Push reel mowers are ideal for smaller flat gardens where they can be pushed without it becoming a major physical workout session. These mowers have been in use for many decades and were probably used by your forebears.
As the name indicates they are generally pushed and not powered by electricity, batteries, or petrol. There are some exceptions to the rule that can have some external power source.
Mowers in the push reel mower category are generally lightweight and compact for easy storage.
Selecting the right one for you can be quite a challenge. However, we have done the research and will provide you with a list of the best push reel mowers according to our tests.
Our TOP Push Reel Lawn Mower Picks
Best Manual Push Mowers to Buy in 2023
- Gardena Comfort Hand Cylinder 400C Push Reel Lawn Mower
- Great States 415-16 inch 5-Blade
- Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel
- Earthwise 1715-16EW 16 Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower
- Scott’s Outdoor Power Tools 20-Inch 5-Blade Classic
- American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14GC 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Gardena Comfort Hand Cylinder 400C Push Reel Lawn Mower
Key Specs
- Weight: 9.4kg
- Number of blades: 5
- Cutting width: 40cm
- Colour: Blue
- Number of positions: 4
- Grass collector bag: Available as an extra purchase
Gardena is a popular and trusted brand for garden equipment. Assembly instructions are well set out and easy to follow.
The Gardena Comfort Hand Cylinder 400C Push Reel Lawn Mower offers comfort elements to assist you in every way. An ergonomically shaped handle makes it easier to push the mower. Furthermore, the shaped handle folds down for easy storage and transportation
Large wheels allow you to control the direction and steering around the lawn, reducing the amount of effort required to mow the lawn.
The cutting height can be effortlessly adjusted between 1.3cm to 3.8cm using the 4-step process. These settings can easily be read on the scale.
The design of the cutting mechanism blocks allows the reel and bed knife to move without coming into contact with each other.
Another advantage of the design is that it enables the blades of grass to be lifted and cut. It also reduces the noise emanating from the process and adds to the ease of pushing.
The hardened reel is made of high-quality steel covered in a non-stick coating for a clean and precise cut, improving lawn maintenance.
A grass box with a 49-litre capacity is not part of the purchase but can be purchased separately. Add the two-year guarantee and it’s easy to see why we selected this as the best all-round hand mower.
Pros:
- Ease of cut height adjustment
- Comfortable and robust feel
- Well designed
- Efficient cutting mechanism
Cons:
- The grass box is available as a separate purchase
Great States 415-16 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Key Specs
- Weight: 11.3kg
- Number of blades: 5
- Cutting width: 40cm
- Colour: Silver
- Number of positions: 5
- Grass collector bag: Available as an extra purchase
The lightweight Great States push reel mower is easily manoeuvrable due to the large 25.4cm ball-bearing wheels, making it ideal for eco-friendly small lawns.
Consensus between reviewers indicates that this model is significantly faster than its predecessors due to its ability to gain controllable momentum.
Pushing the reel mower is quite comfortable with a cushioned and comfortable grip. The handle and structure are powder coated for longevity and to prevent rust.
It has 5 height settings ranging from 1.27cm to 6.35cm. The height must be set on both sides.
Durability is increased via heat-treated blades that stay sharp longer, making a quality cut. A smooth lawn is a result as the Great States Reel Mower snips the grass off rather than ripping or tearing it.
Pros:
- Composite wheels are easy to manoeuvre over rough landscape
- 40cm Swath
- Blade height adjustment between 1.27 centimetres to 6.35 centimetres
- 5-blade ball bearing reel
- Easy storage
- Comfortable handle
Cons:
- Struggles to cut grass taller than 7 – 10cm
- Soft handle grips can slide a bit
- Some may require their mower to cut lower than the minimum height that this mower can be set to
Fiskars StaySharp Max Push Reel Lawn Mower
Key Specs
- Weight: 23kg
- Number of blades: 5
- Cutting Width: 45.7cm
- Colour: Black
- Number of positions: 5
- Grass collector bag: Available as an extra purchase
The StaySharp Max offers loads of unique technology designed to assist you in mowing the lawn rapidly. Its patented InertiaDrive system utilises the momentum of the reel to comfortably deal with weeds and other smallish items on the lawn.
This mower is easy to push but the extra weight can make it difficult to turn around and push along the edges of flower beds. The StaySharp Max reel mower comes with a chain drive connecting the turning of the wheels to the blades.
Height is adjustable between 2.5 and 10cm that can be set using a single lever. It has a decent 3-year warranty.
Pros:
- Integrated grass chute directs clippings and debris away from your feet
- Can handle tall grass
- StaySharp long-lasting blades
- InertiaDrive reel delivers superior cutting power even through thick grass
- Limited 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Front wheels can make it cumbersome to manoeuvre
- It is heavier than most competitors
Earthwise 1715-16EW 16 Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower
Key Specs
- Weight: 9.9kg
- Number of blades: 7
- Cutting Width: 40cm
- Colour: Grey
- Number of positions: 7
- Grass collector bag: Available as an extra purchase
The EarthwiseTough Grass push reel mower offers a low-maintenance and zero-hassle machine. It is ideal for slightly larger lawns, but it requires some effort to get started. It will provide ample exercise if that is what you want from mowing the lawn.
The 7-blade ball-bearing deck is perfect for rapidly running through cutting grass with precision.
Cutting height can be set between 1.27 and 6.35 cm. This can be rather cumbersome as you must unscrew the wedges.
Pros:
- 40.6cm cutting width
- 7-blade ball bearing reel
- 25.4cm composite wheels
- Can deal with tough grass
Cons:
- Height adjustment requires unscrewing the wedges
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 2000-20 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower
Key Specs
- Weight: 15.4kg
- Number of Blades: 5
- Cutting Width: 50.8cm
- Colour: Green
- Number of positions: 5
- Grass collector bag: None
The Scotts 2000-20 50.8cm classic push reel lawn mower can easily be put together without the need for extra tools. Large plastic wing nuts and bolts are used to assemble the handle and can be tightened by hand. This makes storage and transportation of the mower in small areas a breeze.
Its unusually tall 7.62cm max cutting height makes it more versatile for different grass types. The Scotts 2000-20 has a cutting height range between 2.54 and 7.62cm that can be set using the two levers, one on each side.
At 50.8cm the Scotts offers one of the widest cutting-width designs of any reel mower. It is still easy to push and turn although this might take a bit more effort than compact models.
Blades are made from durable heat-treated alloy steel to stay sharper for longer.
Dual-tracking wheels enhance manoeuvrability, helping you to create a smooth green carpet.
Pros:
- Assembly requires no extra tools
- 50.8cm cutting width
- Cushioned handle for easy grip
- Quad wheel system for stability
Cons:
- Blades degrade quicker than other higher-priced options
- Wide-cut design demands slightly more effort to push and control
American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14GC 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Key Specs
- Weight: 8.2kg
- Number of Blades: 5
- Cutting Width: 35.5cm
- Colour: Mint
- Number of positions: 5
- Grass collector bag: Included in the purchase
The American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14GC Push Reel Lawn Mower has a 5-blade reel with a cutting width of 35.6cm. Although smaller than most competitors, it performs well on small and medium-sized lawns.
Manoeuvrability is enhanced by the durable 10” polymer wheels and T-style handle with a comfortable cushioned grip making it excellent for irregularly shaped lawns.
One factor I really appreciate is that its durable heat-treated alloy steel blades only require sharpening every 3-5 years.
A grass box is included with the purchase of the American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14GC Push Reel Lawn Mower.
Pros:
- Lightweight for ease of operation
- Cutting height can easily be adjusted
- Efficient grass-cutting action
- Easy-roll wheels for more manoeuvrability
Cons:
- Difficult to snip a lush, thick turf
How to Buy the Best Push Reel Mower
There are a few important factors to consider when investing in a push reel lawn mower.
Lawn Size
Is your lawn small enough to use a push reel mower?
Push reel mowers generally use human power to operate, so it can take longer than electric or petrol mowers.
Push reel mowers should be used on lawns that are less than 50 sqm.
Undulating and steep slopes will make the use of push reel mowers a nightmare and should be avoided at all costs. It would be more advisable to invest in a small lightweight electrical or petrol-powered lawn mower for such gardens.
Length of Grass, Long or Short?
Push reel mowers are ideal for shorter lawns that are maintained regularly. When the grass grows long and thick it could be problematic pushing the mower over the heavy patches.
Furthermore, the long grass will fold over and not be chopped to a proper length due to the lack of space between the blades.
Width of A Push Reel Mower
A wider mower may reduce the time and number of passes required to mow the lawn but will be heavier, requiring more effort to mow the lawn.
The wider footprint generates more torque, increasing its cutting power.
Wide mowers measuring 40cm or more require larger areas for their turning circles and can be cumbersome to manoeuvre around obstacles.
Number of Blades
The number of blades of a push reel mower varies between 4 and 10.
A higher number of blades produce a finer and lower cut but require more power to generate and maintain momentum. It also increases the maintenance requirements as there are more blades to be sharpened regularly.
Weight
While a push reel lawn mower needs some weight to provide downward pressure, a lighter model is easier to move and turn.
Grass Box
A grass box will save time as you do not have to rake up the clippings after you mow. Some do not have this option at all. With some models, it is included and with others, it is an additional purchase. If a grass box is important, factor this in when making your decision.
Physical Strength
If you or the person planning to use the mower is getting on in life, very young or not physically able, a push reel mower might not be the best option. It does not require superhuman strength, but it does need manual labour.
Price
Cost is always going to be a factor but push reel lawn mowers are generally highly affordable.
Benefits of a Push Reel Lawn Mower
While the idea of pushing a lawn mower around with no power to assist might sound like a chore, it is relatively easy to do. They also offer many advantages:
- Price
As mentioned above, push reel lawn mowers are extremely affordable.
- Running costs
Not only are they inexpensive to purchase but there are no running costs. You do not need to spend extra on electricity or petrol. There are no batteries to replace every few years, no extension cords needed and little to no servicing required.
- Exercise
It is a good way to get outdoors and get a bit of a workout. While not exhausting, mowing with a push reel mower will give you some exercise while keeping your lawn neat and tidy.
- Noise
They make virtually no noise so will not disturb those around you.
- Maintenance
While you might want to sharpen the blades occasionally and give the moving parts a bit of oil, there is practically no maintenance needed on these guys.
- Eco-friendly
Another advantage is that as they do not use power or emit any fumes, they are the most environmentally friendly option you can use. This is becoming increasingly important.
What are the Best Push Lawn Mower Brands?
Not all the leading manufacturers make push lawn mowers so you might come across a few names you are not that familiar with. Some of the best push mower brands include Gardena, Scott’s Outdoor Power Tools, Great States and Fiskars.
Conclusion
You should now have a good idea of where and when to use a push reel lawn mower and the advantages and disadvantages. If you have a small patch of lawn and are reasonably fit, this is an affordable and easy way to keep your lawn lush and neat.
We have also highlighted some of the very best push reel lawn mowers to help you narrow down your search. They are all popular and highly rated machines, and you cannot go wrong with any of them.
If you have any comments or questions, please let us know down below.
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Charl is a full-time writer with a range of passions and expertise in lawn mowers and other garden power tools. After many years in the corporate rat race, he decided to follow these passions. When not writing, Charl can be found in his garden, tending to or propagating plants, keeping the lawn near perfect, and enjoying the outdoors with his dogs. He is also fascinated by emerging technology and tries to squeeze in a round of golf as often as possible.
