Great States 304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Red Review

Name: Great States 304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Red
Brand: Great States
Price: 94.99 USD
Availability: InStock

By the Mowers.Cloud editorial team · How we research & rate · Updated June 2026

★★★★ 4.3/5 (9257 reviews)

$94.99

Brand: Great States

Great States 304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Red

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Overview

The Great States 304-14 is a classic 14-inch, 5-blade push reel mower that strips away all the complexity of lawn care. Priced at just under $100, it’s designed for homeowners with small to medium-sized lawns who want a quiet, emissions-free, low-maintenance cutting solution. This is the mower you grab when you’d rather hear birds than a two-stroke engine, and it’s best suited for yards where the grass stays under 4 inches tall.

Who Should Buy This

Small-lot homeowners (under 1/4 acre): If your lawn is more postage stamp than prairie, this mower will save you from dragging out a gas unit and dealing with fuel mixing or extension cords. It’s ideal for tight backyards and narrow side strips.
Eco-conscious operators: You want zero emissions, zero noise complaints from neighbors, and zero trips to the gas station. This mower delivers a workout with a clean conscience.
Budget-first buyers: At $94.99, this is one of the cheapest new mowers on the market. If you need to cut grass without cutting into your wallet, this is your machine.
First-time reel mower users: The Great States 304-14 is simple to assemble and operate — no throttle, no spark plug, no learning curve. It’s a perfect entry point for anyone curious about manual mowing.

Key Features Breakdown

14-inch cutting width: This is narrower than most gas or electric mowers (typically 20-21 inches). That means more passes across your lawn, but it also means better maneuverability in tight spaces, around flower beds, and through gates. For a small yard, it’s a trade-off that works.
5-blade reel design: More blades typically mean a finer cut. The five blades on this mower scissor the grass rather than tearing it, resulting in a cleaner, healthier cut than many rotary mowers. It’s especially good for Bermuda or fine fescue lawns.
Heat-treated, alloy steel blades: These stay sharp longer than basic carbon steel blades. You’ll still need to sharpen them eventually, but the alloy construction gives you a solid season or two before that’s necessary.
Adjustable cutting height (1/2 to 1-3/4 inches): This is controlled by a simple lever on the rear wheel. It’s a decent range for warm-season grasses, but don’t expect to tackle overgrown lawns — anything above 3 inches will likely stall the reel.
10-inch polymer wheels with ball bearings: The larger wheels roll smoothly over uneven ground, and the sealed ball bearings reduce maintenance. You won’t be oiling axles every month.
All-steel frame with powder-coat finish: This thing is built like a tank — no plastic deck to crack. The red powder coat resists rust better than painted steel, though it’s not invincible if you leave it out in the rain.

Pros

Dead quiet operation: You can mow at 6 AM without waking the house. The only sound is the click of the blades and the whisper of grass falling.
Zero fuel or electricity costs: After the initial $95, your only ongoing expense is occasional blade sharpening. No gas, no oil, no extension cords.
Lightweight and easy to push: At roughly 25 pounds, this mower is easy to maneuver, lift over curbs, or store on a wall hook. Kids and seniors can handle it without strain.
Excellent cut quality on short grass: When the lawn is 2-3 inches tall, this mower leaves a manicured, striped finish that rivals a $500 reel mower. It’s a joy to use on a well-kept lawn.
Low maintenance: No air filters, spark plugs, or carburetors. Just wipe down the blades after use and sharpen once a season. Simple as a garden rake.
Great value for the price: For under a hundred bucks, you get a mower that will last years with basic care. Comparable reel mowers from Fiskars or Scotts cost 2-3 times more.

Cons

Struggles with tall or wet grass: If you let the lawn go for two weeks or mow after a rain, this mower will clog, skip, or just stop cutting. You’ll need to clear the reel by hand — it’s a messy job.
Narrow 14-inch width: For anything larger than a 2,500-square-foot lawn, you’ll be making a lot of passes. It’s efficient for small spaces but tedious for bigger yards.
No grass catcher included: The clippings fall where they lie. That’s fine for mulching, but if you bag clippings, you’ll need to rake them up or buy a separate catcher (which isn’t available from Great States for this model).
Fixed blade-to-bedknife adjustment: Unlike premium reel mowers (like the Fiskars StaySharp), this model doesn’t have an easy adjustment system. If the cut gets uneven, you’ll need to manually tweak the reel clearance with wrenches — a fussy process for beginners.

Bottom Line

The Great States 304-14 is a fantastic value for anyone with a small, well-maintained lawn who wants a simple, quiet, and eco-friendly mowing experience. It’s not for the neglectful gardener or the owner of a half-acre lot — you’ll be frustrated by tall grass and endless laps. But if you keep your yard tidy, enjoy a bit of exercise, and want to save money and noise, this mower is a no-brainer. For $95, it’s the best cheap reel mower you can buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does this mower work on thick St. Augustine or Zoysia grass?
A: It can, but only if you mow frequently and keep the height at 1.5 inches or lower. Thick, stemmy grasses will bog down the reel, especially if they’re damp. For tough southern lawns, you’re better off with a sharp-bladed rotary mower.

Q: How do I sharpen the blades?
A: You’ll need to remove the reel (two bolts) and use a flat file or a specialized reel mower sharpening kit. Some owners use a grinding compound applied while spinning the reel backward, but for best results, take it to a small engine shop — it’s usually $15-20.

Q: Can I mow a lawn with weeds or uneven ground?
A: Not well. This mower works best on smooth, weed-free lawns. Clover, dandelions, and bumpy terrain will cause the reel to skip or scalp the grass. If your yard is rough, consider a gas or electric mower with a floating deck.

How It Compares

Here is a head-to-head comparison of the Great States 304-14 14-Inch Push Reel Mower and the Gorilla Carts Poly Garden Dump Cart.

Important Note: These two products are not direct competitors. The Great States is a manual push reel lawn mower. The Gorilla Carts is a heavy-duty utility dump cart (a trailer you pull behind a riding mower or ATV). They serve entirely different functions. This comparison will highlight their respective strengths as tools for yard care, not as alternative mowers.

Quick Verdict

If you need to cut grass, the Great States wins; if you need to haul heavy loads (soil, mulch, debris) across your yard, the Gorilla Carts is the superior tool—but they are not interchangeable.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Great States 304-14 (Mower)	Gorilla Carts Poly Dump Cart
Price	$94.99	$129.99
Power Source	Manual (human push)	Manual (pull behind rider/ATV)
Cutting Width	14 inches	N/A (does not cut)
Self-Propelled?	No	No (requires towing vehicle)
Best Yard Size	Small lawns under ¼ acre	Large properties (1+ acres) with a riding mower
Warranty	Limited lifetime (blades & frame)	1-year limited

Where Great States Wins

Actual Grass Cutting: The Great States is a functional reel mower. It cuts grass cleanly with a scissor-like action, which is healthier for the turf than a rotary blade. The Gorilla Carts cannot cut a single blade of grass.
Zero Emissions & Noise: This mower produces no fumes, requires no gas or oil, and is whisper-quiet. You can mow early in the morning or late at night without disturbing neighbors. The Gorilla Carts is silent only when empty; loaded, it rattles.
Ease of Use & Maintenance: The Great States is ready to use out of the box with no assembly (aside from the handle). Maintenance is a simple blade sharpening once a year. No spark plugs, oil changes, or belts to replace.

Where Gorilla Wins

Versatility & Utility: The Gorilla Carts is a true workhorse. With a 600 lb haul capacity and a 4 cubic foot tub, it can move soil, mulch, stone, firewood, or garden waste. The quick-release dumping mechanism makes unloading effortless. The Great States can only cut grass.
Build Quality & User Satisfaction: The Gorilla Carts has a 4.7/5 rating from over 30,000 reviews, indicating exceptional durability and value for money. Its heavy-duty steel frame and pneumatic tires handle rough terrain and heavy loads reliably. The Great States, while good, has a slightly lower rating (4.3) and is more prone to blade dulling on uneven ground.
Time Savings for Large Properties: If you own a riding mower or ATV, the Gorilla Carts turns it into a mini dump truck. You can haul a season’s worth of leaves or a cubic yard of soil in a single trip. The Great States is only suitable for small, flat lawns and requires significant physical effort.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy Mower A (Great States) if: You have a small, flat lawn (under ¼ acre), value quiet operation and zero emissions, and want a simple, low-maintenance tool that requires no fuel or electricity. It is also the best choice for an environmentally conscious homeowner who wants a clean, scissor-cut finish and doesn’t mind the physical workout.

Buy Mower B (Gorilla Carts) if: You have a large property (1+ acres), own a riding mower, garden tractor, or ATV, and frequently need to move heavy materials like soil, mulch, stone, or yard waste. The Gorilla Carts will dramatically reduce the time and effort required for landscaping projects, garden cleanup, and hauling. It is not a mower, but it is an essential companion for a riding mower.

Buy Neither if: You need a single tool that both cuts grass and hauls heavy loads. No such product exists in this price range. You would need to buy a lawn tractor with a cart attachment (costing $1,000+) or a zero-turn mower with a tow-behind cart.

Quick Verdict

WORX wins overall for its versatility (trimming + edging), cordless convenience, and higher user satisfaction, but Great States is the better choice for eco-friendly, manual precision on small, flat lawns.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Great States 304-14	WORX WG163
Price	$94.99	$89.99
Power Source	Manual (reel/push)	20V battery (2 included)
Cutting Width	14 inches	12 inches (string trimmer)
Self-Propelled	No	No
Best Yard Size	Small (up to 1/4 acre)	Small to medium (up to 1/3 acre)
Warranty	Limited lifetime (typically 1-2 years on parts)	3-year limited warranty

Where Great States Wins

Zero Emissions, Zero Noise – The Great States reel mower runs on pure muscle. No gas, no oil, no battery charging, and no engine noise. It’s ideal for early-morning mowing or noise-sensitive neighborhoods, and it produces zero carbon footprint during use.
Lower Maintenance & No Consumables – With only 5 hardened steel blades and no engine, battery, or string to replace, the Great States requires no oil changes, no spark plugs, and no trimmer line purchases. Sharpening the blades once a season keeps it running for decades.
Safer, Cleaner Cut for Small Lawns – The 14-inch cutting width and 5-blade reel design create a scissor-like cut that’s healthier for grass (no tearing like string trimmers). It’s also safer around children, pets, and gardens since there’s no spinning string that can throw debris.

Where WORX Wins

Versatility: Trimmer + Edger in One – The WORX is a 2-in-1 tool. With a simple twist of the head, it switches from a string trimmer for grass to an edger for sidewalks and driveways. The Great States can only mow, not trim or edge.
Greater Cutting Power & Reach – The 20V motor spins the trimmer line at high speed, easily tackling thick weeds, overgrown grass, and hard-to-reach spots (under fences, around trees, along walls). The Great States struggles with tall or wet grass and cannot reach edges.
Cordless Convenience with 2 Batteries – The WORX comes with two 20V batteries and a charger, giving you runtime for up to 45 minutes of continuous trimming. No cord to drag, and no pushing required—just walk and trim. The Great States requires physical effort to push and cannot handle slopes or uneven terrain.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy Mower A (Great States) if:
You have a small, flat lawn (under 1/4 acre), want zero operating costs and zero noise, and don’t mind a manual push mower for exercise. It’s perfect for eco-conscious homeowners who already own a separate trimmer for edges.

Buy Mower B (WORX) if:
You need a versatile tool for both trimming and edging, have a small to medium yard with obstacles (trees, flower beds, fences), and want battery-powered convenience without the hassle of gas or cords. It’s ideal for renters or homeowners who want one tool to handle grass cleanup everywhere.

Buy neither if:
Your yard is over 1/3 acre, has thick or tall grass, or requires a wide cutting deck. In that case, consider a gas or high-voltage electric mower with a 20+ inch cutting width.