The Best Reel Mower for Your (Small) Lawn
Reel mowers aren’t for everyone. They’re ideal for small, flat lawns and require a bit of effort to push. However, they offer exceptional cut quality and a fully unplugged mowing experience, providing unique benefits other mowers can’t. Our top choice is the Scotts 2000-20 20-inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower.
Everything we recommend
Top pick
In initial tests with a golf course grounds crew and through years of follow-up use, the Scotts-branded mower stood out for its superior cut quality, making it the best of all the mowers we tested. Its unusually tall maximum cutting height of 3 inches makes it a versatile choice for various types of lawns and grasses. With a 20-inch cutting swath—the widest available—it’s efficient and effective. At 34 pounds, it’s light and easy to maneuver. Impressively, it was the only mower in the group that didn’t jam during testing.
Also great
If our main pick is sold out or unavailable, the Fiskars 18-Inch StaySharp Max Reel Mower is a solid alternative. With a cutting height of 4 inches—higher than any other reel mower—it offers impressive versatility. Although it performed well in tests, it didn’t quite match the cut quality of the Scotts or handle tall grass as effectively. The Fiskars is also heavier and bulkier, making it more challenging to maneuver, and it comes at a higher price point than the Scotts. Nonetheless, it’s still a reliable choice for those seeking a high-quality reel mower.
