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

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Hover Mower vs Reel Mower: How the Two Cutting Styles Differ

A hover mower has no wheels under the deck. Air under the deck lifts the mower, so it glides across the lawn instead of rolling on wheels. A reel mower works the other way: pushing the mower turns a cylinder of blades past a fixed blade, and the grass is cut as the cylinder passes the fixed blade, as the GARDENA listing describes. The reel mowers below add no motor, cord or fuel to that motion.

For a small flat lawn, one practical difference is upkeep and effort. A reel mower needs pushing effort, and the Garvee listing notes smoother movement across flat lawn surfaces. A hover mower needs power for the air cushion, so it suits a buyer who wants powered cutting without wheels. The listings below cover reel mowers only, so the gear section compares models within the reel style.

Style	How it cuts	What to know
Hover mower	Floats on air under the deck	No model in the gear section below
Reel mower	Rotating blades pass a fixed blade	Push-powered, no fuel or cord

The reel mower vs rotary comparison covers rotary mowers.

Four Reel Mowers from the Listings

All four mowers below are reel mowers, listed in ranking order. Each entry uses only the figures its own listing states.

GARDENA Classic Reel Lawn Mower. The GARDENA cuts 16 inches wide with 5 blades, and its hardened, non-stick coated cylinder rotates past a fixed counter-blade without touching, for a precise, clean cut. Cutting height adjusts in four stages between 0.47 inches and 1.65 inches. Large wheels with special tread and an ergonomic handle aid steering, and the folding handle allows compact storage. The listing states 19.6 lbs in the bullets, while the spec table lists 20.0 Pounds, so this article uses the bullet figure. The GARDENA carries a ten-year manufacturer’s warranty, and an optional grass catcher is sold separately.

Garvee Reel Lawn Mower. The Garvee cuts 18 inches wide with a 5-blade reel system and 4 wheels, and its carbon steel frame uses reinforced ABS components. The four-wheel design aids balance and movement across flat lawn surfaces. Height adjusts, and the manual design needs no gas, electricity or battery. Operation is quiet, and the listing frames it for small to medium-sized yards, gardens and outdoor spaces.

American Lawn Mower 1304-14 Reel Mower. This model cuts 14 inches wide with a 5-blade reel and 10-inch polymer wheels. Blade height adjusts from 1 inch to 2.25 inches, and the blades use heat-treated alloy steel. The manual design is pollution-free and noise-free, and it cuts grass up to 4 inches tall.

American Lawn Mower 1204-14 Reel Mower. This model cuts 14 inches wide with a 4-blade reel and 8.5-inch polymer wheels, and it weighs 19 pounds. Blade height adjusts from 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches. It cuts grass up to 4 inches tall and is less effective on taller grass. The listing advises against mowing wet grass.

Cutting Height and Deck Width

Deck width sets how much lawn each pass covers. The Garvee covers 18 inches per pass, the GARDENA covers 16 inches, and the American models cover 14 inches. For cutting height, the GARDENA adjusts in four stages between 0.47 inches and 1.65 inches, the 1204-14 adjusts from 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches, and the 1304-14 adjusts from 1 inch to 2.25 inches. The Garvee states adjustable height without a stated range, so compare its height setting on the listing before choosing.

Storage and Upkeep

Reel mowers carry no fuel tank, cord or battery to manage in storage. The GARDENA folding handle allows compact storage in small spaces. Several listings describe low maintenance, and the 1304-14 listing states its heat-treated alloy steel blades stay sharp for years.

Safety

Wear eye and hearing protection when mowing, and clear sticks, stones and other debris from the lawn before starting. Keep children, pets and bystanders away from the work area. A reel mower has no motor to switch off, so stop pushing and let the blades halt before clearing debris or adjusting the mower.

FAQ: mowing large lots

Should I buy a hover mower or a reel mower for a small flat lawn?

For a small flat lawn, a reel mower fits the listings here: the four models in the gear section are push-powered with no fuel or cord, and the Garvee listing notes smoother movement across flat lawn surfaces. A hover mower suits a buyer who wants powered cutting that floats on air instead of rolling on wheels.

How wide a cut do these reel mowers give?

The Garvee cuts 18 inches wide, the GARDENA cuts 16 inches, and the American models cut 14 inches.

What cutting heights do these reel mowers offer?

The GARDENA adjusts in four stages between 0.47 inches and 1.65 inches. The 1204-14 adjusts from 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches, and the 1304-14 adjusts from 1 inch to 2.25 inches. The Garvee states adjustable height without a stated range.

Do reel mowers handle tall or wet grass?

Only the 1204-14 listing addresses this: it cuts grass up to 4 inches tall and is less effective on taller grass, and its listing advises against mowing wet grass. The same listing advises leaving most of the grass blade uncut at each pass, so the roots stay intact, and mowing smaller amounts more frequently rather than letting the grass get long.

Which reel mower has a warranty?

The GARDENA carries a ten-year manufacturer’s warranty. The other three listings state no warranty term.

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