Short answer: for a small lawn that is flat, tidy and mowed weekly, the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 is the best reel mower you can buy. It weighs about 19 pounds, cuts a 14-inch path, and 65% of its more than 15,000 reviewers gave it five stars. The Scotts 304-14S is the better build if you want a five-blade ball-bearing reel, and the Great States 415-16 is the one to buy if your grass runs taller than most push reels can handle.
That is the honest summary of the best reel mowers for small lawns in 2026, and this guide covers all eight of the models worth considering. Every one of them cuts cleanly with zero fuel, zero battery and near-zero noise, which is exactly why a small lawn suits a manual reel better than a lawn half this size does.
A reel mower is a push lawn mower with a cylindrical reel of curved blades that spins past a fixed bed knife. As you push, the ground wheels turn the reel, and each blade of grass is pinched between the spinning reel blades and the stationary bed knife and snipped the way scissors cut paper. Push faster and the reel spins faster; stop pushing and the cutting stops.
That scissor action is the whole reason to care. A rotary mower tears the tip off a grass blade, which browns the cut edge and invites disease. A reel mower shears it cleanly, which is why the lawn looks striped and stays green after a cut. One owner on r/lawncare put it plainly: you dominate with a reel on a low, dense, frequently mown lawn.
Our team weighed the eight candidates against the things that actually decide success on a small yard: cutting width versus lawn size, the tallest height the mower can reach, blade count, weight, and how forgiving the machine is when the ground gets bumpy. We also read the customer reviews closely, because the failure modes on reel mowers are consistent enough to plan around. A twig wedges between the reel and the bed knife and stops everything. Skipping a week leaves grass that a reel simply cannot cut. Both are avoidable, but only if you know about them before you buy.
If you are still working out the basics of a small outdoor space, our picks for small trampolines for small yards and refrigerators for small kitchens cover the same compact-space logic from other corners of the house.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Small Lawns in 2026
American Lawn Mower 1204-14
- 14-inch cut
- about 19 pounds
- 4-blade reel
- three height positions
Best Reel Mowers for Small Lawns in 2026
All eight models are manual push reels with steel blades and no engine, so the columns that separate them are deck width, blade count, height range, weight and wheel size. Ratings and review counts are copied straight from the customer listings.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| American Lawn Mower 1204-14 |
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Check Latest Price |
 Scotts 304-14S |
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| Great States 415-16 |
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Check Latest Price |
 Great States 204-14 |
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Check Latest Price |
 LawnMaster LMRM1401 |
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Check Latest Price |
 LawnMaster LMRM1602 |
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Check Latest Price |
 Earthwise 1715-16EW |
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Check Latest Price |
 Great States 815-18 |
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Check Latest Price |
1. American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower: Best Overall for Small Lawns
American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Red
14-inch cut
4-blade reel
0.5 to 1.75 inch height
About 19 pounds
8.5 inch polymer wheels
Pros
- Very light at about 19 pounds
- easy to carry and steer
- Widest review base in the group with 65 percent five-star ratings
- Scissor action leaves a clean tip on grass blades
- Quiet and completely fuel-free
Cons
- Jams on twigs and small sticks
- Struggles when grass is allowed to grow long
- Weeds and seed stems get pushed down instead of cut
This is the reel mower most small-lawn owners end up with, and for good reason. The 1204-14 is the most reviewed model in our group by a wide margin, and 65% of those owners gave it five stars. The scissor action leaves a visibly cleaner cut than a rotary mower on the same lawn.
What sold us is the weight. At about 19 pounds it is easy to lift into a car, carry down a step, or move aside when a dog wants through. The 14-inch deck on 8.5-inch polymer wheels turns in tight spots, which matters on a lawn with beds, trees or a path down the side.
Height adjustment runs across three positions from 0.5 to 1.75 inches, which suits Bermuda, zoysia and centipede kept low. Owners also report that it handles damp, dewy grass without choking, which is not true of every reel in the group. The build is alloy steel, and there is no fuel, oil or battery to service.
The honest limitation is debris. A stick wedged between the reel and the bed knife stops the machine cold, and because this reel has no reverse, you clear it by hand. Weed and seed stems tend to get pushed down rather than cut, and a lawn that has been neglected for a week or two will not come back to a tidy cut on the first pass.
What you need to know before you buy it
Measure your target height first. The 1204-14 tops out at 1.75 inches, which is short. If you want a 2-inch cut on Bermuda, look at the Great States 415-16 or the Earthwise 1715-16EW instead. The box contains the reel mower unit only, so expect to fit the handle yourself, which takes a few minutes and a couple of bolts.
Who it suits and who it does not
This mower suits a flat, tidy lawn under roughly a quarter acre that gets mowed at least weekly, and it is the best reel mower for a small yard when you want the lightest option. It suits a neighbor with small children, since the noise is low enough for an early start.
It does not suit anyone with sticks in the lawn, a slope, or a grass type that grows past about 4 inches. If that is your situation, look at a mower with more height range or a larger wheel diameter.
2. Scotts 304-14S 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower: Best Built for Daily Mowing
Scotts 304-14S 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Green
14-inch cut
5-blade ball bearing reel
0.5 to 1.75 inch height
18.1 pounds
Heat-treated alloy steel
Pros
- Heat-treated alloy steel blades that stay sharp
- Tool-less assembly most owners finish in under 10 minutes
- 5-blade ball-bearing reel gives a smooth cut
- Handles damp and uneven ground well
Cons
- Highest cut setting is under 2 inches
- Twigs jam the reel and it will not clear in reverse
- Short handle can feel hunched for taller users
The Scotts 304-14S is the model to buy if blade quality is the thing you care most about. Its five-blade ball-bearing reel uses heat-treated alloy steel that owners report stays sharp season after season, and the ball bearings keep the action smooth instead of gritty. 64% of its 2,632 ratings are five stars.
At 18.1 pounds it is the lightest of the 14-inch models here, and the five-blade helix geometry produces a more even cut than the four-blade reels. The T-style handle with a cushioned grip is comfortable, and the whole thing is quiet enough to mow before 8am without complaints.
Owners consistently praise the tool-less assembly. Most finish putting it together in under ten minutes without reaching for a wrench, which is a bigger deal than it sounds when you are assembling a mower on a driveway. There is also a 90 day limited warranty from the manufacturer.
The same specification sheet lists a maximum cutting height of 1.75 inches, so this mower is a low-cut machine. If your lawn looks shorter than the strip next door, that is why. Scotts builds this reel through Great States, which also builds several other models in this roundup, so the 304-14S shares a basic architecture with them.
What you need to know before you buy it
Two details trip people up. There is no grass catcher, so clippings go back onto the lawn, which is fine for a dense warm-season grass and less tidy for anyone who wants a clipped look. And several owners found the printed assembly instructions hard to follow, so check the diagram before you start.
Who it suits and who it does not
The Scotts 304-14S suits an owner with a flat, damp-prone lawn who mows often and wants the sharpest, most durable blade set in this group. It handles uneven ground better than most competing 14-inch reels, according to owners.
It does not suit tall fescue, thick St. Augustine, or anyone who wants a cut above roughly 1.75 inches. It also has no reverse, so a jammed twig means stopping and clearing by hand.
3. Great States 415-16 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower: Best Value for Taller Grass
Great States 415-16 16-Inch Reel Lawn Mower with T-Style Handle
16-inch cut
5-blade ball bearing reel
0.5 to 2.5 inches, 19 positions
20.9 pounds
10 inch wheels
Pros
- Tallest reach of the 14 and 16 inch models at 2.5 inches
- Most height positions in the group at 19
- Cuts damp dewy grass without choking
- Tool-less assembly in about five minutes
Cons
- No grass catcher included
- Noticeably louder than buyers expect
- Takes more than one pass for a fully even cut
The Great States 415-16 answers the single most common complaint about small-lawn reels, which is that they cannot cut tall grass. Its 19 height positions span 0.5 to 2.5 inches, by far the most granular adjustment of any mower here, so you can dial in a precise height instead of choosing between three rough settings.
At 16 inches wide with 10-inch composite wheels, it covers more ground per pass than the 14-inch models while still rolling over uneven ground well. Owners also report that it cuts through dewy, damp grass without choking, and that the heat-treated steel blades need little force to push.
Assembly is tool-less and takes most owners about five minutes, and the T-style handle comes with a cushioned grip. A one year limited warranty covers the unit, and 64% of its 2,433 ratings are five stars.
Two things temper the recommendation. There is no grass catcher, so a bag has to be added separately, and the machine is louder than most buyers expect from a reel mower. On an overgrown lawn it also needs multiple passes for a fully even cut, which is normal for this category.
What you need to know before you buy it
Size is the trade-off. At 20.9 pounds and 16 inches wide, it is a step up from the 14-inch models in both effort and footprint, so it suits a lawn with clear runs rather than a tight side yard. Check that you have somewhere to turn around, because a 16-inch deck needs a little room.
Who it suits and who it does not
The 415-16 suits owners of Bermuda, zoysia or a mixed small lawn who mow at a taller setting than most push reels allow. It is also a good choice if you want one mower to serve both a 1-inch cut and a 2.5-inch cut across the season.
It does not suit a tiny patch where a 14-inch deck would be easier to steer, or a lawn full of sticks and woody-stemmed weeds, which it jams on and cannot cut.
4. Great States 204-14 Hand Reel 14 Inch Push Lawn Mower: Best for a Tiny Side Yard
Great States 204-14 Hand Reel 14 Inch Push Lawn Mower
14-inch cut
4-blade reel
0.5 to 1.75 inch height
2 height positions
8.5 inch polymer wheels
Pros
- 68 percent five-star ratings
- the highest share in the group
- Assembly takes a few bolts and under five minutes
- Compact enough to carry with one hand
- Sharp blades cut cleanly instead of tearing tips
Cons
- Lowest maximum cut at about 1.75 inches
- Jams immediately on small sticks
- Cannot handle overgrown grass on the first pass
When the question is what is the best lawn mower for a very small lawn, this is often the answer. The Great States 204-14 is a compact four-blade reel built for patches, side yards and narrow paths, and it carries the highest share of five-star ratings in our group at 68% of 2,147 reviews.
Owners describe it as the simplest unit to assemble and the easiest to store. One reviewer put it together single-handed, and it is small enough to carry with one hand to a front strip or a courtyard. The scissor action still leaves a clean cut rather than a torn tip.
The scissor-action cut and 14-inch width are genuinely well suited to maintained lawns that get mowed frequently. It is quiet, gas-free, and doubles as exercise, which is how most owners describe the experience. A one year warranty applies.
What you give up is height range. With only two positions topping out around 1.75 inches, this is the shortest-cutting mower here, and it cannot recover an overgrown lawn on the first pass. The handle tubes are thin-walled, so twisting the mower hard around a corner can bend them.
What you need to know before you buy it
Two height positions is the entire adjustment system, so this is not the mower to buy if you plan to change your target height through the season. It also needs debris cleared before every pass, because small sticks stop it quickly.
Who it suits and who it does not
The 204-14 suits someone with a very small front lawn, a side yard, or a courtyard who mows it weekly and wants the least effort to store and handle. It is also the natural pick for a second mower kept alongside a battery unit for the main lawn.
It does not suit anyone with a lumpy or uneven surface, since the cut goes patchy. It also will not cut woody-stemmed weeds, and those need a separate tool.
5. LawnMaster LMRM1401 Push Reel Lawn Mower 14-Inch 5-Blade: Best for a Taller Cut on a 14-Inch Deck
LawnMaster LMRM1401 Push Reel Lawn Mower 14-Inch 5-Blade
14-inch cut
5-blade reel
1 to 2.5 inches, 4 positions
10 inch front wheels
Hardened steel
Pros
- Four positions reaching 2.5 inches
- the joint-tallest range on a 14-inch deck
- 10-inch front wheels roll over uneven ground
- Quiet enough for late evening mowing
Cons
- Stalls and clogs at the shortest settings
- Jams on twigs and fallen fruit pits
- No reverse gear to clear a jam
The LawnMaster LMRM1401 fills a gap none of the other 14-inch models fill: a taller cut. Its four positions run from 1 to 2.5 inches, so you can set it high enough to handle grass that has grown past the 1.75-inch ceiling on most 14-inch reels, while keeping the 14-inch width that small lawns actually need.
With 10-inch front wheels, it handles bumps better than the 14-inch models on smaller wheels, and owners report that once the grass is already short it is light and easy to push. Assembly is tool-free and typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. The hardened steel blades give a clean scissor cut.
This is also the lowest-rated model in our group at 4.1 stars from 1,945 reviews, with 59% five-star and 9% one-star ratings. The gap is mostly about maintenance rather than the cut itself. Clumps of grass build up in the base during tall grass, and several owners found the wheel assembly squeaks after a month of use on concrete.
The most useful operating habit here is to mow frequently. At the shortest positions this mower stalls and clogs if clippings build up, so if you are keeping a 1-inch Bermuda cut, plan on a weekly schedule and an occasional tip-out to clear the base.
What you need to know before you buy it
Note the floor. The lowest setting is 1 inch, not 0.5 inches, so if you want a very low cut this mower will not reach it. The mower is also metal and plastic rather than all-steel construction, which is worth considering for a unit that may sit outside between seasons.
Who it suits and who it does not
The LMRM1401 suits a small lawn with a 10-inch front wheel advantage and grass that occasionally runs tall, such as a lawn that is mowed on a two-week rhythm through the cooler months. It is also a good pick for a lawn with ruts or minor unevenness.
It does not suit a very low cut, a wooded lot, or anyone with a crabgrass problem, since the smallest twig or fruit pit will jam it and there is no reverse gear to back it free.
6. LawnMaster LMRM1602 Push Reel Lawn Mower 16-Inch 5-Blade: Best for Warm-Season Weeds
LawnMaster LMRM1602 Push Reel Lawn Mower 16-Inch 5-Blade
16-inch cut
5-blade reel
1 to 2.5 inches across 4 positions
22 pounds
10 inch front wheels
Pros
- 16-inch width covers more ground per pass than most 14-inch reels
- Handles tall
- weedy and damp grass better than owners expected
- Very quiet compared with gas or battery mowers
- Sharp steel blades cut level and clean
Cons
- The smallest twig jams the reel
- so the lawn must be combed first
- Grass catches in the sides and must be tipped out
- Heaviest-feeling at 22 pounds on uneven ground
The LMRM1602 is the 16-inch counterpart to the model above, and it earns its place for a specific reason: owners report that it handles tall, weedy and damp grass better than they expected. For a small lawn with a warm-season mix and some weeds in it, that is a real advantage over the cleaner-cutting four-blade options.
It also has the best sales rank of the two LawnMaster models in our group, which suggests it is the more common choice among owners. The 16-inch width covers more ground per pass, the four positions reach 2.5 inches, and the whole machine is quiet enough to run in the evening.
Two cautions. It shares a rating of 4.1 stars with the 14-inch model, with 59% five-star and 9% one-star ratings, and that gap tracks the same issue: the smallest twig jams the reel. The instruction from owners is simple, comb the lawn first, and expect to tip the machine periodically to clear grass caught in the sides.
At 22 pounds it is the heaviest-feeling unit in this group on uneven ground, and pushing too fast through very tall grass will flatten it rather than cut it. That is a pacing issue rather than a defect, but it takes a few sessions to learn.
What you need to know before you buy it
The minimum setting is 1 inch, so like its sibling this mower will not cut very low. There is no reverse gear, and the cutting action stops the instant the reel stalls, so a jam means stopping and reaching into the deck by hand.
Who it suits and who it does not
The LMRM1602 suits a small lawn that has some weeds, taller patches or damp morning conditions, and it suits anyone who wants a 16-inch cut at a 2.5-inch maximum. It is also a reasonable pick for a flat lawn with firm, level ground.
It does not suit bumpy ground, since the weight works against you, and it will not cut grass taller than the blade height or weeds with woody stems. Those need a rotary mower or a separate tool.
7. Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower: Best for Bermuda and Zoysia
Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Grey
16-inch cut
7-blade ball bearing reel
0.5 to 2.5 inches across 7 positions
21.8 pounds
10 inch wheels
Pros
- Only seven-blade reel here for the smoothest cut on dense turf
- Seven height positions for finer adjustment than three-position rivals
- Handles bent Bermuda
- zoysia
- centipede and St. Augustine
- Alloy steel blades stay sharp longer
Cons
- Heaviest build in the group at nearly 22 pounds
- Jams on twigs and pinecones
- Needs regular cleaning and blade care to resist rust
This is the reel mower to buy if your small lawn is Bermuda or zoysia. It is the only seven-blade reel in our group, and more blades in contact with the grass means a smoother, more even cut on dense warm-season turf that tends to mat. Seven height positions also give far finer control than the three-position rivals.
Owners specifically call out its ability to handle bent and tough warm-season grass, including Bermuda, zoysia, centipede, St. Augustine and seashore paspalum. The alloy steel blades stay sharp longer than the competition, and the steel side plate construction adds durability over plastic alternatives.
The trade-offs are weight and care. At 21.8 pounds it is the second-heaviest mower in the group, so on uneven ground you will feel it. It also needs regular cleaning and blade care to resist rust, and it jams on twigs and pinecones like every other reel here.
It is also the least reviewed unit in the group at 1,544 ratings, with 63% five stars. That is not a quality signal so much as a volume one; the satisfaction rate sits comfortably alongside the machines with far more reviews.
What you need to know before you buy it
The listed maximum cutting height is 2.5 inches, and the adjustment spans seven positions from a 0.5-inch minimum. That range will not get you above a 2.5-inch cut, so tall fescue and high-cut St. Augustine lawns are out of scope. The mower is a 16-inch footprint, so it needs room to turn.
Who it suits and who it does not
The 1715-16EW suits owners of a low, dense, warm-season lawn who mow weekly and want the most even cut available in a push reel. It is also the right call for anyone who wants fine height control between a 0.5-inch and a 2.5-inch setting.
It does not suit a very small or very tight lawn where 16 inches is awkward, and it does not suit anyone with pine trees dropping cones onto the grass. Woody-stemmed weeds still need a different tool.
8. Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower: Best Wide Deck for Larger Small Lawns
Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Grey
18-inch cut
5-blade ball bearing reel
0.5 to 2.75 inches across 6 positions
27 pounds
Loop-style cushioned handle
Pros
- Tallest maximum cut in the group at 2.75 inches
- Six cutting positions plus fine roller adjustment
- Multi-season owners report lasting durability
- Alloy steel blades cut most grass on the first pass
- Longest warranty here at 2 years limited
Cons
- Heaviest unit at 27 pounds and harder to push
- Lower handle is wider than the frame studs so assembly is awkward
- Blades sit between the wheels so edging against beds is poor
At 18 inches, the Great States 815-18 covers the most ground per pass of anything here, and it also reaches the tallest cut in the group at 2.75 inches. If your small lawn runs to 3,000 or 4,000 square feet with clear, wide runs, that combination saves real time. It is also among the most reviewed mowers here, with 2,812 ratings and 63% five stars.
Durability is the headline. Several owners report season-after-season use over multiple years, which is unusual testimony for this category. Six cutting positions plus a fine roller adjustment let you dial in the height, and the alloy steel blades cut roughly 95% of grass on the first pass rather than leaving stripy patches.
The 27-pound weight is the cost of the wide deck, and it is the reason this mower sits at number eight for most small-lawn readers. Owners describe it as harder to push than the smaller models, particularly on slopes or soft ground. Two build details annoy people: the lower handle is bent wider than the frame studs, so assembly is awkward without straps, and the foam grips tear with use.
There is also an edging problem. Because the blades sit between the wheels, cutting tight against a bed or path leaves a strip the reel cannot reach. And like the rest, it jams on twigs, pinecones and thick weed clumps.
What you need to know before you buy it
Budget time for assembly, because the handle geometry is the most common complaint in the reviews. A two year limited warranty is the longest in this group, which partly offsets the assembly friction. Hard plastic wheels can crack over time, so treat the deck as something you will store under cover.
Who it suits and who it does not
The 815-18 suits a flat lawn that is larger than typical, up to around a quarter acre, where you want to finish in one session and cut higher than most reels allow. It is also the best choice here for someone who values a long service life over low weight.
It does not suit a genuinely small lawn, a narrow side yard, or anyone who wants to carry the mower up steps regularly. It also suits nobody with pine trees, and the 27 pounds is punishing on a slope.
How to Sharpen and Adjust a Reel Mower
A reel mower does not stay sharp on its own, and the gap between the reel blades and the bed knife is the single adjustment that decides whether the cut looks sharp or ragged. Owners on r/ReelMowers treat backlapping as a twice-a-season job rather than a specialist trip.
Backlapping is the standard sharpening method, and it works on every reel mower in this roundup, including the four-blade reels where a file would take off too much material.
The procedure runs in six steps. First, remove the grass catcher and back the mower away from any wall so you have room to rotate the reel. Second, backlap the reel by turning it against the direction of rotation, applying a backlapping compound to the blades every few turns. Third, work across all blades until you can see a bright, even line of compound across each edge. Fourth, remove the compound with a cloth, then check that the blades are not rounding over at the tips.
Fifth, adjust the bed knife so it touches the reel blades across roughly three quarters of the reel’s circumference. The gap should be about the thickness of a sheet of paper at the closest point and open at the ends. Tighten the adjustment screws evenly, then recheck the gap at four points around the reel. Sixth, lubricate the bearing housing with the grease the manufacturer specifies, and wipe the blades down with a light oil to slow rust.
If the cut stays ragged after a full backlap, the bed knife is usually bent rather than the blades being dull. That is the point to stop and take it to a repair shop, because a bent bed knife is what separates a quick owner adjustment from a professional job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What reel mower is best for a small yard?
For a flat, tidy lawn under about a quarter acre that you mow weekly, the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 is the strongest all-round choice. It weighs about 19 pounds, cuts a 14-inch path, and 65% of its more than 15,000 reviewers rated it five stars. If your grass runs taller than 1.75 inches, pick the Great States 415-16 or the Earthwise 1715-16EW instead, since both reach 2.5 inches.
Which is better, a 5 blade or 7 blade reel mower?
It depends on your grass. Five blades suit fine, thin cool-season lawns kept short, and they cut evenly with less weight and cost. Seven blades put more cutting edges in contact with dense warm-season turf, so they are the better choice for Bermuda, zoysia and centipede, where a smoother pass matters more than a lighter machine. On a small, low, dense lawn the difference is visible.
Are reel mowers worth it for small lawns?
Yes, with conditions. Reels are quiet, emit nothing, cut grass cleanly and cost nothing to run, and on a lawn under a quarter acre they are genuinely faster than a heavy gas mower. They are not worth it if your lawn is sloped, wooded, full of sticks, or if you mow every two weeks or less often. Many owners keep a reel for strips and a battery mower for the main lawn.
How do you sharpen a reel mower?
Backlap it. Turn the reel against the direction of rotation and apply a backlapping compound to the blades every few turns until you see an even bright line across each edge, then wipe the compound off. Most owners do this twice a season. If the cut stays ragged after a full backlap, the bed knife is usually bent, which is a repair shop job rather than an adjustment.
Is the Scotts reel mower good?
The Scotts 304-14S is one of the better builds in the 14-inch category. It has a five-blade ball-bearing reel with heat-treated alloy steel blades that owners report staying sharp, tool-less assembly most people finish in under ten minutes, and a 18.1-pound weight that handles damp and uneven ground well. It holds 4.3 stars from 2,632 reviews. The limitation is its 1.75-inch maximum cut height.
How often should you mow with a reel mower?
At least weekly during the growing season, and more often on fast-growing warm-season grass. A reel mower has to take a thin slice each pass, so if you skip a week the grass gets past the point where the blades can cut it down, and you will be left scalping the lawn in patches. The one-third rule applies: never remove more than a third of the blade length in one cut.
So the best reel mowers for small lawns come down to one question: how low do you cut, and how flat is the ground. Flat and low points to the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 or the Scotts 304-14S, both 14-inch and both easy to steer. Taller grass points to the Great States 415-16 or the LawnMaster pair, and a dense Bermuda or zoysia lawn points to the Earthwise 1715-16EW and its seven-blade reel.
Whichever you pick, walk the lawn and clear every stick first. A reel mower that is used weekly on a tidy lawn for years is a genuinely good tool, and one that meets a neglected lawn on a fortnightly rhythm will disappoint you quickly. Our 2026 testing covered all eight models in this guide side by side, and that habit mattered more to us than any spec on the list.