Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 716-18S 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Manual Reel Lawn Mower, Green Review

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

★★★★ 4.2/5 (5926 reviews)
$142.89
Brand: Scotts
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 716-18S 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Manual Reel Lawn Mower, Green
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Overview

The Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 716-18S is a classic manual reel mower that brings back the simplicity of push-powered lawn care. Designed for homeowners with small to medium-sized, relatively flat yards, this 18-inch, 7-blade cutter offers a quiet, emissions-free alternative to gas or electric mowers. It’s best for those who value a clean, scissor-like cut and don’t mind a little physical effort to keep their lawn manicured.

Who Should Buy This

  1. Suburban homeowners with 1/4 acre or less – If your yard is compact and mostly level, this mower handles the job without the hassle of cords, gas, or batteries. It’s perfect for postage-stamp lots.

  2. Eco-conscious lawn enthusiasts – You want zero emissions, no noise pollution, and a workout while you mow. This reel mower delivers all three, and it’s about as green as lawn care gets.

  3. Homeowners who hate gas cans and extension cords – Tired of winterizing engines or tripping over cords? This mower eliminates both. It’s ready to go with just a push.

  4. Budget-minded buyers seeking low maintenance – At $142.89, it’s cheaper than most powered mowers, and there’s no engine to maintain. Sharpening the blades every few seasons is the only real upkeep.

Key Features Breakdown

  • 18-inch cutting width – This is a bit narrower than most gas or electric mowers (which are typically 20–21 inches). It means more passes across your lawn, but it’s a fair trade-off for the mower’s light weight and maneuverability. Best for yards under a quarter acre.

  • 7-blade cutting reel – More blades generally mean a finer, cleaner cut. The 7-blade design slices grass like scissors, which is healthier for turf than the tearing action of rotary mowers. You’ll get that striped, putting-green look.

  • Manual push operation – No motor, no battery, no gas. You provide the power. This keeps things simple and quiet—your neighbors will thank you. But it also means you need a reasonably flat lawn; hills or thick, tall grass will be a struggle.

  • Adjustable cutting height – You can set the height from about 1 inch to 2.75 inches using a simple lever. That’s a decent range for most cool-season and warm-season grasses, though you won’t get the super-high settings some rotary mowers offer.

  • Steel frame and composite wheels – The frame is sturdy enough for years of use, and the wheels roll smoothly on turf. The composite material keeps weight down—around 25 pounds—so it’s easy to push and lift.

  • No assembly required (mostly) – Out of the box, it comes mostly assembled. You just need to attach the handle with a few bolts. That’s a nice touch for buyers who don’t want to spend an hour with a wrench.

Pros

  1. Quiet and neighbor-friendly – You can mow at 7 AM without waking anyone up. The only sound is the whir of blades and the crunch of grass.
  2. Zero emissions – No gas fumes, no oil changes, no exhaust. It’s the most environmentally friendly way to cut grass.
  3. Excellent cut quality – The reel action shears grass cleanly, reducing browning and disease compared to rotary mowers. Your lawn will look healthier.
  4. Lightweight and easy to maneuver – At about 25 pounds, it’s easy to push, turn, and lift over flower beds or small obstacles.
  5. Low maintenance – No spark plugs, air filters, or fuel stabilizer. Just keep the blades sharp and the wheels clean.
  6. Great value – For under $150, you get a durable mower that can last a decade or more with basic care. That’s cheaper than most powered mowers’ replacement batteries.

Cons

  1. Not for tall or thick grass – If you let your lawn get over 4 inches tall, this mower will struggle. You’ll need to mow frequently (every 5–7 days) for best results.
  2. Poor on slopes and uneven ground – The reel design doesn’t handle hills well. On steep grades, the blades may skip or scalp. Stick to flat yards.
  3. Limited cutting height range – The max height is only 2.75 inches. If you prefer to keep your grass longer (3–4 inches) for drought tolerance, this mower won’t accommodate that.
  4. No grass catcher included – The standard model doesn’t come with a bag. You can buy a separate catcher, but it adds cost and isn’t very large. You’ll be raking or mulching in place.

Bottom Line

The Scotts 716-18S is a solid, no-nonsense reel mower for anyone with a small, flat lawn who values simplicity, quiet operation, and a premium cut. It’s not a replacement for a gas or electric mower if you have a large yard, hills, or a tendency to let grass grow tall. But for the right buyer—someone with a 1/4 acre or less who enjoys a bit of exercise and hates maintenance—it’s an excellent, budget-friendly choice. I recommend it for eco-conscious homeowners and anyone looking to downsize from a powered mower without sacrificing cut quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does this mower require sharpening, and how often?
A: Yes, the reel and bed knife will dull over time. For most homeowners, sharpening once every 1–2 seasons is sufficient. You can do it yourself with a sharpening kit or take it to a shop. Dull blades cause tearing and missed grass.

Q: Can this mower handle Bermuda grass or St. Augustine?
A: It works well on Bermuda and other fine-bladed grasses, especially if you mow frequently. For thick, broad-bladed grasses like St. Augustine, it may struggle if the grass is tall or damp. Keep the blade height low and mow often.

Q: Is it hard to push on a lawn with slight bumps?
A: It’s manageable on gentle bumps, but the reel mower is less forgiving than a powered rotary mower. Small dips or ridges can cause the blades to skip. For best results, keep your lawn smooth and free of debris like sticks and rocks.

How It Compares

Here is a head-to-head comparison of the Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 716-18S Reel Mower and the Gorilla Carts Heavy-Duty Poly Yard Dump Cart.

Important Note: These two products serve completely different purposes. The Scotts is a manual reel lawn mower for cutting grass. The Gorilla Carts is a towable dump cart for hauling heavy loads (soil, mulch, debris). They are not direct competitors. This comparison will highlight why a buyer should choose one over the other based on their primary task.


Quick Verdict

The Gorilla Carts dump cart wins overall for versatility and sheer utility, but only if your primary need is hauling heavy loads, not cutting grass; if you need a mower, the Scotts reel mower is the clear choice for small, flat, eco-conscious lawns.


Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Scotts 716-18S (Mower A) Gorilla Carts Dump Cart (Mower B)
Price $142.89 $205.99
Primary Function Cutting grass Hauling & dumping heavy loads
Power Source Manual (human push) Manual (tow behind vehicle/ATV)
Cutting Width 18 inches N/A (not a mower)
Self-Propelled No (push reel) No (towed)
Best Yard Size Small (under 1/4 acre) Any size (for transport work)
Warranty Limited lifetime (on reel) 1-year limited

Where Scotts Wins

  1. Eco-Friendly & Quiet Operation: The Scotts reel mower produces zero emissions, uses no gas or electricity, and operates silently. You can mow early morning or late evening without disturbing neighbors.
  2. Low Maintenance & Cost: No engine, no oil changes, no spark plugs, no fuel costs. Sharpening the 7-blade reel is simple and infrequent. Over years, it saves significant money compared to gas or battery mowers.
  3. Better for Small, Flat Lawns: At 18 inches wide and lightweight, it’s easy to maneuver around flower beds, trees, and tight corners. It also gives a clean, scissor-like cut that’s healthier for grass (no tearing) and ideal for Bermuda or Zoysia.

Where Gorilla Wins

  1. Massive Hauling Capacity: The Gorilla Carts model has a 1,200 lb haul capacity and a 6 cubic foot tub. It can move 10+ bags of soil, a full wheelbarrow’s worth of mulch, or heavy stone in one trip—something a mower cannot do.
  2. Quick-Release Dumping: The cart features a quick-release mechanism that allows the tub to tilt and dump heavy loads (e.g., wet leaves, gravel) without manual lifting. This saves immense time and back strain.
  3. Pneumatic Tires & Durability: The heavy-duty poly tub resists rust and dents, and the pneumatic tires provide a smooth ride over rough terrain. It’s built to last for years of landscaping, gardening, and property maintenance.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy Mower A (Scotts) if:

  • You have a small, flat lawn (under 1/4 acre) and want a quiet, zero-emission, low-cost mowing solution.
  • You enjoy manual exercise while mowing and want to avoid gas, oil, or battery hassles.
  • Your primary yard task is cutting grass—you don’t need to haul heavy loads like soil, mulch, or firewood.

Buy Mower B (Gorilla Carts) if:

  • Your main need is hauling heavy materials (soil, mulch, stone, firewood, garden waste) around your property. This is a workhorse, not a mower.
  • You have a large yard or garden and frequently move bulk items, especially if you have an ATV, lawn tractor, or riding mower to tow it.
  • You want to save your back—the quick-dump feature and 1,200 lb capacity make short work of tasks that would require 20+ trips with a wheelbarrow.

Final Note: If you need both mowing and hauling, the Gorilla Carts wins for utility, but you’ll still need a mower (like the Scotts) to cut grass. Choose based on your primary task.

Here is a head-to-head comparison of the Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 716-18S Reel Mower versus the Gorilla Carts Poly Garden Dump Cart.

Important Note: These are fundamentally different tools. The Scotts is a lawn mower. The Gorilla Carts is a utility cart/hauler, not a mower. This comparison evaluates each on its own merits for a buyer who may be considering one or the other for yard work.


Quick Verdict

If you need to actually cut grass, the Scotts reel mower wins; if you need to move heavy loads of mulch, soil, or debris, the Gorilla Carts dump cart wins — they serve completely different primary functions.


Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Scotts 716-18S (Mower A) Gorilla Carts Dump Cart (Mower B)
Price $142.89 $129.99
Power Source Human power (manual push) Human power (pull/tow)
Primary Function Cutting grass Hauling/dumping materials
Cutting Width 18 inches N/A
Self-Propelled No No (must be pulled by hand or vehicle)
Best Yard Size Under 1/4 acre, flat, fine-bladed grass Any size (for transport/towing)
Warranty 2-year limited 1-year limited

Where Scotts Wins

  1. It actually cuts grass. The Scotts 716-18S uses a 7-blade reel to scissor-cut grass, providing a clean, healthy cut that doesn’t tear or shred blades like a rotary mower. The Gorilla Carts cannot cut a single blade of grass.
  2. Eco-friendly and whisper-quiet. The Scotts requires no gas, oil, or electricity. It operates silently, making it ideal for early-morning or noise-sensitive neighborhoods. The Gorilla Carts is quiet while rolling, but it’s a hauler, not a cutter.
  3. Better for small, flat lawns. With an 18-inch cutting width and lightweight design (under 30 lbs), the Scotts is easy to maneuver around flower beds and tight corners. It requires no maintenance beyond blade sharpening and occasional lubrication.

Where Gorilla Wins

  1. Massive hauling capacity. The Gorilla Carts dump cart can carry 600 lbs of material in its 4-cubic-foot poly tub. This is perfect for moving bags of soil, mulch, stone, firewood, or yard waste — tasks the Scotts cannot handle at all.
  2. Quick-release dumping mechanism. The cart features a simple dump lever that allows you to tilt the tub and empty heavy loads without lifting or shoveling. The Scotts has no dumping capability.
  3. Pneumatic tires for rough terrain. The Gorilla Carts uses air-filled tires that roll easily over uneven ground, gravel, or grass. The Scotts’ small solid wheels can struggle on bumpy terrain or thick, wet grass.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy Mower A (Scotts 716-18S) if…

  • Your primary need is cutting a small, flat lawn (under 1/4 acre) with fine-bladed grass like Bermuda or fescue.
  • You want a zero-emissions, silent, low-maintenance mower that gives you a manicured look.
  • You already own a wheelbarrow or utility cart and simply need a mower.

Buy Mower B (Gorilla Carts Dump Cart) if…

  • Your main yard task is moving heavy loads — mulch, soil, rocks, branches, or tools — and you already have a mower or don’t need one.
  • You need a durable, easy-dumping cart for gardening, landscaping, or hauling firewood.
  • You have a large property and plan to tow the cart behind a riding mower, ATV, or garden tractor (it has a standard hitch pin).

Don’t buy either if…

  • You need a mower for a large, hilly, or thick-grass lawn (the Scotts will struggle) — consider a self-propelled gas or electric mower instead.
  • You need a multi-purpose tool that cuts grass and hauls — neither does both.

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Last updated: June 2026