The 8 Best Reel Mowers

Elegant simplicity makes the Great States (around $112) line of lawn care equipment as practical as it is affordable. Rust-resistant, powder-coated steel blades stand up to frequent use and come in a range of sizes and configurations to get the job done right.

From the 17-inch base model to the brawnier Max version, the Fiskars StaySharp (around $178) delivers nearly effortless, exceptional cutting power at adjustable heights, with a chute that can be repositioned to spit out grassy mulch in whatever direction you prefer.

The nimble Scotts 304 (appx. $75) is easy to maneuver, and at only 19 pounds, no trouble to carry and store in the garage. Its 8.5-inch wheels allow for a smooth roll and a wide range of cutting heights lets you maintain your preferred grass length.

With either a T-style or rectangular handle and multiple blade types and settings to choose from, American Lawn Mower (appx. $104) can provide the solution you need to make quick work of trimming unruly growth in small spaces, or in broader swaths of up to 1-1/2 feet in width.

The only sound you'll hear from a Gardena Silent (around $186) is the gentle whirring of the cylinder, which won't even drown out birdsong, much less disturb the neighbors. There are also no smelly fumes as you crisscross the yard stealthily.

The Remington RM3000 (about $48) reliably snips and collects the cuttings from small to medium-sized areas with ease, and going from one height to another is as simple as flipping a switch by each set of double wheels. It's easy to maintain and backed by a 2-year warranty.

Regular groundskeeping sessions with the classic Scotts 2000 (around $131) can help you stay out of hot water with the local homeowners' association, and enjoy a little fresh air and exercise while you're at it. Quick-snap levers make height adjustments intuitive and user-friendly.

Although a gap between the blade edges and wheels can make it difficult to achieve precise results in tight spaces, the Greenworks 2-in-1 (around $55) does a respectable job of clearing a 16-to-20-inch-wide path of overgrown grass on each pass.