Reel vs Rotary Lawn Mowers // Pros and Cons, Cut Quality, How To Mow Low

What is a reel mower and what is a rotary mower and how do they different in the lawn? Today l'll show you the pros and cons to reel mowers aka cylinder mowers vs rotary lawn mowers and what situation you may want to use one over the other. I'll discuss cut quality with examples from both mowers as well as the process of how to transition your lawn to mowing low with a reel mower if you decide to go that route.


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[ryanknorrlawncare]

Ryan Knorr Lawn Care is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs below. An affiliate advertising program is designed to provide a means for sites and creators to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com or other product sites. I receive a small commission through these links.

[koomo]

As a veteran of using manual reel mowers on 419 Bermuda hybrids, I’d like to offer s few observations from my experiences:
1) when getting very low (1” and below) the lighter, less expensive reel mowers (such as the otherwise excellent Scott’s 20”) just don’t work well. Once your grass thickens up from the low cut, the mower (even the Scotts at its lowest setting of 1”) will bounce off the grass, making it necessary to go over areas repeatedly and from various angles.
2) heavier manual reel mowers add much needed momentum to the job, making hangups due to surface irregularities or super-dense areas a breeze to push through
3) the over all time to manual reel mow often vs using a typical 21” rotary less often will be about the same, the key difference is you can not afford to miss a manual mow by more than a day or two, making a rotary mower as a backup essential. With a higher quality, heavy manual reel mower, you can mow FAST. I typically sprint across the yard, and my mower never bounces, it just shreds through (it gets cuttings hitting my neck, but whatever)
4) the Fiskars is a great mower for the price but it will not get you down to 419 Bermuda low low levels
5) the $300+ 21” Mascot Silent Cut does sub-1/2” cuts with ease. It’ll eventually level your yard for you (by shaving off high spots). After one pass with it I realized it was worth the money (which is dirt cheap by rotary standards but around 3x the cost of the Scotts). It’s low scissor like cut changed the nature of my grass and had both neighbors and their lawn care professionals claiming that I had replaced my grass with something new. I can’t praise it enough. Takes me 30 min to do a very complex 4000 sq ft front yard and 20 min to do a 5000 sq ft simpler backyard (I sprint on the runs, like an offensive lineman hitting the practice skids). I’m 56 years old, fwiw.

[fabioarias]

I feel like having a great lawn is low key one of those super addictive things that goes under the radar.

[minoutv]

I’m so glad you made this video. This is what initially got me in trouble with my lawn many years ago. Having tall fescue and not aware of its proper cut height, I initially purchased a reel mower with a battery assist (Brill). I was trying to be more environmentally conscious, and I heard reel blades gave a better cut. Plus I thought the battery power was great. For a while I could cut it with this mower, but as time went on, it became increasingly difficult. Over time the lawn turned into a weed salad. I’m so grateful for this lawn care community. I have been watching your videos since the beginning of this year, and thanks to your advice, I’ve been able to turn this lawn around. 👍🏻

[ladytube]

Very good video. I've gone back to a reel mower. I don't want to use gas and oil anymore and I need and want the exercise using a reel mower.

[landmarkcreations]

I cannot thank you enough for all the great content. My yard is looking a hundred times better than it used to and I tell everyone about your channel when they ask about my lawn

[theonlybuzz]

Once the crappy weather is on it’s way out and the grass starts to finally grow, . I get into the mindset of mowing as I feel it’s getting too long, this in turn helps with my mindset and depression a lot. After watching thing I’m looking forward to seeing some more sunshine and a nicely cut lawn. Thanks for your show, you pass on tips and trick that I would have gotten from my grandfather who was a greens man for a local outside bowling club. Keep up the great work and I will keep looking forward to seeing some of your new videos...Phil in the UK 🇬🇧

[sO_RoNerY]

Reel all the way. No need to worry about gas, oil, tire replacement, belts, battery replacement..

[edwinmcc]

Thank you Ryan. I bought a manual mower and it worked just fine. . . I had to run over a few more passes and the outcome was excellent. . . I have saved myself of the running cost of these machines. . .

[laughitoff]

i like my reel mower. great channel by the way. anyway im not into a short grass look yet and the reel mower cuts extremely well. after using it i am amazed as to how even it cuts and takes the same amount of time if i had used a rotor mower. my opinion the rotor cant compete with the reel mower if you stay on top of your lawn mowing. i think i even hear my grass applaud and breath a sigh of relief when i use it.

[gardenmoose]

I’ve been watching everything you put out. I’m about one year behind you but benefiting from it all, keep It coming

[eduardojreis]

This video opened me to a whole new world. And also, made me understand some of my neighbors.

This video also made me realise that mowing is like shaving for some people. Imagine waking up at 6AM and starting mowing every day. XP

[canorth]

“If you mow infrequently like once a week.”

*laughs in Utah during a drought*

[MikkelKnudsen]

So inspiring to watch - I get addicted to these vids.
Initially I bought a Gardena Sileno Smart 500 - but just borrowed a AL-KO Gudenaa GU 400 from one of my friends - and what a cut! Dont think Im gonna keep my Gardena Sileno Smart 500, might as well gonna sell it again.
Cheers from Denmark!

[JimmyLewisMows]

The dethatching/power raking step is crucial. I had the same experience taking my front yard down. Made it so much easier. Feels much softer and more enjoyable to walk on after as well!

[grizzsoup]

Underrated video. For the novice, you presented great information between the different types of walk-behind mowers as well as their pros and cons. Great job as always Ryan!

[danieltillman]

Love the video! I got into reel mowing when I bought a townhouse. Front lawn is 270 sqft. House had a reel mower in the basement. I didn't want to store oil and gas and a rotary mower because space is at a premium. Reel it is and I love it!

[ReelLowDad]

I just finished the second mow on the front with the reel. Such a huge difference in quality of cut and the grass is responding better.

[BombedNevada]

But how do you keep the golfers off your lawn?

[LemonScentedSquid]

I'm so happy that I grabbed my fiskars 18 inch off marketplace. My fella was a little annoyed cuz I just bought a toro super recycled last year BUT I still use that on the backyard, and now I get to mow every day 💛💛💛