Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, 18-Inch, 5-Blade, Grey Review

Name: Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, 18-Inch, 5-Blade, Grey
Brand: Great States
Price: 116 USD
Availability: InStock

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

★★★★ 4.3/5 (9256 reviews)

$116.00

Brand: Great States

Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, 18-Inch, 5-Blade, Grey

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Overview

The Great States 815-18 is a no-fuss, manual reel mower designed for homeowners who want a clean, quiet cut without the maintenance headaches of gas or the cord-tangling of electric. At $116, it’s a budget-friendly option for small to medium lawns, and with over 9,000 ratings averaging 4.3 stars, it’s proven itself as a reliable workhorse for those who don’t mind a little legwork. This mower is best for owners of flat, well-maintained lawns under a quarter acre who value simplicity, exercise, and zero emissions.

Who Should Buy This

Small-lot homeowners – If you’re maintaining a lawn of 2,500 to 5,000 square feet (think typical city lot), this mower is fast and efficient. You’ll finish in 20-30 minutes without breaking a sweat.
Eco-conscious cutters – No gas, no oil, no electricity, no noise pollution. You get a perfect workout and a green lawn in the literal sense.
Budget-focused buyers – At $116, this is one of the most affordable reel mowers on the market. It pays for itself in a season compared to gas mower upkeep.
Homeowners who hate maintenance – No spark plugs, no air filters, no carburetor cleaning. Just sharpen the blades once a year and you’re set.

Key Features Breakdown

18-inch cutting width – This is the sweet spot for small lawns. Wide enough to cover ground quickly but narrow enough to navigate gates and tight flower beds. Don’t expect to mow a half-acre with it—you’ll be out there for two hours.

5-blade reel – More blades mean a finer, scissor-like cut. The 815-18 uses five hardened steel blades that slice grass cleanly, reducing the browning and fraying you get with rotary mowers. The result is a lawn that looks manicured, like you used a reel mower (which you did).

Height adjustment – You get four cutting heights ranging from about 1 to 2.5 inches. The adjustment is done by moving a pin on each wheel—simple but requires you to do all four wheels individually. It’s not as quick as a single-lever system, but it’s reliable.

All-steel construction – The frame and wheels are steel, which gives it heft (about 28 pounds) and durability. It won’t flex or break under normal use, but it’s not lightweight for carrying up stairs.

Ball-bearing wheels – These reduce rolling resistance, making the mower easier to push than cheaper reel mowers with plain bushings. You’ll notice the difference on the first pass.

Hardened steel blades – They hold an edge longer than softer steel, but they’ll still need sharpening every 1-2 seasons depending on lawn debris and frequency of use.

Pros

Silent operation – The loudest sound is the click of the reel. You can mow at dawn without waking the neighbors or your kids.
Excellent cut quality – The five-blade reel leaves a clean, even finish that many gas mowers can’t match. Grass heals faster with less disease risk.
Zero emissions and low cost – No gas, no oil, no electricity bills. Your only ongoing cost is an occasional sharpening.
Simple to maintain – No engine to winterize, no belts to replace. A quick blade adjustment and you’re good for years.
Light enough for most users – At 28 pounds, it’s manageable for pushing on flat ground. It’s not a toy, but most adults can handle it without strain.
Great value – For the price, you get a reel mower that performs as well as models costing twice as much.

Cons

Struggles with tall or thick grass – If you let the lawn get over 4-5 inches, this mower will clog, stall, or just push the grass over. You need to mow weekly during peak growth.
No grass catcher included – The 815-18 doesn’t come with a bag. You can buy a separate catcher, but it’s an extra $30-40. Without it, you’re raking or leaving clippings.
Height adjustment is tedious – Changing the cutting height requires adjusting all four wheels individually. It’s not a big deal if you set it once, but annoying if you switch between cool- and warm-season heights.
Not for uneven terrain – Reel mowers need a relatively flat, debris-free lawn. Bumps, rocks, and sticks will stop the reel or damage the blades. This is strictly for manicured lawns.

Bottom Line

The Great States 815-18 is the best budget reel mower for homeowners who want a quiet, eco-friendly cut on a small, flat lawn. It delivers the classic reel-mower look—clean, striped, and healthy—without the price tag of a high-end model. If you’re willing to mow weekly and keep the lawn below 4 inches, you’ll love it. But if your yard is bumpy, overgrown, or larger than a quarter acre, look for a gas or electric mower instead. For the right buyer, this is a steal at $116.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to sharpen the blades? Every 1-2 seasons, depending on how often you mow and whether you hit rocks or sticks. You’ll know it’s time when the cut starts looking ragged or the mower gets harder to push. You can sharpen the reel yourself with a sharpening kit or take it to a small engine shop.

Can I use this on Bermuda or St. Augustine grass? Yes, but only if you keep it mowed regularly. Bermuda is fine at 1-2 inches. St. Augustine is tougher because it’s thick and spreads—you’ll need to mow it at the highest setting (2.5 inches) and never let it get too tall. It works, but it’s not ideal for aggressive warm-season grasses.

Does this mower come with a grass catcher? No, it’s sold separately. The Great States brand makes a compatible catcher (model 815-20) that attaches to the rear. Many users just leave the clippings as mulch, which is actually better for the lawn. If you need a catcher, factor in an extra $30-40.

How It Compares

Quick Verdict

The Great States 815-18 wins for actual lawn mowing, but the Gorilla Carts Poly Garden Dump Cart wins for overall yard utility—though it’s a cart, not a mower, so the comparison is apples to oranges.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Great States 815-18	Gorilla Carts Poly Dump Cart
Price	$116.00	$129.99
Power Source	Manual (push reel)	Manual (pull/hitch)
Cutting Width	18 inches	N/A
Self-Propelled	No	No (requires towing or pushing)
Best Yard Size	Small to medium (up to 1/4 acre)	Any size (for hauling, not mowing)
Warranty	Limited lifetime	1-year limited

Where Great States Wins

Purpose-built for mowing – The Great States 815-18 is a dedicated reel mower with five hardened steel blades that scissor-cut grass cleanly, promoting healthier turf compared to rotary mowers. It’s ideal for small, flat lawns where a quiet, emissions-free cut is desired.
Low maintenance and cost – With no engine, gas, oil, or spark plugs, this mower requires only occasional blade sharpening and bolt tightening. At $116, it’s cheaper than most gas or cordless mowers and has a limited lifetime warranty, making it a long-term budget champion.
Eco-friendly and quiet – The manual push design produces zero emissions and operates silently, allowing early-morning mowing without disturbing neighbors. It also provides light exercise, which some users appreciate over riding or self-propelled models.

Where Gorilla Wins

Versatility for yard work – The Gorilla Carts dump cart is not a mower but a heavy-duty utility wagon with a 600 lb haul capacity and 4 cu ft tub. It excels at moving mulch, soil, leaves, firewood, or tools across the yard, making it far more versatile for landscaping tasks beyond mowing.
Higher user satisfaction – With a 4.7/5 rating from over 30,488 reviews (vs. 4.3/5 for the mower), the cart is widely praised for its quick-release dumping mechanism, pneumatic tires for smooth rolling, and durable poly construction. It’s a proven workhorse for gardeners and homeowners.
Superior for larger properties – While the mower is limited to small lawns, the cart can be pulled by a riding mower, ATV, or pushed manually, making it practical for properties of any size. The pneumatic tires handle uneven terrain better than the mower’s small wheels.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy Mower A (Great States 815-18) if:

You need a quiet, eco-friendly mower for a small, flat lawn (under 1/4 acre) and want to avoid gas, batteries, or high costs.
You prefer light exercise while mowing and don’t mind manual effort.
You want a low-maintenance tool with a limited lifetime warranty and no ongoing fuel/charging costs.

Buy Mower B (Gorilla Carts Dump Cart) if:

You need a heavy-duty hauler for garden waste, mulch, soil, or tools, not a mower.
You have a larger property and want to tow the cart behind a riding mower or ATV.
You value high user ratings (4.7/5) and a versatile, durable cart for year-round yard work.

Buy neither if:

You need a mower for a large, hilly, or thick-grass lawn—neither product is suitable. The Great States is too small and manual, while the Gorilla Cart doesn’t cut grass at all. Consider a gas or self-propelled electric mower instead.

Quick Verdict

There is no single winner here because these are fundamentally different tools—the Great States is a manual reel mower for small, flat, well-maintained grass, while the WORX is a battery-powered string trimmer for edging and detail work—so the choice depends entirely on whether you need a primary mower or a finishing tool.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Great States 815-18 (Mower A)	WORX WG163 (Mower B)
Price	$116.00	$89.99
Power Source	Manual (push reel)	20V lithium-ion battery
Cutting Width	18 inches	12 inches
Self-Propelled	No	No (but is a trimmer, not a mower)
Best Yard Size	Up to 1/4 acre (flat, no weeds)	Edging/trimming only (not a primary mower)
Warranty	Limited lifetime (typically 5 years on parts)	3 years limited

Where Great States Wins

1. Zero operating costs and emissions. This reel mower uses no gas, oil, electricity, or batteries. You’ll never buy fuel, replace batteries, or pay for charging. It’s completely silent and produces zero emissions—ideal for eco-conscious buyers or early-morning mowing without disturbing neighbors.

2. Lower long-term maintenance. With no engine, motor, spark plug, air filter, or battery degradation, the Great States requires only occasional blade sharpening and lubrication. The 5-blade reel design cuts grass cleanly (like scissors) rather than tearing it, promoting healthier turf. The 18-inch cutting width is efficient for small lawns.

3. Superior cut quality on short, fine grass. The 5-blade reel produces a manicured, striped finish that gas or electric rotary mowers can’t match. It’s the preferred tool for Bermuda or Zoysia lawns kept under 2 inches tall. The manual operation also provides light exercise.

Where WORX Wins

1. Versatility as a trimmer and edger. The WORX is not a lawn mower—it’s a string trimmer that can edge sidewalks and flower beds. It includes Command Feed technology (bump-feed line replacement) and a wheeled edger guide. This is essential for finishing work that a reel mower cannot do.

2. Handles tall grass, weeds, and uneven terrain. Unlike the Great States, which jams on grass over 3 inches tall, the WORX easily cuts through thick weeds, overgrown patches, and areas near fences or rocks. It’s also lighter (5.5 lbs) and can reach tight spots the reel mower can’t.

3. Battery-powered convenience with two batteries. The 20V system is cordless and lightweight, with two batteries included (20V, 2.0Ah each) to extend runtime. It’s ideal for small properties where a full mower is overkill, or as a complement to a reel mower for edging and touch-ups.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy Mower A (Great States 815-18) if: You have a small (under 1/4 acre), flat, well-maintained lawn of fine grass that you keep short (under 3 inches). You want zero fuel costs, quiet operation, and a precise, striped cut. You’re willing to push manually and sharpen blades occasionally. This is your primary mower.

Buy Mower B (WORX WG163) if: You need a trimmer/edger for lawn detail work—cleaning up edges, trimming around obstacles, or cutting tall weeds. You already own a primary mower (reel or rotary) and want a lightweight, battery-powered finishing tool. The WORX is not a replacement for a mower; it’s a supplement.

Buy neither if: Your lawn is larger than 1/4 acre, has thick grass or uneven ground, or you want a single tool that both mows and trims. In that case, consider a gas or cordless rotary mower (e.g., a 21-inch self-propelled model) plus a separate trimmer.