(Welcome to Rebecca, who's trying out to be a Re-Nest blogger!)
Did you know that according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a traditional gas powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each being driven 12,000 miles? That is a lot of pollution just to cut the lawn! Have you ever considered the old reel mower? It actually helps you get fit, reduces air and noise pollution and, don't forget, it keeps that lawn perfectly manicured! But forget pushing your grandparents' old rusty mower around... these new models are sleek, sharp and a breeze to use.
Shown above the jump, from left to right:
- Easun NaturCut Ideal 40 Push Reel Mower ($199)
- Brill Razorcut 33 Push Lawn Mower ($219)
- Scotts Classic Reel Mower ($129)
- Specialty 7-Blade Reel Mower ($115)
- Prison Reel Mower ($119)
(Thanks, Rebecca!)
10 No-Fail Decor Tricks & Tips for Small Spaces
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
Yay! We have a Gardenia mower, and we LOVE it. So glad we bought it.
I’ve always wanted to try one of these.
Being a renter it seemed like a smarter/easier choice especially when we want to travel as light as possible.
Is there a particular brand that seems to be Amazing?
Yeah it's great not to have to fill up a gas tank but if your lawn isn't perfectly flat, you really have a hell of a time with these! But she's right that you really get a workout! We had a really small front lawn and I'd be sweaty after five minutes of the push mower. Maybe the we didn't have a good one (though it was brand new) but I wouldn't want to to a very big yard with one of these!
Reel mowers are the way to go. I saw a new design the other day that even makes it easier for those of us with a larger yard to get rid of our gas hogs. Here is the article that I saw on this new peddle powered reel mower.
http://thegreenertruth.com/2010/03/eco-friendly-lawn-mower/
Thanks for the info! We have a big yard - my goal is to reduce the size of the lawn... but I'll check these out in the meantime...
From what I have read both Easun and Brill seem to be the best ones on the market but let me know anyone who has tested the brands and what has worked for them.
Yeah, cars are regulated and mowers are not :(
We live on 1.4 acres...so a manual mower is out!
These are great, I'm glad they are making a comeback. In LA it is so silly to use a noisy gas one for small lawns. get in a work out and compost at the same time!
We bought a reel mower and REALLY, REALLY wanted it to work. Unfortunately, our yard is quite uneven, which caused the mower to bounce around and not cut well. We ended up buying a Neuton electric mower which has worked out really well. I definitely think reel mowers are worth a try, though.
My yard is all sorts of uneven, and our reel mower works fine. It is definitely some work, but it does the job.