If you are thinking of buying a reel mower, you might be confused with the number of options available. Every model underneath the sun seems to have been manufactured and marketed as “The Best.” And it is also difficult for consumers like yourself to figure out which one would give them their money’s worth.
To get you out of this dilemma, we have done our homework and researched for the best reel mower for large lawns, and we’re happy to give you unbiased reviews of what we think are the top ten options in the market today. Don’t go away, let’s begin:
Best Reel Mower For Large Lawns: Our Top ten Picks
Product Image | Product Name | Product Link |
 | Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower | |
 | Sun Joe MJ403E 17-Inch 13-Amp Electric Lawn Mower | |
 | Greenworks 16-Inch Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher | |
 | WORX WR165 Landroid S 1/8 Acre Robotic Lawn Mower | |
 | BLACK+DECKER Lawn Mower, Corded, 13-Amp, 20-Inch |
#1. Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
This Earthwise Push Reel Lawn Mower is a versatile Earthwise power tool that offers an alternative to gas-powered mowers. It can cut bent grass– Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine, and Seashore Paspalum.
This reel lawn mower is hand-push and has a 16″ cutting width, 7-blade ball bearing reel, and 10″ composite wheels. It includes a durable steel side plate that reduces weight and increases the life of the line.
It is suitable to cut small yards as well as large ones, and will not cause unpleasant noise or harmful emissions that pollute the air during operation. It has 10″ ball bearing wheels and a durable steel side plate to reduce weight and increase the life of the line.
It is lightweight at about 25 pounds, making it easy to maneuver around, and its adjustable height lets you choose from three different mowing heights (0.5″, 0.75″, and 1″) for clean and even cuts. It provides a self-cutting mower with an alloy steel 7-blade reel so it stays sharp longer than other reel mowers.
The downside of the 7 blade version is that it has rollers instead of wheels and this leads to a frequent lock up during mowing. from my experience causes the mower to lock up more while cutting grass. The 5-blade model has a simpler, more ergonomic design. The mowing speed is similar to that of the 3-blade version, but you can’t adjust it without removing the wedges on both sides.
#2. Sun Joe MJ403E 17-Inch 13-Amp Electric Lawn Mower/Mulcher
The Sun Joe MJ403E 17-Inch 13-Amp Electric Lawn Mower/Mulcher is a cut above the rest, considering the price. With its 13-amp motor, it can mow up to 1/4 to 1/2 acre on a single charge. Its 7 positions height control allows you to mow your lawn in different settings, and it can cut a 17-inch path. It comes with a 2-year warranty and the Sun Joe customer service is excellent.
The MJ403E is one of those rare products where you get quite a bit for your money. This electric Lawn Mower/Mulcher has some great highlights. This Mower is made with a 13-amp motor, so you know right away it can do the job. With its 7 positions height control, you have all kinds of versatility to mow any type of grass, including Bermuda, Zoysia, and St Augustine. You also have a 17-inch wide cutting path so with just one pass you can mow your lawn.
One of my favorite features of the MJ403E is its ability to easily convert between a lawnmower and a grass/leaf mulcher with just one switch of a button. You can set it up to either bag your clippings or mulch them up into tiny pieces that you can then use for compost. I like the mulching function because it helps with the fertilizing of the lawn.
Also, on some higher-end mowers such as these, there is a 2-year warranty that will cover you for anything that goes wrong. You will also love the lightweight design of this Mower/Mulcher. It weighs in at just under 31 lbs and has a handle that folds down for easy storage and transportation. This is important if you live in an apartment or condo with limited space because it can easily fit on a shelf when not in use.
While the MJ403E is a great Electric Lawn Mower/Mulcher, there are some drawbacks to it as well. One of those is its inability to cut extremely long grass-like Kentucky Bluegrass or Tall Fescue. The reason why is because it has such a wide 17-inch cutting path that if your grass gets too long it can’t handle it. Also, because it is electric you will have to plug it into an outlet. This isn’t a huge drawback but if you were hoping for a battery-powered option, then this Mower/Mulcher wouldn’t be right for you.
#3. Greenworks 16-Inch Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher
Cutting your lawn is not the only way to keep it looking nice. Sometimes you want to use a little elbow grease and get out their eco-friendly tools for a more hands-on look. Using zero emissions, zero noise, and no gas makes this Greenworks 16-Inch Reel Lawn Mower with blower ideal for any lawn enthusiast.
The capability of keeping your lawn cut short, while also using the blower for weeding, and blowing leaves and debris can save you time and give your yard a more well-kept feel. The unit also comes with a 16” durable steel blade so you get to cut all of your thick grass without bogging down or getting stuck on plants.
With 4 settings, however only 3 are useable, the height adjustment goes from 1.25” to 2.5” so you can get your grass anywhere between short and tall. The handle is also adjustable so any user, no matter their size or age, can have an easy time using this blower.
It gives off zero fumes or noise and can put a lot of force behind your lawn care. However, because it is a manual mower you need to use up a lot of physical strength.
#4. Fiskars Stay Sharp Max Reel Mower
If you’re tired of tugging on your lawnmower, the Fiskars Stay Sharp Max Reel Mower is just what you need to make mowing fun again. With their new inertia drive Reel System (included), this push-powered reel mower is 60% easier to push than other reel mowers without compromising on power. The Stay Sharp Max Reel Mower cuts scissor-style to give you the crisp, clean-cut that only a reel mower can provide.
Fiskars make mowing more enjoyable with their advanced inertia drive Reel System, which cuts without unwanted contact and greatly reduces wear for long-lasting performance. And with the StaySharp cutting system, you can cut all types of grass (even tough patches) without needing to sharpen your blade.
This mower features an 18-inch cutting width perfect for small yards or sidewalks and comes with a grass chute that’s reversible for easy clippings disposal. Clippings are deposited directly into the catcher basket, while a single side ejection chute will shoot them to the side. In addition, this mower is equipped with an ergonomic handle and oversized 7-inch wheels to provide you with a total comfort experience every time you mow the lawn.
If you need some help staying sharp, Fiskars redesigned the cutting system so that you are never required to sharpen the blade. It’s also optimized for easy starting with Fiskars’ patented Smart Start technology, so even the most novice lawn care specialist won’t have any problems mowing their yard.
When the latch is fully open, this product has a design flaw that prevents it from being adjusted to the full range of blade heights intended.
#5. Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower
This Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Push Reel Lawn Mower is a perfect addition to your home lawn mowing equipment. It is a manual type of lawn mower that you don’t need to plug in and use an extension cord to operate. This push reel mower has been designed with the best quality materials and useful features that will surely give you a good experience whenever you use it especially if you have a big yard.
It is the best push reel mower on the market selling today. It is very easy to use, just assemble it and start using it. It also can be adjusted depending on your preference. Whether you are tall or short, this Scotts classic hand push lawnmower can accommodate you.
This product includes ergonomically designed handles for easy handling. It also has 10″ dual tracking wheels that are made to be rust-resistant. To help you maintain the blade in its best condition, Scotts included a blade sharpener in the package of your purchase. The whole body is made with lightweight but durable material which can make it possible for you to use this classic hand push reel rotary lawn mower for a long time.
The best thing about this Scotts Outdoor Power Push Reel Lawn Mower is that it does not make noise when you are using it unlike any gas or electric-powered mowers available today. The disadvantage of this mower is that you must learn how to cut grass at an angle. To achieve a higher overall finish, start high and work your way down.
Because you’ll have to go over the same areas many times, it’s not ideal for larger lawns, but this one is for smaller yards that don’t need too much attention on where to cut or where to avoid. It will be an advantage if you have a smaller yard because you won’t need additional time mowing your lawn since it is good for cutting tall grass.
#6. Sun Joe MJ408E 20 Inch 20-Inch 12-Amp Electric Lawn Mower
The Sun Joe MJ408E is a twenty-inch twelve-amp cordless electric push lawnmower. The weight of the unit is 50 pounds, which makes it easier to maneuver the mower around the yard. It has an automatic 7 adjustable height settings that allow for easy adjustment with one hand if need be. The single lever blade control makes adjusting or moving the lawnmower safer and more efficient.
This lawnmower has an 18 in steel cutting deck that allows for a larger cut in less time. It also features a battery power indicator that provides feedback on how much charge is left in the lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. The single lever height adjustment makes it easy to adjust the grass length to help bag or mulch.
The Sun Joe MJ408E also has a collapsible handle for easy storage and transport. It provides full lawn coverage without the hassle of gasoline, oil changes, spark plug replacement, smelly exhaust fumes, and winterizing.
The downside is that it takes too much time to recharge batteries to cut the lawn again.
#7. WORX WR165 Landroid S 1/8 Acre Robotic Lawn Mower
Landroid S is designed for small lawns up to 1/8 of an acre. Precise navigation, cutting technology, and large wheels make it perfect for smaller yards with obstacles like shrubs, trees, or flower beds. Now you can simply set Landroid to the size of your yard and let it do all the work. Patent-pending technology ensures it can pass through narrow paths with ease.
Landroid S is equipped with an efficient 20V 2.0Ah Power Share battery which provides up to 60 minutes of continuous mowing. The Wi-Fi integrated smartphone app allows you to start or stop your robot mower, change the route mode, check the current status, and much more with your smartphone. The built-in rain sensor allows Landroid S to automatically avoid mowing when it detects rain.
With the WORX patented artificial intelligence algorithm (AIA), Landroid is constantly scanning its environment, mapping out obstacles ahead of time, and cutting with laser precision every time. The exclusive SpiralPower feature uses a combination of lifting and releasing the blades to lift the debris out so it doesn’t get caught under the blade. Landroid’s patented Edge Mode enables cutting right up to obstacles like trees, walls, or flower beds without needing any additional equipment.
The included perimeter wire separates your lawn into zones for efficient mowing. Simply place the wire at the edge of your lawn, connect it to the controller, and set Landroid to work. Worx Landroid S is by far the most intelligent robotic lawn mower available today.
Brush motor offers a longer motor life and more reliability while reducing noise by 25%. Wireless control allows you to start or stop the mower, change the route, check the mowing status, and much more with your smartphone. Through the auto-detection system, the Landroid S automatically detects a wall or an obstacle ahead of time.
The drawback is the security since you need to use a Dynamic Assigned Network Address linked to your WiFi Router. You Data from the GPS, the App, and the mower will be transferred through to Chinese servers.
#8. BLACK+DECKER Lawn Mower, Corded, 13-Amp, 20-Inch
The BLACK+DECKER MM2000 electric lawn mower offers tool-free height adjustment and a single lever for 7 cutting heights between 1.5” to 4”. The 13-amp electric motor is powerful enough to cut through thick grass and overgrowth, while the edgemax deck design allows you to get closer to fences and landscape borders for better cutting efficiency.
This corded lawn mower comes with a cord retention hook which eliminates the need for an extension cord while also freeing up your hands to further work on your lawn. The drop-in grass bag, deck wash port, and easy single lever height adjustment make it simple to use.
The MM2000 electric lawnmower is designed with a 20” deck width to provide enough cutting area to maximize your mobility on workloads of up to ¾ acre. It includes 7 cutting height positions which are easily adjusted by one handle, freeing up both hands so you can focus on the surrounding areas while mowing.
The cord retention hook keeps the extension cord out of your way so you can cut grass without any distractions. This electric lawn mower offers a 13-amp motor to help maximize your workflow. With mechanical rear bagging, you’re able to collect clippings completely, keeping your lawn healthy and green.
This corded electric mower’s 20” deck width provides 40 percent more cutting surface than standard walk-behind mowers which allow you to cover a wider area with fewer passes. The 7 position adjustability on the handle offers 1½ in cutting height to 4in for maximum versatility when tackling different types of grass.
Outstanding Warranty Coverage, including parts and labor coverage for your lawnmower to give you peace of mind if you encounter any issues with your lawnmower.
#9. CRAFTSMAN Electric Lawn Mower, 20-Inch, Corded
This Craftsman lawn mower has a very sleek design with a height adjuster to change the height of your grass, and a button for bag or mulch. It is a 20-inch push mower that is powered by a 13-amp motor which is ideal if you have some land to mow. You can also easily attach this lawnmower to a lawn tractor if you have one.
It has a bag, side chute, and rear chute for mulching. The blade is 3-in-1 which means that it can be used in any way needed, bagging, mulching, or discharging. With its three 191 mm blades, your grass will be cut quickly cleanly.
The handle is collapsible so that it can easily be stored in your garage or another storage unit, making this great for anyone with a small house or apartment. The only downsides are you have to use an extension cord somewhere out of the way so that you do not risk cutting the cord while mowing, and it is a bit expensive compared to some other mowers.
The lawnmower can easily cut through grass that is slightly higher than average if it is not too long as well as thicker weeds and brush, but it will struggle more with taller dense grass. It does not have any trouble mulching but you may need to run over certain areas twice to get everything.
The height adjuster of the mower is made from plastic and may not be as durable as it could be, but there have been no reports that it ever breaks. Weights about 59 pounds so it’s transportable with some effort, but if you do move it around a lot you probably will want to protect the wheels and plastic foot with a towel as it is quite easy for this to get scratched.
On the whole, the Craftsman electric lawn mower is a high-quality product that will last many years if treated well and used appropriately.
#10. Greenworks 48V 21″ Brushless Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
This Greenworks 21 inch 4-in-1 48-volt Brushless Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Model 202440 comes with a dual-port charger and two 4 Ah batteries. You cannot use it at once, but you can charge your second battery while mowing. The battery life is about 30 to 45 minutes on a full charge, depending on the grass type you are mowing and how fast you are mowing it.
It’s easily adjustable to fit your height with just one hand. I found that using two hands is easier than one though because of the way it locks into place with the release. It automatically cuts when you release the handle and if you don’t want to keep it on, just push down on the black safety switch and it will turn off.
It also has a lever by your right foot that allows you to control how thick of cut you want with three different choices: bag, mulch, or side discharge. The bag has a zipper that will easily allow you to attach your lawn clippings to a garbage bag.
I like the two different directions that you can propel yourself in: forwards or backward. It makes it very easy to maneuver around obstacles and corners.
The pull handle, on the other hand, is composed of thin metal and cylindrical. After you’ve been holding it for a while, it might press into your palm and cause discomfort. But what I like about this mower the most is the option to use either one or two hands pushing/pulling because that automatically adjusts the speed according to how much force you are applying.
READ: 12 Best Mower for Tall Grass
Buying Guide: Best Reel Mower For Large Lawns
To help you decide on which reel mower is best for your large lawn, in this section we’ll discuss briefly some of the important things you should know about reel mowers and the factors you need to consider first, before making a decision.
Are they hard to maneuver?
Not all of us have ample time on our hands which is why it pays to get a model that would make your lawn work easier for you. When shopping around, opt for one that is lightweight and easy to push. If you have a large lawn, it would be a huge bonus if your mower is self-propelled too.
Is maneuverability important?
We all have different preferences when it comes to lawnmowers, but in general, the best models are the ones that are easy to turn and pivot. Having said so, it would be even better if you can get one with wheels at its base so you can move it around more readily.
Are they noisy?
There are models out in the market today that sounds like a jet engine when you turn them on. While some people can live with this disturbance, others might find it unbearable. Your best bet would be to go for a model that’s designed to operate quietly.
Do they give an even cut?
A poor quality lawn mower will leave your grass in uneven lengths and this is not only unsightly; it can also be harmful since your lawn cannot absorb sunlight properly in such conditions. Look for a reel mower that has adjustable blades.
Are they easy to store?
Some models are bulky and take up a lot of space to store when not in use. It would be much better if the ones you get are foldable too since this will allow you to keep them in your garage easily after use.
Blade type
Most of the reel mowers you can find in the market today are designed with two blades that are situated horizontally. They come in either manual- or self-sharpening types, and these must be sharpened regularly to ensure that they continue to give optimum performance for a long time.
READ: 12 Best Tillers For Breaking New Ground
FAQ About Reel Mower For Large Lawns
What size reel mower do I need?
Typically, for medium to large lawns, you want a mower that cuts an 18inch wide path. For smaller lawns, 10inch is sufficient. But in general, the larger the blade, the easier it is to push and cut through longer blades of grass or weeds, etc.
Will a reel mower cut tall weeds?
Yes. Trimming tall grass with a reel mower is possible. Tallgrass implies grass that is taller than four inches.
Can I mow tall fescue with a reel mower?
It’s not recommended to use a reel on fescue (tall or fine). Tall fescue is generally hard on the cutting mechanism of any rotary mower, but especially so for any reel mower. A weed whacker (electric or gas) is the best option for mowing fescue with a reel mower.
Does a reel mower work on an uneven lawn?
It can, but it’s not recommended to use on uneven terrain. The blades of grass get caught, making it harder to push while producing an uneven cut.
How often should I mow with a reel mower?
Mowing frequency depends on many variables, such as the grass type, the weather (heat + humidity), etc. The general rule of thumb is to try mowing every 2-3 days during the high growth season and every 5-7 days during the low growth season.
How do you sharpen a reel mower blade?
In general, it’s recommended to have a professional sharpen your blade(s) once a year. Many home improvement stores offer this service for an extremely reasonable fee. We recommend sharpening blades yearly, no matter if your blade(s) are original equipment or aftermarket blades. Because the majority of reel mowers today have 3 blades, sharping them once a year is equivalent to doing so with 6 standard blades!
