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Photo illustration: Push mower vs reel mower for grass cutting
A push mower typically uses a motor to cut grass quickly and with minimal effort, making it ideal for larger lawns, while a reel mower relies on manual power and sharp blades to provide a precise, eco-friendly cut that promotes healthier grass growth. Your choice depends on factors such as lawn size, environmental concerns, and desired maintenance level. Discover more about which mower suits your lawn's needs by reading the rest of the article.
Table of Comparison
| Feature | Push Mower | Reel Mower |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting Mechanism | Rotary blades spinning horizontally | Helical blades shearing like scissors |
| Power Source | Gas or electric motor | Manual, human-powered |
| Grass Health | May tear grass blades, causing stress | Cuts cleanly, promotes healthier grass |
| Noise Level | Moderate to loud | Quiet operation |
| Maintenance | Requires blade sharpening, engine upkeep | Simple blade sharpening, minimal upkeep |
| Ideal Lawn Size | Medium to large lawns | Small to medium lawns |
| Environmental Impact | Emits pollutants if gas-powered | Eco-friendly, zero emissions |
| Cost | Higher initial and upkeep costs | Lower initial and maintenance costs |
Introduction to Push Mowers and Reel Mowers
Push mowers are gasoline or electric-powered machines that cut grass using rotating blades, offering efficiency and ease of use for medium to large lawns. Reel mowers use a set of helical blades that spin as the mower is pushed forward, providing a precise, eco-friendly cut ideal for small, well-maintained grass areas. The choice between push and reel mowers depends on lawn size, maintenance preferences, and environmental considerations.
How Push Mowers Work
Push mowers operate by using a gasoline engine or electric motor to power rotating blades that cut grass as the user pushes the mower forward. The engine-driven blades spin rapidly, slicing through grass evenly, while the user provides manual forward motion to guide the mower. This design contrasts with reel mowers, which rely entirely on manual pushing to rotate cylindrical blades that shear grass against a stationary bedknife.
How Reel Mowers Work
Reel mowers cut grass using a helical blade that spins vertically against a fixed bed knife, creating a scissor-like cutting action that results in a clean and precise trim. This design relies entirely on manual pushing power to rotate the blades, making reel mowers eco-friendly and low-maintenance compared to powered alternatives. Ideal for well-maintained lawns, reel mowers are effective at cutting healthy grass without tearing or bruising the blades, promoting better grass health.
Cutting Performance: Push Mower vs Reel Mower
Push mowers deliver consistent cutting performance for large lawns, powered by gasoline or electric engines that handle thick, tall grass with ease. Reel mowers rely on a scissor-like blade action, providing a clean, precise cut ideal for short, well-maintained grass but require more effort on dense or uneven terrain. Cutting performance of a push mower excels in efficiency and power, while reel mowers prioritize grass health by reducing blade tearing and preserving turf quality.
Lawn Health and Grass Quality Comparison
Push mowers provide consistent cutting power ideal for larger lawns but can stress grass if blades are dull, leading to uneven cuts and potential lawn damage. Reel mowers offer precise, scissor-like cuts that promote healthier grass by reducing tearing and preserving blade integrity, enhancing lawn density and color vibrancy. Maintaining sharp blades on reel mowers supports optimal photosynthesis and root development, resulting in superior overall grass quality compared to push mowers.
Ease of Use and Maneuverability
Push mowers offer greater ease of use with engine power reducing physical effort, making them ideal for larger lawns and uneven terrain. Reel mowers provide superior maneuverability with lightweight design and sharper blades, allowing precise cutting in tight spaces and around obstacles. For users prioritizing effortless operation and handling, push mowers excel, while reel mowers suit those seeking detailed, environmentally friendly trimming.
Maintenance Requirements: Push Mower vs Reel Mower
Reel mowers demand minimal maintenance, requiring occasional blade sharpening and simple cleaning, making them ideal for eco-conscious gardeners. Push mowers involve more upkeep, including engine oil changes, spark plug replacements, and air filter cleaning, especially for gas-powered models. Battery-powered push mowers reduce maintenance tasks but still require periodic battery charging and blade care to ensure optimal performance.
Environmental Impact and Noise Levels
Reel mowers generate zero emissions since they require no fuel or electricity, making them an eco-friendly choice for grass cutting. Push mowers, particularly gas-powered models, emit greenhouse gases and contribute to air pollution, while electric push mowers reduce emissions but still consume electricity. Noise levels for reel mowers are significantly lower, producing almost no noise, whereas gas-powered push mowers can exceed 90 decibels, impacting both human health and wildlife.
Cost and Long-Term Value
Push mowers typically have a lower initial cost, ranging from $100 to $300, making them an affordable option for small to medium lawns. Reel mowers, while often priced between $50 and $150, offer superior long-term value due to minimal maintenance needs and no fuel or electricity expenses. Over time, reel mowers prove more economical by reducing repairs, replacement blade costs, and environmental impact, especially for well-maintained, flat lawn areas.
Which Should You Choose: Push Mower or Reel Mower?
Push mowers offer powerful, motorized grass cutting ideal for larger lawns and uneven terrain, providing efficiency and ease of use. Reel mowers deliver eco-friendly, quiet, and precise cutting for smaller, well-maintained lawns, promoting healthier grass by using a scissor-like blade action. Choose a push mower for convenience and speed on bigger yards, or a reel mower for sustainability and fine trimming on smaller, flat areas.
Important Terms
Manual propulsion
Push mowers use a gas or electric engine for propulsion and greater power, while reel mowers rely on manual propulsion, offering quieter operation and eco-friendly lawn care.
Cylinder blades
Cylinder blades on reel mowers provide precise, clean cuts ideal for fine turf, while push mowers typically use rotary blades that may tear grass, affecting lawn health.
Rotating reel
A reel mower features a rotating helical blade that slices grass cleanly, providing a sharper and healthier cut compared to the scissor-like action of a push mower's fixed blade.
Scissor action cut
Push mowers and reel mowers both use a scissor action cut, but reel mowers provide a cleaner, more precise cut that promotes healthier grass growth compared to push mowers with rotary blades.
Grass clipping discharge
Push mowers typically discharge grass clippings through a side or rear chute, enabling mulching or bagging options, whereas reel mowers finely cut and leave clippings evenly distributed on the lawn, promoting natural fertilization without the need for collection.
Cutting width
Push mowers typically offer wider cutting widths ranging from 18 to 22 inches, while reel mowers generally provide narrower cutting widths between 12 to 16 inches, making push mowers more efficient for larger lawns.
Height adjustment
Push mowers typically offer adjustable height settings via lever mechanisms for versatile grass cutting, while reel mowers provide manual height adjustment that allows precise control but requires physical effort.
Eco-friendly mowing
Push mowers and reel mowers offer eco-friendly grass cutting options by eliminating emissions, with reel mowers providing a quieter, maintenance-free alternative that relies solely on manual power for sustainable lawn care.
Turf maintenance
Push mowers provide efficient turf maintenance with motorized power for larger lawns, while reel mowers offer precise, eco-friendly cutting ideal for maintaining healthy, fine grass turf on smaller, well-manicured areas.
Low-noise operation
Push mowers typically generate higher noise levels due to motorized engines, while reel mowers offer low-noise operation by using manual blade rotation ideal for quiet grass cutting.