Best Reel Mower for Zoysia Grass (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Five push reel mowers for zoysia grass compared by width, blades, height range and warranty, from a 14-inch model to a 20-inch model.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best OverallGreat States 14-Inch9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Best with CatcherAmerican 16-Inch9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Widest FrameEWORK 16-Inch9.4/10View on Amazon - 4
20-inch pickScotts 20-Inch9.4/10View on Amazon - 5
16-inch pickLawnMaster 16-Inch9.5/10View on Amazon - 6
GC91820 18-Inch/20-Inch Reel Mower Grass CatcherView on Amazon - 7
Great States 415-16 16-Inch Reel Lawn Mower with T-StyleView on Amazon - 8
Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel MowerView on Amazon - 9
14 Inch Small Corded Lawn Mower with 12.5-Amp MotorView on Amazon - 10
PowerSmart 18-Inch 144cc Push Gas Lawn Mower & 16-Inch 25.4ccView on Amazon
Zoysia grows thick and low, and a rotary mower can tear it where a reel mower shears it clean. The best reel mower for zoysia grass is the push reel mower that cuts low and even across a maintained lawn, without gas, oil or cords. This article compares five push reel mowers by width, blades, height range and warranty, using only what each listing publishes.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall Great States 14-Inch: 14-inch, 5-blade, 0.5-1.75 inch heights, 90-day warranty Check price on Amazon
- Best with Catcher American 16-Inch: 16-inch, 5-blade, grass catcher, 0.5-2.5 inch heights Check price on Amazon
- Widest Frame EWORK 16-Inch: 23-inch max width, 16-inch working width, 4 heights Check price on Amazon
- 20-inch pick Scotts 20-Inch: 20-inch, 5-blade push reel lawn mower Check price on Amazon
- 16-inch pick LawnMaster 16-Inch: 16-inch, 5-blade push reel lawn mower, LMRM1602 Check price on Amazon
Our acreage picks
Great States 304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
A push reel mower with a 14-inch width, a 5-blade ball bearing reel and heights from 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches.
Who it's for: a homeowner who wants a closely cut zoysia lawn with a stated warranty term.
Who should skip it: anyone who needs a wider mower, a stated weight or a longer warranty term.
Read the full review
Great States lists this push reel mower with a 14-inch cutting width, a 5-blade ball bearing reel, 8.5-inch composite wheels and a T-style handle with a cushioned grip. The listing states an adjustable height of 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches, heat-treated alloy steel blades, tool-less assembly and manual operation with no gas or oil. The title and bullets state 5 blades, while the spec table blade count reads 4, so the title and bullets are trusted over the spec table; the spec table also lists two weights, 20 lbs and 9.3 pounds, so no weight is stated for this model here.
Pros
- 14-inch width with a 5-blade ball bearing reel for a clean, even cut
- Height range of 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches across 3 positions
- Heat-treated alloy steel blades for staying sharp longer
- T-style handle with cushioned grip, tool-less assembly, no gas or oil
Cons
- Spec table blade count reads 4, against 5 blades in the title and bullets
- Spec table lists two weights, 20 lbs and 9.3 pounds
- 14-inch width is the narrowest stated here
- Warranty term is only 90 days
American Lawn Mower 1604-16 16 Inch 5-Blade Reel Mower with Grass Catcher
A push reel mower with a 16-inch width, a 5-blade reel, heights from 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches and a grass catcher.
Who it's for: a homeowner with a level, maintained zoysia lawn who wants a catcher included.
Who should skip it: anyone with tall grass, uneven ground or a need for a stated warranty.
Read the full review
American Lawn Mower lists this reel mower with a 16-inch cutting width, a five-blade reel and cutting heights from 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches across multiple wheel and roller positions. The listing states a grass catcher that collects a portion of the clippings, manual engine-free operation, and a design for frequently mowed grass on relatively even ground. Tall grass, weeds, seedlings, dips and uneven areas may be flattened or need slower, overlapping passes, per the listing, and height adjustment requires manual repositioning with a setting chart.
Pros
- 16-inch width with a 5-blade reel for a scissor-like cut
- Height range of 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches across 4 positions
- Grass catcher included for collecting clippings
- Manual operation with no gas, oil, batteries or cords
Cons
- Height adjustment requires manual repositioning with a setting chart
- Best only for maintained, level lawns, per the listing
- Catcher collects only a portion of the clippings, and must be emptied frequently
- No warranty term is stated
EWORK Push Reel Lawn Mower 16 Inch Working Width
Manual push reel mower with a 16-inch working width, a 5-blade 65Mn steel reel, 4 height settings and 10-inch wheels, with tool-less assembly.
Read the full review
The EWORK listing needs a careful read: the title says 23 inches, but the bullets clarify that 23 inches is the maximum width while the working width is 16 inches, and the cutting width is also stated as 16 inches. Trust the bullets and the working width, not the title figure alone. The reel has 5 blades in 65Mn steel, heights of 1, 1.5, 1.8 and 2 inches, 10-inch wheels and a foam-wrapped handle, with tool-less assembly and a bag-less design.
Pros
- 10-inch durable wheels for smooth rolling, per the listing
- 4 height settings from 1 to 2 inches
- Tool-less assembly, with no special tools required
- Bag-less design simplifies use and reduces weight, per the listing
Cons
- No warranty term is stated on the listing
- Title width can mislead: working width is 16 inches, not 23 inches
- Suitable only for regularly mowed lawns with grass less than 2 to 4 inches, per the listing
- No grass catcher bag is stated, as the design is bag-less
LawnMaster LMRM1602 16-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Manual push reel mower with a 16-inch cutting width, 5 steel blades, 4 cutting height positions from 1 to 2.5 inches and 10-inch wheels.
Who it's for: homeowners with small, flat lawns looking for a quiet, reliable manual reel mower with four clear height adjustments.
Who should skip it: anyone who needs a grass collection bag included or a stated warranty.
Read the full review
The LawnMaster LMRM1602 is a manual push reel mower featuring a 16-inch cutting path and a 5-blade steel reel designed for a scissor-like cut. The listing specifies 4 cutting positions ranging from 1 to 2.5 inches, rolling on 10-inch front wheels. Constructed from metal and plastic, it weighs 22 pounds and requires no motor, fuel or electrical power. No warranty term is stated.
Pros
- 16-inch cutting width with 5 durable steel blades
- 4 adjustable cutting height positions from 1 to 2.5 inches
- 10-inch front wheels for easier rolling across the yard
- Motorless design requires no gasoline, oil or battery charging
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Does not include a grass catcher bag
- Does not include a blade sharpener
- At 22 pounds it is heavier than 14-inch push models
Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
Manual push reel mower with a 20 inch cutting path, 5-blade ball-bearing reel, 10 inch dual tracking wheels and 9 cutting height positions.
Who it's for: homeowners with flat turf up to an acre who want the widest push reel width and generous cutting height options.
Who should skip it: anyone who requires a verified multi-year warranty term or struggles to push a 26.9-pound manual mower.
Read the full review
The Scotts 2000-20S offers the widest swath in this comparison at 20 inches, powered by a 5-blade ball-bearing reel made of heat-treated alloy steel. Its quick-snap adjustment sets cutting height between 1 and 3 inches across 9 distinct positions, rolling on 10-inch dual tracking wheels. The listing specifies an item weight of 26.9 pounds and an ergonomic handle with cushioned grip. Unlike other listings with internal conflicts, its specifications remain consistent across title, bullets, and table, though the warranty description merely states 'Warranty' without specifying a duration.
Pros
- Wide 20-inch cutting width covers more lawn per pass
- Quick-snap height adjustment from 1 to 3 inches with 9 positions
- 5-blade ball-bearing reel made of heat-treated alloy steel
- 10-inch dual tracking wheels and ergonomic cushioned handle
Cons
- No warranty term is stated on the listing
- At 26.9 pounds it is heavier to push than 14-inch models
- No grass collection bag is listed
- Cannot cut tall weeds or thick woody stalks
Other machines to compare
GC91820 18-Inch/20-Inch Reel Mower Grass CatcherCheck price on Amazon
Great States 415-16 16-Inch Reel Lawn Mower with T-StyleCheck price on Amazon
Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel MowerCheck price on Amazon
14 Inch Small Corded Lawn Mower with 12.5-Amp MotorCheck price on Amazon
PowerSmart 18-Inch 144cc Push Gas Lawn Mower & 16-Inch 25.4ccCheck price on Amazon
Side-by-side specs
| Mower | Acre Score | Width | Blades | Height range | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great States 14-Inch | 9.6/10 | 14 in | 5-blade | 0.5-1.75 in | Not stated | 90 day limited |
| American 16-Inch | 9.6/10 | 16 inches | 5-blade | 0.5-2.5 in | 18 pounds | Not stated |
| EWORK 16-Inch | 9.6/10 | 16 inches working | 5-blade | 1 to 2 in | Not stated | Not stated |
| Scotts 20-Inch | 9.4/10 | 20-Inch | 5-blade | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| LawnMaster 16-Inch | 9.5/10 | 16-Inch | 5-blade | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 9 October 2026. Only the Great States listing states a warranty term.
Acreage and terrain fit
Great States 14-Inch
American 16-Inch
EWORK 16-Inch
Scotts 20-Inch
LawnMaster 16-Inch
Buying guide: choosing the best reel mower for zoysia grass
Width and blades
Width decides how many passes a lawn needs, and blade count decides how clean the cut is. The Great States lists a 14-inch width with a 5-blade ball bearing reel, the American lists a 16-inch width with a 5-blade reel, and the EWORK lists a 16-inch working width with a 5-blade 65Mn steel reel. The title-only models list 20 inches and 16 inches, both with 5 blades. All five models here use 5 blades, so width and height range, not blade count, separate them.
Height range for zoysia
Zoysia is cut low, so the height range matters more than on taller grasses. The Great States lists heights from 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches, the American lists heights from 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches across 4 positions, and the EWORK lists 4 height settings at 1, 1.5, 1.8 and 2 inches. The American range reaches highest, which suits a lawn kept slightly taller, while the Great States range stays lowest for a closely cut lawn. The title-only models state no height range, so check that line before buying for zoysia.
Catcher, weight and handling
Catcher, weight and handling decide how pleasant a reel mower is to push. The American includes a grass catcher that collects a portion of the clippings, while the EWORK uses a bag-less design that simplifies use and reduces weight. The American lists a weight of 18 pounds, while the Great States spec table lists two conflicting weights and the EWORK lists no weight at all. The Great States lists a T-style handle with a cushioned grip and tool-less assembly, and the EWORK lists a foam-wrapped handle and 10-inch wheels for smooth rolling. All three full-data models run on manual push power alone, with no gas, oil, batteries or cords.
Lawn size, deck width and speed in; minutes per mow out. Or work backward from the time you want to spend.
Walk the area first and clear stones, sticks, wire and toys. Wear eye and hearing protection, long pants and sturdy closed footwear, mow across slopes with a walk-behind (not up and down), and never pull a running mower toward you. Keep kids and pets well away. Refuel only with the engine off and cool. See CPSC lawn mower safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Matching It to Your Property
- Level, maintained zoysia suits all three full-data models, which state manual push operation for regularly mowed lawns.
- A closely cut lawn suits the Great States, which lists heights from 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches.
- A lawn kept slightly taller suits the American, which lists heights up to 2.5 inches and a grass catcher.
- Storage suits the EWORK, which lists tool-less assembly and a bag-less design for easy handling.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. For a reel mower, performance means width and blade count, build means blade steel and wheel construction, and value means stated features against size. Only the Great States listing states a warranty term, and none states a concrete safety feature, so safety scores zero across the group. How we pick explains the weights.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great States 14-Inch | 9.6 | 28 | 20 | 20 | n/a | 1 |
| American 16-Inch | 9.6 | 30 | 20 | 21 | n/a | 0 |
| EWORK 16-Inch | 9.6 | 29 | 20 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.
FAQ: mowing large lots
What width suits a zoysia lawn?
The models here list 14 inches, 16 inches and 20 inches. A wider mower covers a lawn faster, while a narrower mower turns easier around beds and borders.
How low can these reel mowers cut?
The Great States lists heights from 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches, and the American lists heights from 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches. The EWORK lists settings at 1, 1.5, 1.8 and 2 inches.
Do reel mowers work on tall grass?
No, per these listings. The American states tall grass, weeds and uneven areas may be flattened, and the EWORK states it is not suitable for excessively tall lawns.
Do any of these mowers state a warranty?
Only the Great States listing states a warranty term: a 90 day limited warranty. The other listings state no warranty term.
Do these mowers need gas or oil?
No. All three full-data models list manual push operation with no gas, oil, batteries or cords, per their listings.
