Best Reel Mower for Bermuda Grass (2026): 5 Top Picks Compared
Five reel mower options compared for Bermuda grass lawns, covering manual push models, a cordless electric mower, and a hand sharpener by cutting height, blades, and Acre Score.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best OverallFiskars StaySharp Max9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Best Battery PickSun Joe 24V-CRLM159.5/10View on Amazon - 3
Best Low CutGreat States 415-169.4/10View on Amazon - 4
Best with Grass CatcherIRONMAX IRGT43139.4/10View on Amazon - 5
14 Inch Small Corded Lawn Mower with 12.5-Amp MotorView on Amazon - 6
PowerSmart 18-Inch 144cc Push Gas Lawn Mower & 16-Inch 25.4ccView on Amazon - 7
DORTALA Lawn MowerView on Amazon
Finding the best reel mower for bermuda grass comes down to cutting height, scissor-action blade sharpness, and reel blade count. Bermuda grass is a dense warm-season turf that thrives when mowed low, often between 0.5 and 2.0 inches, where traditional rotary mowers can scalp or tear the grass blades. A manual or battery push reel mower uses helical blades spinning against a stationary bedknife to deliver clean, crisp scissor cuts. In this guide, we compare five listings, spanning manual push mowers, a cordless electric model, and a blade maintenance sharpener, ranking them by Acre Score.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall Fiskars StaySharp Max: Highest Acre Score here: four-wheel stability, frictionless helical steel blades, and GS Safety Certification Check price on Amazon
- Best Battery Pick Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15: Only battery model here: 24V cordless power with a 360W motor and cuts down to 0.6 in for Bermuda turf Check price on Amazon
- Best Low Cut Great States 415-16: Cuts as low as 0.5 in per spec table with heat-treated alloy steel blades and a 1-year limited warranty Check price on Amazon
- Best with Grass Catcher IRONMAX IRGT4313: Lightweight 14-inch push reel mower at 21.6 lb with an included detachable collection bag Check price on Amazon
Our acreage picks
Fiskars StaySharp Max 18 in Push Reel Mower
Manual push reel mower with an 18-inch cut, four-wheel design, helical steel blades and GS Safety Certification.
Who it's for: owners of Bermuda grass lawns who want a quiet manual mower with extra wheel stability.
Who should skip it: anyone wanting an included grass catcher or a stated warranty.
Read the full review
The Fiskars StaySharp Max is a manual reel mower with an 18 in cutting swath and four wheels for stability on rough terrain. The listing notes a frictionless helical steel blade system, 2.5 to 10 cm cutting heights, and GS Safety Certification. Listing contradictions include weight (20 kg in specs versus 23.5 kg in bullets) and width (45 cm in components versus 46 cm in specs). The collection tray is sold separately, and no warranty term is stated.
Pros
- Four-wheel design provides extra stability on uneven turf
- Frictionless helical steel blade system designed to stay sharp longer
- GS Safety Certification stated on the listing
- Wide cutting height range from 2.5 to 10 cm with three positions
Cons
- No warranty term is stated on the listing
- Collection tray is sold separately under product reference 1000592
- Contradiction on weight between 20 kg in spec table and 23.5 kg in bullets
- Cutting width listed as 45 cm in included components but 46 cm in spec table
Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 15 in Cordless Reel Mower
Cordless 24V electric reel mower with a 360W motor, 15-inch cut, and cutting heights down to 0.6 inches.
Who it's for: homeowners wanting reel-mower precision down to 0.6 in without manual pushing effort.
Who should skip it: buyers needing a stated warranty term or runtime rating.
Read the full review
The Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 is a cordless electric reel mower featuring a 24V battery, a 360W motor, and a 15 in cutting width. Its 5-blade reel adjusts from 0.6 to 2.0 in, ideal for cutting Bermuda grass low. An 11.9-gallon collection bag is included. Stated weight conflicts between under 30 lb in bullets and 33.6 lb in the spec table. No warranty term or runtime is stated.
Pros
- Battery-powered 360W motor eliminates the physical effort of manual pushing
- Cuts down to 0.6 in, matching the low mowing height needed for Bermuda grass
- Includes an 11.9-gallon collection bag to collect clippings without raking
- Five-blade RAZOREEL system with 4-position height adjustment up to 2.0 in
Cons
- No warranty term is stated on the listing
- Contradiction on weight between under 30 lb in bullets and 33.6 lb in spec table
- Heaviest push mower among the five products listed here
- Listing states no safety certification or runtime per charge
Great States 415-16 16 in 5-Blade Reel Mower
Classic push reel mower with heat-treated alloy steel blades, T-handle, and cutting heights as low as 0.5 inches.
Who it's for: buyers who want a lightweight manual reel mower with a stated manufacturer warranty and low cutting capability.
Who should skip it: anyone wanting an included collection bag.
Read the full review
The Great States 415-16 pairs heat-treated alloy steel blades with a cushioned T-handle and a 1-year limited warranty. The listing states a 16 in cutting width and 5 blades in the title and bullets, but the spec table contradicts this with 14 in and 4 blades. It offers a low 0.5 in minimum cutting height suited for Bermuda grass. Wheel size also conflicts between 10 in and 8.5 in.
Pros
- Stated 1 year limited warranty from the manufacturer
- Minimum cutting height of 0.5 in per spec table suits closely cropped Bermuda lawns
- Heat-treated alloy steel blades and ball bearing reel assembly
- Lightweight manual design at 20 lb in spec table with tool-less assembly
Cons
- Listing contradicts cutting width between 16 in in title and 14 in in spec table
- Listing contradicts blade count between 5 blades in bullets and 4 in spec table
- Cutting height range conflicts between 1 to 2.5 in in bullets and 0.5 to 1.75 in in specs
- Wheel size conflicts between 10 in composite wheels in bullets and 8.5 in in spec table
IRONMAX 14 in 5-Blade Push Reel Mower (IRGT4313)
Compact 14-inch manual reel mower with five manganese steel blades and an included removable grass catcher.
Who it's for: owners of small Bermuda lawns wanting an included collection bag and lightweight frame.
Who should skip it: anyone needing cutting heights below 1 in or a stated warranty.
Read the full review
The IRONMAX IRGT4313 is a 14 in manual reel mower with five manganese steel blades, four cutting heights from 1.06 to 2 in, and a detachable grass catcher bag. It weighs 21.6 lb and features foam-padded handles. The maker notes it should be used weekly on grass shorter than 4 in. The listing states no warranty term.
Pros
- Includes a detachable collection bag for clean clipping pickup or mulching
- Five manganese steel blades provide clean scissor-action cuts
- Four adjustable cutting heights stated at 1.06, 1.6, 1.81, and 2 in
- Lightweight 21.6 lb build with foam-padded handles for easy maneuvering
Cons
- No warranty term is stated on the listing
- Minimum cutting height of 1.06 in does not go as low as the 0.5 or 0.6 in models
- Listing notes mower must be used weekly on grass shorter than 4 in
- Narrow 14-inch cutting width requires more passes to cover the lawn
American Lawn Mower SK-2 Reel Mower Sharpener
Handheld maintenance sharpener for reel mower blades, compatible with Great States and Scotts mowers.
Who it's for: reel mower owners seeking a compatible at-home maintenance tool.
Who should skip it: anyone looking for an actual lawn mower, as this is solely a sharpening accessory.
Read the full review
The American Lawn Mower SK-2 is a handheld sharpener tool to maintain reel blades at home. The listing states compatibility with Great States and Scotts mowers, packaged with a manual and a 90-day warranty. Listing contradictions include model numbering (SK-2 versus SK-1) and an erroneous 2.5 in cutting width entry for a 1.72 oz plastic sharpener.
Pros
- Stated 90-day warranty from Great States Corporation
- Lightweight 1.72 oz tool designed for at-home reel blade maintenance
- Listing states compatibility with American Lawn Mower, Great States, Earthwise, and Scotts
- Packaged in a fitted box with detailed manual for use
Cons
- This is a handheld blade sharpener accessory rather than a lawn mower
- Listing contradicts model number between SK-2 in title and SK-1 in spec table
- Spec table contains an erroneous cutting width entry of 2.5 in
- Plastic body construction rather than metal
Other machines to compare
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
DORTALA Lawn MowerCheck price on Amazon
Side-by-side specs
| Model | Acre Score | Cutting width | Blades | Power source | Cutting heights | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiskars StaySharp Max | 9.6/10 | 45 cm (bullet) / 46 cm (spec) | Helical steel blades | Manual | 2.5 to 10 cm, 3 positions | 20 kg (spec) / 23.5 kg (bullet) | Not stated |
| Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 | 9.5/10 | 15 in | 5 blades (RAZOREEL) | 24V battery, 360W motor | 0.6 to 2.0 in, 4 positions | Under 30 lb (bullet) / 33.6 lb (spec) | Not stated |
| Great States 415-16 | 9.4/10 | 16 in (title) / 14 in (spec) | 5 blades (bullet) / 4 (spec) | Manual | 1 to 2.5 in (bullet) / 0.5 to 1.75 in (spec) | 20 lb (spec) / 20.9 lb (item weight) | 1 year limited |
| IRONMAX IRGT4313 | 9.4/10 | 14 in | 5 blades | Manual | 1.06 to 2 in, 4 positions | 21.6 lb | Not stated |
| American Lawn Mower SK-2 | 9.2/10 | 2.5 in (spec table) | None (sharpener tool) | Manual | Not stated | 1.72 oz | 90-day warranty |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 9 October 2026.
Acreage and terrain fit
Fiskars StaySharp Max
Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15
Great States 415-16
IRONMAX IRGT4313
American Lawn Mower SK-2
Buying guide: best reel mower for bermuda grass
Why Bermuda grass needs a reel mower
Bermuda grass produces dense horizontal stolons that form a thick turf carpet. To maintain turf health and prevent thatch buildup, Bermuda grass is mowed at low cutting heights. Rotary mowers often struggle at low settings without scalping high spots or tearing blade tips. A reel mower shears grass cleanly against a bedknife. The models here provide low settings suited for Bermuda: the Great States lists a 0.5 in minimum, the Sun Joe reaches down to 0.6 in, and the IRONMAX offers 1.06 in. Clean scissor cuts prevent tip browning and promote dense growth.
Cutting width and mowing pace
Push reel mowers in this roundup provide 14 in, 15 in, 16 in, and 45 cm cutting swaths. A wider cutting swath covers more lawn with each stride, reducing total passes across open turf. The Fiskars provides the widest path at 45 cm, while the Great States lists a 16 in width in its title. The Sun Joe offers a 15 in width, and the IRONMAX features a 14 in deck. A 14 in or 15 in width steers easily around landscape borders, while a 16 in or 45 cm model finishes open turf with fewer passes. See our push lawn mower sizes guide for width details.
Manual push vs cordless battery reel mowers
Four mowers here operate manually, while the Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 features a 360W motor and a 24V 4.0Ah battery. A manual push reel mower depends on operator push force to spin the reel. In thick Bermuda grass during peak summer growth, pushing a manual mower requires noticeable effort. A cordless reel mower powers the cutting reel with its motor, letting the operator walk at a steady pace without pushing resistance. However, manual models like the Great States and IRONMAX require no battery charging and are always ready to mow.
Blade count and scissor action
Reel mowers cut with curved helical blades spinning against a stationary bedknife. Warm-season models feature 4 or 5 blades. A higher blade count produces more cuts per foot of travel, yielding a cleaner cut on low Bermuda turf. Sharp blades are critical to prevent tearing. The American Lawn Mower SK-2 sharpener in this roundup maintains reel edges at home. For more blade care tools, consult our best mower blade sharpener guide.
Grass catchers and clipping management
Managing clippings helps prevent thatch buildup on Bermuda lawns. The Sun Joe includes an 11.9-gallon collection bag, and the IRONMAX features a detachable collection bag for bagging or mulching. The Fiskars listing notes its collection tray (reference 1000592) is sold separately, while the Great States listing does not state a grass bag. Frequent mowing leaves fine clippings that break down quickly, but a catcher bag is helpful when collecting longer clippings.
Yard prep and walk-behind safety
Because reel mowers operate with close blade clearances, foreign objects can jam the cutting reel. Inspect the lawn before mowing and clear twigs, stones, and wire. Wear protective footwear and eye protection during every mowing session. Keep children and pets away from the work area. Before clearing any debris from the blades, disconnect the battery on cordless models and wear heavy gloves to protect hands from sharp edges.
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.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance (mowing speed and coverage), build quality (deck and transmission durability), value (price versus specs), safety (slope rating and operator controls), and warranty (years and coverage).
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiskars StaySharp Max | 9.6 | 33 | 22 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 | 9.5 | 32 | 21 | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Great States 415-16 | 9.4 | 27 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 2 |
| IRONMAX IRGT4313 | 9.4 | 26 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| American Lawn SK-2 | 9.2 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 0 | 1 |
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.
FAQ: mowing large lots
Are reel mowers good for Bermuda grass?
Yes. Reel mowers cleanly scissor-cut Bermuda grass at low heights between 0.5 and 2 inches, avoiding the scalping and ragged blade tearing common with rotary mowers.
Can a reel mower cut tall grass?
No. Reel mowers are built for short grass. Tall grass pushes over rather than cutting. The IRONMAX listing notes it should be used weekly on grass shorter than 4 inches.
Do reel mowers work on tall grass or overgrown lawns?
No. Tall stalks jam the cutting reel or roll underneath without cutting. Overgrown turf should first be cut down with a rotary mower before using a reel mower.
Can reel mowers cut long grass cleanly?
No. Long grass bends under the roller and passes beneath the blades uncut, resulting in an uneven, ragged lawn surface.
Can reel mowers cut wet grass?
Cutting wet grass is not recommended. Wet clippings stick to the reel blades and bedknife, causing clogging, wheel slippage, and uneven cuts. Mow when turf is dry.
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