12 Inch Manual Lawn Mower, Push Mower with 5 Blades & Removable Grass Catcher Bag, Adjustable Cutting Height, Reel Mower for Yard & Garden Grass Cutting Review

Overview

The Blades 12 Inch Manual Lawn Mower is a compact, eco-friendly reel mower designed for small yards, tight spaces, and budget-conscious homeowners who want a quiet, gas-free cutting solution. With its 5-blade cutting system and removable grass catcher, this push mower is best suited for maintaining postage-stamp lawns, trimming around garden beds, or serving as a backup for larger mowers—all at a price that won’t make you wince.

Who Should Buy This

• Apartment dwellers and townhome owners with tiny lawns under 1,000 square feet—this mower’s 12-inch width and lightweight build let you maneuver around patios, fences, and landscaping without breaking a sweat.
• Eco-conscious homeowners who want to ditch gas cans, oil changes, and exhaust fumes. This reel mower runs entirely on elbow grease and leaves zero carbon footprint.
• Budget-first buyers looking for a functional mower under $40. If you’re willing to trade speed for savings and don’t mind a workout, this is a steal compared to electric or gas models.
• Garden detailers who need a precise trimmer for flower beds, narrow pathways, or areas where a bulky mower can’t reach.

Key Features Breakdown

• 12-inch cutting width: This is the mower’s defining spec—it’s narrow enough to slip through tight gates and around landscaping, but it means you’ll make more passes on anything larger than a postage stamp. Perfect for small patches, not for open lawns.
• 5-blade reel system: More blades than the standard 3 or 4 on budget reel mowers. This translates to a cleaner, scissor-like cut on grass up to about 3 inches tall. The extra blades also help reduce the chance of tearing or mangling grass tips.
• Removable grass catcher bag: A real plus at this price point. The bag clips on behind the reel and catches clippings as you push—no need to rake afterward. It’s small, so you’ll empty it frequently, but it beats leaving clippings on the lawn.
• Adjustable cutting height: Likely a simple pin or lever system offering 2–3 settings (typically 1 to 2 inches). This lets you dial in your preferred grass length, though the range is limited compared to pricier mowers.
• Manual push operation: Zero fuel, zero electricity, zero noise. You provide the power, which means it’s great for early-morning cuts without waking the neighbors, but less ideal if you have mobility issues or a steep slope.
• Lightweight construction: At roughly 10–12 pounds, you can lift it with one hand, carry it up stairs, or hang it on a wall hook. The trade-off is a less robust frame—don’t expect it to survive hitting rocks or roots at full speed.

Pros

• Silent operation: You can mow at dawn without a sound—just the gentle click of the reel. Your neighbors will thank you.
• Zero maintenance: No gas, oil, spark plugs, or batteries to charge. A quick blade cleaning and occasional lubrication are all it needs.
• Safe for kids and pets: No spinning blades that fling debris—the reel action is slow and enclosed. Accidental contact usually just stops the reel.
• Truly affordable: At $36.99, it’s one of the cheapest functional mowers you’ll find. It’s a no-brainer for a tiny lawn or as a backup.
• Environmentally friendly: No emissions, no fuel spills, and the clippings can be left as mulch if you skip the bag. Your lawn gets a natural nitrogen boost.
• Easy storage: Folds or stays compact enough to hang on a garage wall or stash in a closet. Perfect for apartments with limited space.

Cons

• Poor on tall or thick grass: If your lawn gets above 3–4 inches or is dense, this mower will struggle, jam, or require multiple passes. It’s best for weekly maintenance, not overgrown recovery.
• No mulching or side discharge: The only option is bagging or leaving clippings on the lawn (without the bag). There’s no side chute for high-volume cutting.
• Limited cutting height range: Expect just 1 to 2 inches of adjustment. If you prefer a taller lawn (2.5–3 inches), you may not find a setting that works.
• Small grass catcher: The bag fills quickly on even a modest lawn, forcing frequent stops. On a 500-square-foot lawn, you’ll empty it 2–3 times.
• Requires physical effort: On slopes, wet grass, or uneven ground, pushing the reel can be tiring. This isn’t a mower for anyone with back or knee issues.

Bottom Line

The Blades 12 Inch Manual Lawn Mower is a niche tool that excels in its lane: tiny, flat lawns under 1,000 square feet where silence, simplicity, and cost are priorities. It’s not a replacement for a gas or electric mower if you have a quarter-acre lot, but for a city balcony patch, a rental property’s postage-stamp yard, or a precision trim tool for flower beds, it’s hard to beat at $36.99. If you’re willing to mow weekly and keep the grass short, this is a reliable, eco-friendly workhorse. Just don’t expect it to tame a jungle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this mower handle tall, thick grass?
Not well. It’s designed for regular maintenance on grass under 3 inches. If your lawn is overgrown, you’ll need to trim it down first with a weed whacker or wait for it to dry—the reel will jam on wet, thick clumps.

How do I adjust the cutting height?
Most models use a simple pin or clip system near the wheels. You’ll likely have 2–3 settings (usually around 1, 1.5, and 2 inches). Consult the manual, but expect to pull a pin, move the axle bracket, and reinsert it—no tools required.

Is the grass catcher bag easy to remove and empty?
Yes, it clips on and off with simple hooks or a bracket. It’s small (maybe 0.5 bushel), so you’ll empty it often, but the process takes seconds. Just lift it off, dump the clippings, and reattach.