Best Reel Lawn Mower for Beginners by Cut Width

The best reel lawn mower for beginners is the LawnMaster LMRM1801, an 18-in 5-blade push reel that gives new users the widest cutting deck in this set and nine height positions from 1.1 to 2.5 inches. If your storage is tight or your lawn is small, the 14-in American Lawn Mower 1204-14 wins instead: same brand pedigree, a 0.5-inch minimum cut, and a much shorter footprint at 42.5 inches long.

How I screened the field down to five

I started with the walk-behind reel mowers on Amazon that publish full specification sheets: cut width, blade count, weight, dimensions, height range and model number. Any listing missing two or more of those got cut, because a beginner cannot compare what is not written down. Five picks survived that screen, and they land across three price bands.

The set spans three cut widths: one 18-inch deck, three 14-inch decks, and one 16-inch deck in between. Blade counts run from four to seven. Weight in the listings ranges from 18 lb up to 28.5 lb, with two mowers listed at 2.2 lb, which is a listing figure for a component rather than the whole mower and I flag that below where it matters.

What I did not screen for is the beginner tag itself. Amazon's search returns any reel mower against that phrase, so the results are not filtered by a "for beginners" attribute the way a professional-grade tag would filter. Treat "beginner-friendly" as a judgment call across the whole category, not a promise carried by any one listing.

Best reel lawn mower for beginners at a glance

Why cut width decides this more than blade count

Most reel mower guides lead with blade count. That is not what decides the buy for a beginner. Cut width is. A 14-inch deck moving down a 700-square-foot strip does 50 passes; an 18-inch deck does 39. That gap compounds every week for the whole mowing season, and it is the difference between the reel mower staying in the garage or coming out.

Blade count matters for cut quality on fine turf, and I use it below where the grass type calls for it. But if you are new to the format and picking your first reel mower, sort by cut width first, then filter by height range for your grass, then look at blade count last.

1. LawnMaster LMRM1801 — Best overall

The widest cutting deck in this set at 18 in, with the most height positions and the case that shows up strongest for a first-time buyer working through a real weekend lawn.

Best for: flat lawns up to a few thousand square feet where wider passes save real time Skip it if: you store the mower in a narrow shed or apartment closet

The LMRM1801 gives you a 4-inch wider swathe than the three 14-inch decks below it, which is why it earns the top spot for a beginner. Fewer passes each week is fewer chances to get bored, quit, and let the grass push past the height a reel can handle. The 10-inch front wheels and 18.1 x 24.6 x 10.6 in footprint are big for a reel mower but still manageable, and LawnMaster lists nine cutting positions between 1.1 and 2.5 inches, which is the widest choice of heights across the five picks. The mower weighs 28.5 lb, the heaviest here.

That weight is the trade. You feel it when you turn at the end of a row, and the 24.6-inch length makes it the least storage-friendly of the group. LawnMaster does not publish a warranty for this model in the listing, which is worth noting against the 1-year and 2-year figures on two of the alternates. On a rectangular lawn without obstacles, the extra width earns back the extra weight inside a season.

Pros:

• Widest cut in this set at 18 in
• Nine height positions from 1.1 to 2.5 in
• 5 blades on a 10-in front-wheel chassis
• Motorless design, no gas or batteries

Cons:

• Heaviest of the five at 28.5 lb
• No warranty listed
• Longest deck footprint, awkward for tight storage

2. American Lawn Mower 1204-14 — Best upgrade

A step up in cutting-height range for a beginner who wants to keep the deck narrow and simple.

Best for: a beginner who wants a lighter, simpler mower and a lower cutting floor Skip it if: your grass regularly gets past four inches between cuts

The 1204-14 is the pick I move to when the buyer's lawn does not justify an 18-inch deck. Cut width is 14 in on a 4-blade reel, with an adjustable height range of 0.5 to 1.75 in that goes lower than the LawnMaster and the warranty-winning 1304-14GC. Deck dimensions are 42.5 x 20 x 24 in, and it is the second-cheapest of the set in this price band. American Lawn Mower Company lists a 2.2 lb figure that appears to describe a component rather than the assembled mower, and the listing separately calls the mower "lightweight at only 19 pounds" in the feature text, so treat the assembled weight as around that.

The 1204-14 is the one buyers choose most often in this set, and that shows up in the sales rank. The trade is honest and stated: the listing calls the mower "less effective on taller grass" and recommends increasing overlap once the lawn reaches four inches. That is a real ceiling. If your schedule is patchy, size up to the LawnMaster instead.

Pros:

• Lowest cutting floor here at 0.5 in
• Compact 14-in deck, easy first-time handling
• 8.5-in polymer wheels for maneuverability
• Sells faster than the rest of this set

Cons:

• Only four blades, coarser cut than the 7-blade Earthwise
• Listing states it is less effective on grass over 4 in
• Listed weight figure is inconsistent between fields

3. American Lawn Mower 1304-14GC — Best warranty

The only pick here with a 2-year warranty, and a grass catcher is included in the listing.

Best for: cautious first-time buyers who want a grass catcher included from day one Skip it if: you want the lowest cutting height in this set

The 1304-14GC is the choice for a beginner who wants the paperwork to match the purchase. It carries a 2-year warranty, the longest published in this group; the Great States budget pick carries 1 year and the other three list no warranty at all. A grass catcher is included in the model, which is unusual at this price and useful if you want to bag clippings from the first pass rather than mulch them back in. Cut width is 14 in on a 5-blade reel, height adjusts from 1 to 2.25 in, and the mower weighs 18 lb, the lightest published assembled weight in the set.

The trade is the cutting floor. The 1304-14GC will not go below 1 in, which is fine for most cool-season lawns but a real limit if you want to scalp a warm-season variety low. American Lawn Mower Company describes a T-style handle with a cushioned grip, which is the kind of small comfort feature that matters over an hour behind the mower. If warranty coverage is your tie-breaker, this is the answer.

Pros:

• 2-year warranty, the longest here
• Grass catcher included
• Lightest published assembled weight at 18 lb
• 5-blade reel on a 14-in deck

Cons:

• Minimum cut is 1 in, higher than two alternates
• Narrower deck than the top pick
• No option below 1 in for scalping

4. Earthwise 1715-16EW — Most versatile

Seven blades and a warm-season grass list on the listing, at a 16-in cut width that splits the difference.

Best for: warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia and St. Augustine Skip it if: you need something short enough to hang on a garage hook

The Earthwise sits between the 14-inch decks and the LawnMaster's 18-inch one, at 16 in with a 7-blade reel, and the listing specifically names bent-grass varieties (Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine, Seashore Paspalum) as targets. That is the strongest grass-type claim in this set and the reason it wins on versatility. Height range spans 0.5 to 2.5 in, which is the fullest range of the five, from the lowest scalping cut to the tallest finish. Weight is 21.8 lb.

The catch is size. Earthwise lists dimensions of 27.8 x 45.9 x 21.9 in, which is the largest footprint of any pick here and awkward for compact storage even though the assembled mower is lighter than the LawnMaster. There is no published warranty. The 7-blade reel is a real advantage for fine warm-season turf, but only if you already know your grass benefits from a tighter blade pitch; a beginner on ordinary fescue will not see the payoff.

Pros:

• Widest height range at 0.5 – 2.5 in
• 7-blade reel, most blades in this set
• 10-in composite wheels
• Listing names five warm-season grass types

Cons:

• Largest dimensions in the set
• No warranty published
• Second-slowest seller of the five

5. Great States 204-14 — Best budget pick

The cheapest of the six and the entry point for someone who just wants to try the format.

Best for: tiny patches of soft, cool-season grass and true first-timers testing the format Skip it if: your yard has thick turf or reaches four inches between cuts

The 204-14 is the cheapest of the five and the one to reach for if you are not sure a reel mower will suit your yard at all. Cut width is 14 in on a 4-blade reel, height adjusts from 0.5 to 1.75 in, and Great States publishes a 1-year warranty. The listing describes 8.5-in polymer wheels and heat-treated alloy steel blades that can be resharpened. Only one seller lists it, which is worth noting: if that seller runs out, you wait.

The published weight field reads 2.2 lb, which is not a plausible assembled mower weight and appears to describe a component. Read that field with caution. The bigger constraint is capability, not weight. Four blades and a 1.75-in ceiling put this at the entry end of what a reel can do; on thick or fast-growing turf you will regret the choice by August. On a small strip of well-kept cool-season grass, it is the least you can spend and still get a working scissor cut.

Pros:

• Cheapest of the six
• 1-year warranty published
• Resharpenable heat-treated alloy steel blades
• 8.5-in polymer wheels

Cons:

• Only one seller lists it
• Listed weight looks like a component figure, not the assembled mower
• Slowest seller of the five
• Struggles on grass over 4 in

How big a lawn should a beginner tackle with a reel?

Push reels are muscle-powered, and the honest answer is smaller than most first-time buyers think. A rough rule I use when reading these listings:

• Under 1,000 sq ft: any of the 14-in decks here will do, including the budget Great States.
• 1,000 to 2,500 sq ft: step up to the Earthwise at 16 in or plan on two shorter sessions.
• 2,500 to 4,000 sq ft: the 18-in LawnMaster earns its extra weight; anything smaller becomes a chore.
• Over 4,000 sq ft: a reel mower is the wrong tool. Buy a corded or battery push mower and come back to the reel for a second, smaller yard.

Two other conditions matter more than square footage. Slope: a reel is harder to push uphill than any powered mower, so knock 25% off those thresholds if the lawn is not flat. Frequency: reels only work if you cut before the grass reaches four inches. Miss a week in June and even the best pick here will bog down.

What the listings do not tell you about grass type

Four of the five listings describe the reel as a "planet-friendly alternative" without naming which grasses cut well. Only the Earthwise specifies warm-season varieties. That silence matters, because reel mowers cut best on soft, fine-bladed grass and struggle on stiff or wiry blades.

Cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass) suit any of these picks. Warm-season grasses split: Bermuda and Zoysia benefit from more blades and a lower cut, which is why the 7-blade Earthwise and the 0.5-in floor on the 1204-14 or Great States are the ones to shortlist. St. Augustine is the borderline case; it can be cut with a reel but wants a sharp one and frequent passes.

Weeds and stems are where reel mowers fail. Dandelion stalks, clover heads and any thick weed will lay flat under the reel instead of being cut. If your lawn is more weeds than grass this year, a reel mower will not fix that, and none of the listings claim it does.

Storage, sharpening and the yearly upkeep

Reel mowers are simpler than gas mowers but not maintenance-free. Two jobs come up every year, and the specs above tell you what you are in for:

1. Sharpening the reel. Every listing here mentions heat-treated alloy steel, and both American Lawn Mower Company and Great States specifically call out that the blades can be sharpened rather than replaced. Plan on a backlap kit and an evening's work each spring.
2. Adjusting the bed knife. Reels rely on the reel blade meeting the bed knife with a paper's thickness of clearance. If cut quality drops mid-season, this is usually why. None of the listings walk you through it, so budget time to learn from the manual.

Storage is the specification most beginners overlook. The Earthwise deck is 45.9 in long, the LawnMaster is 24.6 in long by listed dimensions, and the 1304-14GC is 43 in long. Measure the wall you plan to hang it on before you order. A reel mower that lives in the middle of the garage floor tends to get sold at a yard sale within two years, so plan the storage first.

The verdict

If your lawn is flat, rectangular and roughly 1,000 to 4,000 sq ft, buy the LawnMaster LMRM1801. The 18-in cut width shortens every session by a fifth compared to a 14-in deck, and the nine height positions between 1.1 and 2.5 in cover almost any cool-season grass a beginner will meet. The 28.5 lb weight is real, and the missing warranty is a real gap against two of the alternates, but the extra deck width earns back both trades inside a season.

If your lawn is under 1,000 sq ft, or your storage is tight, or you want the lowest published cutting height in this set, buy the American Lawn Mower 1204-14 instead. It gives up 4 in of cut width and drops to a 0.5 – 1.75 in height range, which is a better range for a first-time buyer on a small patch of Bermuda or a shaded front strip of fescue. The cutoff is roughly 1,500 sq ft of flat lawn: below it, the 1204-14 is enough; above it, the LawnMaster is the smarter buy.

FAQ

Is a reel lawn mower actually easier for beginners than a gas mower?

A reel lawn mower is easier in the ways that matter for a beginner: no fuel, no cord, no starting procedure, and nothing to service beyond sharpening. It is harder in one way, which is that you supply all the power, so the lawn size and slope have to suit your fitness. On a flat lawn under 2,500 sq ft, the reel is easier every week.

Which reel mower here is the best value for a first-time buyer?

The best value for a first-time buyer with a small lawn is the American Lawn Mower 1204-14, the middle price position in this set. You get a 14-in deck, a 0.5 – 1.75 in height range, and the brand's most-listed model, without paying premium-band money. If you specifically want a warranty in writing, the 1304-14GC is the closer value pick at a 2-year warranty.

Can a reel mower handle Bermuda or Zoysia grass?

A reel mower can handle Bermuda and Zoysia grass better than most first-time buyers expect, and the Earthwise 1715-16EW specifically names those varieties in the listing. The keys are blade count and cutting height: seven blades cut warm-season turf cleaner than four, and a floor of 0.5 in lets you keep it short. Cut frequently and never let the grass exceed 4 in.

LawnMaster LMRM1801 or Earthwise 1715-16EW for a mixed lawn?

Between the LawnMaster LMRM1801 and the Earthwise 1715-16EW, choose by lawn size and grass type. The LawnMaster's 18-in deck saves time on any lawn over 1,500 sq ft, and its 9 height positions handle cool-season grass well. The Earthwise's 7-blade reel and 16-in deck cut warm-season grass cleaner and offer a lower 0.5-in floor. Cool-season and larger: LawnMaster. Warm-season or mixed: Earthwise.

What is the biggest mistake beginners make with a push reel mower?

The biggest mistake beginners make with a push reel mower is letting the grass grow past 4 in between cuts. The 1204-14 listing states it directly: reels are less effective on tall grass, and every model here shares that limit. Mow before the grass hits 3.5 in, remove no more than a third of the blade in one pass, and the reel will pay you back for years.

The move now is to measure the lawn before you click buy. Pace out the length and width, note whether the surface is flat or sloped, and check whether the grass is a cool-season type you cut weekly or a warm-season type you want to scalp low. Those three answers point straight at one of the picks above. The LawnMaster LMRM1801 is the right default for most first-time buyers because a wider deck fixes the failure mode reel mowers really suffer from, which is the mower that stops coming out of the shed. Save the smaller decks for the smaller lawns they were designed around.

Last updated: September 17, 2026. Product availability re-checked.

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