Quick verdict
For most small lawns, the LawnMaster LMRM1801 18 inch push reel mower is my top pick. Its scissor-like 5-blade cut is gentle on grass, the 18 inch deck covers ground quickly for a manual mower, and nine cutting positions from 1.1 to 2.5 inches give you far more height flexibility than most reel mowers.
LawnMaster LMRM1801 Push Reel Lawn Mower 18
The LawnMaster LMRM1801 delivers a scissor-like cut from its 5-blade reel, which slices grass cleanly rather than tearing it. Its 18 inch deck is wide for a manual mower, and nine cutting positions from 1.1 to 2.5 inches give unusual height flexibility. The 10 inch front wheels and included collection bag round out a practical package for small lawns.
Check price on Amazon →The best manual reel mower picks compared by blade count, cutting width, and height range so you get a clean, quiet, gas-free cut on a small lawn.
Why you should trust this guide
I built this guide by studying the manufacturer specifications for each reel mower and comparing them with the recurring observations in owner reviews. Reel mowers are refreshingly simple machines, but the details that matter, blade count, cutting width, and height range, are easy to overlook. Those specs decide whether a mower gives you a fine, even cut or leaves you fighting the grass, so they shaped my whole assessment.
What stands out with reel mowers is that they reward the right expectations. On a small, regularly mowed lawn they deliver a quiet, clean, scissor-like cut with no fuel or emissions. Push them into tall or overgrown grass and they falter. I have tried to be upfront about that limitation so you know exactly what kind of lawn each of these suits before you buy.
How we evaluated
My evaluation began with the reel itself. Blade count is the clearest predictor of cut quality, since more blades make more cuts per rotation for a finer finish, which is why the 7-blade Earthwise stands apart from the 4-blade models. I paired that with cutting width, weighing the faster coverage of a wider reel against the extra effort it takes to push.
From there I looked at cutting-height range, because a wider span lets you match the mower to your grass type and season, and at weight, which directly affects how tiring a manual mower is to use. Wheel size, build materials, and whether a collection bag is included rounded out the picture. I did not physically run these mowers, so every conclusion draws on the published specs and the consistent patterns in real owner feedback.
What to look for
- Blade count: more blades make more cuts per turn, giving a finer, more even finish.
- Cutting width: a wider reel covers ground faster but takes noticeably more effort to push.
- Height range: a wide adjustment span lets you match the cut to grass type and season.
- Weight: a lighter mower is far less tiring to push and easier to store or carry.
- Wheel size: larger front wheels roll more smoothly and steer more easily across the lawn.
- Grass type: fine-bladed grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia respond best to a high-blade-count reel.
- Mowing habit: reel mowers work best on lawns cut frequently before the grass gets tall.
How we test
We base every pick on real-world use, published manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. We compare the tools on the things that actually matter for your lawn, power, runtime, cut quality, build and value, and we never accept payment for a ranking. When we have not used a specific model first-hand, we say so.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LawnMaster LMRM1801 Push Reel Lawn Mower 18 | Best Overall | Check price | |
| American Lawn Mower Company 1204 | Best Value | Check price | |
| Earthwise 1715 | Best Premium | Check price | |
| LawnMaster LMRM1602 Push Reel Lawn Mower 16 | Best Budget | Check price | |
| American Lawn Mower Company 2204 | Also Great | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
LawnMaster LMRM1801 Push Reel Lawn Mower 18
The LawnMaster LMRM1801 delivers a scissor-like cut from its 5-blade reel, which slices grass cleanly rather than tearing it. Its 18 inch deck is wide for a manual mower, and nine cutting positions from 1.1 to 2.5 inches give unusual height flexibility. The 10 inch front wheels and included collection bag round out a practical package for small lawns.
Reasons to buy
- SCISSOR-LIKE CUT: No ripping or tearing of grass blades for a better and healthier lawn
- DESIGNED FOR SMALL LAWNS: CUSTOMIZE YOUR CUT: Effortlessly change the height of your cut w
- MAX MANEUVERABILITY: Features an 18-inch deck and 10-inch front wheels for easy navigation
- MOTORLESS DESIGN: Environmentally friendly with no gas or batteries needed
- QUALITY MATERIALS: Designed with durable steel blades built to last
Reasons to avoid
- Like all reel mowers it struggles with tall or overgrown grass
- The 18 inch reel takes more effort to push than a narrower model
American Lawn Mower Company 1204
The American Lawn Mower Company 1204 weighs just 19 pounds, which makes it the easiest of these to push and store. Its 4-blade reel and 14 inch cut suit small lawns, and the 8.5 inch polymer wheels keep it maneuverable. The adjustable height from 0.5 to 1.75 inches is a good match for owners who like a shorter cut.
Reasons to buy
- 4-blade reel mower with a cutting width of 14” and durable 8.5” polymer wheels for maximum
- This push lawn mower has an adjustable blade height of 0.5”-1.75”. Capable of cutting gras
- Manual grass cutter is environment-friendly alternative to other lawn mowers. This push mo
- A reel mower uses a cutting action that does not bruise or damage the blades of grass. For
- Increase the amount of overlap while using your push mower if your lawn reaches a height o
Reasons to avoid
- The maker notes it is less effective on grass taller than about 4 inches
- The lower maximum height suits short lawns more than tall grass types
Earthwise 1715
The Earthwise 1715 uses a 7-blade ball-bearing reel, giving it the finest cut of this group and making it well suited to bent grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine. Its 16 inch width, composite wheels, and durable steel side plates plus a 0.5 to 2.5 inch height range make it a capable premium pick.
Reasons to buy
- Hand-push reel mower with 16" cutting width, 7-blade ball bearing reel, and 10" composite
- Versatile Earthwise Power Tools by ALM push lawn mower for cutting bent grass- Bermuda, Zo
- Alloy steel 7-blade mower stays sharp longer
- A self-cutting mower with an adjustable cutting height of 0.5"-2.5" for clean and even cut
- An planet-friendly alternative that matches the best gasoline push lawn mowers
Reasons to avoid
- The extra blades mean more resistance and effort to push
- Reel mowers still cannot handle badly overgrown lawns
LawnMaster LMRM1602 Push Reel Lawn Mower 16
The LawnMaster LMRM1602 brings the same scissor-like 5-blade cut in a lighter 16 inch width, making it easier to push than the 18 inch model. Four cutting positions from 1 to 2.5 inches cover common grass heights, and the 10 inch front wheels keep it easy to steer around a small yard.
Reasons to buy
- SCISSOR-LIKE CUT: No ripping or tearing of grass blades for a better and healthier lawn
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR CUT: Effortlessly change the height of your cut with 4 cutting positions va
- MAX MANEUVERABILITY: Features a 16-inch cutting width and 10-inch front wheels for easy na
- MOTORLESS DESIGN: Environmentally friendly with no gas or batteries needed
- QUALITY MATERIALS: Designed with durable steel blades built to last
Reasons to avoid
- Only four height positions versus the nine on the 18 inch version
- No collection bag is listed in its features
American Lawn Mower Company 2204
The American Lawn Mower Company 2204 is a simple, dependable 14 inch 4-blade reel mower with a cushion-grip T-handle for comfortable pushing. Its 0.5 to 1.75 inch height range suits even, flat lawns kept on a regular schedule, and the low-maintenance manual design means no fuel, batteries, or tune-ups ever.
Reasons to buy
- Clean, scissor-style cut with a 14-inch 4-blade reel designed for routine lawn maintenance
- Adjustable cutting height from 0.5" to 1¾" to achieve your preferred grass length with eas
- Lightweight build with cushion-grip T-handle for smooth movement and comfortable control.
- Low-maintenance manual design that’s always ready to work—no fuel, no batteries, no fuss.
- Best for even, flat lawns; performs best with regular mowing, overlapping passes, and gras
Reasons to avoid
- The maker says it performs best on flat lawns that are not overgrown
- The lower maximum cut height limits it to shorter grass
What to look for
Blade count
More reel blades make more cuts per rotation, producing a finer and more even finish.
Cutting width
A wider reel covers the lawn faster but demands noticeably more effort to push.
Height range
A broad height-adjustment span lets you match the cut to grass type and season.
Weight
A lighter mower is far less tiring to push and simpler to store or lift over steps.
Grass type
Fine-bladed grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia respond best to a high-blade-count reel.
Mowing frequency
Reel mowers cut cleanest when you mow often, before the grass grows tall and tough.
Our verdict
For most small lawns, the LawnMaster LMRM1801 18 inch push reel mower is my top pick. Its scissor-like 5-blade cut is gentle on grass, the 18 inch deck covers ground quickly for a manual mower, and nine cutting positions from 1.1 to 2.5 inches give you far more height flexibility than most reel mowers.
FAQs
Not well. Reel mowers are designed for lawns cut frequently, and most makers note they become less effective once grass passes about 4 inches, so overgrown lawns are a poor fit.
More blades give a finer cut. A 4-blade reel is fine for typical grass, while a 7-blade model like the Earthwise suits fine-bladed types such as Bermuda and Zoysia that need a cleaner finish.
It takes more effort than a powered mower, and wider or higher-blade-count reels take the most. Lighter models like the 19 pound American Lawn Mower Company 1204 are the easiest to push.
Very little. With no engine or battery there is no fuel or oil to manage, so upkeep is mostly keeping the blades sharp and clean and occasionally adjusting the reel.
It is best kept to small lawns. Manual pushing across a large yard becomes tiring quickly, so a powered mower is a better fit once the area grows beyond a modest size.