Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Grey Review

Overview

The Earthwise 1715-16EW is a 16-inch, 7-blade push reel mower designed for homeowners who want a quiet, eco-friendly, and low-maintenance way to maintain small, flat lawns. Priced at just over $100, it’s a budget-friendly entry into manual mowing, best suited for yards under 1/4 acre where you don’t mind a bit of exercise and want to skip gas, oil, and extension cords entirely.

Who Should Buy This

• Homeowners with small, flat lawns (under 1/4 acre): If your yard is a postage stamp with no steep hills or thick, overgrown grass, this mower will handle it with ease. It’s ideal for tight spaces where a gas mower feels like overkill.
• Eco-conscious buyers who hate emissions: You want zero carbon footprint, no gas fumes, and no noise pollution. This mower runs on elbow grease, and your neighbors will thank you for the silence.
• Budget-minded shoppers looking for a $100 solution: If you can’t justify spending $300+ on a gas or cordless electric mower, this Earthwise gives you a functional cut for a fraction of the cost. No batteries to replace, no fuel to buy.
• Homeowners who value quiet, early-morning mowing: You want to cut grass at 7 AM without waking the kids or the dog. This reel mower is whisper-quiet—just the sound of blades spinning and grass snipping.

Key Features Breakdown

• 16-inch cutting width: This is on the narrower side, meaning you’ll make more passes than with a 20-inch or 21-inch mower. For a small lawn, it’s fine; for anything larger, expect a longer mowing session. It does make maneuvering around flower beds and garden edges easier.
• 7-blade reel system: More blades generally mean a finer, cleaner cut—like using sharp scissors instead of a dull knife. The 7-blade design works well on grass up to about 4 inches tall, but it struggles with tall, thick, or wet grass. Keep your lawn regularly trimmed for best results.
• Heat-treated alloy steel blades: These stay sharp longer than basic steel blades, and the heat treatment adds durability. You won’t need to sharpen them every season unless you hit rocks or sticks regularly.
• 14-inch rear wheels / 10-inch front wheels: The larger rear wheels help the mower roll more easily over uneven ground. They’re plastic, not pneumatic, so you won’t worry about flats, but they also don’t absorb bumps as well as air-filled tires.
• Adjustable cutting height (1.5 to 2.5 inches): You get four settings via a simple lever on each wheel. That’s enough range for most cool-season grasses, but if you like your lawn longer (3+ inches), this mower won’t cut it—literally. The highest setting is 2.5 inches.
• Lightweight (15 pounds): At 15 pounds, you can easily carry it up steps, load it into a car trunk, or hang it on a garage wall. It’s one of the lightest reel mowers on the market, which reduces fatigue during use.

Pros

1. Dead quiet operation: You can mow while listening to a podcast or having a conversation. No earplugs needed, zero noise complaints from neighbors.
2. No fuel, no cords, no batteries: Just push. This mower eliminates every hassle of gas (mixing, storing, starting) and electric (extension cords, battery charging, dead batteries in spring).
3. Lightweight and easy to maneuver: At 15 pounds, it’s a dream to push on flat ground. You can lift it over garden borders or carry it to a shed without straining.
4. Environmentally friendly: Zero emissions, no oil changes, no spark plugs. It’s the greenest way to cut grass, both literally and figuratively.
5. Low maintenance: No engine to tune, no air filter to clean, no fuel to stabilize. Just keep the blades clean and sharp, and it’ll run for years.
6. Excellent for small, tidy lawns: On well-maintained Bermuda or fescue under 3 inches, the cut is clean and even—no ragged tips like some rotary mowers leave.

Cons

1. Struggles with tall or thick grass: If you let your lawn get over 4-5 inches, this mower will clog, skip, or push the grass down instead of cutting it. You’ll need to scalp it with a string trimmer first or mow more frequently.
2. Narrow cutting width: 16 inches means more passes. For a 1/4-acre lawn, expect 45-60 minutes of pushing. A 20-inch model would save you time, but this is the trade-off for the price and weight.
3. Plastic wheels with no bearings: The wheels are solid plastic and spin on bushings, not ball bearings. Over time, they can get squeaky or develop drag, especially if you mow over rough ground. A little WD-40 helps, but it’s not as smooth as higher-end reel mowers with sealed bearings.
4. Limited height adjustment range (1.5 to 2.5 inches): If you prefer a taller lawn (3+ inches) for drought tolerance or shade, this mower can’t accommodate that. You’re capped at 2.5 inches, which is on the shorter side for many grass types.

Bottom Line

The Earthwise 1715-16EW is an excellent value for the right buyer: someone with a small, flat, well-maintained lawn who wants a quiet, eco-friendly, and almost maintenance-free mowing experience. At $114, it’s hard to beat for the price, but it’s not a universal tool. If your grass gets tall quickly, your yard is bumpy, or you want to cut at 3+ inches, look elsewhere. For the rest—especially early-morning mowers and budget-conscious homeowners—this reel mower delivers a clean cut with zero hassle. I recommend it for lawns under 1/4 acre where you’re willing to mow weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can this mower cut thick St. Augustine or Bermuda grass?
A: It can handle Bermuda if mowed weekly at the right height (1.5-2.5 inches). St. Augustine, which is thicker and coarser, will be a challenge—especially if it’s over 3 inches tall. You’ll likely get skipped blades and a ragged cut. Stick to thin-bladed, fine grasses for best results.

Q: How often do I need to sharpen the blades?
A: On a typical small lawn (1/8 acre) mowed weekly, you’ll need to sharpen the blades about once per season. If you hit rocks or sticks, you may need to do it mid-season. The heat-treated