Thinking about a Great States 18-inch reel lawn mower? This honest, experience-led guide explores the real benefits, limitations, and who this quiet, eco-friendly mower may suit best.
What are the Benefits for the Great States 18-Inch Reel Mower?
Let’s be honest, a reel lawn mower is not something most people stumble into by accident. You usually arrive here after a few thoughts like, “Do I really need another engine to maintain?”, or “Why is mowing the lawn so loud?”, or my personal favourite, “Surely grass doesn’t need petrol to be cut.”
The Great States 18-inch reel mower sits firmly in that old-school-meets-modern category. It looks simple, works on human effort, and under the right conditions, it does exactly what it says on the tin. The benefits are real, but they’re very situational, and that’s the key thing to understand before spending your money. Below are the genuine upsides, without pretending it’s right for everyone.
Environmentally Friendly and Guilt-Free Mowing
This is probably the biggest reason people consider a reel mower in the first place. There’s no gas, no oil, no batteries, and no extension cords. You push it, the blades spin, the grass gets trimmed. That’s it. From an environmental standpoint, this supports lower emissions and less resource use, especially if you’re mowing a small yard regularly.
I think there’s also a subtle psychological benefit here. You don’t feel like you’re firing up a machine just to knock a few millimetres off the grass. It feels… reasonable. Almost polite. For eco-conscious homeowners, or anyone trying to reduce small everyday emissions, this mower makes sense.
Quiet Enough to Hear Your Thoughts
One of the most underappreciated benefits is how quiet this mower is. You’re not dealing with engine noise, vibrations, or that “please don’t start now” moment when the cord won’t pull. Instead, you get a soft mechanical swish, and that’s about it. This helps if…
- You mow early or late
- You live close to neighbours
- You just don’t want lawn care to feel like a minor industrial operation
I reckon once you’ve used a quiet mower, going back to a roaring engine feels oddly aggressive.
Great States Reel Mower Price Comparison
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Additional Cardio You Didn’t Ask for But Might Appreciate
This mower doesn’t come with a gym membership, but it might quietly replace one session. Pushing a reel mower…
- Gets your arms involved
- Keeps your core engaged
- Raises the heart rate a little
It’s not extreme, and it’s very manageable on flat, short grass. But over time, it does add up. I would describe it as productive movement, which is far better than standing behind a vibrating engine. That said, this benefit depends heavily on lawn conditions. Thick grass or slopes turn “light cardio” into “regret”, fairly quickly.
Lower Ongoing Maintenance Costs
This is where reel mowers quietly shine. There’s…
- No fuel to buy
- No oil changes
- No spark plugs
- No battery replacements
- No winter engine prep
Maintenance is mostly…
- Keeping it clean and lubricated to avoid rust
- Avoiding debris
- Occasional blade adjustment or sharpening
Over time, this can help reduce running costs, especially if you’re tired of replacing parts on electric or gas mowers. I would recommend this mower to someone who values simplicity over convenience.
Scissor-Style Cut That Can Be Gentler on Grass
Reel mowers cut grass using a scissor-like action, rather than tearing it with a spinning blade. In ideal conditions, this may help…
- Reduce frayed grass tips
- Support cleaner-looking cuts
- Keep lawns looking tidier between trims
I think this is most noticeable on fine, regularly maintained grass. On neglected or mixed lawns, the benefit becomes far less obvious.
Lightweight and Easy to Store
At around 27 pounds, this mower is relatively easy to move and store. It doesn’t demand a shed, a charging station, or a corner of the garage with ventilation. It fits neatly out of the way, and you don’t need to worry about leaking fluids or dead batteries. For people with limited storage space, this is a genuine advantage.
Always Ready, No Setup Required
There’s something refreshing about a tool that works the moment you grab it.
- No charging.
- No fuel checks
- No warm-up.
If the grass looks a bit untidy, you can just mow it. This supports more frequent, lighter trims, which is where reel mowers tend to perform best anyway.
Encourages Better Lawn Habits
This one is subtle, but real. Because reel mowers perform best on short, regularly cut grass, they gently push you toward better mowing habits. Instead of letting the lawn grow wild and hacking it back once every two weeks, you’re more likely to do quick, regular passes. I think for the right homeowner, that’s a positive behavioural nudge rather than a downside.
A Reality Check Because Benefits Have Limits
It’s worth saying clearly, these benefits assume…
- A small, flat lawn
- Grass that’s already short
- Minimal weeds or debris
Once you step outside those conditions, the benefits start to fade fast. This mower helps under the right circumstances, but it doesn’t adapt well to difficult ones.
Final Thoughts on the Benefits
The Great States 18-inch reel mower offers a very specific set of advantages such as…
- Quiet operation
- Low running costs
- Eco-friendly design
- Light exercise
- Simple ownership
I would recommend it only to buyers who understand its limits and are comfortable working within them. Used correctly, it can be genuinely satisfying. Used incorrectly, it becomes frustrating very quickly.
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys simple tools doing simple jobs well, this mower might suit you nicely. If you expect it to replace a modern power mower in challenging conditions, I think disappointment is likely.
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