Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower Review: The Quiet, Eco-Friendly Path to a Perfect Lawn?

I still remember those Saturday mornings. The jarring roar of a neighbor’s gas mower at 8 AM, the smell of exhaust hanging in the air, and the sheer hassle of my own lawn care ritual. For years, I wrestled with a heavy, gas-powered beast. It was a constant battle of checking the oil, running out for gas, yanking a stubborn pull-cord, and then shouting over the engine’s deafening drone. I switched to an electric model, thinking I’d found a modern solution. The peace was nice, but I was tethered by a cord, constantly worried about running it over. Then came the cordless battery model—freedom, at last! Until, as one user I read about experienced, the battery inevitably died after a few seasons, and the replacement was either discontinued or prohibitively expensive. The mower became a giant, useless piece of e-waste. I was done with the cycle of complexity and waste. This frustration led me back to basics, searching for a purely mechanical, reliable, and quiet way to maintain my lawn, which is how the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower first landed on my radar.

What to Consider Before Buying a Walk-Behind Lawn Mower

A Walk-Behind Lawn Mower is more than just an item for your shed; it’s a key solution for maintaining the health, beauty, and usability of your outdoor space. Whether you’re choosing a gas, electric, or manual reel model, the fundamental goal is the same: to achieve a clean, uniform cut that promotes healthy grass growth. The benefits extend beyond simple aesthetics; regular mowing prevents pests from taking hold, controls weeds, and encourages thicker, more resilient turf. A good mower makes this weekly chore less of a burden and more of a satisfying, and sometimes even meditative, part of home ownership. It’s the difference between a yard you avoid and a lawn you’re proud to show off and enjoy.

The ideal customer for a manual reel mower like the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is someone facing the challenges of a small to medium-sized lawn (typically under half an acre) on relatively flat terrain. This person values quiet operation, has environmental concerns about emissions and energy consumption, and appreciates the simplicity of a tool with no engine to maintain. It’s perfect for the suburban homeowner who wants to mow in the early morning or evening without disturbing neighbors. However, it might not be suitable for those who have vast properties, steep hills, or a lawn that is frequently overgrown with tough, stalky weeds and uneven terrain. For those users, a more powerful gas or high-voltage battery-powered self-propelled mower would be a more practical, albeit more complex and expensive, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider the cutting width first. A wider deck, like the 20-inch path on this Scotts model, means fewer passes to cover your lawn, saving you time and energy. Also, think about storage. A key advantage of a reel mower is its smaller footprint, allowing it to be hung on a garage wall, taking up significantly less space than a bulky gas-powered mower.
• Capacity/Performance: The performance of a reel mower is defined by its blades and adjustability. A 5-blade system provides a good balance, effectively cutting common grass types like fescue and bluegrass. The cutting height range (1 to 3 inches on this model) is critical for lawn health; you need to adjust it based on the season and grass type. Reel mowers excel at cutting grass blades cleanly but struggle with thick weeds or overly tall grass.
• Materials & Durability: The heart of a reel mower is its blades. Look for heat-treated alloy steel, which is designed to hold a sharp edge for longer. The handle construction is another critical point. While a lightweight design is great for maneuverability, some users have noted potential weak points in the metal handles or connection points over time. Wheels should be sturdy and provide good traction without being overly heavy.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Simplicity is the reel mower’s greatest strength. Assembly should be tool-free and quick. Operation is as simple as pushing. Long-term care involves keeping the blades clean of grass clippings, checking that bolts remain tight, and periodically adjusting and sharpening the blades to ensure a clean, scissor-like cut. This is far less involved than dealing with oil changes, spark plugs, and fuel stabilizers.

While the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn 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 Simplicity

Receiving the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower was a breath of fresh air. The box itself was manageable, not the behemoth crate I was used to with powered mowers. Upon opening it, I was greeted by a few simple, intuitive parts: the main reel and wheel assembly, and the handle sections. The promise of a “tool-less assembly” held true. Following the clear instructions, I had the handle snapped together and attached to the mower body in under 10 minutes. One user even mentioned their 9-year-old daughter assembled it with guidance, and I can absolutely believe it. The classic green finish and straightforward mechanical design felt honest and purposeful. The cushioned grip on the handle was a nice touch, promising a more comfortable experience than a bare metal bar. It’s remarkably lightweight compared to any engine-powered mower, a feature that immediately suggests easy maneuverability. You can see its refreshingly simple design and specs for yourself. It felt less like a heavy-duty machine and more like a precise garden tool.

A Deep Dive into the Scotts Reel Mower’s Performance

A reel mower isn’t just a different power source; it’s a fundamentally different approach to lawn care. After spending several weeks putting the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower through its paces on my own mix of Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for its strengths and a clear understanding of its limitations. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but for the right lawn and the right owner, it’s a game-changer.

The Art of the Scissor Cut: Blade Performance and Lawn Health

The core of this mower’s value lies in its 5-blade ball bearing reel. Unlike a rotary mower, which uses a single, high-speed blade to whack and tear at the grass, a reel mower functions like a pair of scissors. The five spinning blades work against a stationary bedknife, snipping each blade of grass cleanly. This is more than just a mechanical curiosity; it has a profound impact on lawn health. A clean cut allows the grass to heal faster and makes it less susceptible to disease and pests. After my first few mows, I could genuinely see the difference. The lawn had a smoother, more carpet-like appearance, a quality often described by golf course superintendents who exclusively use reel mowers.

The blades themselves are made of heat-treated alloy steel, designed to stay sharp longer. Out of the box, my unit was perfectly adjusted and sliced through paper cleanly—the classic test for a reel mower. The sound it makes is one of its most pleasant features. Instead of an engine’s roar, you hear a gentle, satisfying “snip-snip-snip” as you walk. It’s quiet enough to mow at dawn without waking anyone, transforming a noisy chore into a peaceful morning ritual. However, this precision cutting has its limits. As many users noted, and as I quickly confirmed, the mower is designed for grass, not weeds. It pushed over the flexible stems of dandelions and struggled with the tough stalks of crabgrass, often leaving them standing after a pass. For a pristine lawn, this isn’t an issue, but for a lawn with a “thick assortment of vegetation,” as one user aptly put it, you’ll either need to pull weeds beforehand or accept that some will be missed. You can explore the advanced 5-blade cutting system here.

Ergonomics and Usability: From Assembly to the Final Pass

From the moment you lift the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower out of the box, its user-friendliness is apparent. The advertised tool-less assembly is a legitimate highlight, taking mere minutes to get up and running. Once assembled, its lightweight nature is its greatest ergonomic asset. Weighing a fraction of a typical gas mower, pushing it requires minimal effort on flat ground, feeling more like a brisk walk. I found it incredibly easy to maneuver around flower beds, trees, and tight corners where my old, heavy mower was a clumsy nightmare. The 10-inch dual tracking wheels add to this stability, helping it roll smoothly over the lawn.

However, the experience isn’t without its quirks. To achieve a perfectly uniform cut, you must embrace the overlap. I found that overlapping each pass by about one-third to one-half of the mower’s width was necessary to avoid leaving stray, uncut strips or “mohawks.” This is a common characteristic of reel mowers, not a specific flaw of this model, but something new users must adapt to. Furthermore, several users reported issues with the handle bolts loosening over time, requiring frequent tightening. I experienced this myself after the third mow; the handle developed a slight wobble, which was quickly rectified with a hand-tightening of the wing nuts. It seems to be a minor but persistent annoyance that owners should be mindful of. For taller users, the handle’s ergonomics might also be a concern, as one review mentioned it being awkward for anyone over 5’5″, potentially requiring them to hunch over slightly.

Adjustability and Versatility: Dialing in the Perfect Height

Proper cutting height is non-negotiable for a healthy lawn, and the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower makes this simple. The quick-snap adjustment system is wonderfully straightforward. Levers on the sides allow you to easily set the cutting height between 1 and 3 inches, with 5 distinct positions. This range is ideal for most cool-season grasses like bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass. For my lawn, I started at the highest 3-inch setting for the first cut of spring and gradually lowered it to 2.5 inches as the season progressed. Adjusting it takes seconds and requires no tools, a stark contrast to some older mower designs.

This adjustability, however, does not make it an all-terrain brush hog. Its primary limitation, echoed in nearly every critical review, is its inability to handle neglect. If your grass has grown over 4-5 inches tall, this mower will struggle. It tends to push over the tall grass rather than feed it into the blades, especially on the highest setting. It’s a maintenance tool, not a reclamation tool. This was confirmed by one user who bravely tackled foot-tall grass and found it an immense struggle. The mower is at its best when used consistently, trimming the top third of the grass blade on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. It rewards diligence and punishes procrastination, a fundamental truth for anyone considering a switch to manual mowing. Its performance within its intended range is a key feature that really sets it apart for routine lawn care.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment for the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is highly positive among users with the right expectations. A recurring theme is the sheer relief of escaping the noise and maintenance of gas mowers. One user perfectly captured this, saying, “I hate lugging my power mower out… I hate the noise it makes.” They, like many others, found joy in the quiet, eco-friendly operation. Another user who likes to do yardwork in the morning celebrated being able to mow without waking the neighbors. The clean cut on well-maintained lawns, particularly on specific grass types like zoysia, also earns high praise, with one enthusiastic owner saying people were “mistaking my front yard for Centre Court.”

However, the negative feedback is just as consistent and provides a crucial reality check. The most significant complaints center on two areas: durability and performance limitations. Several users reported mechanical failures after one or two seasons, specifically pointing to the metal handle snapping near a screw hole or a wheel assembly falling off due to a failed washer. One user was extremely frustrated after the handle “completely snapped,” rendering the mower unusable. The other major complaint is its inability to cut weeds or tall grass, with one person noting, “it won’t get anything taller than the top of the blades.” This feedback is vital: while the mower excels under ideal conditions, its longevity and ability to handle imperfect lawns can be a point of failure.

How Does the Scotts 20-Inch Reel Mower Compare to the Alternatives?

The Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower occupies a unique niche. It’s not trying to compete on raw power, but on simplicity and cut quality. However, a beautiful lawn often requires more than just mowing. Let’s see how it compares to other types of lawn care tools you might be considering.

1. BILT HARD 16 Inch Electric Dethatcher Scarifier

It’s crucial to understand that the BILT HARD Dethatcher is not a lawn mower. This is a specialized lawn renovation tool. While the Scotts mower cuts the grass blades, a dethatcher uses tines to rake out the thick layer of dead grass and roots (thatch) that can choke your lawn’s root system. The scarifier function goes a step further, cutting shallow grooves into the soil to improve aeration and nutrient absorption. Someone would choose this product *in addition* to a mower, not instead of it. If your lawn feels spongy, looks unhealthy despite regular mowing, and struggles with water penetration, the BILT HARD Dethatcher is the tool you need to address the root of the problem. It is for the serious lawn care enthusiast focused on foundational health.

2. LiTHELi 17 Inch Cordless Lawn Mower

The LiTHELi Cordless Mower is the modern, powered alternative to the Scotts reel mower. It offers a solution for those who want to avoid gas but find the manual effort of a reel mower daunting or unsuitable for their lawn. With its battery-powered brushless motor, the LiTHELi can tackle taller grass and tougher weeds that would stop the Scotts mower in its tracks. It also offers features like bagging and mulching, which the basic reel mower lacks. The trade-offs are a higher initial cost, the need to manage and charge batteries, a heavier weight, and a more complex mechanical system. This is the ideal choice for someone with a small-to-medium yard with varied terrain or weed issues who wants the convenience of a powered mower without the noise and fumes of gasoline.

3. LawnMaster GVB1316 Electric Dethatcher

Similar to the BILT HARD model, the LawnMaster GVB1316 is a specialized tool for lawn health, not a mower. It serves the same purpose: removing thatch to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the soil and promote healthier, thicker grass growth. It’s an essential part of an advanced lawn care regimen, used perhaps once or twice a year in the spring and fall. You would never use this for your weekly grass cutting. A homeowner would choose the LawnMaster if their primary concern is improving the density and vitality of their turf. It’s a perfect companion product to a quality mower like the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, as using both in tandem (dethatching seasonally, mowing weekly) will yield professional-level lawn results.

The Final Verdict: Is the Scotts 20-Inch Reel Mower Right for You?

After extensive hands-on testing and analysis, our verdict on the Scotts 20-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower is clear: it is an outstanding tool for the right user and the right lawn. Its strengths are undeniable. The silent operation is transformative, the clean scissor-cut promotes a healthier, more beautiful turf, and the complete absence of gas, oil, or batteries makes it the simplest and most eco-friendly mowing option available. It provides a light workout and a level of satisfaction that no roaring gas machine can match. Its wide 20-inch path is a significant advantage over smaller reel mowers, making quick work of small-to-medium yards.

However, it demands a certain commitment from its owner. It is not for neglected, weed-infested, or overly bumpy lawns. It performs best with consistent use, trimming grass before it gets too tall. Potential buyers must also be aware of the durability concerns raised by some users regarding the handle and wheel assembly. If you have a relatively flat lawn under a half-acre, take pride in regular maintenance, and despise the noise and hassle of powered mowers, this is very likely the best lawn care investment you can make. It’s a return to simplicity that delivers exceptional results. If this sounds like the solution you’ve been searching for, we highly recommend you check the latest price and see if it’s the right fit for your lawn today.