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Rotary vs. Cylinder vs. Reel Lawn Mowers - Which is Best

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Lawn mowing is an essential task for maintaining a beautiful and healthy lawn. It not only keeps the grass in shape but also helps to control the growth and spread of weeds. With so many options available in the market, it can be challenging to find the best lawn mower for your needs. In this article, we will focus on push reel lawn mowers, cylinder lawn mowers, manual lawn mowers and eco-friendly mowers that are designed to provide you with a green, eco-friendly and cost-effective option for maintaining your lawn.

Push Reel Lawn Mowers

Push reel lawn mowers are the simplest and most traditional type of lawn mower. They have no motor or engine, making them environmentally friendly and ideal for small lawns. They are also quiet and easy to use, making them a great option for those who want to avoid the noise and pollution of gas-powered mowers. The mower works by using a blade that rotates as you push it, cutting the grass as it goes. The best push reel lawn mowers are lightweight, easy to maneuver and have adjustable cutting heights to help you achieve the perfect lawn.

Rotary And Cylinder Lawn Mowers

Cylinder lawn mowers, also known as rotary mowers, are another eco-friendly option for lawn maintenance. They are powered by electricity or a rechargeable battery and work by rotating a cylinder of blades that chop the grass as it is pushed forward. Cylinder lawn mowers are ideal for medium to large lawns and are capable of handling tough terrain and tall grass. They are also quiet, making them suitable for use in residential areas, and they have adjustable cutting heights, which allow you to customize the length of the cut.

Manual Lawn Mowers

Manual lawn mowers are the traditional type of lawn mower, similar to push reel mowers but with a more complex design. They use a lever-operated mechanism to drive the blades and are powered by the user's physical effort. Manual lawn mowers are ideal for small to medium lawns and are great for those who prefer a more hands-on approach to lawn maintenance. They are also environmentally friendly and cost-effective, making them a great option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint.

Eco-Friendly Mowers

Eco-friendly mowers are designed to minimize the environmental impact of lawn maintenance. They use rechargeable batteries or electricity instead of gasoline, reducing the carbon footprint of the mowing process. Eco-friendly mowers are also typically quieter than gas-powered mowers, making them ideal for residential areas. They come in a variety of styles, including push reel, cylinder, and manual, and are suitable for small to large lawns.

After checking out these lawn mowers, if you're trying to make your lawn top notch checkout our Best Lawn Fertilizers guide. If you are looking to blow some leaves or lawn clippings checkout Best Leaf Blowers. If you're in the market for a Weed Eater too, checkout the Best Weed Eaters. If you have a green thumb and looking to get the perfect watering for your plants checkout our soil moisture meter guide. Or maybe you're ready to automate some of your lawn care needs checkout The Best Robot Lawn Mowers to Help You Avoid Mowing the Lawn.

Top Rated Lawn Mowers

Best Value Push Reel Mower

Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower photo
4.4 stars, 7054 reviews

The Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is an excellent option for those looking for an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for maintaining their lawn. The mower has a compact 18-inch cutting width, making it suitable for small to medium-sized lawns. The five-blade reel is designed to provide a precise cut, and the adjustable cutting height allows you to customize the length of the cut to your liking.

One of the standout features of this mower is its ease of use. It is lightweight and easy to maneuver, making it a great option for those who prefer a hands-on approach to lawn maintenance. The mower is also very quiet, making it ideal for use in residential areas.

Another advantage of the Great States 815-18 mower is its environmentally friendly design. It has no motor or engine, which means that it doesn't produce any emissions or require any fuel. This makes it a great option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint and minimize the environmental impact of lawn maintenance.

In terms of build quality, the Great States 815-18 mower is well-made and durable. The frame is made of sturdy steel, and the blades are sharp and long-lasting. The mower is also easy to maintain, with the blades being easy to sharpen or replace if necessary.

Overall, the Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is an excellent choice for those looking for an eco-friendly, cost-effective and low-maintenance solution for maintaining their lawn. Whether you have a small or medium-sized lawn, this mower is sure to provide you with the precise cut you need to keep your lawn looking its best.

Best Budget Push Reel Lawn Mower

American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower photo
4.4 stars, 2571 reviews

The American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is a great option for eco-friendly and cost-effective lawn maintenance. Its compact 14-inch cutting width makes it suitable for small lawns and the five-blade reel provides a precise cut. The cutting height is adjustable to suit your preferences.

This mower is lightweight and easy to maneuver, making it a great option for those who prefer hands-on lawn maintenance. Additionally, it operates quietly, making it ideal for use in residential areas.

The mower is environmentally friendly, as it has no motor or engine and produces no emissions or requires any fuel. It is a great option for reducing carbon footprint and minimizing the environmental impact of lawn maintenance.

The build quality of the American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14 is strong and durable, with a sturdy steel frame and sharp, long-lasting blades. It is also easy to maintain, with blades that can be sharpened or replaced easily if necessary.

In conclusion, the American Lawn Mower Company 1304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is a great choice for eco-friendly, cost-effective and low-maintenance lawn maintenance. Whether you have a small lawn, this mower will provide you with a precise cut to keep your lawn looking its best.

Best Value Cylinder Lawn Mower

Gardena 4018 Silent Cylinder Lawn Mower 22x14x47 cm photo
4.4 stars, 1185 reviews

The Gardena 4018 Silent Cylinder Lawn Mower is a top-of-the-line option for those looking for a powerful, efficient and eco-friendly solution for maintaining their lawn. The mower is equipped with a durable cylinder blade that provides a clean, precise cut and its adjustable cutting height allows you to customize the length of the cut to your liking.

One of the standout features of this mower is its quiet operation. It is designed to operate at a low noise level, making it ideal for use in residential areas without disturbing your neighbors. The mower is also easy to maneuver, thanks to its lightweight design and ergonomic handle.

The Gardena 4018 mower is also environmentally friendly, as it is powered by manual energy, with no emissions or fuel requirements. This makes it a great option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint and minimize the environmental impact of lawn maintenance.

In terms of build quality, the Gardena 4018 is made of high-quality materials that are built to last. The mower is designed to be sturdy and durable, with a compact design that is easy to store when not in use. The blade is made of hardened steel, ensuring that it stays sharp and performs at its best for a long time.

Overall, the Gardena 4018 Silent Cylinder Lawn Mower is an excellent choice for those looking for a powerful, efficient and eco-friendly solution for maintaining their lawn. Whether you have a small or large lawn, this mower is sure to provide you with the precise cut you need to keep your lawn looking its best.

Best Overall Reel Push Lawn Mower

Fiskars 362050-1001 StaySharp Max Reel Push Lawn Mower photo
4.3 stars, 2028 reviews

The Fiskars 362050-1001 StaySharp Max Reel Push Lawn Mower is an excellent choice for those looking for the best overall reel push lawn mower. With its 18-inch cutting width, this mower is suitable for small to medium-sized lawns and its five-blade reel provides a precise and efficient cut.

One of the standout features of this mower is its StaySharp cutting system, which eliminates the need for manual blade sharpening, saving time and effort. The cutting height is adjustable, allowing you to customize the length of the cut to your liking.

The mower is also eco-friendly, powered only by manual energy and producing no emissions or requiring any fuel. This makes it a great option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint and minimize the environmental impact of lawn maintenance.

In terms of build quality, the Fiskars 362050-1001 is built to last. The mower is designed with a sturdy steel frame and is made of high-quality materials that are built to withstand the rigors of daily use. The ergonomic handle makes it easy to maneuver, and the compact design makes it easy to store when not in use.

Overall, the Fiskars 362050-1001 StaySharp Max Reel Push Lawn Mower is an excellent choice for those looking for the best overall reel push lawn mower. It offers a precise cut, efficient operation and eco-friendly power, making it a great choice for those who want to keep their lawn looking its best.

Best Rotary Mower

Swift 2 x 40V 15" Cordless Brushless Lawn Mower photo
4 stars, 405 reviews

The Swift 2 x 40V 15" Cordless Brushless Lawn Mower is an outstanding choice for those looking for the best rotary mower. This cordless mower offers the convenience of a traditional gas-powered mower without the hassle of cords or the environmental impact of emissions.

One of the standout features of this mower is its powerful brushless motor, which provides efficient and quiet operation. The 15-inch cutting width makes it suitable for small to medium-sized lawns, and the central height adjustment allows you to easily adjust the cutting height to your preference.

In addition, the Swift 2 x 40V mower offers the option of either mulching or catching the grass clippings, providing versatility in your lawn maintenance. The two included 40V batteries provide extended run time, so you can complete your lawn maintenance without the need to stop and recharge.

The mower is also designed with user comfort in mind, featuring an ergonomic handle and lightweight design for easy maneuverability. The compact design makes it easy to store when not in use, and the included charger ensures that your batteries are always ready for use.

Overall, the Swift 2 x 40V 15" Cordless Brushless Lawn Mower is an excellent choice for those looking for the best rotary mower. With its efficient and quiet operation, powerful brushless motor, and eco-friendly design, this mower is sure to provide you with the precise cut you need to keep your lawn looking its best.

Best Manual Reel Mower

Sun Joe MJ500M 16-Inch Manual Reel Mower photo
3.6 stars, 2927 reviews

The Sun Joe MJ500M 16-Inch Manual Reel Mower is a great choice for those looking for a reliable and eco-friendly option for lawn maintenance. With its manual operation, this mower requires no fuel or electricity, making it a great choice for those looking to minimize their environmental impact.

One of the standout features of this mower is its adjustable cutting height, which allows you to customize the length of the cut to your preference. The six steel blades provide a precise and efficient cut, and the 6.6-gallon removable grass catcher makes it easy to dispose of the clippings.

In terms of design, the Sun Joe MJ500M is built to last. The mower is constructed with a sturdy steel frame and is designed for ease of use, with two wheels for easy maneuverability. The compact design makes it easy to store when not in use, and the ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to use for extended periods of time.

Overall, the Sun Joe MJ500M 16-Inch Manual Reel Mower is an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable and eco-friendly option for lawn maintenance. With its precise cut, efficient operation, and easy maneuverability, this mower is sure to provide you with the results you need to keep your lawn looking its best.

In conclusion, push reel lawn mowers, cylinder lawn mowers, manual lawn mowers, and eco-friendly mowers are all great options for maintaining your lawn in an eco-friendly and cost-effective way. When choosing a lawn mower, consider the size of your lawn, the type of terrain, and your personal preferences. With the right mower, you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy lawn that is kind to the environment.

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