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Cutting bermuda grass is a little different than mowing a traditional lawn. You need a mower that provides a clean cut and snips grass, rather than tears it up. That’s why I prefer using reel mowers over rotary mowers.
You can think of reel mowers like a pair of scissors. They provide a cut that’s level, precise, and sharp. Not only that, but you can cut at lower heights. I like this feature because bermuda grass should be maintained at 1-1 ½ inches throughout the year.
This may prove difficult with a traditional rotary mower.
In this article, I’m going to talk about the 5 best lawn mowers for cutting bermuda grass. I’ve carefully selected each product based on my expert knowledge and will provide you with an unbiased review.
Don’t have time to read this article!? No problem! My top pick is the Fiskars Stay Sharp Reel Mower. I recommend it because it’s lightweight, has sharp blades, and provides a damn good cut!
Why I’m Qualified
I’ve always been a big fan of gardening. Throughout the years, I’ve cut many lawns and have experience with bermuda grass. My time spent cutting grass has taught me what products to avoid, and which ones to purchase.
My passion is to now inform readers through this blog. After all, who wants to spend their hard-earned money on products that don’t function as described, right!?
5 Best Lawn Mowers For Bermuda Grass
1.Fiskars Stay Sharp Max Reel Mower
- ECO-FRIENDLY PUSH LAWNMOWER: Manual reel lawnmower with 18" cut width; No gas, oil, charging, or cords required; 60% easier to push than other reel mowers and ideal for regular lawn maintenance
- BEST-IN-CLASS CUTTING PERFORMANCE: InertiaDrive Reel boasts twice the cutting power of standard reel mowers, while the StaySharp Cutting System eliminates the cost and inconvenience of manual blade sharpening
- SUPERIOR ERGONOMICS: Reversible grass chute can direct clippings away from your feet, making it easier to mow tough patches while limiting messiness; One-touch handle height adjustment enhances your comfort and control
If you want something lightweight, easy to push, and that leaves your lawn looking a million dollars, this is the reel mower for you. It can’t cut grass over 6”, but what can you expect from a reel mower!?
Thanks to the lightweight design, it also works great on hills. Unlike gas and electric mowers, you’ll still get an even cut, which I consider a major upside.
What’s more, you can adjust the handle, catering to people of all heights and sizes. This also helps prevent back strain over the long term.
If you accidentally mow over small sticks, the Fiskars Reel Mower will come to a halt, allowing you to remove the debris and continue mowing. Combine that with the quiet motor, and you’ve got a recipe for success, right!?
With that being said, I did discover a downside. It’s difficult to cut close to the fence due to the design. There’s going to be a small gap, so keep an edger on hand for the perfect finish!
Why You Should Buy It…
- Lightweight and easy to push
- Provides an even cut
- Doesn’t leave patches on hills
- Adjustable handle
- Blades maintain sharpness
What’s Not So Good…
- Can’t cut grass over 6”
- You still need a trimmer for the edges
Best Feature: Perfect For Hills
2.Earthwise 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
- Hand-push reel mower with 16" cutting width, 7-blade ball bearing reel, and 10" composite wheels; Durable steel side plate design
- Versatile Earthwise Power Tools by ALM push lawn mower for cutting bent grass- Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine, and Seashore Paspalum
- Alloy steel 7-blade mower stays sharp longer
Designed with 7 blades, the Earthwise Reel Lawn Mower is perfect for cutting bermuda grass. Be warned though, it can’t cut longer grass, which could pose a problem for some people.
However, unlike the Fiskars Stay Sharp Mower, it can easily cut as low as 0.5”. And who doesn’t want that!? Does 0.5” sound a little low? No problem! It goes all the way up to 2.5”.
It has a 16” cutting width, making it great for people with small to medium-sized lawns. If you’ve got a large lawn, I recommend getting something with a larger cutting deck, otherwise, it’s going to take longer to cut.
In addition, it’s also super lightweight – more so than the Fiskars Reel Mower. With that being said, it’s a little harder to maneuver.
As time passes, the blades may become dull. However, it’s going to be a long time before that happens. And the good news!? You can easily sharpen the blades and get back to mowing the perfect lawn.
Why You Should Buy It…
- Cuts as low as 0.5”
- 16” cutting width
- Perfect for small to medium lawns
- Lightweight
- Easily sharpen the blades
What’s Not So Good…
- Not recommended for longer grass
- Handles are too close together
Best Feature: 7 Blades
3.Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower
- Classic Scotts 20 inch push no-motor manual reel rotary lawn mower features 20" cutting width, 5-blade ball bearing reel, and 10" dual tracking wheels
- Quick-snap 1"-3" cutting height adjustment for a clean, even cut every time with this Scotts classic hand push reel rotary 20 inch lawn mower
- Blades on the Scotts classic hand push reel rotary 20 inch lawn mower are made of quality, heat-treated alloy steel for staying sharp longer
Not only does the Scotts Reel Lawn Mower allow you to cut your bermuda grass between 1-3”, but you can also purchase it with a grass catcher. With that being said, it’s not fully enclosed like most lawnmowers on the market.
On a more positive note, it boasts a 20” cutting width, which is big for a reel lawnmower. That’s why I recommend it for all types of lawns- whether small or large.
Rather than having two wheels, this mower has four, making it easier to push over rough terrain. I like this feature as it makes it possible for elderly people to continue cutting the grass without overexerting themselves.
Read Also: 5 Best Lawn Mowers For Seniors
When it arrives, you’ll only need to attach the handle and you’re ready to start cutting! Although I’d recommend oiling the blades. They are super dry and will work better when lubricated.
In terms of downsides, I found the handle to be a little loose at times, making it appear cheaply made.
Why You Should Buy It…
- Cuts between 1-3”
- Whopping 20” cutting width
- 2 wheels for tough terrain
- Super easy to assemble
- Great for elderly people
What’s Not So Good…
- The handle is loose
- The grass catcher isn’t fully enclosed
Best Feature: 20” Cutting Width
4.Great States 815-18 Push Reel Lawn Mower
- The Great States motor-less lawnmower with an adjustable cutting height of 0.5"-2.75" for a clean, even cut
- 18" cutting width 5-blade manual push mower with 5-blade ball-bearings, and 10" composite wheels
- Push mower blades are made of high-quality alloy steel that stay sharp longer
When the Great States Reel Lawn Mower arrives, it comes with a detailed set of instructions. But you’re probably not going to need them! There are no tools required and all you need to do is attach the handle. It doesn’t get any easier than that, right!?
Once the handle is attached, it’s time to take it for a spin. But how does it perform!? Shockingly great! Is that even a word? Anyhow, it provides a precise cut that’s going to give your lawn that ‘carpet look’.
It’s also super easy to push. It’s so lightweight that maneuvering around trees and other objects is almost effortless.
Want to mow your bermuda grass first thing in the morning!? You can do so using the Great States Reel Lawn Mower as its near-silent design means you won’t wake the neighbors.
Similar to other reel mowers on this list, it won’t cut tall grass. If you’ve got tall grass in your backyard, I recommend going over it with a rotary and then with a reel mower to give it a perfect finish.
Why You Should Buy It…
- No tools are required for assembly
- Provides a precise cut
- Easy to push
- Lightweight
- Near-silent
What’s Not So Good…
- Doesn’t work on overgrown grass
- Not the most durable
Best Feature: Easy To Assemble
5.Greenworks 18-Inch Reel Lawn Mower
- 18" cutting path gets the job done quicker and more efficiently
- 2-in-1 feature provides mulching and rear bag capabilities
- 9 position height adjustment offers a range of cutting height from 1 3/4" to 2 3/4" for the perfect cut on all grass types
The first thing that stood out to me about the Greenworks Reel Lawn Mower is the grass catcher. Although reel mowers are only designed to ‘trim’ your grass, it’s still a nice feature to have for the few clippings that remain.
Be warned though, some customers complained how the grass catcher doesn’t collect all the grass.
But do you know what’s even better!? You can purchase this mower with a 16 or 18” cutting deck. Of course, I recommend going for the 18” deck as it’s going to save you time and energy.
The two large wheels at the front are complemented by 2 smaller wheels at the back, making it easy to maneuver over rough terrain. Combine that with the lightweight design and cutting the grass becomes effortless.
Unlike many other reel mowers, this one is a little louder. However, it’s nowhere near as loud as a gas or electric mower.
Why You Should Buy It…
- Comes with a grass catcher
- Choose between 16 or 18” cutting deck
- Four wheels make it easy to push over difficult terrain
- Lightweight design
- Cuts from 1 ¾ to 2 ¾
What’s Not So Good…
- Louder than other reel mowers
- Grass catcher doesn’t collect all trimmings
Best Feature: Grass Catcher
Choosing The Best Lawn Mower For Bermuda Grass – Buyers Guide
Cutting Height
You’re not going to find a reel mower that lets you cut grass over 4”. They are designed to trim your grass, rather than cut it. That means you’ll need to maintain your grass to ensure it doesn’t grow over a certain height, otherwise, you’re going to need a rotary mower.
However, it’s important to choose a cutting height you’re happy with. Some reel mowers can go as low as 0.5”. However, bermuda grass should be maintained between 1-1 ½ inches year-round.
Cutting Width
The cutting width determines how much grass a mower can cut. The longer the cutting deck, the faster you’ll be able to cut your beloved bermuda grass. If you’ve got a larger lawn, a bigger cutting width is going to be better.
On the flip side, a smaller lawn means you can go for a lawnmower with a smaller cutting width.
Maneuverability
It’s important to choose a mower that’s lightweight and maneuverable. That way, you can easily maneuver around trees, fences, and gates without any issue. You’ll be glad to hear all the mowers outlined in this article are easily maneuverable.
Grass Catcher
While it’s not mandatory, a great optional extra is a grass catcher. You typically find grass catchers attached to the back of rotary lawnmowers, helping collect grass while mowing.
Read Also: Best Lawn Mowers For Collecting Grass
Final Verdict
There are two things you need to keep in mind if you can bermuda grass. Firstly, you need to maintain it regularly, especially in the Summer months when it grows rapidly.
And secondly, you need to get a high-quality reel mower, helping provide a clean and precise cut that makes the neighbors jealous! To recap, I recommend the Fiskars Stay Sharp Mower because of the great cut it provides.