12 Inch Manual Lawn Mower, 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mowers Lawn Mower with 6 Gallons Grass Catcher for Picking Up Leaves, Grass, Driveways(Green) Review

Overview

This 12-inch manual reel mower from Gallons is a compact, budget-friendly push mower designed for tiny lawns, tight spaces, and homeowners who want a quiet, emissions-free cut. At $36.99 with a 6-gallon grass catcher, it’s aimed at those with small patches of grass—think under 1,000 square feet—who don’t want the hassle of gas, cords, or batteries. However, with a 2.6-star rating from just three reviews, it’s a product that demands cautious optimism.

Who Should Buy This

1. Apartment dwellers with tiny lawns or courtyards – If your “lawn” is more of a postage stamp (under 500 sq ft), this mower’s 12-inch cutting width and light weight make it easy to maneuver and store.
2. Eco-conscious homeowners seeking zero emissions – No gas, no oil, no battery disposal. You get a quiet, manual cut that’s perfect for early mornings without waking the neighbors.
3. Budget-first buyers – At $36.99, this is one of the cheapest mowers you’ll find. If you’re on a tight budget and only need to maintain a small, flat lawn, it’s hard to beat the price.
4. First-time reel mower users – Reel mowers have a learning curve. This low-cost model lets you test the waters without a big investment—just be ready for some trial and error.

Key Features Breakdown

12-Inch Cutting Width – This is a narrow cut. For context, a standard push mower is 20–22 inches. You’ll make more passes, so it’s only practical for very small lawns. But the narrow width also means it fits between tight garden beds or around obstacles.

5-Blade Reel System – More blades typically mean a finer cut, but here, the quality depends on blade sharpness and proper adjustment. Five blades on a 12-inch reel is overkill in theory—most 12-inch reels use 4 blades. This may indicate a design that’s harder to push or more prone to jamming.

6-Gallon Grass Catcher – That’s a decent capacity for a manual mower, roughly equivalent to a medium-sized trash bag. It clips onto the rear and collects clippings as you push, which is handy for bagging leaves or keeping your lawn tidy. However, on a 12-inch mower, this basket can drag on taller grass or uneven ground.

Green Steel Frame – The build is all steel, which is typical for budget reel mowers. It’s durable but heavy for its size (around 15–18 lbs). The green paint job is purely cosmetic.

No Motor, No Cords – This is a pure manual reel mower. You push, the blades spin. Simple, silent, and maintenance-free aside from occasional blade sharpening.

Pros

• Dead silent operation – You can mow at 6 AM without a peep. Neighbors, pets, and sleeping kids won’t even know you’re working.
• Zero fuel or electricity costs – No gas cans, no extension cords, no battery charging. Just push and go.
• Ultra-compact storage – The 12-inch width and foldable design mean it fits in a closet, under a bed, or in a car trunk. Ideal for apartment living.
• Light enough for most users – At roughly 16 pounds, it’s easy to lift, carry, and maneuver around flower beds or tight corners.
• Grass catcher works well on flat, dry grass – When conditions are right (short, dry grass), the 6-gallon basket catches clippings cleanly, reducing raking time.
• Price – $36.99 is cheaper than a nice dinner out. If you just need something to keep a tiny patch of grass in check, this is the cheapest way to do it.

Cons

• Terrible on tall or wet grass – Reel mowers need short, dry grass to cut cleanly. If your lawn gets over 3 inches or is damp, this mower will clog, skip, or leave ragged tips. Expect to mow twice a week in growing season.
• Narrow cutting width – At 12 inches, you’ll make three times as many passes as a standard mower. For anything larger than a 10x20 patch, this becomes tedious.
• Build quality concerns – With only three reviews and a 2.6 average, there are red flags. Buyers report blades dulling quickly, the reel binding, and the catcher falling off during use. This is a budget mower, not a heirloom tool.
• Poor on uneven ground – The 5-blade reel is sensitive to bumps. On lumpy soil or thick thatch, it bounces and misses patches, leaving a scruffy look.

Bottom Line

The Gallons 12-inch manual reel mower is a niche tool for a very specific buyer: someone with a tiny, flat, well-maintained lawn who wants the cheapest, quietest mowing experience possible. For under $40, it’ll work if your expectations are low and your grass is short. But if you have any ambition for a clean, even cut on a typical suburban lawn, skip this. The narrow width, poor performance on anything but perfect conditions, and questionable build quality make it a false economy. For a small yard, spend a bit more on a reputable brand like American Lawn Mower Company or Fiskars—you’ll get a mower that actually lasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does this mower work on thick St. Augustine or Bermuda grass?
A: Not well. Reel mowers work best on fine-bladed grasses like fescue or Kentucky bluegrass. Thick, coarse grasses will clog the blades and require frequent clearing. It’s also not recommended for St. Augustine, which needs a sharp, fast-spinning blade to avoid tearing.

Q: How do I sharpen the blades?
A: The blades are not user-serviceable without disassembly. You’ll need to remove the reel and use a sharpening kit or file. Expect to do this every 10–15 mows if you’re mowing regularly. For $36.99, many users just replace the whole mower when it dulls.

Q: Can I use this on a lawn with leaves and sticks?
A: Only if they’re very light and dry. The 5-blade reel will jam on twigs, acorns, or leaf clumps. The grass catcher will also fill up quickly with leaves. For leaf pickup, you’re better off with a rake or a dedicated leaf vacuum.