Looking for the best reel manual mowers under £100 in the UK? We’ve tested, trimmed and sweated through the top picks so you don’t have to. No petrol, no plugs, no problem – just pure mowing muscle on a budget.
Best Reel Manual Mowers Under £100 - Who Needs an Extension Cord Anyway?
If you’ve ever sworn at a tangled cord, cursed at a flat mower battery, or cried quietly over the cost of petrol, then this guide is your redemption arc. Manual reel mowers are the original fitness-and-lawn combo. They’re quiet, eco-friendly, and oddly satisfying to use like yoga, but with grass clippings.
The good news? You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a clean, even cut. We’ve scoured the market (and a few garden sheds) to find the best reel mowers under £100, perfect for smaller gardens and old-school mowing enthusiasts who don’t mind putting a little elbow grease into their weekend ritual.
What to Expect in This Review
We’ll walk you through our top five budget-friendly champs all under £100 at the time of this review. You’ll get a balanced mix of performance, build quality, comfort, and value-for-money insights.
So, lace up your mowing shoes, channel your inner groundskeeper, and let’s roll into the quiet, green world of manual mowing done right.
Best Budget Reel Mowers Under £100
#1, Spear & Jackson 40cm Hand Push Cylinder Mower
If James Bond ever mowed lawns, this would probably be his choice sleek, precise, and quietly efficient. The Spear & Jackson 40cm Hand Push Cylinder Lawnmower slices through grass with five metal blades that cut like scissors, not like a blunt bread knife. The result? A cleaner cut, faster regrowth, and a lawn so smooth your neighbours might think you’ve hired help.
With a generous 40cm cutting width and 30L grass collection box, this mower means business, especially for medium-sized gardens that need a tidy finish without fuss. The rear roller adds that iconic striped look, perfect if you’re secretly competing with next door for “Best Lawn 2025.”
There’s no petrol, no cord, no charging time just pure push power. At 8.5kg, it’s light enough to handle but sturdy enough to stay grounded. The adjustable cutting heights (1.5–4.2cm) let you go from Wimbledon-ready to “just back from holiday” length with ease.
And to top it off, Spear & Jackson back it with a 3-year guarantee, which in mower years is basically a lifetime.
Verdict: A handsome, reliable workhorse that delivers neat stripes, zero emissions, and a surprising upper-arm workout all for under £100.
2, Bosch 38cm Hand Push Cylinder Mower
Bosch brings its usual German precision to the humble hand mower, proving once again that you don’t need an engine to engineer brilliance. The Bosch AHM 38G is ideal for smaller gardens and anyone who enjoys the meditative rhythm of mowing without the roar of a motor.
The 38cm cylinder blades spin horizontally, creating that crisp, scissor-like cut that keeps your grass healthy and your conscience clean. It’s light, just 7.5kg, so even after a full mow, you’ll still have energy for that well-earned cuppa. Bosch’s high-geared side wheels make it glide smoothly, even over uneven patches, while the rear roller gives your lawn a professional striped look because who says budget mowers can’t look posh?
With a cutting height range of 1.5–5cm and a 25L grass box, this mower is more than capable of keeping a neat, low-maintenance lawn. Sure, it’s smaller than some rivals, but that just means fewer obstacles when manoeuvring tight spaces. Backed by a 2-year manufacturer guarantee, this little reel mower earns its place in the top five.
Verdict: Compact, clean-cutting, and surprisingly nimble. Perfect for smaller lawns and perfectionists who like their grass trimmed to German standards, efficient, tidy, and ever so slightly smug.
3, Einhell GC-HM Hand Push Lawnmower
If mowing were a silent sport, the Einhell GC-HM 300 would be the crowd favourite. This little red-and-black champion is all about simplicity and function, no cables, no fumes, no excuses. With a 30cm cutting width and 16L grass box, it’s built for smaller gardens and people who appreciate peace and quiet while trimming the turf.
Underneath, it’s got five high-grade steel blades that slice grass neatly, and a 4-level height adjustment (13mm to 37mm) so you can choose between “golf green” and “lazy Sunday meadow.” The large, lawn-friendly wheels glide smoothly, while the curved handle keeps things comfortable for longer mowing sessions. It even has a parking position, which sounds fancy until you realise it just means it stands nicely in the shed.
Weighing just 6.5kg, it’s easy to lift, push, and store. Sure, it’s not built for rugby-pitch-sized lawns, but for compact gardens it’s a tidy, quiet, and satisfying bit of kit. And with a 3-year warranty (two standard plus one on registration), you’re well covered if anything goes awry.
Verdict: Lightweight, reliable, and quiet enough not to wake the dog. The Einhell GC-HM is perfect for small lawns and gentle gardeners who prefer trimming over powerlifting.
4, COBRA Manual Lawnmower
The Cobra HM381 sounds like a sports car, and to be fair, it handles like one, if sports cars were powered by determination and forearm strength. This 38cm, 5-blade cylinder mower is designed for those who like their lawns neat, striped, and chemical-free.
Built with a rear roller for that classic striped finish, this mower doesn’t just cut, it styles. The adjustable cutting height (13–38mm) lets you go low and tight for a show-garden finish or keep things relaxed for regular maintenance. And yes, the grass collector does its job well, catching most clippings so you can skip the rake and enjoy your handiwork sooner.
At under £100, it feels solid and smooth in use. The push motion is surprisingly satisfying, and the quick-release catch on the collector means emptying it is a one-hand job. Backed by a 2-year warranty, Cobra proves that you don’t need petrol or plug sockets to make your lawn look like a bowling green.
Verdict: A clean cutter with proper stripes and great build quality for the price. Perfect for small-to-medium lawns and anyone who secretly enjoys showing off their “lawn lines” on a Sunday stroll.
5, McGregor 30cm Wide Cylinder Lawnmower
If you’re looking for a compact, tidy, and budget-friendly lawn whisperer, the McGregor 30cm Cylinder Lawnmower might just be your new weekend partner. Designed for smaller gardens, it’s light, nimble, and doesn’t complain about early mornings.
With its metal cutting blade and rear roller, this mower delivers a crisp, scissor-like cut and those satisfying stripes that make your lawn look smugly professional. The 30cm cutting width and adjustable height settings (1.8–3.8cm) let you fine-tune your trim, short and sharp or soft and natural, depending on your mood (and the weather).
The 23L grass collection bag saves you from post-mow raking, while its 6.3kg weight makes it easy to push, store, and lift without grumbling muscles. Like most McGregor tools, it’s built for straightforward reliability rather than flash, a lawnmower that simply gets the job done. Add in a 2-year guarantee, and you’ve got peace of mind alongside clean-cut grass.
Verdict: A featherweight, fuss-free mower that’s ideal for small lawns and tidy gardeners. It’s affordable, efficient, and surprisingly charming, like the budget-friendly hero of your garden shed.
Final Word - The Joy of Mowing Without Motors
There’s something deeply satisfying about pushing a reel mower, no fumes, no charging, no noise, just you and the gentle snip of blades doing their thing. It’s part exercise, part therapy, and 100% environmentally friendly.
Each mower on this list proves you don’t need to spend hundreds to get great results. Whether it’s the muscular stripes of the Spear & Jackson, the German precision of Bosch, the quiet confidence of Einhell, the classy roll of Cobra, or the light-touch practicality of McGregor, every one of these machines earns its place under £100.
So, if you’re ready to ditch the petrol and embrace the push, pick your favourite and reclaim your lawn with pride. Your grass (and your electricity bill) will thank you. And remember, real gardeners push their luck… and their mowers.
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