Buying Guide
Our Guide to the Best Reel Mowers Under $150
Six push reel mowers under $150, compared on cutting width, height range and blade count for small lawns that get mowed every week.
By Gardening Is Ezee Editors
10 min read6 products evaluated
A reel mower cuts like scissors, not like a blade swinging in the air, and that one fact decides everything about buying one. The reel spins against a fixed bar and shears each blade of grass cleanly, which grass likes, but it only works when the grass is short enough to feed into the reel. Mow weekly and keep the lawn in range, and a reel is quiet, light and fuel free. Let it grow tall and you will push in frustration.
Under $150 the real choices are width and height range. The American Lawn Mower 1804 cuts an 18 inch path and goes up to 2.75 inches. The Earthwise packs 7 blades into a 16 inch reel for fine turf. The Scotts 20 inch is the widest at the top of the price band, and the 14 inch ALMC and the 23 inch EWORK sit at the edges.
Read the cutting-height range before anything else. Some listings advertise width and blade count loudly but stop at 2 inches, which is too short for a lawn you want to keep at 3.
Gardening Is Ezee field notes
The Garden Fit Check
A quick way to connect the shortlist to the space, workload and ownership details that matter after the box arrives.
- Start with the job
- American Lawn Mower 1804-18 with Catcher leads this shortlist for Weekly mowing of small to medium lawns. Use that fit as a reference point, then compare the alternatives against your own space and workload.
- Specs that separate the picks
- The first details to compare are 18 inch cutting width, 16 inch cutting width, 20 inch cutting width. Confirm the exact model and included components before ordering.
- Trade-off to plan for
- Tall or thick grass needs slow overlapping passes
The Practical Shortlist
A garden-first look at 6 options, organized around the job each one suits best.
Best Overall
American Lawn Mower 1804-18 with Catcher
Weekly mowing of small to medium lawns
Our take Check price for American Lawn Mower 1804-18 with Catcher (opens in a new tab)
Best for Fine Turf
Earthwise 1715-16EW 7-Blade Reel Mower
Short-cut warm-season lawns
Our take Check price for Earthwise 1715-16EW 7-Blade Reel Mower (opens in a new tab)
Best Widest Cut
Scotts 2000-20S 20 Inch Reel Mower
Larger flat lawns of cool-season grass
Our take Check price for Scotts 2000-20S 20 Inch Reel Mower (opens in a new tab)
Best Adjustability
LawnMaster LMRM1801 18 Inch Reel Mower
Small lawns where fine height control matters
Our take Check price for LawnMaster LMRM1801 18 Inch Reel Mower (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact
American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14 Inch
Postage-stamp lawns and tight storage
Our take Check price for American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14 Inch (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Option
EWORK 23 Inch Push Reel Mower
Short, frequently mowed lawns on a tight budget
Our take Check price for EWORK 23 Inch Push Reel Mower (opens in a new tab)
Why Each Pick Made the Cut
Best Overall1 of 6
American Lawn Mower 1804-18 with Catcher on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
An 18 inch five-blade reel with a 1/2 to 2 3/4 inch cutting range and a grass catcher, the widest range under $100.
Best for
- Weekly mowing of small to medium lawns
Our take
The American Lawn Mower 1804-18 pairs a five-blade reel with an 18 inch cutting path and a height range of 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches. It needs no gas, oil, batteries or cords and runs more quietly than most mowers. A grass catcher is included, and the maker advises starting at a higher setting on tall or thick grass and lowering it after.
That height range is the reason it leads. Against the 14 inch ALMC it cuts a path 4 inches wider and goes a full inch higher, so it handles cool-season lawns that like to stay at 2 inches or more. Against the Scotts 20 inch it is narrower and tops out slightly below the Scotts' 3 inches, but it costs less and includes the catcher.
Buy it for a small to medium lawn you mow weekly. If your lawn is warm-season grass that wants a very low cut, take the Earthwise.
Key dimensions & specs
- 18 inch cutting width
- 5-blade reel
- 1/2 to 2 3/4 inch height
- Grass catcher included
Pros
- 18 inch path covers more lawn per pass
- Height range reaches 2 3/4 inches
- Grass catcher included in the box
- No gas, oil or batteries to manage
Cons
- Tall or thick grass needs slow overlapping passes
- Works best on dry, regularly mowed grass
Best for Fine Turf2 of 6
Earthwise 1715-16EW 7-Blade Reel Mower on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Seven blades on a ball-bearing reel with a 1/2 inch low cut, aimed at Bermuda, Zoysia and similar warm-season lawns.
Best for
- Short-cut warm-season lawns
Our take
The Earthwise 1715-16EW has a 16 inch cut, a 7-blade ball-bearing reel, 10 inch composite wheels and an alloy steel reel that the maker says stays sharp longer. Its height range runs 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches, and the listing names Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine and Seashore Paspalum as the grasses it targets.
Seven blades produce a finer, more manicured cut than the five-blade mowers, and the 1/2 inch floor matches the two American Lawn Mower models. The compromise is width, since 16 inches means more passes than the ALMC 18, and the extra blades can clog on thick, coarse stems.
Buy it for a warm-season lawn kept short. For cool-season grass kept above 2 inches, the ALMC 18 or Scotts 20 is a better fit.
Key dimensions & specs
- 16 inch cutting width
- 7-blade ball bearing reel
- 1/2 to 2 1/2 inch height
- 10 inch wheels
Pros
- Seven blades give a fine, even cut
- Cuts as low as 1/2 inch
- Ball-bearing reel spins freely, so pushing takes less effort
- Alloy steel reel stays sharp longer
Cons
- 16 inch path means extra passes
- More blades can jam on coarse stems
Best Widest Cut3 of 6
Scotts 2000-20S 20 Inch Reel Mower on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A 20 inch five-blade reel with a quick-snap 1 to 3 inch height adjustment, the widest and tallest-cutting mower here.
Best for
- Larger flat lawns of cool-season grass
Our take
The Scotts 2000-20S has a 20 inch path, a five-blade ball-bearing reel, 10 inch dual tracking wheels, and a quick-snap height adjustment from 1 to 3 inches. The blades are heat-treated alloy steel, the handle has a cushioned grip, and assembly needs no tools.
Its 3 inch ceiling is the highest here, which matters for tall fescue and bluegrass lawns that prefer more length. It also cuts the widest swath, but its 1 inch floor means it cannot go as low as the Earthwise or ALMC 18. It sits at the top of the price band, near $150.
Buy it for a larger flat lawn of cool-season grass. For a short warm-season lawn, take the Earthwise.
Key dimensions & specs
- 20 inch cutting width
- 5-blade ball bearing reel
- 1 to 3 inch height
- Tool-less assembly gets it working in a few minutes
Pros
- 20 inch path means fewer passes
- Height goes up to 3 inches
- Quick-snap height adjustment is tool-free and fast to change
- Cushioned handle grip keeps hands comfortable while pushing
Cons
- Cannot cut below 1 inch, too tall for putting-green turf
- Costs the most of the six mowers in this group
Best Adjustability4 of 6
LawnMaster LMRM1801 18 Inch Reel Mower on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Nine cutting positions between 1.1 and 2.5 inches on an 18 inch deck, for fine-tuning the height as the season changes.
Best for
- Small lawns where fine height control matters
Our take
The LawnMaster LMRM1801 has an 18 inch deck, five blades, 10 inch front wheels and nine cutting positions between 1.1 and 2.5 inches. It is motorless, needs no gas or batteries, and the maker pitches it for small lawns.
Nine steps give finer control than the four-height EWORK or the quick-snap Scotts, which helps when you drop the cut a quarter inch as summer heat sets in. Against the ALMC 18 it costs more and goes lower on the ceiling, 2.5 versus 2.75 inches, with no catcher.
Buy it if you like to tune your cut and have a small lawn. If you want the widest range for the money, take the ALMC 18.
Key dimensions & specs
- 18 inch deck
- 5 blades
- 9 height positions, 1.1 to 2.5 inches
- 10 inch front wheels
Pros
- Nine height positions allow fine tuning
- 18 inch deck with 10 inch front wheels
- Motorless with no fuel or charging
- Scissor-like cut clips grass cleanly instead of tearing it
Cons
- Tops out at 2.5 inches, low for tall fescue lawns
Best Compact5 of 6
American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14 Inch on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A 19 pound, 14 inch four-blade reel for tiny yards, cutting grass up to 4 inches tall, but weaker on thick turf.
Best for
- Postage-stamp lawns and tight storage
Our take
The ALMC 1204-14 has a 14 inch width, a four-blade reel, 8.5 inch polymer wheels and a height range of 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches. It weighs only 19 pounds, and the listing says it can handle grass up to 4 inches tall but is less effective above that. The maker advises cutting no more than a third of the blade height.
Its value is weight and size: it stores in a closet and turns in a small yard. The tradeoff is the 1 3/4 inch ceiling, the lowest of the six, which suits low-cut lawns but scalps taller varieties. Against the ALMC 18 it covers far less ground per pass.
Buy it for a postage-stamp lawn. For anything over a few hundred square feet, pick a wider mower.
Key dimensions & specs
- 14 inch cutting width
- 4-blade reel
- 1/2 to 1 3/4 inch height
- 19 pounds
Pros
- Weighs only 19 pounds, easy to push and carry
- Stores in a closet or small shed
- Cuts down to 1/2 inch for a very short lawn
- No fuel, oil or engine noise to deal with
Cons
- 1 3/4 inch maximum height is limiting
- 14 inch path is slow on larger lawns
Best Budget Option6 of 6
EWORK 23 Inch Push Reel Mower on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The cheapest mower here, but the 23 inch overall width hides a 16 inch working cut and four height settings up to 2 inches.
Best for
- Short, frequently mowed lawns on a tight budget
Our take
The EWORK has a maximum width of 23 inches but a working cutting width of only 16 inches, with a five-blade system in 65Mn steel and four height settings: 1, 1.5, 1.8 and 2 inches. The 10 inch wheels roll easily. The listing itself calls it a trimming tool, not suited to overgrown lawns, and says it is for regularly mowed grass.
The 23 inch figure is the headline, but you cut 16. Against the ALMC 18 you get a narrower swath, a lower ceiling and no catcher, in exchange for the lowest price. It also has the fewest height steps.
Buy it only if price is the priority and your lawn is short and frequently mowed. Most buyers should pay a little more for the ALMC 18.
Key dimensions & specs
- 16 inch working width
- 5 blades, 65Mn steel
- 4 heights, 1 to 2 inches
- 10 inch wheels
Pros
- Costs the least of the picks in this group
- Five blades of 65Mn steel give a clean scissor cut
- 10 inch wheels roll easily over grass and small bumps
- Four preset heights, simple to use
Cons
- 23 inch width is body size, cut is 16 inches
- Tops out at 2 inches and fails on tall grass
How We Built This Shortlist
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Height range
- Reach at both ends of the range decides which grasses a mower suits, so range counts above all.
- Cutting width and reel
- True working width, blade count and bearing quality are compared.
- Handling
- Weight, wheel size and handle comfort affect how it feels over a full lawn.
- Extras
- Catchers, tool-free assembly and height steps are credited.
- Value under $150
- Scored on width and range for the money, using manufacturer stated specs only.
What Matters Before You Choose a Reel Mower
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Height range vs your grass
Each grass has a preferred mowing height, and a reel mower must reach it. University guidance puts Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue at 2 to 3.5 inches, while Zoysia and hybrid Bermuda do well at 1 inch or less. A reel with a 1/2 to 2 inch range suits the second group, and one that goes to 3 inches suits the first. Read the range in the listing, not just the marketing word adjustable.
Keep the lawn in reach
A reel is a scissor, and it cannot cut grass taller than it can feed into the reel. One lawn source notes reels lose effectiveness above about 1.5 inches and lay taller grass over, so mowing weekly and removing no more than a third of the blade is the real rule. If your lawn tends to run away, consider a rotary mower instead.
Blade count
Sources disagree on blades: more of them (7) give a finer, cleaner cut on short turf, while fewer (4) pass thicker stems and weeds without jamming. Five is the common baseline for a mixed lawn. Choose seven for manicured, low-cut turf and four or five for a lawn with some coarse growth.
Cutting width
Width sets how many passes you make. A 14 inch mower needs about 40 percent more passes than a 20 inch one to cover the same lawn. Check the working width, as the EWORK lists 23 inches overall but cuts only 16 inches.
Sharpening and maintenance
Every reel mower dulls eventually, and a dull reel tears and browns grass tips. Some models include a hand sharpener, as the ALMC 1304 and 1415 do, and others need lapping compound or professional service. Look for an alloy or heat-treated steel reel, and plan on a yearly check.
Match a Reel Mower to Your Garden or Yard
By Grass Type and Cut Height
Match the mower's height range to the height your grass wants.
| Lawn | Recommended pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Zoysia or Bermuda, kept short | Earthwise 1715-16EW 7-Blade Reel Mower | Cuts from 1/2 inch with seven blades |
| Fescue or bluegrass at 2.5 to 3 inches | Scotts 2000-20S 20 Inch Reel Mower | Reaches 3 inches |
| Mixed lawn, 2 to 2.75 inches | American Lawn Mower 1804-18 with Catcher | 1/2 to 2 3/4 inch range |
| Cut tuned by quarter inches | LawnMaster LMRM1801 18 Inch Reel Mower | Nine positions, 1.1 to 2.5 inches |
| Very short lawn, tiny yard | American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14 Inch | Cuts down to 1/2 inch for a very short lawn |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By Budget
Prices move a little, so these are bands.
| Price range | Recommended pick | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| $65 to $75 | EWORK 23 Inch Push Reel Mower | Five blades, four height settings |
| $80 to $85 | American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14 Inch | 19 pound compact reel |
| $90 to $95 | American Lawn Mower 1804-18 with Catcher | 18 inch cut and a catcher |
| $105 to $115 | LawnMaster LMRM1801 18 Inch Reel Mower | Nine height steps |
| $115 to $125 | Earthwise 1715-16EW 7-Blade Reel Mower | Seven blades, ball bearings |
| $145 to $150 | Scotts 2000-20S 20 Inch Reel Mower | Widest, tallest cut |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Fewer Blades vs More Blades
- Four to five blades
- Passes thicker stems and weeds without jamming and keeps the reel simpler. In this comparison: American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14 Inch, American Lawn Mower 1804-18 with Catcher, Scotts 2000-20S 20 Inch Reel Mower, LawnMaster LMRM1801 18 Inch Reel Mower and EWORK 23 Inch Push Reel Mower.
- Seven blades
- Gives a finer, more manicured cut on short, even turf, but can clog on coarse growth. In this comparison: Earthwise 1715-16EW 7-Blade Reel Mower.
Most buyers should start with five blades, led by the ALMC 18, unless the lawn is fine warm-season turf.
By Lawn Size
Width saves time on larger lawns.
| Lawn size | Recommended pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,000 sq ft | American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14 Inch | Light and easy to store |
| 1,000 to 3,000 sq ft | American Lawn Mower 1804-18 with Catcher | 18 inch path and a catcher |
| 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft | Scotts 2000-20S 20 Inch Reel Mower | 20 inch path means fewer passes |
| Short turf, any size | Earthwise 1715-16EW 7-Blade Reel Mower | Fine cut on low grass |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
For Weekly Mowers Specifically
- Look for
- A height range that includes your target, a width you can push comfortably, and a catcher if you do not mulch.
- In this comparison
- The American Lawn Mower 1804-18 with Catcher fits best, with its 2 3/4 inch ceiling and included catcher. The Scotts 2000-20S 20 Inch Reel Mower is the wider alternative.
When to Spend More
- Spend more if
- Your lawn is big or your grass is picky. The Scotts 2000-20S covers more ground and the Earthwise cuts finer.
- Save if
- The lawn is small and mowed weekly. The American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14 Inch or the EWORK is enough.
Before You Bring One Home
Can a reel mower cut tall grass?
Poorly. The reel needs grass short enough to feed in, and taller blades lay over. The ALMC 14 handles up to 4 inches, but mow weekly and remove no more than a third of the blade.
Which grass types suit reel mowers best?
Warm-season grasses cut short, such as Zoysia and Bermuda, suit them well. Cool-season fescue and bluegrass also work if the mower's range reaches 2 to 3 inches.
Does a reel mower need sharpening?
Yes, eventually. Dull blades tear grass and brown the tips. Some models sell with a hand sharpener, and others use lapping compound or professional service.
Why is the EWORK 23 inches wide but cuts 16?
The 23 inches is the maximum body width including the frame. The working cutting width is 16 inches.
Is a grass catcher worth having?
On a mower that mulches clippings back, no. If you want a tidy lawn or the grass is long, the ALMC 18 is the only pick here with one.
How does a reel handle sticks and weeds?
Sticks can jam the reel, and weeds with thick stems can stall low blade counts. Clear debris before each mow and consider a 4 or 5 blade reel for rough lawns.
Bottom Line
Best overall: American Lawn Mower 1804-18 with Catcher — best overall pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all reel mowers under $150 (2026) on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.