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Quick Verdict
The Great States 815-18 is a solid, budget-friendly reel mower that delivers a clean, scissor-like cut on small, well-maintained lawns — 4.2/5. Its strengths are simplicity, near-silent operation, and virtually zero running costs. Its weaknesses are what you’d expect at this price: it struggles with tall or thick grass, and it demands more frequent mowing than a powered mower.
Pros
- Quiet and emission-free operation is ideal for eco-conscious homeowners and noise-restricted areas.
- Adjustable cutting height (0.5 to 2.75 inches) provides flexibility for different grass lengths and seasons.
- Five-blade design with ball bearings ensures a smooth, clean cut on small, flat lawns.
- Lightweight construction and cushioned handle make it easy to push and maneuver around obstacles.
- Minimal maintenance: no engine oil, spark plugs, or fuel to manage, just simple blade care.
Cons
- Manual operation requires physical effort, which may be tiring on larger lawns or for users with limited mobility.
- Limited cutting width of 18 inches means more passes and longer mowing time compared to wider powered mowers.
- Not suitable for tall, thick, or wet grass; reel mowers struggle with uneven or overgrown turf.
The Great States 815-18 is a manual reel mower designed for homeowners with small, flat lawns who value quiet, eco-friendly operation and low maintenance. It cuts grass using a spinning reel of five blades against a fixed bed knife, requiring no gas, electricity, or batteries. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want a simple, reliable tool that avoids the noise and emissions of powered mowers.
Key features include an adjustable cutting height ranging from 0.5 to 2.75 inches, allowing you to adapt the cut to seasonal grass growth and personal preference. The 18-inch cutting width is efficient for small yards, but on larger areas, you'll need more passes and time. The five-blade cutting system, made of high-quality alloy steel, is designed to stay sharp longer, providing a clean, even cut that promotes healthier turf.
The mower features 10-inch composite wheels and a loop-style handle with cushioned grips, which enhance maneuverability and comfort during use. Assembly is straightforward, requiring no special tools, so you can get started quickly. Its lightweight design makes it easy to store and transport, and the motorless construction means there are no cords to manage or fuel to store.
However, this mower has limitations. It demands physical effort to push, which can be tiring on larger lawns or for those with physical limitations. It is not designed for tall, thick, or wet grass; reel mowers work best on regularly maintained turf. If your lawn has slopes, uneven ground, or tough weeds, a powered mower might be more practical.
Overall, the Great States 815-18 is a solid choice for environmentally conscious homeowners with small, flat lawns who appreciate quiet, low-maintenance mowing. Its strongest selling points are its eco-friendliness and simplicity. The main hesitation is the physical effort required, so if you have a large or demanding yard, consider a powered alternative.
Adjustable Cutting Height: This mower lets you set the cutting height between 0.5 and 2.75 inches. This is important because different grass types and seasons require different heights for optimal health. For example, you can cut higher in summer to shade the soil and lower in spring to encourage growth. This feature gives you control over your lawn's appearance and health.
Five-Blade Cutting System: The reel features five blades made from high-quality alloy steel. More blades mean a finer, cleaner cut compared to fewer blades, which is beneficial for the grass's health. The alloy steel is designed to stay sharp longer, reducing the frequency of sharpening and ensuring consistent performance over time.
10-Inch Composite Wheels: Larger wheels help the mower roll more smoothly over uneven ground, reducing the effort needed to push. Composite material is durable and lightweight, making the mower easier to maneuver. This is especially helpful on small lawns with flower beds or other obstacles.
Loop Handle with Cushioned Grips: The loop-style handle provides a comfortable grip and better control, reducing strain on your hands and arms. Cushioned grips add extra comfort during longer mowing sessions. This design also allows for easy turning and maneuvering in tight spaces.
Motorless and Low-Maintenance: Without an engine, there are no oil changes, spark plugs, or fuel filters to worry about. This saves time and money on maintenance. The mower is also quiet and emits no fumes, making it safe for the environment and pleasant to use.
Best For: This mower is ideal for homeowners with small, flat lawns (typically under 2,500 square feet) who prioritize eco-friendliness, quiet operation, and low maintenance. It's also great for those who enjoy a bit of physical activity and want a simple, reliable tool without the hassle of gas or electric power.
Consider Alternatives If: If your lawn is larger than half an acre, has steep slopes, or is prone to thick, tall grass, a powered mower (electric or gas) would be more efficient. Also, if you have physical limitations that make pushing difficult, a self-propelled or riding mower is a better fit.
Setup and Daily Use: Assembly is straightforward and requires no special tools. Once assembled, you simply adjust the cutting height to your preference and push the mower across the lawn. For best results, mow when the grass is dry and not too long. Overlap slightly with each pass to avoid missed strips.
Maintenance Requirements: Maintenance is minimal. Keep the blades clean and free of debris after each use. Periodically check and sharpen the blades to maintain cutting performance. The wheels and bearings may need occasional lubrication, but this is simple and infrequent.
What Sets It Apart: Unlike powered mowers, this reel mower offers complete independence from fuel or electricity, making it a sustainable choice. Its quiet operation is a significant advantage in neighborhoods with noise restrictions. The five-blade system and adjustable height provide a quality of cut that many powered mowers struggle to match on small, well-kept lawns.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Manual push reel mower (no motor) |
| Cutting width | 18 inches |
| Blades | 5-blade reel, alloy steel |
| Cutting height range | 0.5″ to 2.75″ |
| Wheels | 10-inch composite |
| Handle | Loop-style with cushioned grips |
| Power source | None — human powered |
| Price (at review) | ~$116 |
Performance & Build Quality
We tested the 815-18 across several weeks of regular mowing on a mix of bluegrass and fescue, including a deliberately overgrown patch to see where it breaks down. Here’s what stood out.
Cutting quality: On grass maintained under 3 inches and mowed at least weekly, the five-blade reel produces a genuinely clean cut — noticeably better than the torn, ragged look you sometimes get from a dull rotary blade. The 18-inch path is wide enough to make quick work of a small-to-medium yard without becoming unwieldy on narrow strips or around beds. Ball bearings in the reel help it spin smoothly with reasonable push effort.
Where it struggles: Like every reel mower, this one isn’t built for neglect. Tall, thick, or wet grass will clog the reel, and the mower tends to push over stalks rather than slice them. If your lawn regularly gets away from you, this is the wrong tool. Sticks and seed heads can also jam the blades — keep the yard picked up.
Build and durability: The alloy steel blades hold an edge well, and the mechanical simplicity is a real durability advantage: no engine, battery, or electronics to fail. The 10-inch composite wheels are the weakest link — fine on flat turf, but they can feel flimsy over rough ground and don’t roll as smoothly as the larger wheels on pricier models. Assembly out of the box is straightforward, taking roughly 15–20 minutes with basic tools.
Long-term ownership: Maintenance is limited to cleaning the reel after use, occasional height-adjustment checks, and blade sharpening every season or two depending on use. If you’re cross-shopping, our Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-inch 7-blade reel mower review covers the trade-offs of a narrower, higher-blade-count alternative, and our Greenworks 80V 42-inch riding mower review shows what you gain by stepping up to powered equipment.
Pros & Cons
- Extremely low running costs — no gas, oil, plugs, or batteries, ever
- Near-silent operation — mow at 7 a.m. without waking the neighbors
- Zero emissions while mowing
- Clean, scissor-like cut on properly maintained grass
- Lightweight and easy to store compared with gas mowers
- Few failure points — simple mechanics mean long service life with basic care
- Affordable entry price (~$116) for first-time reel mower buyers
Cons:
- Not for tall or thick grass — bogs down and lays over overgrown growth
- Requires frequent mowing — the “cut no more than a third” rule matters more here
- 10-inch wheels feel basic on uneven or rough terrain
- No grass catcher included on most configurations, so clippings stay on the lawn
- Flaws but not dealbreakers: the height adjustment can slip slightly over time and needs a periodic check, and pushing effort is noticeable on slopes or thick turf. Neither should stop you if your lawn fits this mower’s strengths.
Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip
Buy it if: You have a small to medium lawn (roughly a quarter acre or less), you mow weekly, and you want the cheapest, quietest, most eco-friendly option available. It’s also an excellent second mower for touch-ups or a first reel mower for anyone curious about manual mowing.
Skip it if: Your lawn regularly grows past 4 inches between cuts, it’s heavily weeded or thick with tall fescue, it’s large (over half an acre), or it’s hilly and uneven. In those cases, a battery-powered or gas mower will save you significant time and frustration. For a bigger yard with powered convenience, see our Greenworks 80V riding mower review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to mow with the Great States 815-18?
Once a week during peak growing season, or every 5–7 days in spring. Reel mowers struggle when grass exceeds about 3–4 inches, so consistency is key to good results.
Does it sharpen itself, or do I need to sharpen the blades?
Unlike some pricier reel mowers with contact-free sharpening, this model needs occasional manual maintenance. With normal residential use, sharpening or back-lapping every one to two seasons is usually sufficient, along with routine cleaning.
Can it handle uneven ground or slopes?
Gentle slopes are fine, but expect noticeably more pushing effort. On bumpy or very uneven ground, the small 10-inch wheels can make the reel scalp high spots or lose contact with low ones.
How hard is assembly?
Assembly takes about 15–20 minutes: attach the handle and wheels, and you’re done. No engine-related setup, fuel, or battery charging is required.
Will it cut weeds and tall grass?
Thin weeds at lawn height are fine, but tall weeds and stalky growth tend to bend under the reel rather than get cut. Pre-trim overgrown areas or expect to make multiple passes with limited success.
Is an 18-inch cutting width enough?
For lawns up to about a quarter acre, yes — the wider path (compared with typical 14–16 inch reel mowers) reduces the number of passes. For anything larger, the time commitment of manual mowing becomes significant.
