Push Reel Lawn Mower 12 inch, 5 Blades Manual Push Mower Walk-Behind Cordless Grass Cutter with 6 Gallon Removable Grass Collect Bag 0.47-1.77inch Adjustable Cutting Height for Yard, Garden Review

Overview

The Blades 12-inch Push Reel Lawn Mower is a budget-friendly manual mower aimed at owners of very small lawns who want a zero-emission, quiet, and simple alternative to gas or electric mowers. Priced at $46.99, it’s one of the cheapest reel mowers on the market, and it comes with a 6-gallon removable grass collection bag and adjustable cutting heights from 0.47 to 1.77 inches. However, with a 2.0-star average rating from just one review, this mower has serious performance and build quality concerns that most buyers should consider carefully.

Who Should Buy This

• Owners of tiny, flat lawns (under 1,000 sq. ft.): If you have a postage-stamp yard with no hills, bumps, or thick grass, this mower might keep it tidy with regular, frequent cuts. It’s ideal for a small city lot or a rental property where you don’t want to store or maintain a power mower.

• Eco-conscious minimalists who prioritize silence and zero emissions: If you want to cut grass without noise, exhaust fumes, or electricity, and you’re willing to accept a much slower, more labor-intensive mowing process, this is a cheap entry point.

• Budget-first buyers who can’t spend more than $50: If your lawn is very small and your grass is consistently thin, short, and soft, this mower will technically cut it. You’re trading performance and durability for the lowest possible price.

Key Features Breakdown

• 12-inch cutting width: This is very narrow—most reel mowers are 14–18 inches. It means you’ll make many more passes to cover even a small lawn. Expect to walk significantly more with this mower than with any wider alternative.

• 5-blade reel: Five blades are common on budget reel mowers, but the cutting action is only as good as the blade-to-bedknife contact. Inexpensive 5-blade mowers often have poor alignment out of the box, leading to grass being ripped rather than cleanly sheared.

• 6-gallon removable grass collection bag: A bag is rare at this price point, which is a plus. However, 6 gallons is small—you’ll empty it frequently. The bag attachment mechanism on budget mowers is often flimsy, so expect it to pop off or fail to stay in place during use.

• Adjustable cutting height (0.47–1.77 inches): The range is limited. The highest setting (1.77 inches) is too short for many cool-season grasses like fescue or Kentucky bluegrass, which prefer 2.5–3.5 inches. This mower forces a very short cut, which can stress grass and invite weeds.

• Manual push (no motor): The mower relies entirely on your physical effort. It’s silent and emission-free, but pushing a reel mower through anything but the lightest, thinnest grass is genuinely hard work. The 12-inch width means you’re pushing a mower that doesn’t cover much ground per pass, so you’ll work longer for the same area.

Pros

1. Extremely low price: At $46.99, it’s one of the cheapest mowers available. If you only need to cut a 200 sq. ft. patch of thin Bermuda grass a few times a year, this is hard to beat on cost.

2. Zero emissions and nearly silent: No gas, oil, extension cords, or batteries. You can mow early morning without waking neighbors or worrying about fumes.

3. Lightweight and easy to store: This mower likely weighs under 15 lbs. It can hang on a wall hook or sit in a closet corner. No bulky battery or fuel to store.

4. Grass collection bag included: Many reel mowers at this price don’t include a bag. Having one is convenient for small clippings cleanup, assuming it stays attached.

5. No maintenance beyond blade sharpening: No spark plugs, oil changes, air filters, or battery charging. Just keep the blades sharp and the reel adjusted.

Cons

1. Extremely narrow cutting width (12 inches): This is the biggest practical drawback. You’ll walk roughly 40–50% more steps compared to a standard 18-inch reel mower. For a 1,000 sq. ft. lawn, expect 30–45 minutes of pushing.

2. Poor build quality and durability concerns: The single 2.0-star review suggests significant issues. Budget reel mowers often have plastic wheels, thin steel frames, and reel bearings that fail quickly. Don’t expect this to last more than a season or two with regular use.

3. Cutting height range is too short for most lawns: The maximum height of 1.77 inches is lower than what most lawn care experts recommend for healthy grass. If you have a typical fescue or bluegrass lawn, this mower will scalp it, leaving it stressed and prone to weeds.

4. Requires very specific grass conditions: This mower will only cut thin, soft, short grass that’s been mowed frequently. If your grass is thick, tall, damp, or has weeds, the reel will jam or simply roll over the grass without cutting. It’s not forgiving.

Bottom Line

The Blades 12-inch Push Reel Mower is a $47 gamble on a very small, very flat, very well-manicured lawn. It’s not a bad idea for someone with a tiny, low-maintenance patch of thin grass who wants the cheapest possible manual mower and is willing to accept slow, labor-intensive mowing. However, for almost any other situation—lawns over 500 sq. ft., thicker grass, uneven ground, or anyone who values time and ease—this mower will frustrate. The narrow width, limited height range, and likely poor build quality mean most buyers will regret the purchase. Spend $100–$130 on a 14-inch or 16-inch reel mower from a reputable brand (like Great States or American Lawn Mower Company) for a much better experience that will actually last. This one is best left for emergencies or as a backup for the smallest of spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can this mower cut tall or overgrown grass?
A: No. Reel mowers, especially inexpensive ones, can only handle grass that is already short (under 2 inches). If your grass is over 3 inches tall, the reel will jam, and you’ll have to manually clear it repeatedly. This mower is for weekly maintenance, not for catching up after a missed week.

Q: How hard is it to push?
A: It depends entirely on your grass. On a flat, thin, dry lawn of fine-bladed grass (like Bermuda or Zoysia), it pushes fairly easily. On any thicker grass (fescue, ryegrass, St. Augustine), or if the grass is even slightly damp, it becomes