Earthwise Power Tools by ALM Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Grey

I switched a section of my yard to a reel mower this season, and the Earthwise 16-inch reel mower quickly became my go-to for keeping warm-season turf tight and tidy. It’s a simple tool—no engine, no battery—just a well-built 7-blade cylinder, a bed knife, and two large wheels. But when a reel mower is designed well, that simplicity is exactly the point. This one hits the essentials: a clean scissor cut, easy pushing, and an adjustable height range that suits Bermuda, Zoysia, and other dense grasses.

Setup and first impressions

Assembly took me about ten minutes with basic hand tools. The handle bolts together, attaches to the deck, and that’s about it. Out of the box, the blade-to-bed-knife contact on my unit was even across the width, which is more important than it sounds—if it’s off, you’ll hear scraping, feel resistance, and see poor cutting. I did a quick “paper test” along the bed knife, and the reel sliced finely without dragging. The 10-inch composite wheels roll smoothly, and the steel side plates keep the frame from twisting under load. Overall, the mower feels light but not flimsy, and it stores neatly on a hook in the garage.

Cutting performance

This mower uses a 7-blade alloy steel reel, which is the right choice for low, dense turf. On Bermuda at 1 to 1.5 inches, the cut quality is excellent. The scissor action leaves clean tips with little to no fraying, which translates to better color and fewer brown ends compared to a rotary mower. It’s also quiet—more of a rhythmic “whirr” than a whine—so I can mow early without waking the neighborhood.

The cutting height adjusts from 0.5 to 2.5 inches, a sweet spot for warm-season lawns that like to be kept low. I spent most of the summer at 1.25 inches and nudged up to 1.5 during peak heat. The mower stays composed at those heights, even through thick Bermuda runners, and it tracks straight with minimal effort. If you’re after a “fairway-lite” look on a small to medium plot, this configuration makes it achievable.

There are limits. Like any reel mower, it doesn’t like tall grass or neglect. If you let the lawn jump past about a third of an inch between cuts, you’ll work harder, and the reel may “lay” stalks over instead of cutting them cleanly. I mow two to three times a week during heavy growth, and once weekly in cooler periods. If your goal is a low-maintenance, bi-weekly routine on mixed grass, a rotary might make more sense.

Handling and ergonomics

The Earthwise is light, which is a plus for maneuvering and for new turf you don’t want to rut. It’s an easy one-handed turn at the ends of a pass, and I can pick it up to relocate without thinking about it. The tradeoff is that very light reel mowers can skip or chatter on bumpy ground when set very low. On my uneven side yard, dropping beneath an inch raised the odds of a bounce that left a slight step in the cut line. Keeping the yard smooth, mowing a touch higher, and overlapping your passes cures most of this.

The handle has a slightly angled grip. It’s comfortable for me, but if you have broad shoulders you might wish for a bit more width or straighter grips. Height-wise, it’s fine for a range of users. Because the mower is light and the gearing is efficient, it’s accessible to smaller or less-strong operators, too.

Edge work is typical reel mower fare: it cuts close, but not under fences or into curb dips. I still follow up with a trimmer along hard edges and around beds.

Noise and cleanliness

Not much to say here—this is a quiet, clean machine. No gas, no fumes, and no dust plume in dry weather. That last point is underrated; because the reel snips rather than thrashes, it doesn’t kick up nearly as much debris as a rotary. For small in-town lots or droughty summers, that’s a comfort.

Maintenance and longevity

Reel mowers reward small, regular habits. I brush clippings off the reel after each mow, add a couple drops of oil to the bed knife, and wipe down the sides when needed. The alloy steel reel holds an edge well. You’ll still need to backlap or sharpen over time (frequency depends on how clean you keep the lawn and how low you cut), but the 7-blade drum on this mower hasn’t asked for attention yet through a season of twice-weekly use.

Height adjustments are straightforward and hold their setting. The bearings spin true, and the frame has stayed square. As with any reel, keep an eye out for twigs and small stones—hit one and you’ll stop dead, which is usually more startling than harmful. I try to give the lawn a quick walk-through before mowing; it’s a two-minute habit that pays back in smoother passes.

Where it excels

• Low, dense grasses: Bermuda, Zoysia, and similar warm-season species at 0.5–1.5 inches are this mower’s home turf.
• Small to medium lawns: The 16-inch width strikes a good balance between efficiency and maneuverability. For me, a 2,000–3,500 sq ft front yard is a comfortable single session.
• Quiet, frequent maintenance cuts: If you enjoy light-touch lawn care and want a consistent, tight finish, this tool rewards you.

Where it struggles

• Overgrown or infrequently cut lawns: Reel mowers aren’t meant to knock down tall grass. If you miss a week during a growth spurt, plan on a higher cut followed by a second, lower pass a day or two later—or use a rotary to reset height.
• Bumpy terrain at very low settings: Any reel will scalp or chatter on uneven ground when set down near half an inch. Leveling and topdressing pay dividends.
• Cool-season grasses kept tall: If you maintain fescue or rye above 2.5 inches, this mower’s height range is not ideal.

Comparisons and value

Against other human-powered reels, the Earthwise stands out with its 7-blade drum and smooth gearing. Many budget models stick to five blades and feel undergeared in dense turf; this one keeps rolling and maintains clip rate at a normal walking pace, which means fewer double passes. The chassis isn’t overbuilt, but the steel side plates and bearing supports are stout enough to stay aligned, which is vital for consistent contact and a clean cut. At its price point, it competes well—especially if you’re specifically targeting low-height warm-season lawn care.

Tips for best results

• Set the height conservatively at first. Drop in quarter-inch steps to find the sweet spot your lawn can sustain.
• Mow often during peak growth. Two to three light cuts per week beat one heavy cut.
• Keep the reel and bed knife clean and lightly oiled. It reduces noise and friction and extends edge life.
• Overlap passes slightly, especially on uneven areas.
• Clear twigs and stones before you start.

The bottom line

The Earthwise 16-inch reel mower does exactly what a reel should: it slices cleanly, tracks easily, and encourages healthy, dense turf when used at the right height and frequency. It’s quiet, low-maintenance, and light enough for nearly anyone to push. It’s not a universal solution—if your lawn is uneven, rarely mowed, or kept tall, you’ll fight the physics. But for small to mid-sized warm-season lawns where a tight, polished look is the goal, it delivers a lot of performance without the cost or complexity of powered reel options.

Recommendation: I recommend this mower for homeowners maintaining Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine, or bentgrass in the 0.5–2.5 inch range on small to medium lots. It’s an affordable, efficient way to step into reel mowing and see real gains in cut quality and turf health. If your lawn care style leans toward infrequent cuts, taller cool-season grass, or very bumpy ground, a rotary mower—or pairing this with a rotary for occasional resets—will suit you better.