If you’re considering buying a reel mower for Bermuda grass, you’ve come to the right place!
There is no better option for people who have a small lawn or turf with Bermuda grass than a reel pushmower for lawn care. Undeniably, it is the easiest option when your storage area is tiny. With its easy to carry and lightweight design, the smart lawn care machine makes an ideal choice for your flat lawn.
Interestingly, using a reel mower for Bermuda grass eliminates the need to keep oils, gasoline cans, and bulkier lawnmowers. It also means no tune-up, repair, or spark plug, as the reel mower has no engine. Plus, it doesn’t have any idle to fix or adjust.
Whether you want the best flower to plant in Spring or need the best lime treatment for your lawn, you need to start off by doing some research. The same applies to choosing a high-quality reel mower. We say this because mowing Bermuda grass requires a machine that can give it a clean and precise cut. When you use the right mowing appliance, it leaves behind a healthier, greener, and lush lawn.
This means using a reel mower for Bermuda that sniffs the leaves instead of tearing, splitting, hacking, chewing, or tearing up blades.
If you’re a lawn fanatic with a Bermuda grass lawn, don’t fret! This guide includes everything you need to know about reel mowers to keep your turf in the best shape.
Let’s begin by understanding the reel mowers and their role in lawn care.
Best Reel Mower for Bermuda
Since you have understood that reel mowers are incredibly space-saving, it is time to highlight their advantages compared to a gas-powered or electric mower.
Some more benefits include;
- Quieter operation
- Reduced carbon footprint
- No engine or motor maintenance
- No money on fuel
- Less investment in lawnmower
Here, we break down various reel mowers to help you choose the best one for Bermuda grass.
1. The American Lawn Reel Mower
Our Rating
5/5
Key Features
- 14-inch blade span
- Cutting deck adjustment from ½ inch to 1 ½ inch
- Four blades
- Sturdy and long-lasting polymer wheels
- roll easily
- Weighs 20 pounds
- Steel reel
BEST OPTION
Price
Usage
“Amazon’s Choice”
The American reel Mower is, without a doubt, the best option to mow Bermuda grass. It also conveniently snips away at turf grasses such as bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass. It comes in a compact size and has high-quality precision blades to make your grass cutting a breeze. The American lawnmower holds the status of “Amazon’s best choice” for trimming the lawn.
PROS
- Lightweight and easy -to -operate
- Good-quality, sharp steel blades that hold an edge for years
- Wheels enable you to maneuver on steeper yards
- Two months warranty for customer’s peace of mind
CON
- Two wheels make it less stable
2. Craftsman 18” Reel Mower
Our Rating
4.8/5
Key Features
- Five blades
- 10-inch front wheels
- 18-inch cutting path
- 6 inch rear wheels
- Rear eject with 9.2-gallon clipping bag
- Foam padded sturdy handle
- Nine height adjustments
- Easy side lever adjustment
- 2-year warranty
Price
Usage
“Great for small lawns”
Craftsman is one of the renowned companies that make quality tools for homeowners. A tool such as a reel mower is a delight to use.
The Craftsman reel mower is an ergonomic addition to your lawn care inventory, as it makes your life easier. It comes with rear wheels and a padded handle to make grass cutting a pleasant chore. This push reel mower is the most sought-after choice for people who want a perfectly manicured lawn.
The reel mower masterfully crafts your Bermuda with precision using its nine height adjustments.
PROS
- Five precision blades to make clean cuts
- Four wheels for fantastic stability when operating
- Collects the grass clipping in the bag
- Deck height can adjust from ¾ inch to 2 ½ inch
- Enjoy comfortable padded handle
- Two-year warranty
CON
- Twigs get stuck in the mowing blades
3. Great States Hand Reel Mower
Our Rating
4.5/5
Key Features
- Five blade mower
- 14-inch blade span
- 8 ½ inch polymer wheels
- Weighs 19.9 pounds
- Cutting deck increases from ½inch to 1 ½ inch
- One – warranty
Price
Usage
“Tall grass can be a problem”
The Great States Reel Mower is a star, just like the above-mentioned mowers. The sturdy and premium quality reel mower can keep the tiniest yards in impeccable shape. This lightweight and compact solution is just 20 pounds but gives you a stellar performance. It is easy to carry with five sharp and high-performing blades.
It is light enough to hang on the wall for easy storage. Don’t let its smallness fool you. The mower consistently receives five stars for mowing Bermuda.
PROS
- Five blades to make a cut
- Lightweight for easy storage
- The adjustable deck allows customizing lawn care program
CON
- Deck adjusts to 1 ½ inch only, which is a low setting for drought
- Reports of bad usage in tall grass
4. Hyper Tough Reel Mower
Our Rating
4.5/5
Key Features
- 18 inches blade span
- Three variable deck heights from 1inch to 3inch
- Simple knob for deck adjustment
- Five blades
- 6 inch rear wheels
- 10-inch front wheels
- cushioned loop handle for comfort
- Rear ejection for grass
Price
Usage
“Easy to use for any beginner”
Hyper Tough – the name refers to its functionality!
The expert groundskeepers consider Hyper Tough a practical choice for mowing Bermuda grass. It can handle tough grasses with its powerful wheels. You can work on robust weeds such as dandelion efficiently and quickly.
It has steel blades and eighteen inches cutting path to make clean cuts. With sharp blades like these, you can make even your smaller and challenging yard look pristine. Hyper Tough engineers a reel mower that is hard on turf but soft on the maneuver due to its rear wheels and comfortable handles.
PROS
- Five strong steel blades to power through the weeds and thickest grasses
- Four wheels for robust stability when mowing
- Easy-to-turn deck height
- padded handle to eliminate fatigue and tiredness
CON
- No bag grass for clippings collection
- Assembly is needed
If your lawn has tough grasses, the mower creates the list of best-performing manual mowers. It allows you to power through the grass and makes it look fantastic. It can be a game-changer for a small lawn.
5. Fiskars Staysharp Reel Mower
Our Rating
4.2/5
Key Features
- 30 percent easier to push than ordinary mowers
- Adjustable deck heights
- 17-inch blade span
- Lifetime warranty
Price
Usage
“Cut grass easily and save the environment!”
Fiskars Staysharp is famous for its soundless blades to cut the grass. That means it is a perfect choice if you reside in close quarters and don’t want to disturb your neighbors when mowing.
The reel mower will help you become the quietest neighbor in your block and keep the lawn in the best shape. The sharp blades of this mower leave your lawn looking groomed with well-cut.
PROS
- Easy-to-use lever for deck height adjustment
- Non-stick cylinder (no messy grass after use)
- 12-month warranty
CON
- No bag for grass collection
- Leaves taller weeds
The best silent mower for Bermuda is worth trying. You get a 12-month warranty with Fiskars that gives you peace of mind.
6. Greenworks Reel Mower
Our Rating
4/5
Key Features
- 16-inch cutting path
- Adjustable blade height to 4 positions
- Option of mulching and rear bagging with bagger
- 10-inch front wheels and 2 inch rear wheels
- Comfortable Handle (Loop style)
Price
Usage
“Cut grass easily and save the environment!”
The Greenworks Reel Lawn Mower is another stellar option you can choose for cutting Bermuda grass. Despite its 3.5 ratings on Amazon, the reel mower is the favorite small lawn mowing tool. The blades are sharp and sturdy enough to cut hard grass and destroy weed.
Plus, the mower comes with the best warranty (4 years). The four-year warranty of the reel mower outweighs the risk with the purchase.
PROS
- Easy-to-use lever for deck height adjustment
- Non-stick cylinder (no messy grass after use)
- 12-month warranty
CON
- No bag for grass collection
- Leaves taller weeds
7. DuroStar Reel Mower
Our Rating
3.5/5
Key Features
- 20-inch cutting path
- Rear wheels
- 10-inch wheels
- Knob for deck height adjustment
- Deck heights adjust from 1 ½ inch to 3 inch
- Five sharp, heat-treated blades
- Bag for grass collection
Price
Usage
“Easy to push”
The DurosStar, with its 20 inches cutting path, makes it to the list of top ten best reel mowers for Bermuda. You will rarely find a mower with this cutting path. If you have a medium-size yard, this reel mower can save a lot of time as it eliminates messy and unnecessary passes on the lawn. With DuroStar, you don’t need to take away your precious time.
The reel mower can cater to both small and medium-sized lawns. If you prefer eco-friendliness in reel mowers, DuroStar will not disappoint you. The reel mower performs fantastic with its wider cutting path. It assists you in finishing mowing quickly and leaves your Bermuda yard looking lovely.
PROS
- Four wheels for improved stability
- Grass collector
- Five sharp blades eliminate weeds and cut grass
- You can easily adjust the blade height with a knob
CON
- The lowest blade is 1 ½ inch high which is higher than many homeowners prefer
- Reports of the blades not being sharp enough
What is a Reel Mower?
A reel mower is a mowing tool or equipment that spins blades vertically to shape the grass. It uses a scissoring action to slash the blades of grass. You have to push the mower to cut the grass. The scissor-like cut of a reel mower is healthy for the lawn. If you use manual mowing, it offers superior cutting minus the ripping or tearing.
A reel mower typically seals or locks the grass blade to hold in moisture and keep disease organisms at bay. A premium quality reel mower disperses clippings in a spray to yield natural mulch.
However, keep in mind that reel mowers are not for every lawn owner. The specific design mechanism caters to flat and small lawns. While a reel mower for Bermuda takes some effort to push around, it provides exceptional and fine-cut quality with an unplugged mowing experience.
That means a reel mower offers things to your lawn that no other tool can. It cleanly snips grass blades like a barber trims your hair. It is environmentally friendly and makes a better option than rotary mowers, which cut grass by tearing and chopping.
Don’t forget that not using the best reel mower makes your lawn susceptible to pests and diseases!
Why You Need Reel Mower for Maintaining Bermuda
Turfgrass like Bermuda usually has a very coarse leaf texture with dense and low growth habits. It can quickly spread below and above the ground. That makes Bermuda very aggressive. If mowed correctly, it can wear well and withstand weed species. And a reel mower can help this turfgrass by giving it an even, clean scissor cut.
However, many homeowners need to choose between a rotary and reel mower when purchasing a lawnmower. It is especially true if you’re new to the world of lawn care. It takes some time, and a great deal of research to understand which reel mower best fits your lawn needs.
You need to find an option that offers impeccable grass maintenance and affordability. For this, you must explore the difference between both types of mowers, along with factors like type, shape, and size of your terrain. Also, consider how often you plan to provide maintenance to your lawn on the mower.
But if you a lawn with Bermuda, here is why you should consider getting a reel mower to cut the grass.
Reel Mower Improves Your Grass Health
This is perhaps the most significant motivating factor when choosing a reel mower for Bermuda. Unlike power rotary, which cuts grass by tearing and chopping, a reel mower snips it cleanly. It is similar to trimming your Bermuda with a pair of scissors.
Shredded and torn grass makes your lawn vulnerable to insect attacks and disease, while cutting with a reel mower makes it less vulnerable to maladies and heals Bermuda faster.
Reel Mower Makes Your Bermuda Lawn Look Nicer
Using a reel mower for Bermuda is not only better for your terrain’s health, but also leaves it looking professionally trimmed and manicured. The scissor-like cutting feature of a reel mower sets it apart from a rotary mower.
This small and easy-to-store tool offers clean cuts to give you an even-looking lawn. In fact, this superior cut is the reason why professional golf courses and baseball stadiums use reel mowers to cut and shape Bermuda grass.
Many greenskeepers favor a facility with Bermuda grass and use a reel mower to cut or trim it shorter. Note that sports fields require even turf cut at 2 inches to perceive the glory of perfectly mowed grass.
Using an old-fashioned reel mower enables the turf to bend down in the right direction. The reel cut also makes the lawn look pretty.
Reel Mowers Don’t Make Noise
It may seem something of less significance to you, but lawnmower noise can be a major problem for many homeowners who prefer sound-less mowers.
Most gas-powered mowers have an obnoxious and loud two-stroke engine that makes noise when you operate it. This means you can’t mow Bermuda too late or too early in the evening due to the terrible sound that gas-powered mowers make. Besides making your head spin, the noise disturbs your neighbors.
Whether you live in a city like Vermont with pleasantly idyllic and warm summer days, or Oklahoma, where summer is humid and hot, mowing the yard when the sunlight is beating down isn’t easy.
But, a reel mower is a panacea to this noise-related problem. All you get to listen to is the “snip-snip” sound of the reel mower, which is quietly satisfying. As the mower trims the grass, it produces a soothing sound. And because it is darn quiet, you can mow your lawn anytime without disturbing or waking up your neighbors.
Goodbye to the long and noisy mowing sessions!
Reel Mower Doesn’t Emit Pollution
Don’t let the small size of a power mower engine mislead you. It comes with the sucker that produces a load of pollution.
Did you know a typical gas-powered mower produces the same amount of air pollution as a vehicle running at 200 miles per hour?
A reel mower, in contrast, is a pollution-free tool. That makes it ideal for not only cutting Bermuda but also keeping your surroundings clean. For environmentally-conscious users, a manual reel mower is definitely the right choice.
Reel Mower Is Hassle-Free
This is one of the best features of the reel mower, making it a go-to solution for groundskeepers. If you choose a manual reel mower, the simple machine has blades to spin and trim the grass. There are no priming engines or starter cords needed to mow the lawn.
You can simply cut the grass as you walk. Plus, there is no need to buy spark plugs, oil, and gas. All you need is blade sharpening to keep the mower in a working condition, and it does the rest. You can sharpen the mower’s blade twice or thrice every two years.
Reel Mower is Affordable
Another quality that makes buying a reel mower a good choice for cutting Bermuda is its affordability. Even if you buy a top-quality or high-end reel mower, it will cost you less than rotary mowers. In fact, getting a classic, smaller model is one way to spend less than $150. Plus, reel mowers don’t have any maintenance costs.
Reel Mower Exercises Your Body
There is no auto-drive if you opt for a push reel mower. This bad boy is man-powered, but at the same time, extremely lightweight. This way, it’s easy to push and offers a great way to get some exercise. It is hard enough to give you a sweat, but doesn’t leave you feeling exhausted.
Using a reel mower for Bermuda is like pushing a Sled around the yard. So once you finish the task, you and your lawn are in a way better shape.
Reel Mower is Safer
This may sound bizarre, but a large percentage of people in the USA suffer from injuries while mowing grass. That means using a lawnmower (power ones) carelessly can be dangerous. They can cause accidents if you mow over a grass-hidden rock. It can turn into a speedy projectile that is capable of flying 200 mph. It may take out someone’s eye or eat up toes with its fast-whirling blades.
While both reel and rotary mowers entail some risks, they are much safer than power mowers. If you somehow run over a stone, it doesn’t shoot it out, but just jams. Also, it doesn’t have a hot engine that can potentially burn you.
Reel mower Turns Mowing into a Pleasurable Task
For many homeowners, mowing the lawn is like a chore. They do it every week because they have to.
However, mowing your Bermuda with a reel mower is fun. Pushing it on the grass during a breezy morning can feel refreshing. The “snip-snip of grass cutting offers a soothing feeling while watching blades spitting out the grass in front of your mower is satisfying.
Reel Mower for Terrain’s Shape and Size
As mentioned above, groundskeepers prefer using the reel mower for lower mowing heights. It is more effective when grass Bermuda is not long, undulating, or wet. It gives you a hard time if you try chopping up long twigs.
That is why homeowners and greenskeepers use a reel mower to mow lower heights of sports or golf surfaces. After all, the fields need mowing many times a week.
The reel mower works best for many homeowners keeping hot-season grasses (Bermuda grass) due to its coarse texture and varieties. Rotary mowers, on the other hand, perform better for higher mowing heights. It can cut a variety of turf species.
A manual reel mower is human-propelled so it requires that someone pushes the mower in the first place. That is why it is suitable for smaller land plots.
What Else!
As you can see there’s different types of reel mowers and Doc explains this perfectly
Broad Interest
The reel mower has a unique appeal. It is not only groundskeepers’ most preferred option when mowing Bermuda, but is also loved by many old, young, suburban, urban, environmentally aware, exercise enthusiasts, and lawn fanatics. It is because anyone can mow a patch of grass with a reel mower.
Superior Cutting
Of course, manual mowing with the reel mower is better for the terrain. The even and clean scissor cut allows Bermuda to lock in moisture and reduce disease and infection risk. Also, you would love natural mulch (no clumping) that quickly decomposes. If left in the yard, the clipping works as a natural fertilizer for the Bermuda grass.
Suitability for Small Yards
Small lawns mean less mowing.
Nostalgia
Reel mower can evoke nostalgic memories as it fulfills your desire to go back to basics to experience a more natural and simpler lifestyle.
Tips to Mow Your Lawn
To get the best results from mowing, you must know how to use the mower correctly. Follow the given tips to go unplugged.
Don’t Mow Too Often
Mowing lawn more than five times during the growing season can harm your grass and its growth. Bermuda usually grows in the warm season; you must figure out how much mowing is healthier for your lawn.
Hold Off Mowing when Grass is Wet
Ideally, it is better to avoid mowing when your grass is wet. The grass becomes flat and hard and sticks the grass when it is wet.
Know the Ideal Height
Grass thrives when you keep it at an ideal height. That is why you must determine when your lawn is at an ideal high. It prevents the grass from heat damage and weeds. The perfect size depends on the season, grass type, and growing conditions.
How to Use a Reel Mower
Using a reel mower is very easy if you know the proper technique. All you need is to
- Set the reel mower to the ideal cut height
- Mow mindfully and listen to the sound( snip-snip) of the blades
- Brush off grass clippings from the reel mower
- Put away the mower
Summing Up
In a nutshell, a reel mower for Bermuda is a superior alternative to rotary mowers. It not only snips the grass perfectly but also contributes less harmful emission and noise pollution. Plus, a manual reel mower doesn’t use electric or gas energy and gives you a great body workout. Thus, the details mentioned above can help you give your Bermuda grass a better cut and make it more attractive.
