Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower Review: The Quiet Path to a Perfect Lawn?

There’s a certain ritual to lawn care in most neighborhoods: the Saturday morning roar of gasoline engines, the smell of exhaust fumes hanging in the air, and the drone that signals the weekend chores have begun. For years, I was part of that ritual. I wrestled with heavy, gas-guzzling machines that were a pain to start, a nightmare to maintain, and frankly, overkill for my modest lawn. The worst part was looking closely at the grass afterward. The blades weren’t cut; they were torn and shredded, leaving frayed, brown tips that betrayed the violent nature of a rotary mower. I knew there had to be a more peaceful, precise, and healthier way to care for my lawn. This quest led me back to a classic, reimagined piece of technology: the manual reel mower. Specifically, it brought the Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower to my garage, promising a quiet, clean, and satisfying mowing experience.

What to Know Before You Ditch Gas for a Reel Mower

A walk-behind lawn mower is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for maintaining the health and aesthetics of your turf. Unlike powerful gas or electric models, a manual reel mower like this one from Scotts operates on a completely different principle. It uses a series of blades on a spinning cylinder to create a clean, scissor-like cut against a stationary bedknife. This action is crucial for grass health, as it slices the blade cleanly rather than tearing it. This prevents stripping the grass of vital fluids and makes it less susceptible to disease and insect attacks. The primary benefits are a healthier, greener lawn, zero emissions, near-silent operation, and a bit of light exercise. It transforms a noisy chore into a quiet, meditative activity.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a small to medium-sized lawn, generally under 3,000 square feet, that is relatively flat and well-maintained. It’s perfect for the homeowner who takes pride in a meticulously manicured lawn and enjoys the hands-on process. Lawn enthusiasts with fine-bladed grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, or Bentgrass will particularly appreciate the fine cut a 7-blade reel provides. However, it might not be suitable for those who have very large, bumpy, or uneven yards filled with tough weeds, thick twigs, and debris. If your lawn is more of a wild field than a manicured carpet, the manual action will be frustrating, and a more powerful gas or electric mower would be a better choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The 18-inch cutting width of the Scotts mower is a sweet spot for small-to-medium lawns. It’s wide enough to cover ground efficiently without being too cumbersome to maneuver around flower beds or trees. Its overall lightweight and compact design (weighing just over 25 pounds) also means it takes up minimal space in a garage or shed, a stark contrast to bulky gas mowers.
• Capacity/Performance: The key performance metric here is the blade count. The 7-blade reel is designed for a finer, more frequent cut on dense, low-growing turf types. The adjustable cutting height, from 1 to 3 inches, provides essential versatility for different grass types and seasonal needs. Understand that performance is directly tied to your walking speed and the condition of your lawn; it excels on grass, not on tall weeds or sticks.
• Materials & Durability: The blades are the most critical component. The Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower features heat-treated alloy steel blades designed to stay sharp. The overall frame and 10-inch wheels feel solid enough for regular use, though some user feedback suggests a potential weak point in the handle grip’s foam covering, which requires mindful handling.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: This is where reel mowers shine. Assembly is typically straightforward, involving little more than attaching the handle. Operation is as simple as pushing. Maintenance is minimal compared to gas mowers—no oil changes, spark plugs, or fuel filters. The primary tasks are keeping the blades clean, occasionally lubricating moving parts, and having the blades sharpened or adjusted periodically to maintain that perfect cut.

Making the switch to a manual reel mower is a commitment to a different style of lawn care. If this quiet, eco-friendly approach sounds right for you, this Scotts model is a fantastic place to start.

While the Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower is an excellent choice for a specific type of user, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, including powerful self-propelled options, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing and Assembling the Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower

Opening the box, the first thing we noticed was how refreshingly simple and lightweight the unit is. At just 25.6 pounds, the Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower is effortless to lift and move. Assembly was a breeze and took less than 15 minutes, requiring no specialized tools—it’s essentially just a matter of putting the handle sections together and attaching them to the mower body. The bright green color is classic Scotts, and the overall construction feels sturdy for its weight class. The 10-inch dual tracking wheels give it a stable stance, and the cushioned handle grip feels comfortable in the hands, though we did note some user concerns about its long-term durability. The star of the show, the 7-blade ball bearing reel, spins smoothly and quietly right out of the box. Compared to the often-intimidating setup of gas mowers, this was a welcome, user-friendly experience that gets you out on the lawn in minutes.

Putting the Scotts Reel Mower to the Test: A Detailed Performance Breakdown

A spec sheet can only tell you so much. The true measure of a lawn mower is how it performs on actual grass—the feel, the sound, and the final look of the lawn. We spent several weeks putting the Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower through its paces on a variety of turf conditions to see if its performance lived up to its promise.

The Heart of the Machine: Cut Quality and the 7-Blade Advantage

The single most important aspect of any mower is its cut quality, and this is where a good reel mower can truly outshine its rotary counterparts. The moment we started pushing the Scotts mower, the difference was audible—or rather, inaudible. The only sound was a gentle, satisfying “snip-snip-snip” as the seven blades sliced cleanly through the grass. This scissor action is the core benefit. We examined the grass blades post-cut and confirmed they were sharply cut, not torn. This is precisely what turf experts recommend for promoting a lush, green, and resilient lawn. One user from Spain beautifully captured this, noting, “the cut is even, it doesn’t tear the leaf… it seems like I’m cutting it with scissors, and you can see that the grass looks greener and more beautiful.” We couldn’t agree more; it’s a difference you can see immediately.

The 7-blade configuration is a specific design choice. While a 5-blade reel is a great all-rounder, the 7-blade reel provides a higher frequency of cut, making it the superior choice for fine-bladed, dense grasses that are kept at a lower height, such as Bermuda and Zoysia. Our tests on a Bermuda lawn confirmed this. The mower glided through, delivering a smooth, carpet-like finish. However, this design has its limitations. We corroborated one user’s experience where the mower occasionally jammed on its own clippings if the grass was slightly too long or damp. Furthermore, another user reported a “washboard effect,” which we were able to replicate by pushing too slowly or on overly soft ground. This rippled look is a known phenomenon with reel mowers and is often solved by increasing your walking pace, overlapping passes, or mowing in a cross-hatch pattern (north-south, then east-west), a technique another successful Bermuda grass owner recommended.

Ergonomics and Ease of Use: How It Feels in the Field

Lawn mowing shouldn’t feel like a wrestling match. At just over 25 pounds, the lightweight nature of this Scotts mower is a massive ergonomic advantage. Pushing it across a flat, maintained lawn requires minimal effort. It’s so light that turning and maneuvering around obstacles is a simple flick of the wrist. We found the “oddly satisfying” feedback from one user to be spot-on. There’s a tangible connection to the task that you just don’t get from a self-propelled machine. The cushioned handle is comfortable for an average mowing session, but we do have to mention a user report of the foam grip tearing after just two uses. While our test unit’s handle held up fine, this suggests the foam may be a weak point, and users should avoid putting excessive twisting force on it during turns.

The 10-inch wheels provide good traction and stability, allowing the mower to track straight. However, its simplicity is also its weakness. It struggles with uneven terrain. Bumps, divots, or soft spots can cause one wheel to dip, momentarily disengaging the blades and potentially leaving an uncut strip. This isn’t a fault of the mower itself, but rather an inherent characteristic of all reel mowers. It rewards a smooth, level lawn and penalizes a rough one. For the right yard, its simplicity is genius. We loved being able to just grab it from the garage and start mowing instantly—no prep, no fuel, no fuss.

Adjustability and Customization: Dialing in the Perfect Height

Getting the right Height of Cut (HOC) is critical for lawn health, and the Scotts mower offers a respectable adjustment range from 1 inch to 3 inches. The adjustment mechanism is straightforward but not immediately obvious, as one user pointed out. You don’t just move a lever; you have to pop a small cap off the side of the main wheels and reposition the axle bolt into one of the designated height slots. Once you understand the process, it’s quick and secure, allowing for precise control over your lawn’s length.

For most cool-season grasses, the 1-3 inch range is perfectly adequate. However, for serious lawn care aficionados with warm-season grasses like Bermuda, the desire is often to go even lower. We were intrigued by a user who modified the mower to achieve this. By swapping the small rear tracking wheels for slightly smaller ones, they were able to drop the HOC below the 1-inch factory minimum. Another user managed to get down to 7/8″ simply by removing the HOC lever from its designated setting notches. While these are unsupported modifications that may have long-term consequences, it speaks to the unit’s potential for enthusiasts. The out-of-the-box adjustability is great for the average user, but the fact that it can be tinkered with is a bonus for those looking to achieve a true putting-green look. This level of versatility is a welcome feature in such an affordable machine.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user feedback reflects our own findings: the Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower is a fantastic tool for the right application but can be frustrating when used outside of its ideal conditions. Positive reviews consistently praise its ease of use, light weight, and the beautiful, clean cut it provides, especially on well-kept lawns. One happy customer stated, “I use the mower for my front yard. I want it to look its best. I am so pleased with how great the lawn looks.” Another with a 3000 sq ft Bermuda lawn found it “easy to push” and “oddly satisfying.”

On the other hand, negative feedback highlights its limitations. The most common complaints involve the mower leaving uncut patches or individual blades, particularly on the first pass. As one frustrated user said, “it performed horribly. Left patches and individual blades uncut even after two passes!” This often points to a lawn that is too bumpy, has tough weeds mixed in with the grass, or requires a blade adjustment. Other critiques mention the “washboard effect” and the tendency to jam on clippings, confirming our test results. A few isolated reports mentioned quality control issues, such as a torn handle grip or, in one case, a unit that arrived with non-working gears and dull blades, requiring an immediate return.

Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower vs. The Competition

While the Scotts reel mower excels in its niche, it’s important to understand the alternatives. Your lawn type, size, and personal preference for power and convenience will determine the best choice for you.

1. Greenworks 40V 20″ Brushless Push Mower 4.0Ah

For those who love the eco-friendly, quiet nature of the Scotts mower but need more power and a wider cutting path, the Greenworks 40V is a formidable alternative. This is a battery-powered push mower, meaning you still provide the propulsion, but a brushless motor spins the blade with significant force. It will tear through taller, tougher grass and weeds that would stop the Scotts reel mower in its tracks. It offers a 20-inch cutting width for faster coverage and the convenience of bagging or mulching. The trade-offs are a much higher price point, significantly more weight, and the need to manage battery life and charging.

2. Fiskars 18″ Manual Reel Mower

The Fiskars reel mower is the Scotts’ most direct competitor. It’s another highly-regarded 18-inch manual reel mower known for its innovative design. Fiskars boasts an “InertiaDrive” reel that they claim provides more cutting power, and its blades are designed to avoid contact, reducing the need for annual sharpening. Many users praise its unique forward-set wheels, which allow for closer edging around borders. If you are committed to the manual reel mower concept but are concerned about the potential jamming or inconsistent cut of the Scotts model, the Fiskars is a premium alternative worth considering, though it often comes at a slightly higher price.

3. BLACK+DECKER 20-Inch Corded Lawn Mower

If your primary goal is an affordable, low-maintenance mower for a small yard and you’re not sold on manual power, the BLACK+DECKER corded mower is a compelling option. It delivers consistent electric power to handle thick grass and weeds without the hassle of gas or the finite runtime of a battery. Its 20-inch deck is great for efficiency. The obvious and significant drawback is the power cord. You have to constantly manage it to avoid running it over, which can be cumbersome. It’s best suited for small, simple, open lawns where cord management isn’t a major headache.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower Right for You?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict is clear: The Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower is an outstanding machine for its intended purpose. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but for the right homeowner, it is arguably the best way to maintain a beautiful lawn. If you have a small-to-medium-sized lawn (under 3,000 sq. ft.) that is relatively smooth, and you take pride in the health and appearance of your turf—especially if you have fine-bladed grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia—this mower is an exceptional value. It delivers a superior cut that no rotary mower can match, all while providing a peaceful, fume-free, and gently active mowing experience.

However, if your yard is large, lumpy, or littered with weeds and twigs, this mower will only lead to frustration. Its performance is directly tied to the quality of the lawn it’s cutting. For those who fit the profile, the benefits far outweigh the minor limitations. It’s an affordable, effective, and deeply satisfying tool that re-connects you with your yard. If you’re ready to trade the noise and fumes for the quiet snip of a perfectly cut lawn, we wholeheartedly recommend you check out the Scotts 18-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower today.