Congrats on leaving the rotary ecosystem. Manual reel mowers are usually the next step in this addiction — I mean hobby. Cutting lower will bring your lawn immediate results in terms of health, thickness and aesthetics.
Gas, electric and manual reel mowers will all improve the quality of your lawn. When it comes to manual mowers, the leaders are often the Scotts Pro and the Earthwise 16″. Most competitors aren’t 7 blades, but if you are open to 5 blades (you shouldn’t be), you should really go with the 20″ Scotts. However, 7 blades is going to give a better cut, so in our opinion, the best manual reel mowers are both 7 blade mowers.
According to Richard L. Duble, Turfgrass Specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension, bermudagrass 1 inch or higher can be mowed with 5 or 6 blades. Under 1 inch, 7 blades and if you’re going very short, 9 to 11 blades per reel are required for a smooth cut.
| Grass Type | Mowing Height | Blades Per Reel |
|---|---|---|
| Common bermudagrass | 1 inch or higher | 5 or 6 |
| Common and hybrid bermudagrass | ½ to 1 inch | 7 |
| Common and hybrid bermudagrass | below ½ inch | 9 to 11 |
Scotts Pro (18 inch, 7 blade)
Earthwise was long regarded as the best manual mower but with new mods available from ReelCNC, the Scotts Pro can get a lower height of cut (HOC).
The Scotts Pro is $139 (click for Amazon) but can sometimes be found on Bed, Bath & Beyond with 25% off.
Optional Shopping List
Earthwise (16 inch, 7 blade)
The Earthwise has the lowest HOC out of the box. If you don’t plan on modifying your mower, then this is a great option. It also comes with a roller whereas with the Scotts, you have to add an aftermarket roller yourself.
The Earthwise can be purchased on Amazon for $129 here.
Both the Scotts and Earthwise can be converted to electric, which costs around $600 all-in.
| Feature | Scotts | Earthwise |
|---|---|---|
| Blade Count | 7 | 7 |
| Reel Width | 18″ | 16″ |
| Weight | 27 pounds | 21.83 pounds |
| Minimum HOC (out of the box) | 1″ | 0.375″ |
| Minimum HOC (with mods) | 0.25″ | 0.375″ |
| Handle design | Ergonomic Handle | Y Handle |
| Rear wheels | Wheels | Roller |
Other Top Models
- Fiskars ($266)
- Falkenstein ($2186)
- Hudson Star ($2890)
Rotary vs Reel Results
Reel mowers have numerous advantages over rotary, but some advantages are it can cut lower and it does better on bumpy lawns, making the lawn appear smoother than it is. The results are instantly visible after the first cut.
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