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Best Reviewed
Lawn Mowers
- Best cordless electric lawn mower Black & Decker SPCM1936 *Est. $450
- Best self-propelled gas lawn mower Honda HRX217HXA *Est. $700
- Budget self-propelled lawn mower Honda HRR216VKA *Est. $400
- Gas push mower Husqvarna 7021P *Est. $285
- Corded electric lawn mower Black & Decker MM875 *Est. $240
- Best manual reel mower Fiskars Momentum 6201 *Est. $200
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Best manual reel mower
- Blades seldom need sharpening
- Easy to push
- Throws clippings in front
- Four-year warranty
- Maximum cutting height 4 in.
- Relatively heavy
- Narrow cutting path
- Costs more than most reel mowers
- Not for large lawns
- Some reports of durability problems
The 18-inch Fiskars Momentum manual reel mower, new in 2010, offers some distinctive features that send it to the head of its class. Reviewers like the 4-inch maximum cutting height, as well as the way the blades are positioned in front of the tires. This means the Fiskars cuts even where the tires roll, instead of leaving uncut grass there the way most manual reel mowers do. It also can cut close to a curb or wall to minimize trimming. Also unlike its competitors, the Fiskars throws clippings forward, away from the user. Furthermore, the blades don't touch each other as they cut, so they should need sharpening only every five to 10 years.
Some owners report durability problems: the chain breaking, for example. We found reviews from many satisfied, enthusiastic owners -- but some note that the lawn needs to be relatively flat and even as well as free of weeds and crabgrass. If you have weeds or slopes that make a reel manual mower too hard to push, consider a self-propelled cordless mower like the Black & Decker SPCM1936 (*Est. $450) .
ConsumerReports.org tests the Fiskars Momentum in comparison with two other top reel mowers, and it's also reviewed at an associated site devoted to environmentally friendly products: GreenerChoices.org. Popular Mechanics gives the Fiskars a Green Design Award for 2010. We found useful owner-written reviews at Lowes.com and at Amazon.com, where some owners evaluate durability as well as effectiveness on various types of lawns. Garden writer Carol Michel provides a reasonably detailed review based on her own tests, and a video review shows the Fiskars in action. The other reviews we found provide useful details and illustrations highlighting the improved features offered by the Fiskars Momentum, but don't document any testing.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org is not enthusiastic about manual reel mowers in general, but comparison tests of three current models favors the Fiskars Momentum as easiest to push. The reviewer also likes the Fiskars' high maximum cutting height and no-contact blades. Unlike most of ConsumerReports.org's content, this blog article is available without a subscription.
Review: Review of Easun NaturCut Classic, Fiskars Momentum 317736, and Scotts 2000-20 Reel Mowers, Ed Perratore, March 8, 2010
2. PopularMechanics.comDetails/Subscribe
Editors give the Fiskars Momentum mower one of their 2010 Green Design Awards, praising this mower's innovations: a "clever blade-spool design" for cutting "edges typically trampled beneath the wheels," plus the blade design and energy-storing dual gears that ease pushing.
Review: 14 Best New Technologies For Greener Homes, Harry Sawyers, April 6, 2010
This site, associated with ConsumerReports.org, praises the Fiskars as a good choice for small lawns, but warns that the cutting quality doesn't equal that of a good gas or electric mower, presumably favoring rotary blades over reels.
Review: Lawn Mowers That Save Energy, Editors of GreenerChoices.org, Aug. 2010
Garden writer Carol Michel tests the Fiskars Momentum in her last mowing session of the year, reporting that it takes less effort to push than a gas-powered mower. She also appreciates the quiet of the Fiskars, along with its 4-inch maximum cutting height.
Review: Fiskars Momentum Reel Mower Review Part 1, Carol Michel, Nov. 27, 2009
5. Lowes.com
Nearly 40 owners give the Fiskars 6201 mower a reasonably high average rating, but only about 75 percent say they'd recommend it to a friend. Some report durability and repair problems, warning that it's not suitable for all lawns, or note that there's a trade-off for its special features. For example, the blades are supposed to cut behind the wheels, but the wheels may flatten the grass, and cuttings that are thrown forward can mound up and make the mower hard to push.
Review: Fiskars 18" Reel Push Mower, Contributors to Lowes.com
6. Amazon.com
Most of the half-dozen or so owners reviewing the Fiskars reel mower here are very enthusiastic; one says it took 40 minutes to cut a third of an acre, and that the Fiskars copes with weeds, pine cones and sweet gum balls without any problem.
Review: Fiskars 6201 18-Inch 5-Blade Momentum Push Reel Lawn Mower, Contributors to Amazon.com
7. YouTube.com
This is the best video review of the Fiskars Momentum we found, though it's a bit like an ad. The review does demonstrate the main features well.
Review: Live Green Mom reviews the Fiskars Momentum Push Reel Mower, "Helga", May 25, 2010
This illustrated review provides a good overview of the new Fiskars Momentum reel mower, detailing its features, including the way the position of the wheels eliminates one of the main complaints about manual reel mowers.
Review: Fiskars Momentum Reel Push Mower Stores Energy for More Cutting Power, David Novak, March 20, 2010
This enthusiastic review explains how the flywheel action on the Fiskars Momentum stores energy for mowing tough patches. The review is well illustrated, but doesn't document any testing.
Review: Fiskars Momentum Reel Mower Doubles Your Effort with Flywheel Action, Jacob Gordon, March 22, 2010
This preview describes features without conducting any testing, but notes some useful details: for example, a "quick and easy one-touch cut height adjustment system."
Review: Fiskars Momentum Push Reel Lawn Mower, Editors of ReelMowerReviews.com, Feb. 1, 2010
11. AskMen.com
Although a robotic mower takes top honors here, the Fiskars Momentum reel mower closely follows it as a recommended model -- as "best and slickest option" among green lawn mowers -- for women as well as for men.
Review: 2010 Lawn Mowers: Guy Gear, Shawn Loeffler, 2010
12. People Powered Machines.com
The comparison chart at this retail site provides the features and specifications of 10 current manual reel mowers. The Fiskars Momentum stands out from the pack, with its 4-inch maximum cutting height and blades designed to rarely need sharpening.
Review: Which Manual Push Reel Mower is Right for You?, Editors of PeoplePoweredMachines.com, April 2011
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