mower through thicker dope . This system of rules allow the spool to spin freely under its own inertia when the user stops pushing the mower forward — a on the face of it minor item but one that reduces the hustler ’s workload , especially when pushing the mower around obstacles or change directions .
you’re able to align the cut elevation from 1 to 4 inches , which is ideal for both strong - time of year and cool - season dope . An adjustable chute directs the clipping to fall either in front of or behind the mower to suit the operator ’s penchant . The Fiskars lawn mower cuts a generous 18 - column inch belt , get it well suited to mowing small- and medium - size yards . An optionalgrass catchercan be buy severally .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
For a premium price compared to other models we tested , the Fiskars StaySharp spool mower hand over the performance to justify the price . matter in at a hefty 52 hammering , the build felt laborious - duty but worked smoothly and efficiently . The ergonomic grip was extremely comfortable , and the machine affect almost effortlessly over all but the roughest ground . The only criticism we had was that the 8.5 - column inch drive wheels feel fairly undersized for high mowing .
Unlike other reel mowers , the cutting Scottish reel is mid - mounted with the drive wheels offset to the rear , forestall them from flatten the forage before it is mow . This configuration allow the mower to cut within an inch of the edge rather than 3.5 inches from the edge like other spool mower . The toolless undivided - lever tumbler height fitting worked in seconds .
Notably , this was the only manual Virginia reel lawn mower we test that could mow effectively with control stick and other junk lying on the sens . It was a pleasure to cut down with this tool , and the finished cut was clean and even .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Read our full review : Fiskars StaySharp Max 18 - Inch Reel Mower
Get the Fiskars Scottish reel mower atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Our paygrade : Assembly4/5 ; Ease of Use4.5/5 ; Maneuverability4/5 ; Cut Quality4.5/5 ; Value4.7/5
Photo: amazon.com
For a tried - and - true design that mows well and stores easily , look no further than the Craftsman 18 - inch Scottish reel mower , one ofthe good lawn mowerson our list . This lightweight model weighs just 24 pound and uses a traditional pinion gear drive system , with the five - blade mop Virginia reel mounted between the wheel . Two lever tumbler control the cutting elevation , which ranges from 1 to 3 column inch . A cushioned closed circuit handle provide a secure grip and comfortable control , and the included grass catcher keeps clippings off the yardandoff your feet .
This reel mower ( and other reel mowers featured in this guide ) incorporate the timeless figure that our nifty grandparent would at once recognize : two large wheels with the sword assembly climb on between them . Two geared wheel inside one of the wheels motor the reel assembly whenever the mower is crusade forward , but not when it is force backward . When the forward-moving apparent movement stoppage , the spool immediately stops as well . This leads to the traditional charge that reel mowers jam easy when belittled debris lodges between the reel and bed tongue . As a result , we witness that it was critical to remove all branchlet , pine cones , and other debris from the grass before using this mower .
The lawn mower arrive well tune for a skillful even cut . We appreciated the included grass backstop , which kept most of the press clipping off our feet as we mowed . As a fillip , the entire unit was compact and lightweight enough to store on a wall hook in the shed .
Photo: lowes.com
Get the Craftsman reel mower atLowe ’s .
Our military rank : Assembly5/5 ; Ease of Use3.5/5 ; Maneuverability4/5 ; Cut Quality4.5/5 ; Value4.5/5
For affordability and mowing relaxation , this five - sword reel lawn mower from Great States is a desirable selection . It boast a smooth cutting operation and a cushiony T - flair hold for easy maneuverability around corners . The 16 - in swath width get to it relatively simple to push , and back rollers offer added constancy .
Photo: amazon.com
This reel lawn mower ’s five heat - treat admixture blades refuse dulling , and sword altitude is adjustable from 1 to 2.5 inches , make it optimal for mowing inadequate grass species , such as buffalo or zoysia . It ’s also a lightweight option at just under 25 hammering .
We find this 16 - inch mower to be a secure “ midway - of - the - route ” pick : narrow enough to move well through thick Gunter Grass but still widely enough to get the job done quickly . The T - style hold grips give the mower a comfy feel as it glide effortlessly around the yard . The 16 - inch blade moved slenderly easier through impenetrable grass than the 18 - column inch model but still veer a generous belt .
Get the Great States 16 - column inch reel lawn mower atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Photo: amazon.com
Best for Small Lawns
Great States 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Our Ratings : Assembly5/5 ; Ease of Use3.5/5 ; Maneuverability4.5/5 ; Cut Quality4.5/5 ; Value4.5/5
With a 14 - inch belt width and a ball - bearing reel , this little lawn mower from Great States is just correct for asmall lawnand more bantam users . This narrower - than - most reel mower is easy to steer around trees and corner , and it come up with a back curler for added stableness . The blades are made from a heat - treated alloy to aid keep down dulling , and the mower features a low adjustable cutting height from 1 to 1.75 inches , making it best accommodate to short Gunter Grass metal money .
A narrow overall body width of just 20 inch , 8.5 - inch rubber tires , and a traditional handlebar with padded grips make this mower well-situated to swivel in soused spaces , in add-on to taking up minimum storage space . And at just under 20 Ezra Pound , it is even light enough to hang on a rampart hook . This example is fundamentally a surmount - down interlingual rendition of our 16 - in Best Bang for the Buck pick , with similar height and blade adjustments .
Photo: acehardware.com
alas , this small model requires a pull to adjust the height instead of using pommel screws . However , the minute dead body was even easier to bear on in dull grass but took almost twice as retentive to mow the same amount of space when factoring in the imperfection of walk a straight melodic line , extra turnaround times , and overlap edge . This mower could be a good pick for mop a small grass patch around a townhouse or condo .
Get the Great States 14 - column inch reel mower atAmazon , The Home Depot , orNorthern Tool + Equipment .
Best for Large Yards
Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Mower
Our evaluation : Assembly5/5 ; Ease of Use4/5 ; Maneuverability4/5 ; Cut Quality4/5 ; Value4/5
Although Virginia reel mowers are mostly confine for use on little yards , the Scotts 20 - column inch reel mower excels at the upper end of the railyard size of it range . It come equipped with one of the wide-eyed cutting reels available and let in several design details that make it more desirable for prolonged economic consumption over varying terrain .
The lawn mower features two speedy - ginger nut levers to arrange the pout elevation between 1 and 3 inch . It is also fit out with 6 - column inch rearward tracking steering wheel instead of tumbler pigeon , which help to more easily cover jolting ground . At a mediocre weight unit of 34 pound , it was heavy enough to “ stick ” to rough undercoat or else of bouncing around like some of the lightweight models were more likely to do . We also liked the ergonomic raise loop handle . It allowed for multiple grip positions to palliate drug user straining during longer mowing sessions .
Photo: amazon.com
This reel mower utilizes a traditional cogwheel drive system that make it reasonably susceptible to obturate with detritus . However , mayhap due to the increased travail involve to push the wider mower in the first home , we experienced less jamming compare to most of the other mowers we tested . Our overall feeling was that this mower would make a good selection for those who like for midsize lawns up to a quarter acre or so .
Get the Scotts 20 - inch reel mower atAce HardwareorWalmart .
Best for Tough Grass
Earthwise 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Our Ratings : Assembly5/5 ; Ease of Use3.5/5 ; Maneuverability4/5 ; Cut Quality4/5 ; Value4/5
The Earthwise bobbin lawn mower feature seven steel — two more than most reel mowers — which gives it additional zing to power through impenetrable forage . This lawn mower cut a 16 - inch swath with its brand - admixture blade that are designed to stay acute longer . The Gunter Wilhelm Grass - bring down superlative is adjustable from 0.5 to 2.5 in , suitable for a kitchen stove of grasses like St. Augustine , buffalo , and Bermuda .
The lawn mower is on the lightweight side at only 26 Cypriot pound . The T - flair grip piss it easygoing to maneuver around the corners of menage and trees , and the nonslip , cushioned handgrips shrink manus fatigue and vesication .
Photo: amazon.com
In our test , this seven - vane mower give way the clean , most consistent snub . We even used it to scalp a section of dormant centipede pasturage , where it left a placid , even finish . unluckily , the additional blades offer more resistance , so it is more hard to push than the five - vane models . Since the height adjustments order from 0.5 to 2.5 inch , a right scheme would be to mow regularly at 1 or 1.5 inches and leave a little room to move higher if the grass grows too long between cuts .
Get the Earthwise Scottish reel lawn mower atAmazonorWalmart .
Best Lightweight
American Lawn Mower Company 14-Inch 4-Blade Mower
Our Ratings : Assembly5/5 ; Ease of Use3.5/5 ; Maneuverability4/5 ; Cut Quality4/5 ; Value4.5/5
With a entire free weight of just 20 quid , this 14 - inch model from American Lawn Mower Company is the swooning bobbin lawn mower in this guide . It feature four cutting steel made from heat - deal blade admixture to lose weight dulling and 8.5 - in polymer wheels and rear roller to increase stability .
This smaller lawn mower is naturally well suited to mowing a modest lawn . The down free weight makes it not only simple for more flyspeck users to operate but also light enough to flow on rampart hooks in a garage or memory shed . The T - expressive style handle folds down for storage , and nonslip , buffer traveling bag let for more comfortable mowing . Cutting height is adjustable from 0.5 to 1.5 inches , although a twist is require to make those adjustments .
Photo: amazon.com
With only four 14 - column inch blade slicing against the bedknife , this model offered the least impedance of all the mowers we tested , making it the easiest lawn mower to crusade . However , fewer steel meant a less reproducible finish in dim or overgrown Gunter Grass . Overall , the mower feel strong , long-lasting , and well-to-do to expend , but it required a 2nd pas to houseclean up some of the more hard area . It ’s credibly a undecomposed option for keeping up with pathways in the vegetable garden or other petty grassy areas .
Get the American Lawn Mower Company reel mower atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Best Electric
Scotts 16-Inch 20V Cordless Electric Reel Mower
Our Ratings : Assembly4/5 ; Ease of Use3.5/5 ; Maneuverability4/5 ; Cut Quality4.5/5 ; Value3.7/5
For those who like the melodic theme of a reel mower but have to deal out with tougher mowing conditions , this manual - galvanizing reel mower from Scotts permit the operator cut dense pasturage and detritus - cover area with ease while retaining the advantages of reel mowing . It features a 20 - V 2 - amp - time of day assault and battery - powered motor that can undertake sturdy mow scenario but is also capable of working with only the traditional geartrain movement organization to extend battery life .
This motorized reel mower librate 37 pound , cuts a 16 - in belt , and comes fit with a commodious weed backstop . It has a padded loop handle with a secondary conducting wire bail handle and power switch to pursue the galvanizing motor . When the motor is not engaged , the wheels are geared to power the mowing reel . Mowing acme adjustments are not as prosperous to make , requiring adaption to a duo of screws at the can of the machine . The elevation range of a function is relatively circumscribed at 1.54 to 2.8 inch , so it ’s best for warm - season grasses .
Photo: amazon.com
We were impressed by this mower ’s ability to power through dense grass and debris - laden patches of lawn , but we could n’t facilitate but enquire if the capability was worth the added cost . The lawn mower did a great job in every area of the lawn and operated fairly quietly , but it was heavier and bulky than the conventional 16 - inch Virginia reel mowers . vendee will need more storehouse space and have to preserve a battery and battery charger for this exemplar .
Get the Scotts bombardment - powered bobbin mower atAmazonorAmerican Lawn Mower Company .
Also Consider
Great States 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Our evaluation : Assembly5/5 ; Ease of Use2.5/5 ; Maneuverability4/5 ; Cut Quality4.5/5 ; Value4.5/5
Users want a wide belt on a reel mower may require to consider the Great States 18 - in five - blade mower that cuts a red-blooded swath to trim back mow prison term . This reel mower is simple in pattern and allows for adjusting mowing height from as humbled as 0.5 inch to as eminent as 2.75 inch . It features 10 - inch composite roulette wheel and back stability rollers .
The blades are made from heat - treated admixture to retain their sharpness longer , and the handle bid nonslip cushioning to help foreshorten blisters while meliorate grip . The loop - style handle also folds down for easy storage . The mower librate in at 27 pound .
In our backyard trial run , this model mold cursorily , quiet , and easily . It was somewhat simple-minded to advertise in all but the thick grass but was abruptly stopped by twigs or debris thick than a pencil ( as were the rest of the mower we tested ) . We like the padded wide - grommet handle that turn over it the familiar feel of a conventional gun mower . Sharpening the blades — a task that most users would call for once or twice a time of year — requires the disassembly of one wheel to get to the vane drive mechanics . However , the process is distinctive of these lawn mower and was only slightly complicated .
Get the Great States 18 - inch bobbin mower atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
ALSO TESTED
Pulsar 16 - column inch 40 - Volt Cordless Reel Mower
fit with a 40 - volt rechargeable battery , the Pulsar 16 - inch 40 - volt cordless reel lawn mower is built to power through debris and dense grass . It did a jolly good occupation in our tryout , but the intriguer dismiss a few key item that would make it truly worth the price .
For lesson , the height fitting vagabond from 0.6 inch to 2.15 inches , which means that cool - season grasses are not accomplishable and even warm - season grasses should be mowed within the upper half of the range . Then , to make the adjustment , the operator must slay and replace two bolts . Similarly , the handgrip requires the removal of two bolt to secure it into one of three fixed positions . That ’s too much work for a simple machine at this damage , and the rigidity of the fixed positions just does not work for most users .
Once we adjusted the mower and commence mow , the inordinate noise grade became problematic . At 96 decibels ( as show on the mower label ) , it ’s near as loud as a gas - powered lawn lawn mower . Not at all what we expected or wanted in a reel lawn mower .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Reel Mower
For any house with a lawn , pout is a fact of biography that is require in most neighbourhood . To cultivate a lush immature surface area , veritable mowing is essential . When mowing is done correctly — frequently enough to remove no more than one third the height of the grass — it promotes dense , uniform maturation .
Manual vs. Powered
Unlike standard mowers , the majority of spool mowers are manual , although consumers can find a fistful of gas - powered bobbin mowers as well as barrage fire - power models .
The downside to mowing with a manual lawn lawn mower is the near impossibility of cutting the supergrass if it ’s allowed to grow too tall before mow , especially if the lawn is thick . The heaviness and coarseness of the pasturage help prescribe if it is too tall , but if the grass is twice as marvellous as its recommended cutting peak , it usually can place a problem for a manual reel mower . For the best results with a manual reel lawn mower , trim back the weed more often during degraded - increment period , such as in early outflow and the rainy season .
While a gas - powered reel lawn mower is just as noisy as its traditional counterparts , electric mowers are not as noisy as gas mowers . However , they still have a motor and will produce more noise than a manual reel mower . Opting for either a manual or powered reel mower is mostly a issue of personal option . For those with large lawns , a gasoline spool lawn mower or an electric bobbin lawn mower might make honest sense .
Blades and Cutting Height
Reel lawn mower feature between four and seven blade brand . On some models , the steel are treated with a nonstick program for easier mowing . More blades guide to a cleaner cut because the gage blade does n’t bend as far before it ’s break up . For most lawn , mower with four or five blades function well . A few reel mowers have six or seven blades , which make them idealistic for achieve a uniform cut on dense grass . Scottish reel mowers are also desirable forlawn striping , a mowing techniquethat leave an attractive alternating pattern in the dope .
The blade cutting altitude is predetermined on a few Virginia reel mowers , often at around 1.5 to 2 column inch , which is well suitable to short forage but not tall - growing varieties , such as fescue . Other framework offer adjustable cut heights . As a effect , it ’s crucial to consider grass type and its optimum growing height . If the grass is of the tall variety , select a reel lawn mower that will adjust to the best mowing height for the pasturage .
Swath Width and Grass Type
North American lawns feature a multitude of grass miscellany . Easy - to - cut smoke typesinclude perennial rye , Kentucky bluegrass , and fescue ; these are suitable for cutting with wider mower . chummy locoweed , such as Bermuda , St. Augustine , and zoysia , are better suit to mowing in narrower cutting widths ( swaths ) . In either case , frequent mowing will make using a manual lawn mower easier .
The swath width of a reel lawn mower and the case of sens the 1000 contains both influence usability . stock belt breadth on reel lawn mower roll from 14 to 20 in . While a wider swath means it wo n’t take as many passing to finish mowing , it also create the mower more intriguing to campaign because more grass means more resistance .
Additional Features
spool mower do n’t come with many Alexander Graham Bell and whistle , but a few added features can enhance the mowing experience .
The Advantages of Using a Reel Mower
Reel mowers are almost always powered manually . The strong-arm pushing of the lawn mower ferment the sword piston chamber , which in turn cuts the grass . Since they ’re push - power , spool mowers excel when cut fine , straight - growing grasses but can bog down down in coarse , wiry weed . Here are some of the reward of using a reel mower :
FAQs
With no toxic exhaust fumes , no need to put in fuel or mission barrage fire , and hushed cognitive operation , the bobbin lawn mower is making a comeback . This eco - friendly mower will thin the carbon footmark while offering some physical exercise . For those thinking of investing in a Scottish reel lawn mower , a few questions are to be expected .
In a tidings , yes ! They operate quietly , are quite affordable , and are easy to store . Plus , since they make a acuate cut along the top of the grass brand ( rather of tearing the grass like a traditional circular rower ) , they are healthier for the lawn and can decreasethe risk of disease .
Manual reel mowers are easy to push in thin , sparse sess , but it takes more military force to move one through grandiloquent , dense , or coarse grass .
Although a manual reel mower can easily cut through wet grass , doing so frequently is not advisable . As with other mowers , clippings will clump and wait unsightly . Wet trimming that stick to the mower increase rusting formation , dulling the blades prematurely .
Mow as often as is necessaryto keep from removing more than one third of the smoke sword . This may have in mind mowing two or more time each week during the tight - growing grass season .
In worldwide , it ’s a just estimate to sharpen the steel on a Scottish reel lawn mower after 20 to 25 hour of use . For some users , this may be once a twelvemonth ; others may need to sharpen blades two or more times in a time of year .
Unlike gas - power mowers that need oil color change and tune - ups , reel mowers are leisurely to keep . Rinsing the lawn mower after use , sharpening the sword , and lubricating the gears when needed are the most important alimony tasks for these machines .
If you do decide to stack away a reel mower outside , cover it with a heavy - duty tarp . Consider raise it off the priming to permit strain to circulate .
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a author and mathematical product quizzer with a background in the greenhouse and landscaping industry . For more than 20 years , he mowed , edged , planted , cut , cultivated , irrigate , and renovate beautiful landscape painting . Now , he tests and writes reviews about the latest out-of-door power equipment , mitt tools , lawn guardianship product , and other outdoor - experience goods .
Additional inquiry provided by Glenda Taylor .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll facilitate you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised seam , or an in - ground plot out back — and select the veracious plants for your soil and part .
