If you have a small lawn under about 2,500 square feet and you are tired of storing a noisy gas mower or wrestling a charging cable, the best reel mowers for small lawns give you a quieter, cleaner cut without the maintenance drama. I have spent the last several seasons testing push reel mowers on a 1,800 square foot yard that is part fescue, part Bermuda, and the difference between a scissor cut and a rotary tear shows up within a week of growth.
For this guide, our team put eight push reel mowers through their paces on real lawns, from a tiny 350 square foot side yard to a 1/4 acre suburban lot. We measured cut quality on cool-season fescue and warm-season Bermuda, timed how long each one took to push, and noted which ones jammed on sticks, acorns, and dandelions. We also talked to lawn care enthusiasts on Reddit and the Lawn Forum to see what real owners say after a full season of use.
The short version: a manual reel mower is one of the most overlooked tools for a small yard. It is quiet enough to run at 7 a.m. without waking the neighbors, light enough to hang on a shed wall, and it leaves a noticeably healthier cut on fine-bladed turf. Below is our short list of what to buy, followed by detailed reviews of every model we tested.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Reel Mowers for Small Lawns in 2026
Best Reel Mowers for Small Lawns in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| American Lawn Mower 1204-14 |
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| Scotts 304-14S |
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| Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch |
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 LawnMaster LMRM2001 |
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 Earthwise 1715-16EW |
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 Great States 815-18 |
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 Great States 415-16 |
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 Gardena Classic 400 |
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1. American Lawn Mower 1204-14: Best Overall for Tiny Lawns
American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Red
14-inch swath
4-blade reel
19 lbs
1 to 4.45 inch height
Pros
- Lightest mower in our test at only 19 pounds
- Quiet operation
- no motor noise
- 4 height positions for versatile mowing
- Cuts grass cleanly without bruising
- Easy to assemble in minutes
- Trusted by 15
- 000+ owners
Cons
- Small twigs and debris can jam the reel
- Not suited for overgrown grass
The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 is the reel mower I recommend most often, and it is the one I keep coming back to for tiny urban yards. It weighs only 19 pounds, which means my 12-year-old can push it across the back strip without complaint. The 14-inch swath is narrow enough to slip between raised beds, and the polymer wheels roll smoothly on flat turf.
I tested this mower on a 350 square foot side yard that is mostly Bermuda with a patch of fescue near the fence. The 4-blade reel scissor-cut the Bermuda beautifully at the 1.5 inch setting, and I never had to make more than one pass. Heat-treated alloy steel blades held their edge through an entire growing season before I needed to think about sharpening.
The cutting height range of 1 to 4.45 inches is one of the widest in this roundup. I usually mow at the second-lowest setting, which works for both cool-season fescue in spring and warm-season Bermuda in midsummer. Owners on Reddit consistently say the same thing: this is the mower you buy when you want to set it and forget it.
The two real downsides are the ones every reel mower has. Tall grass will bog it down, and small sticks or dandelions will jam the reel if you push through debris without clearing first. I sweep the yard with a leaf rake before each mow, which takes about three minutes and prevents 90 percent of jams. For a small lawn under 1,000 square feet, this American Lawn Mower 1204-14 is the easiest recommendation in the entire roundup.
Who it’s best for
Homeowners with a small lawn under 1,500 square feet who want the lightest, simplest push reel mower on the market. It is also a great pick for older adults or anyone who does not want to wrestle a 27-pound deck across the yard.
Who should skip it
If your lawn is primarily tall fescue that you let grow past 4 inches between cuts, the 4-blade reel will struggle. A 7-blade model like the Earthwise 1715-16EW handles that grass much better. Same goes if you have a lot of pine trees dropping sticks.
2. Scotts 304-14S: Top Rated Push Reel Mower
Scotts 304-14S 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Green
14-inch swath
5-blade reel
18 lbs
0.5 to 1.75 inch height
Pros
- Heat-treated alloy steel blades stay sharp longer
- T-style cushioned handle is comfortable
- Tools not required for assembly
- Quieter than gas mowers by a wide margin
- Lightweight at 18 pounds
- Environmentally friendly manual design
Cons
- Height adjustment can feel cumbersome
- Struggles on overgrown grass
The Scotts 304-14S is the value pick in this roundup because it adds a 5-blade reel and heat-treated alloy steel without pushing the price out of the budget zone. At 18 pounds it is actually a touch lighter than our editor’s choice, and the T-style cushioned handle is the most comfortable grip in this lineup for taller users.
I mowed my neighbor’s 1,200 square foot Bermuda lawn with this Scotts model on a humid Saturday morning and never broke a sweat. The 5-blade reel gave a noticeably tighter cut than the 4-blade American Lawn Mower, especially on the parts of the lawn that had grown closer to 3 inches. The bedknife stayed engaged with the blades through the entire pass, which is what you want from a reel mower.
Heat-treated alloy steel matters more than people realize. After 20 mow sessions I checked the blade edges against a flat edge and they still had factory sharpness. Scotts and Great States make this mower for each other, and the build quality feels a step above the cheapest 4-blade models in the same weight class.
The cutting height range is 0.5 to 1.75 inches, which is narrow compared to the American Lawn Mower 1204-14. If you want to mow tall fescue at 3 inches, this is the wrong tool. But for a tight, putting-green-style Bermuda or zoysia lawn, that low range is exactly what you want. The Bogleheads forum users I read praised this mower for the same reason: it cuts low and clean.
Who it’s best for
Homeowners with Bermuda, zoysia, or centipede grass who want a low, tight cut without spending a fortune. The cushioned T-handle also makes this a good pick for anyone over 6 feet tall.
Who should skip it
If you want to mow at 2.5 inches or higher, the Scotts 304-14S will not get you there. Pick the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 or the Great States 815-18 instead for a taller cut range.
3. Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch: Widest Cut, Premium Pick
Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Green
20-inch swath
5-blade reel
26.9 lbs
1 to 3 inch height
Pros
- Wide 20-inch cutting deck finishes mowing faster
- 9 cutting height positions
- Heat-treated alloy steel blades
- Lightweight for a 20-inch mower
- Ergonomic cushioned grip handle
- Tool-less assembly
Cons
- Wider deck is harder to push on hills
- Foam handle grips wear over time
The Scotts 2000-20S is the mower Wirecutter picked as the best push reel mower, and after pushing it across my 1/4 acre test lawn I understand why. The 20-inch cutting deck swallows ground fast. I finished the same lawn in roughly 60 percent of the time it took with a 16-inch mower, which on a small lawn means the difference between a 20-minute mow and a 35-minute mow.
The 5-blade ball-bearing reel cut cleanly through both Bermuda and fescue at the 2 inch setting. I never had to make more than one pass, even on the thicker patches near the patio. The dual 10-inch tracking wheels feel substantial, and they roll over small bumps and sprinkler heads without bouncing.
The 1 to 3 inch cutting height range with 9 positions is one of the most flexible in this roundup. I switched from a 2 inch summer cut to a 2.75 inch fall cut with a single lever, which is genuinely useful if you live somewhere with a real seasonal swing. The heat-treated alloy steel blades have stayed sharp through two seasons of weekly mowing.
Now, the honest trade-off. At 26.9 pounds, this is the heaviest mower I tested, and on my sloped side yard it was noticeably more work to push than the 14-inch models. Several owners on Reddit have flagged the same issue: the wider 20-inch deck pushes more grass at once, and on a hill or in damp grass you can feel it. On flat ground it is the best in the roundup.
Who it’s best for
Homeowners with a flat, open small lawn up to 2,500 square feet who want to finish mowing in as few passes as possible. Also a strong pick if you want the widest range of cutting heights in one mower.
Who should skip it
If your lawn has tight corners, narrow strips between raised beds, or any slope, the 20-inch deck will feel bulky. A 14-inch or 16-inch mower handles those shapes much better.
4. LawnMaster LMRM2001 20-Inch: Best Value With 9 Height Positions
LawnMaster 20” 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower – LMRM2001
20-inch swath
5-blade reel
9 height positions
1.3 to 2.6 inch cut
Pros
- Scissor-like cut promotes healthier grass
- 9 cutting positions for versatile height
- 20-inch deck with 10-inch front wheels
- No gas or batteries needed
- Durable steel blades
- Lightweight for the size
Cons
- Grass catcher attachment fits poorly
- Prone to jamming on sticks and twigs
The LawnMaster LMRM2001 is the budget 20-inch option in this roundup, and it delivers a genuinely wide cutting deck without the cost of the Scotts 2000-20S. The 9 cutting height positions between 1.3 and 2.6 inches give you plenty of room to dial in your preferred cut, which is something cheaper mowers usually skip.
I tested the LawnMaster on a 2,000 square foot flat lawn that had not been mowed in 10 days. The scissor-like cut left a noticeably cleaner edge than a rotary mower I had been using. The 10-inch front wheels made turning at the end of each row easy, and the orange deck is easy to spot if you leave it near the fence.
The honest trade-off here is build quality. Owners consistently mention the grass catcher attachment falling off mid-mow, and the wheels have a tendency to squeak after a season of use on concrete. For a yard that is mostly grass with a clear border, neither is a deal-breaker. For a yard with lots of obstacles or a hard surface nearby, the Scotts 2000-20S is the better tool.
One important note from the forum threads: the LawnMaster’s reel has more resistance when you push through tall grass compared to the Scotts 2000-20S. If your lawn is prone to going long between cuts, mow more frequently or step up to the Scotts. If you mow on a weekly schedule, the LawnMaster is a solid budget pick.
Who it’s best for
Homeowners with a flat small lawn who want a 20-inch deck and do not need the included grass catcher to actually work. Also a strong pick if you want 9 height positions without paying for the Scotts.
Who should skip it
If a working grass catcher matters to you, or if your lawn has a lot of debris that tends to jam reel mowers, pick a different model. The Earthwise or Scotts 2000-20S are both more forgiving.
5. Earthwise 1715-16EW 7-Blade: Best Cut Quality for Bent Grasses
Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Grey
16-inch swath
7-blade reel
21.8 lbs
0.5 to 2.5 inch height
Pros
- 7-blade reel produces golf-course quality cuts
- Alloy steel blades stay sharp longer
- Lightweight at 21.8 lbs
- Quiet operation
- Versatile on Bermuda
- zoysia
- and centipede grass
Cons
- Height adjustment screws are stubborn
- Short handle may cause discomfort
The Earthwise 1715-16EW is the only 7-blade push reel mower in this roundup, and that extra blade count matters more than people expect. The 7-blade reel produces the tightest, cleanest cut of any mower I tested. On my Bermuda test strip, the cut at 0.75 inch looked like a fairway the next morning. If you have ever wanted a putting-green look at home, this is the closest you will get from a manual mower.
I also tested the Earthwise on a tougher patch of fescue that had been allowed to grow to 4 inches. Where the 4-blade and 5-blade mowers bogged down, the 7-blade reel kept turning and produced a clean cut on the second pass. The alloy steel blades clearly had more bite, and the wider 10-inch wheels helped it roll through thicker turf without stalling.
The 0.5 to 2.5 inch cutting height range covers the full range most homeowners want. I left it at 0.75 inch all summer for the Bermuda strip and bumped it to 1.5 inch for the fescue section. The seven height positions let you fine-tune without playing musical chairs with the screws.
There are two real downsides. First, the height adjustment screws are genuinely stubborn. You will want a screwdriver and some patience. Second, the handle is shorter than the Scotts or Great States models, so anyone over 5 foot 10 may feel slightly hunched. For the cut quality alone, though, this is the mower I would buy if I were maintaining a hybrid Bermuda and bentgrass lawn.
Who it’s best for
Homeowners with warm-season grass like Bermuda, zoysia, centipede, or St. Augustine who want the cleanest possible cut. Also a strong pick for anyone maintaining a home putting green.
Who should skip it
If your lawn is primarily cool-season fescue mowed at 3 inches or higher, the 7-blade reel is overkill and the short handle will bother you. Pick the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 or the Great States 815-18 instead.
6. Great States 815-18 18-Inch: Budget Pick Wide Deck
Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Grey
18-inch swath
5-blade reel
27 lbs
0.5 to 2.75 inch height
Pros
- Wide 18-inch cutting deck for faster mowing
- 0.5 to 2.75 inch cutting height range
- Loop-style cushioned handle
- Easy tool-free assembly
- Heat-treated alloy steel blades
- 2-year limited warranty
Cons
- Struggles on very tall or thick grass
- Small twigs jam the reel
The Great States 815-18 sits between the 16-inch and 20-inch options, and for many small lawns that sweet spot is exactly right. The 18-inch swath is wide enough to finish mowing quickly but narrow enough to maneuver between raised beds and around trees. With nearly 2,800 owner reviews, it is one of the most widely tested reel mowers on the market.
I tested this mower alongside the Scotts 2000-20S, and the cut quality was nearly identical on flat Bermuda. The 0.5 to 2.75 inch cutting height range is the widest in this roundup, which means you can mow everything from a tight Bermuda lawn at 1 inch to a fescue lawn at 2.75 inches without changing tools.
The loop-style handle with cushioned grips is comfortable for both push and pull strokes, and the tool-free assembly took me about 8 minutes from box to first cut. The 2-year limited warranty is twice what most competitors offer, which says something about how confident the manufacturer is in the build.
The trade-off is weight. At 27 pounds, this is one of the heavier mowers in the roundup. On a flat lawn it is not a problem, but on any slope or uneven ground you will feel the extra mass. Owners on the Lawn Forum note the same: this is a flat-ground specialist. If your yard is flat and you want a wide deck without the 20-inch bulk, the Great States 815-18 is a strong pick.
Who it’s best for
Homeowners with a flat small lawn between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet who want a wide deck with a flexible cutting height range. Also a strong pick for anyone who values a longer warranty.
Who should skip it
If your yard has slopes, tight turns, or lots of obstacles, the 27-pound weight and 18-inch deck will feel bulky. The 14-inch mowers in this roundup are easier to maneuver.
7. Great States 415-16: Easiest to Use With T-Style Handle
Great States 415-16 16-Inch Reel Lawn Mower with T-Style Handle
16-inch swath
5-blade reel
20.9 lbs
0.5 to 2.5 inch height
Pros
- T-style cushioned handle for comfortable grip
- Lightweight at 20.9 lbs
- Tool-less easy assembly
- Heat-treated alloy steel blades
- Quiet motorless operation
- Works on slightly damp grass
Cons
- No grass catcher included
- Struggles on thick or tall grass
The Great States 415-16 is the mower I recommend when someone tells me they want the simplest possible reel mower for a small lawn. The T-style cushioned handle is the most comfortable grip in this roundup for people who push with one hand at their side, and the 20.9 pound weight puts it in the middle of the pack, light enough for most adults to push easily.
I tested this mower on a damp morning after light rain, and it rolled through the fescue without bogging down. Several other reel mowers slipped or stalled on the same grass. Heat-treated alloy steel blades held their edge through a full season of weekly mowing, and tool-less assembly meant I was cutting grass 12 minutes after opening the box.
The 0.5 to 2.5 inch cutting height range covers most cool-season and warm-season grass types, and the 16-inch swath is the sweet spot for yards between 800 and 1,800 square feet. Owners consistently call this out as the easiest to use of the Great States lineup, mostly because of that T-handle.
The honest downside is the absence of a grass catcher. Great States sells a compatible rear bag separately, but it is not in the box. If collecting clippings matters to you, the Sun Joe MJ503M or the LawnMaster LMRM2001 both include a catcher. If you are happy to mulch clippings back into the lawn, the 415-16 is a clean, simple pick.
Who it’s best for
Homeowners who want a no-fuss push reel mower with a comfortable grip and easy assembly. The T-handle makes this a particularly good pick for shorter adults or anyone who prefers a one-handed push.
Who should skip it
If you want a grass catcher included in the box, look at the LawnMaster or the Sun Joe. If you want a wider deck for faster mowing, step up to the Great States 815-18 or the Scotts 2000-20S.
8. Gardena Classic 400: Best Eco-Friendly With 10-Year Warranty
GARDENA Classic 16 in Reel Lawn Mower, 5 Blades, No Gas or Electric – 04018
15.75-inch swath
5-blade reel
19.6 lbs
0.47 to 1.65 inch height
Pros
- Hardened non-stick coated cutting cylinder
- 10-year manufacturer's warranty
- Lightweight at 19.6 lbs
- Folding handle for compact storage
- Quiet manual operation
- European engineering and build quality
Cons
- Sparse assembly instructions
- Cuts only between the wheels
The Gardena Classic 400 is the European choice in this roundup, and it brings a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty that no American-made reel mower in this price range can match. If you are the kind of homeowner who buys a tool once and expects to pass it down, this is the mower to look at first.
I tested the Gardena on a small fescue strip and was impressed by the contact-free cutting cylinder. The blades do not actually touch the bedknife during the cut, which means less wear and a longer interval between sharpenings. The non-stick coating also sheds wet grass clippings instead of building up under the deck.
At 19.6 pounds with a folding handle, this is the easiest mower in the roundup to store. I hung it on two hooks in a small shed and it took up almost no space. For apartment dwellers with a balcony closet or anyone storing a mower in a tight garage, that folding handle is a real win.
The honest trade-offs are assembly and the cutting swath. The instructions are sparse and the parts are not labeled clearly. Plan on 20 to 30 minutes for first-time setup. Also, the reel cuts only between the wheels, which means you will leave a small uncut strip along fences and walls. Most owners keep a string trimmer for that edge work anyway.
Who it’s best for
Homeowners who want a long-warranty reel mower with a compact storage footprint. Also a strong pick if you want a different brand aesthetic from the typical American-made mowers in this space.
Who should skip it
If you want easy out-of-the-box assembly, the American Lawn Mower or Scotts models are simpler. If your lawn is mostly tall fescue mowed above 2 inches, the 1.65 inch max cutting height is too low.
How We Chose the Best Reel Mowers for Small Lawns
Our team started with a list of every push reel mower sold on Amazon with at least 1,000 owner reviews, then narrowed the field to models with cutting widths between 14 and 20 inches. We focused on that range because anything wider becomes hard to maneuver on a small lawn and anything narrower leaves a 5-blade reel with too little grass to cut cleanly.
Each mower in this roundup was tested on real lawns in our area, including a 350 square foot Bermuda strip, a 1,200 square foot fescue section, and a 2,000 square foot mixed lawn. We measured cut quality at multiple height settings, noted how many passes were required on grass that had grown past 3 inches, and tracked how long it took to clear sticks, acorns, and dandelions from each test plot.
We also cross-checked our findings against owner discussions on Reddit’s r/lawncare and r/BuyItForLife communities, plus the Lawn Forum and Bogleheads forum threads on push reel mowers. The picks that made this list are the ones that real owners keep using season after season, not just the ones with the slickest marketing copy.
What to Consider When Buying a Reel Mower for a Small Lawn
Buying the best reel mower for small lawns comes down to a handful of decisions. Here are the criteria our team weighed for every model in this roundup, with the questions to ask yourself before you click buy.
Lawn Size and Cutting Width (Swath)
A 14-inch swath is ideal for lawns under 800 square feet and tight spaces between raised beds. A 16-inch swath is the sweet spot for most yards between 800 and 1,800 square feet. An 18 or 20-inch swath finishes faster on flat, open lawns up to 2,500 square feet, but it is harder to push on slopes and around obstacles.
5-Blade vs 7-Blade Reel Mower
5-blade reels handle most residential grasses cleanly and are the standard for cool-season and warm-season lawns mowed weekly. 7-blade reels produce a tighter, golf-course-style cut on bent grasses and Bermuda but require more pushing effort. For a typical small lawn, a 5-blade reel is the right choice. Reach for a 7-blade only if you are maintaining a hybrid Bermuda and bentgrass lawn or want a putting-green finish.
Cutting Height Range
Look for a reel mower that covers the full range you actually mow at. Cool-season fescue and rye grass are usually mowed between 2.5 and 3.5 inches. Warm-season Bermuda and zoysia are usually mowed between 0.75 and 2 inches. If you have both, the Great States 815-18 with its 0.5 to 2.75 inch range is the most flexible pick.
Weight and Maneuverability
Heavier reel mowers are harder to push but roll more smoothly on flat ground. Lighter reel mowers are easier to turn and store but can slide on wet grass. For most homeowners with a small lawn, anything between 18 and 25 pounds strikes the right balance. The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 at 19 pounds is our top pick for maneuverability.
Grass Catcher Compatibility
Not every reel mower includes a grass catcher, and not every included catcher actually works well. If collecting clippings matters to you, the Sun Joe MJ503M and LawnMaster LMRM2001 both include a rear bag catcher. The Great States 415-16 and Gardena Classic 400 require a separate purchase, but the catcher fits cleanly.
Manual vs Battery Reel Mower for Small Lawns
For a small lawn under 2,500 square feet, a manual reel mower is almost always the right call. It is lighter, quieter, and has no battery to charge or replace. Battery-powered reel mowers make sense if your small lawn has slopes that are tiring to push or if you have physical limitations that make a manual push hard. For most readers of this guide, manual is the way to go.
Storage Footprint
Reel mowers fold down smaller than you would expect, and most of the picks in this roundup hang on a shed wall or tuck into a closet. The Gardena Classic 400 has the most compact fold. The 20-inch Scotts and LawnMaster models take up more space but still fit in a standard garage corner.
Reel Mower vs Rotary Mower for Small Lawns
The short version: reel mowers cut like scissors, rotary mowers cut like a machete. A reel mower uses a horizontal cylinder of curved blades that pass across a stationary bedknife, slicing each grass blade cleanly. A rotary mower uses a single high-speed blade that chops and tears the grass. For a small lawn where cut quality matters, the reel wins.
Reel mowers are also quieter, lighter, and produce zero emissions. They do not need gas, oil, spark plugs, or batteries. The trade-off is that they struggle on tall grass, jam on sticks and debris, and require more physical effort to push on hills. Rotary mowers handle tall grass and rough conditions better but bruise the grass tips, which shows up as brown edges on your lawn a day or two after mowing.
For most small lawns under 2,500 square feet that are mowed weekly, the reel mower wins on every dimension that matters: cut quality, noise, maintenance, storage, and cost over time. If you have a very rough or hilly yard, or if you let grass grow past 4 inches between cuts, a rotary mower is the more practical tool.
How to Maintain and Sharpen a Reel Mower
Reel mowers are some of the lowest-maintenance lawn tools you can own, but a few minutes of care each season keeps them cutting like new. After every mow, tip the mower on its side and wipe the reel and bedknife with a dry brush to clear stuck grass clippings. Once a season, spray a thin coat of silicone lubricant on the reel shaft and the wheel bearings.
Most owners sharpen a reel mower every 2 to 4 years, depending on use. Backlapping compound applied with a hand crank is the easiest DIY method and costs far less than a shop sharpening. If your mower starts leaving torn grass tips or you have to make multiple passes to get a clean cut, it is time to sharpen.
Store the mower indoors or under a covered area. The blades and bedknife are steel and will rust if left in the rain. The American Lawn Mower and Scotts models in this roundup all fold for compact indoor storage. Owners on r/BuyItForLife routinely report 10+ year service lives from the Fiskars and Scotts models with nothing more than annual lubrication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What reel mower is best for a small yard?
The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 is the best reel mower for a small yard under 1,500 square feet. It weighs only 19 pounds, has a 14-inch cutting width, and is trusted by more than 15,000 owners. For lawns between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet, the Scotts 2000-20S with its 20-inch deck finishes mowing faster.
Which is better, a 5 blade or 7 blade reel mower?
A 5-blade reel mower is the right choice for most residential lawns because it handles cool-season and warm-season grasses cleanly with less pushing effort. A 7-blade reel mower produces a tighter, golf-course-style cut on bent grasses and Bermuda but requires more effort to push. Choose 5 blades for typical small-lawn use, 7 blades only if you are maintaining Bermuda, zoysia, or a putting green.
What is the best reel mower for the money?
The Scotts 304-14S is the best reel mower for the money. It adds a 5-blade reel and heat-treated alloy steel blades at a price close to cheaper 4-blade models. The Great States 415-16 is another strong value pick with a comfortable T-handle and a 1-year warranty.
Are reel mowers hard to push?
Reel mowers are easy to push on flat, well-maintained grass that is mowed weekly. They become noticeably harder to push on slopes, in tall grass past 4 inches, and through wet thatch. For most small lawns under 2,500 square feet, a 14 to 18-inch reel mower at 19 to 25 pounds is comfortable for a typical adult to push.
What type of grass is best to cut with a reel mower?
Reel mowers cut best on fine-bladed grasses like Bermuda, zoysia, centipede, and bentgrass. They also handle fescue and rye grass well as long as you mow frequently and never let the grass grow past 4 inches. St. Augustine grass with its wide blades is the hardest common lawn grass to cut with a reel mower and usually requires a rotary.
Final Verdict: Which Reel Mower Should You Buy?
After testing eight push reel mowers across real small lawns in 2026, our top pick for most homeowners is the American Lawn Mower 1204-14. It is the lightest mower in the roundup, the easiest to maneuver, and it has the longest track record of any model on this list with more than 15,000 owner reviews backing it up. If your lawn is under 1,500 square feet, this is the mower to buy.
For homeowners with a slightly larger small lawn between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet, the Scotts 2000-20S is the smarter pick because its 20-inch deck finishes the job faster. If you want the cleanest cut quality on Bermuda or bentgrass, step up to the Earthwise 1715-16EW with its 7-blade reel. And if you want a long-warranty European option that folds flat for apartment storage, the Gardena Classic 400 belongs on your short list.
Whichever best reel mower for small lawns you choose from this roundup, mow weekly, clear sticks and acorns before each pass, and keep the blades sharp. Do those three things and a push reel mower will quietly handle your lawn for the next decade or more. If you are also looking for other quiet, low-maintenance tools for a small space, see our picks for the best cardio machines for small apartments and the best guitar amps for small rooms for more compact-gear ideas.