The Retro Lawn Tool That's Making A Comeback (8 Modern Models To Try)

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

While nostalgia and memories play a large role in what we find stylish and how we go about our daily tasks, not everything retro is worth reviving. There are plenty of popular design trends from years ago that should stay in the past, and modern tech has made everything from daily communication to doing the laundry more convenient. With that being said, there's an undeniable appeal to items that don't require a software update or charging to use. Low-tech products and lifestyle choices are trending as a response to customers feeling overwhelmed by items and routines that rely too heavily on the latest innovations.

After having to deal with the planned obsolescence of modern devices, making a house a smart home is feeling less appealing to many. If you fall into this camp, it might be time to stop looking around for the most reliable robot lawn mower and instead try sticking to the classics. Reel lawn mowers, also known as push mowers, manual lawn mowers, or cylinder mowers, are trending once again, nearly 200 years after they were first patented in the United Kingdom. These mowers feature two spinning blades attached to wheels and a handle. As you push the mower, the blades spin, trimming down the grass in their path.

It's a simple design that might be more labor-intensive than something assisted by electricity or gas. However, reel lawn mowers are reliable, manual, and don't cost as much upfront as powered mowers. With proper maintenance, you could use the same push mower for decades. If you're looking to take the retro path to lawn care, we've rounded up a few popular, highly rated, and affordable options. You can buy them all today, and they'll help you get the job done without any frills.

If you want something that won't break the bank, has a simple design, and is easy to use, the Great States Hand Reel 14-Inch Push Lawn Mower might be for you. Retailing for just under $90, this mower is a lightweight design that's made of durable metal. The blade height can be adjusted from ½ inch to 1¾ inch, giving you the chance to customize your cut, and the blades can be sharpened as needed. Customers on Amazon are fans, giving it 4.3 stars and noting that it's a very lightweight machine.

Fiskars is well-known for its sharp blades, though you might be more likely to associate them with scissors than lawn mowers. It turns out that the manufacturing technology transfers surprisingly well. This Fiskars 17-Inch Cut Mower is a bit more expensive than some other push options at just under $215, but the model makes up for it with brand reliability, large blades, and increased cutting power. According to Fiskars, this mower is 30% easier to push and has 50% more cutting power than competitor machines. Amazon reviewers seem to agree, giving it 4.2 stars.

If you want a push mower that guarantees easier cleanup, look for a model with a grass catcher, like this American Lawn Mower Company 16-Inch 7-Blade Reel Mower for about $141. As you push the mower across the lawn, clippings collect in the bag behind the blades, giving you the chance to trash or compost your yard waste with little hassle. Customer reviewers seem pleased with this product, giving it 4.2 stars across over 22,000 ratings and stating that it provides clean, consistent cuts.

When you're having to use all of your own force to power a lawn mower, finding an option with a wide cutting area can help to reduce your effort. This Great States 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is slightly larger than most options, allowing you to knock out your entire lawn in just a few passes. Despite its heft, it's a similar price to other mowers at about $116. Reviewers praise this model's efficiency, cut quality, and maneuverability, giving it 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

This Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is another cost-effective option that delivers all the functionality you need for around $91. With a lightweight design, sharp blades, and the ability to adjust your cut height, this mower is a simple machine that gets the job done without fuss. Reviewers seem to agree, giving it 4.2 stars across more than 2,600 ratings. Many mention that this mower is great for those with small yards, though some say it had issues cutting thick grass.

If you're willing to splurge a bit on your mower purchase, consider checking out the Fiskars 18-Inch Push Mower (though, of course, just about any reel mower will cost less than powered alternatives). At almost $267, it's definitely on the pricier side, but the addition of a reversible grass chute, the many cut height settings, and a cutting system that ensures blades stay sharper for longer helps explain the higher cost. Reviewers seem satisfied with their purchase, giving this mower a respectable 4.2-star average across over 3,000 ratings on Amazon.

Another option that makes cleanup easy is the American Lawn Mower Company 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher. It's about middle-of-the-road price-wise at close to $129, is easy to maneuver at 14 inches wide, and has five sharp blades on its reel. If you're looking for something reliable to trim a small lawn, it has you covered. Plus, you can collect and dump the grass clippings right away. Reviewers on Amazon have given this model 4.2 stars across over 22,000 ratings.

When shopping around, you'll find that most reel mowers have either four or five blades. This is great for regular use — fewer blades means less weight and easier pushing. But if you want ultra-precise or low cuts, more blades are better. This almost $130 Earthwise 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is perfect for those pursuing a clean, crisp look to their freshly mowed lawn. Reviewers say that this lawn mower delivers a smooth cut but is still easy to push; it boasts a 4.2-star rating on Amazon.

Reel mowers have a simple design, but that doesn't mean there aren't duds out there. To ensure we're only recommending products that are useful, good value, and well-tested, we followed a few rules. First up, the ratings: we only considered products for inclusion in this list that had at least 4 stars. In fact, everything we picked scored 4.2 stars or above. Additionally, we selected mowers that had plenty of ratings to guarantee that we got a well-rounded impression from a wide variety of customers. Every listed mower has a minimum of 1,500 ratings, but several climbed well into the tens of thousands.

We didn't just consider the numbers, though. For each mower, we looked at specific reviews to see if there were any consistent issues with the product that customers were flagging. There are several common issues people have with reel lawn mowers that are inherent to their design: they're not great for cutting tall grass, they're a bit of a workout to push, and they can be exhausting to use on large lawns. While these are important issues to keep in mind, we narrowed the focus to product-specific flaws, like dull blades or frequent clogs. We also avoided mowers that seemed to consistently disappoint, even when expectations were properly managed.

Finally, there's the issue of functionality. Reel mowers don't typically come with a lot of bells and whistles, but there are a few choices you need to make when deciding on a product. Everyone's lawn and product preferences are different, so we did our best to include options with and without grass catchers, of different sizes, and with different numbers of blades to make sure this list included something that would fit just about everyone's needs. We also varied the price points.