Earthwise 1314-14EW 14" 5-Blade Economy Reel Mower Review
By the Mowers.Cloud editorial team · How we research & rate · Updated June 2026
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The Earthwise 1314-14EW is a 14-inch, 5-blade reel mower designed for homeowners with small, flat lawns who want a quiet, zero-emission alternative to gas or electric mowers. Priced at just $109.99, it’s one of the most affordable reel mowers on the market, ideal for those who enjoy a light workout while mowing and don’t mind skipping the engine noise and fuel costs.
Who Should Buy This
- Apartment dwellers or townhouse owners with tiny lawns – If your grass patch is under 1,500 square feet, this mower is a perfect, space-saving fit. It folds flat for easy storage in a closet or garage.
- Eco-conscious homeowners who hate gas cans – You want zero emissions, no oil changes, and no extension cords. This mower runs on pure leg power, making it a guilt-free, quiet choice.
- Budget buyers looking for a sub-$120 mower – At $109.99, it’s one of the cheapest reel mowers available, ideal if you’re testing the reel-mowing waters without a big investment.
- Homeowners with flat, well-maintained lawns – This mower struggles on slopes and tall, neglected grass. If you mow weekly and your yard is mostly level, it will deliver clean, scissor-like cuts.
Key Features Breakdown
14-inch cutting width – This is narrow, even by reel mower standards. It means more passes to cover your lawn, but it also makes the mower extremely light (around 15 pounds) and easy to maneuver around flower beds and tight corners. Best for postage-stamp-sized yards.
5-blade reel – More blades generally mean a finer cut, and here the five blades produce a surprisingly clean, golf-course-style finish on grass up to about 3 inches tall. The trade-off: more blades also mean more resistance, so pushing requires a bit more effort than a 3- or 4-blade reel mower.
Economy design – This means no bells or whistles. There’s no grass catcher, no height adjustment lever on the wheels (you adjust by repositioning bolts), and no ball bearings in the wheels. It’s bare-bones, which keeps the price low but sacrifices convenience.
Lightweight build (approx. 15 lbs) – You can easily lift it over a curb, carry it to a shed, or flip it over for cleaning. This is a major plus for anyone who dreads wrestling a heavy mower.
Height adjustment via bolts – You loosen two nuts on each side, slide the wheel bracket to one of three preset positions, then retighten. It works, but it’s slower and more fiddly than a lever system. Expect to spend a few minutes if you want to change cutting height mid-season.
Pros
- Dead quiet – The only sound is the gentle whir of blades spinning. You can mow at 6 AM without waking the neighbors.
- Zero fuel or electricity costs – No gas, no oil, no extension cords, no charging. Just push and go.
- Excellent cut quality on short grass – The five blades give a clean, scissor-like cut that’s healthier for your lawn than a gas mower’s tearing action.
- Lightweight and easy to store – At 15 pounds, it’s one of the lightest reel mowers around. It folds flat for hanging on a wall or tucking under a bench.
- Low maintenance – No engine to tune, no spark plugs to replace, no battery to degrade. Just keep the blades clean and occasionally apply light oil to the reel bearings.
- Great value for the price – At $109.99, it outperforms many similarly priced gas or electric mowers in terms of cut quality on small, flat lawns.
Cons
- No grass catcher – You’ll be raking or bagging clippings by hand, or you can leave them on the lawn as mulch (which works fine if you mow frequently).
- Struggles with tall or thick grass – If you let your lawn get above 4 inches, this mower will choke, skip, or just push grass over. It’s strictly for weekly mowing.
- Fiddly height adjustment – The bolt-and-bracket system is slow and requires tools. If you change cutting height often, you’ll find it frustrating.
- Not for slopes or uneven ground – The wheelbase is small, and the mower lacks the weight to climb hills. It’s strictly for flat, smooth lawns.
Bottom Line
The Earthwise 1314-14EW is a solid, budget-friendly reel mower for anyone with a small, flat lawn who values quiet, eco-friendly operation and a clean cut. It’s not for large yards, thick grass, or slopes, and the lack of a grass catcher and fiddly height adjustment mean it’s a bit spartan. But if you have a postage-stamp lawn and want to mow in peace without opening a gas can or dragging a cord, this mower delivers excellent value. I’d recommend it without hesitation for townhouse owners, renters, or anyone dipping a toe into the reel-mowing world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can this mower cut tall grass?
A: Not well. It’s designed for grass up to about 3–4 inches tall. If your lawn is overgrown, you’ll need to trim it down with a string trimmer first or wait until after a rain when grass is softer. For best results, mow weekly.
Q: How do I sharpen the blades?
A: Reel mower blades can be sharpened with a lapping compound (a gritty paste) applied to the reel while you spin it backward. It’s a simple DIY job every season or two. You can also remove the reel and take it to a sharpening service.
Q: Does it work on Bermuda or St. Augustine grass?
A: It works best on thin-bladed grasses like fescue, rye, or bluegrass. Bermuda is doable if you keep it short, but St. Augustine’s thick, wide blades often get crushed rather than cut cleanly. If you have St. Augustine, look for a power mower.
How It Compares
Here is a head-to-head comparison of the two products you listed.
Quick Verdict
The Gorilla Carts Poly Garden Dump Cart wins overall because it is a highly rated, functional utility cart, while the Earthwise is a budget reel mower—these products serve entirely different purposes, and the Gorilla Cart is far more versatile for general yard work.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Earthwise 1314-14EW | Gorilla Carts Poly Dump Cart |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.99 | $129.99 |
| Power Source | Manual (push power) | Manual (tow/pull power) |
| Cutting Width | 14 inches | N/A (4 cu ft tub capacity) |
| Self-Propelled | No | No (requires tow vehicle or manual pull) |
| Best Yard Size | Under 1/4 acre, flat, fine grass | Any size (for hauling debris, mulch, tools) |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | 1-year limited |
Where Earthwise Wins
- Actual Grass Cutting: This is its only job, and it does it without gas, cords, or batteries. For a small, flat lawn with thin grass (Bermuda, Zoysia), it provides a clean, scissor-like cut that is healthier for the grass than a rotary mower.
- Zero Emissions & Near-Silent Operation: It is completely manual. You can mow early morning or late evening without disturbing neighbors, and there are zero fuel or electricity costs over its lifetime.
- Lightweight & Simple Storage: At roughly 15–20 lbs, it is easy to hang on a garage wall or store in a small shed. It has no engine, belts, or spark plugs to maintain—just occasional blade sharpening.
Where Gorilla Wins
- Overwhelming Versatility: This is not a mower; it is a heavy-duty utility cart. It can haul 600 lbs of soil, stone, firewood, tools, or yard waste. It is far more useful for the majority of landscaping tasks than a manual reel mower.
- Customer Trust & Ratings: With 30,488 reviews and a 4.7/5 star rating, it has a massive, proven track record of durability. The Earthwise, while decent, has a smaller sample size and lower overall score (4.2/5).
- Superior Build for Heavy Work: The cart features a poly tub that won’t rust or dent, pneumatic tires (air-filled) for easy rolling over rough terrain, and a quick-release dump mechanism. It is designed to handle serious loads, whereas the Earthwise is designed for light, precision cutting only.
Which Should You Buy?
- Buy Mower A (Earthwise) if: You have a very small, flat lawn (under 1/4 acre) with fine grass, you want the quietest, most environmentally friendly option, and you are on a strict budget. It is a niche tool for a specific, small-scale job.
- Buy Mower B (Gorilla Cart) if: You need to move heavy loads around your yard or garden—soil, mulch, rocks, firewood, or tools. This is a workhorse for landscaping, gardening, and general property maintenance. It is not a mower, but it is infinitely more useful for the vast majority of homeowners.
- Buy Neither if: You need to cut a medium-to-large lawn (over 1/4 acre) or a lawn with thick, tall, or uneven grass. In that case, buy a gas or electric self-propelled rotary mower. The Earthwise will struggle, and the Gorilla Cart won’t cut grass at all.
Quick Verdict
The WORX cordless string trimmer wins for versatility and ease of use, but the Earthwise reel mower is better for eco-conscious buyers with small, flat lawns seeking a precise, manual cut.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Earthwise 1314-14EW | WORX WG163 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.99 | $89.99 |
| Power Source | Manual (push reel) | 20V cordless battery |
| Cutting Width | 14 inches | 12 inches (string) |
| Self-Propelled | No | No (but lightweight) |
| Best Yard Size | Up to 1/4 acre | Small yards, trimming only |
| Warranty | 1 year limited | 3 years limited |
Where Earthwise Wins
1. Zero Operating Costs & Emissions
The Earthwise reel mower requires no gas, oil, electricity, or batteries. It produces zero emissions and noise pollution, making it ideal for early-morning mowing or environmentally sensitive areas. Over its lifetime, you save on fuel and battery replacements.
2. Precision Cutting for Small, Flat Lawns
With five hardened steel blades and a 14-inch cutting width, the Earthwise delivers a clean, scissor-like cut that’s healthier for grass than string trimmers. It excels on Bermuda, fescue, and other fine-bladed grasses, reducing tearing and browning. It’s also safer near flower beds and edging.
3. Low Maintenance & Longevity
Reel mowers have few moving parts. The Earthwise requires only occasional blade sharpening and bolt tightening. It’s virtually indestructible for small lawns, and its simplicity means no battery degradation, motor failures, or fuel system issues over time.
Where WORX Wins
1. Versatility: Trimmer + Edger in One
The WORX WG163 is a 2-in-1 tool—it converts from a string trimmer to a wheeled edger in seconds. This allows you to trim grass along fences, sidewalks, and flower beds, then edge lawn borders with precision. The Earthwise can only mow flat, open grass.
2. Battery Convenience & Runtime
The 20V battery system powers the trimmer for up to 30 minutes per charge (depending on grass thickness). Two included batteries let you work continuously while one charges. No cords, gas, or pulling a starter—just press a button. The Earthwise requires physical effort and won’t handle thick weeds.
3. Lighter Weight & Easier Maneuverability
At just 5.5 pounds, the WORX is far lighter than the Earthwise (about 14 pounds) and requires no pushing force. It’s ideal for trimming hard-to-reach areas, slopes, and around obstacles. The Earthwise demands steady, flat terrain and can feel heavy on uneven ground.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy Mower A (Earthwise 1314-14EW) if:
You have a small, flat lawn under 1/4 acre with fine grass, want zero operating costs, and prioritize a quiet, eco-friendly, low-maintenance tool. It’s perfect for homeowners who enjoy the exercise and precision of manual mowing.
Buy Mower B (WORX WG163) if:
You need a versatile trimmer for lawn edges, fences, and hard-to-reach spots, plus occasional light trimming of thick weeds. It’s ideal for renters or small-yard owners who want battery convenience, multiple functions, and a lighter tool for detail work.
Skip both if:
Your lawn is over 1/4 acre, has thick or tall grass, or includes steep slopes. In that case, consider a gas or high-voltage electric mower (like the WORX WG430) for power and efficiency.
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🛒 View on Amazon →Last updated: June 2026