You know the sound all too well: the roar of a gasoline engine firing up on a quiet Saturday morning, a sound that has become the unofficial soundtrack to suburban weekends. The familiar growl of a rotary mower, the kind most of us have pushed around our yards for years.
But what if we told you there's another way to mow your lawn, one that swaps the roar for a quiet, satisfying snip?
That's the reel mower for you.
You've likely seen one, even if you didn't know what it was called. It's a cylindrical mower with several blades that spin like a Ferris wheel, and it is often pushed by hand. It might look like a bygone relic from your grandpa's garage, but this classic tool is making a comeback for a few very good reasons.
It's time to forget what you know about lawn care. In this post, we'll tell you what a reel mower is, how it works, and why it might be just what you need for the healthiest, greenest lawn on the block.
How Does a Reel Mower Work?
The main difference between a reel mower and a rotary mower (the type you're probably used to) is the cutting action. In essence, you're comparing a pair of scissors to a machete.
A rotary mower has a single, large blade that spins horizontally at a very high speed. It essentially hacks or tears the tops off the grass blades, a tearing action that can leave the grass with ragged, damaged tips, making it more susceptible to disease and browning. It gets the job done, sure, but it can be a bit brutal on your lawn.
A reel mower, on the other hand, uses a gentle, precise cutting motion. It has a cylinder of blades (generally, five to seven of them) that rotates, trapping blades of grass against a fixed "bedknife"." As the cylinder spins, it snips the grass cleanly, just like a pair of scissors.
This clean cut is much healthier for the grass, allowing the plant to heal faster, retain more moisture, and resist pests and disease more effectively. The result is a visibly healthier, greener lawn that feels softer under your feet.
Think of it like this: a rotary mower rips, while a reel mower snips, a difference in cutting action that's the key to everything.
The Different Types of Reel Mowers
Not all reel mowers are the old-school, entirely human-powered machines you might be picturing. While the classic push mower is still a popular choice, technology has brought some new variations to the party.
Manual Push Reel Mowers
This is the OG, the classic mower that's powered entirely by you. As you push the mower forward, the wheels turn gears that spin the blade cylinder. They're incredibly simple, with very few moving parts. This makes them lightweight, easy to store, and practically maintenance-free beyond some occasional blade sharpening.
They are perfect for smaller, relatively flat lawns. If you have a quarter-acre or less, a manual reel mower is a fantastic, eco-friendly option. Plus, it's a great way to get a little extra exercise. There's a certain satisfaction that comes from caring for your lawn with your own two hands, all while enjoying the peace and quiet.
Electric and Battery-Powered Reel Mowers
For those with slightly larger lawns or who want a little assistance, electric reel mowers offer a great compromise. They use the same scissoring cut but add a motor to spin the blades and sometimes to help propel the mower forward.
- Corded Electric: These models plug into an outlet, providing consistent power without you ever having to worry about a battery dying mid-mow. The downside is managing the cord, which can be a bit of a dance to avoid running it over.
- Cordless (Battery-Powered): Offering the best of both worlds, cordless reel mowers give you the freedom of a manual mower with the powered cut of an electric one. Modern lithium-ion batteries provide plenty of runtime for the average yard, and you get all the benefits of the reel cut without the workout.
Gas-Powered Reel Mowers
While less common for homeowners, gas-powered reel mowers are the gold standard for places that demand absolute turf perfection, like golf courses and professional sports fields. These are heavy-duty machines that provide an immaculate cut.
The groundskeepers for major league baseball fields and PGA Tour golf courses rely on these mowers to get that signature striped, carpet-like finish. They prove that for the highest quality cut, the reel method is undisputed.
The Benefits of Keeping It "Reel"
Many people choose a reel mower simply because of how it cuts the grass, but the reality is that reel mowers offer a whole host of other advantages that might make you rethink your current lawn care routine:
A Healthier, Greener Lawn
We've touched on this already, but it's worth repeating because it's the number one reason people switch. The scissor-like cut is simply better for your grass. By cleanly snipping each blade, you prevent the tearing and shredding that a rotary mower causes.
A clean cut helps the grass heal quickly, reducing water loss and stress. This makes your lawn more resilient and less prone to turning brown and dry. It also helps prevent the "yellow tips" you sometimes see a day or two after mowing with a dull rotary blade. The result is a lawn that doesn't just look cut, it looks professionally manicured.
It's All About Peace and Quiet
Nobody enjoys the deafening noise of a gas mower. It disrupts the entire neighborhood and requires you to wear hearing protection (if you're smart). A manual reel mower is virtually silent, producing only a gentle, meditative snipping sound.
You can mow your lawn early in the morning or late in the evening without bothering a single soul. You can listen to a podcast, chat with your neighbor, or simply enjoy the sounds of nature while you work.
Even electric reel mowers are significantly quieter than their gas-guzzling rotary counterparts. A gas mower can operate at 90 decibels or more, a level that can cause hearing damage over time. A reel mower is a wonderful alternative for your ears…and your neighbors' sanity, too, for that matter.
Better for the Planet (and Your Wallet)
A manual reel mower has a carbon footprint of zero, since it uses no gas and no electricity. This is a big deal when you consider the environmental impact of traditional lawn care. In fact, it's been reported that running an older gas-powered lawn mower for one hour can produce the same amount of air pollution as driving a car for 500 miles.
By switching to a manual reel mower, you're eliminating those emissions entirely. You're also saving money on gas, oil, and the costly annual tune-ups required to keep a gas engine running smoothly. The only ongoing cost is occasional blade sharpening, which you can sometimes even do yourself.
Low Maintenance and Easy to Use
Gas mowers are complex. They have spark plugs, air filters, oil to change, and carburetors that can get gummed up. A manual reel mower is the definition of simplicity. There's no engine to fail, no cord to pull, and no gas to spill.
Maintenance typically involves:
- Cleaning off grass clippings after each use.
- Keeping the blades sharp (usually once a season).
- Lightly oiling the moving parts occasionally.
That's it. They are also lightweight and easy to maneuver around flower beds, trees, and other obstacles. Their smaller size makes them easy to store, often hanging neatly on a garage wall.
Is a Reel Mower Right for You?
As wonderful as they are, reel mowers aren't the perfect solution for every single lawn. Let's figure out if one is a good fit for your situation.
A reel mower is an excellent choice if:
- You have a small to medium-sized yard (generally under half an acre). Pushing a manual mower over a huge property can be a daunting task.
- Your lawn is relatively flat. While they can handle some bumps, reel mowers perform best on even terrain.
- You mow regularly. Reel mowers excel at maintaining an already tidy lawn. They struggle with very thick and long grass. If you tend to let your lawn get overgrown between mowings, a reel mower might not have the power to get through it.
- You value a high-quality cut and a healthy lawn. If you're a turf enthusiast who wants that golf-course look, a reel mower is the way to get it.
- You prefer a quiet, eco-friendly approach to yard work.
On the other hand, you might want to consider a different solution if you have a very large, hilly, or bumpy yard with lots of tough weeds and overgrown patches.
The Future of Mowing is Smart, Not Loud
The principles behind the reel mower (precision, health, and quiet efficiency) are timeless. But what if you could get that perfect cut without doing any of the work yourself?
That's where the next evolution in lawn care comes in. While reel mowers perfected the cut, robotic lawn mowers are perfecting the process.
Modern robotic mowers, like the Navimow i110, offer a completely automated and hassle-free way to keep your lawn looking pristine. They mow quietly and consistently, cutting just a small amount of grass at a time, which mimics the healthy-lawn philosophy of the reel mower.
You get a perfect lawn every single day without lifting a finger. It's the ultimate combination of cut quality and convenience.
If you're intrigued by the idea of a healthier lawn but aren't quite ready to commit to push-power, exploring the world of robotic mowers could be your next step.
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