Reel Mower vs Push Mower: Which One Should You Buy?

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Reel mower vs push mower: how the cut differs

A reel mower cuts like scissors: a spinning reel of blades passes fixed blades and slices each grass blade, which the listings say gives a cleaner cut for healthier grass. A powered push mower spins a blade under a deck, which suits taller or thicker grass. The BILT HARD example pairs that with a bag, and the Greenworks example with a wider deck. Neither cut is better in every yard; the difference is what each one asks of the person pushing it.

Type	Best for	Limit
Manual reel mower	Small lawns kept short, quiet work	Short height range; tall grass needs stages
Battery rotary push mower	Taller grass without a cord	Runtime ends with the batteries
Corded rotary push mower	Steady power for small yards near an outlet	Reach ends with the cord; cord length not stated

The gear, ranked

The four examples below are ranked by overall fit for a small lawn, from the most capable powered option to the most limited corded one. Each figure belongs to its own listing only.

1. Greenworks 48V push mower. The powered pick: two 24V batteries combine for 48V, a steel 20 in. cutting deck, a brushless motor, push-button start, an LED headlight and a dual port charger, with up to 45 minutes of run time on two fully charged 4.0Ah batteries. The listing also states a 3-year limited tool and battery warranty and that the batteries work with more than 200 Greenworks 24V tools. No cutting height range is stated, so height adjustment is unclear from this listing.

2. Walensee 16-inch reel mower. The light manual pick: 5 precision-ground alloy-steel blades, a 16-inch cutting width, 8.5-inch drive wheels, and 4 cutting height settings from 0.6 to 1.5 inches, adjusted by pulling a handle with no tools. The listing states no gas, electricity or batteries are needed, and it advises clearing large twigs, stones and debris before mowing and trimming taller grass in stages. The spec table lists 14.3 pounds.

3. American Lawn Mower Company 2415-16 reel mower. The classic reel pick: a 16-inch cutting path, a 5-blade heat-treated alloy steel reel, a T-handle for grip and control, and an adjustable cutting height from 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches. Like the Walensee example, it needs no gas, oil, batteries or cords. The spec table lists 21.56 pounds, and the wider height range suits lawns kept at different seasonal lengths.

4. BILT HARD corded push mower. The bagging pick: an 11A motor reaching 3300 RPM, a 15-inch cutting deck with a 14.5-inch blade, 5 height positions from 1 inch to 3 inches, a 35L grass bag described as 9.2 gallon in the bullets, a foldable handle, and a double-safety system with a start lock button and an instant-stop lever. The listing states a weight of 21 lbs and small to medium yards, and it does not state a cord length, so reach is unclear from this listing.

Cutting height and grass length

Height range decides whether a mower fits your lawn as it grows. The American example adjusts from 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches, the Walensee example offers 4 settings from 0.6 to 1.5 inches, and the BILT HARD example offers 5 positions from 1 inch to 3 inches. The Greenworks example states no height range. For tall grass, the Walensee listing advises trimming in stages rather than forcing one low pass, and staying within its designed height range.

Power: manual, battery or cord

Manual reel mowers ask for pushing effort and no fuel, cord or charging: the American example needs no gas, oil, batteries or cords, and the Walensee example needs no gas, electricity or batteries. The Greenworks example runs on two 24V 4.0Ah batteries combined for 48V, with up to 45 minutes of run time that varies with grass condition and operator technique, and a dual port charger is included. The BILT HARD example runs on a cord with an 11A motor, so run time is not limited by a battery, but the work stays within cord reach. See our reel mower vs rotary comparison for more on the two cutting styles.

Weight and handling

Weight matters when pushing any of these mowers, since none of the four listings states self-propulsion, so the person pushing supplies the pushing power. The Walensee spec table lists 14.3 pounds, the American spec table lists 21.56 pounds, and the BILT HARD listing states 21 lbs with a foldable handle for storage. The Greenworks spec table lists 67.24 pounds. Large wheels help on uneven ground: the Walensee example lists 8.5-inch drive wheels, and the American example lists a T-handle for stable grip. See our walk behind mower sizes guide for deck width and yard fit.

Safety

Wear eye and hearing protection, clear sticks, stones and debris before mowing, and keep children and pets out of the work area. The BILT HARD example adds a start lock button and an instant-stop lever that shuts the motor down when released. On a corded mower, keep the cord clear of the cutting path and behind you as you work. For larger lawns, see our best push mower for large yards picks.

FAQ: mowing large lots

Does a reel mower work on tall grass?

Not in one pass with the Walensee example. Its listing advises trimming taller grass in stages and staying within its designed height range, and reel height ranges here top out at 2.5 inches on the American example.

Does a reel mower need gas or batteries?

No. The American example needs no gas, oil, batteries or cords, and the Walensee example needs no gas, electricity or batteries.

How wide a path do these mowers cut?

The American and Walensee examples cut 16 inches, the Greenworks example cuts 20 inches, and the BILT HARD example cuts 15 inches with a 14.5-inch blade.

Does the Greenworks mower include batteries?

Yes. The listing states two 4.0Ah batteries, a dual port charger, and a 3-year limited tool and battery warranty.

Can a corded mower handle a large lawn?

The BILT HARD example is a poor fit for one. It is listed for small to medium yards, and its cord length is not stated, so reach is unclear.

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