Best Electric Reel Mowers for Hills and Tall Grass

You know the drill. The yard has that one stretch near the back fence where the grade kicks up, and the grass grows thick enough to hide a garden gnome. A standard gas rotary mower either bogs down, scalps the crown, or leaves you wrestling the handle just to keep it from sliding sideways. It feels like a workout, not lawn care.

Electric reel mowers solve a specific problem here. They use a spinning reel that pinches the grass against a stationary bed knife, which produces a scissor-like cut. This action is gentler on the turf and encourages dense growth, but it demands torque to power through tall, coarse blades without stalling. On a hill, you also need a lightweight frame and good wheel traction to control the machine while you push.

We have spent time comparing five of the most promising cordless and manual models available right now. This review covers the Sun Joe 24V, the Walensee 16-Inch, the Earthwise 7-Blade, the Sun Joe Tool-Only version, and the LawnMaster 18-Inch. Each one has a specific strength, but only a couple are genuinely suited for the double threat of a slope and heavy growth.

Here is a quick look at how the key specs stack up against each other.

Features	Sun Joe CRLM15	Walensee 16-Inch	Earthwise 1715	Sun Joe CRLM15-CT	LawnMaster LMRM1801
Power Source	Cordless (24V)	Cordless (2 Batteries)	Manual Push	Cordless (Tool Only)	Manual Push
Cutting Width	15-Inch	16-Inch	16-Inch	15-Inch	18-Inch
Blade Count	5-Blade Reel	5-Blade Reel	7-Blade Reel	5-Blade Reel	5-Blade Reel
Height Adjustment	4 Positions	4 Positions	Adjustable	4 Positions	9 Positions
Weight	Under 30 lbs	Not Specified	Not Specified	Under 30 lbs	Not Specified

Sun Joe Cordless Electric

The Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 is a cordless reel mower that brings a motor to the party. It is designed for homeowners who want the clean cut of a reel without the physical effort of pushing a manual blade through thick grass. This model suits small to medium lawns that have a slight incline, but it is not a mountain goat.

The 360-watt motor drives a 5-blade RAZOREEL system. That motor is the big differentiator here. It lifts the grass slightly before cutting, which helps the blades stand up straighter for a cleaner snip. The 15-inch cutting width is narrow enough to maneuver around flower beds, but you will cover less ground per pass than you would with an 18-inch deck. The 11.9-gallon collection bag is generous for a mower this size, meaning fewer trips to the compost pile.

There is a trade-off. The mower weighs under 30 pounds, which is great for carrying, but that light weight means less downward force on the front wheels. On a steep slope, the reel can bounce or skip if you push too fast. Also, the cutting height tops out at 2.0 inches. If your tall grass is over 6 inches, you will need to mow it down in stages, raising the deck each time, rather than trying to chop it all at once.

• 360-watt motor provides consistent power through normal turf
• 15-inch cutting width and 5-blade reel for a refined finish
• 4-position height lever adjusts from 0.6 to 2.0 inches
• 11.9-gallon rear bag captures clippings effectively
• Weighs under 30 lbs for easy lifting and storage

Best for: Homeowners with a flat or gently sloping lawn who want a cordless cut and hate raking.

Walensee 16-Inch Cordless

The Walensee 16-Inch is a cordless reel mower that focuses on runtime and maneuverability. It comes with two 36Wh rechargeable batteries and a charger. This dual-battery setup is a practical answer to the common complaint that cordless mowers die halfway through the job. You can keep one battery on the charger while the other is in the mower.

The steel reel provides a clean cut on short, maintained turf. The 16-inch path is a nice middle ground, offering more width than the Sun Joe 15-inch while still fitting through standard garden gates. The push-button start is genuinely convenient. You do not pull a cord or prime a carburetor. Just press the button and start walking.

Here is the honest catch. The manufacturer is clear that this mower is for short, maintained grass only. It is not built for tall grass, dry stalks, or thick weeds. The protection system will shut the motor down if the reel gets overloaded. On a hill with heavy growth, you will likely trigger that cutoff. The runtime is also listed at up to 30 minutes total across both batteries, which varies heavily with grass density and your walking pace.

• Two 36Wh batteries and a charger included in the box
• 16-inch cutting width balances speed and agility
• 4 height positions from 0.67 to 1.77 inches
• Push-button start with no gas, oil, or cords
• Safety cutoff protects the motor from overload damage

Best for: Owners of small, tidy lawns on level ground who want a cordless mower with spare batteries ready to go.

Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-In

The Earthwise 1715-16EW is a traditional manual push reel mower. It has no motor, no battery, and no cord. This is the eco-friendly purist’s choice. It relies entirely on your forward motion to spin the 7-blade reel. The benefit is that you get a fantastic cut with zero emissions and zero noise, but the effort is all on you.

The 7-blade alloy steel reel is the standout feature. More blades mean a finer cut and a smoother roll over the turf. It is specifically designed to handle grass types like Bermuda, Zoysia, and Centipede, which are common in southern lawns. The 10-inch composite wheels are larger than average, which helps roll over small bumps and uneven ground with less jarring.

You need to be realistic about hills and tall grass here. A manual reel mower demands a steady, brisk pace to cut cleanly. On a steep slope, you will be fighting gravity to keep the reel spinning at the required speed. Stop pushing, and the reel stops cutting. It also struggles with grass that has gotten away from you. If the grass is taller than the height setting, the blades will just fold over instead of cutting.

• 7-blade alloy steel reel stays sharp longer than standard steel
• 16-inch cutting width with a durable steel side plate
• Adjustable cutting height from 0.5 to 2.5 inches
• 10-inch composite wheels roll smoothly over uneven ground
• Manual operation requires no fuel, electricity, or maintenance

Best for: Gardeners with flat, established lawns of Bermuda or Zoysia who want a quiet, manual workout.

Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15-CT 24-

This is the tool-only version of the first Sun Joe mower. It is the exact same machine, with the same 360-watt motor and 5-blade RAZOREEL system, but it ships without a battery or charger. This option exists for people who already own Sun Joe IONMAX tools and have a drawer full of compatible 24V batteries.

The advantage is cost and convenience. You are not paying for another charger you do not need, and you can swap in any of your existing IONMAX batteries when the mower runs low. The mower itself performs identically to the full kit version. It lifts and cuts grass with the same precision, and the 11.9-gallon bag fits just as well.

The limitation is obvious. If you are new to the Sun Joe ecosystem, this is a trap. You will buy the mower and realize you have no way to power it. You must check your existing battery voltage and compatibility before ordering. The 4-position height adjustment and 15-inch width remain the same, so it is still best suited for smaller lawns with moderate growth.

• Compatible with Sun Joe IONMAX 24V battery platform
• 360-watt motor delivers the same power as the full kit
• 15-inch cutting width with a 5-blade reel system
• 4-position height lever from 0.6 to 2.0 inches
• Lightweight frame at under 30 lbs

Best for: Existing Sun Joe IONMAX owners who want to add a mower without buying a redundant battery kit.

LawnMaster LMRM1801 Push

The LawnMaster LMRM1801 is a manual reel mower with the widest cutting deck in this roundup. The 18-inch width is a real advantage for covering ground quickly on flatter sections of your yard. It has a 5-blade reel that delivers the scissor-like cut you expect from a quality reel mower.

The standout feature here is the 9-position height adjustment. This gives you fine control over the cut, allowing you to dial in the exact height for your grass type and the season. The range spans from 1.1 inches up to 2.5 inches. The 10-inch front wheels help with maneuverability, and the motorless design means it is virtually maintenance-free beyond keeping the blades clean.

This mower is a mixed bag for hills. The wider 18-inch deck means more surface area, which translates to more resistance when you are pushing across a slope. The effort required to spin the reel increases with the cutting width. On a steep incline, you might find yourself wishing for the narrower 15-inch models. It is also a manual mower, so tall, thick grass will require multiple passes with the height set high first.

• 18-inch cutting width for fewer passes on open lawn
• 9 cutting positions from 1.1 to 2.5 inches
• 5-blade reel provides a clean scissor cut
• 10-inch front wheels for easy navigation
• Durable steel blades require no sharpening for years

Best for: Owners of flat, larger lawns who want a wide manual mower with precise height control.

How We Chose These Products

We started with the specific challenge of hills and tall grass. That means we looked for machines that could generate enough cutting force without stalling and remain controllable on a slope. We examined the motor wattage for the electric models and the blade count and wheel size for the manual models. A 360-watt motor is decent, but it is not a high-torque brushless unit you would find in a premium self-propelled mower.

We also weighed the physical design. Weight distribution matters on a hill. A mower that is too light at the front will bounce over bumps, while one that is too heavy overall becomes exhausting to push. We considered the cutting height ranges, because a mower that only goes down to 2.0 inches is useless for a lawn that has been neglected for three weeks. Finally, we filtered for honest limitations, discarding any product that claimed to be a do-everything machine.

Buying Guide: What Really Matters

Look past the blade count and focus on the torque. For electric reel mowers, the motor is the engine. A 360-watt motor is the entry point. It will handle a normal weekly cut on a level lawn. If you have dense soil and thick fescue, you want something with more reserve power. Check if the motor is a brushless design, as these tend to offer more torque and longer life than brushed motors.

Wheel size is your traction. Larger wheels, typically 10 inches or more, roll over bumps and small divots more easily. On a hill, they provide a longer contact patch with the ground, which helps prevent the mower from sliding sideways. Smaller wheels will dig into soft ground and make turning on a slope a chore. Pay attention to the material of the wheels as well. Solid composite wheels are durable but can be slippery on wet grass.

Battery runtime is the hidden cost. A cordless mower is only as good as its battery. Look at the amp-hours (Ah) or watt-hours (Wh) to gauge runtime. Remember that cutting thick, tall grass drains the battery much faster than a light trim. Over a few seasons, battery capacity degrades. Check the price of a replacement battery before you buy the mower. Sometimes, buying a second battery upfront is cheaper than waiting until the first one dies.

Our Top Recommendation

The Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 takes the top spot for the best electric reel mower for hills and tall grass. The 360-watt motor provides the necessary torque to push through thick patches that would stall lesser machines. Its lightweight frame, under 30 pounds, makes it easier to control on an incline. The 11.9-gallon bag is a practical size, and the 15-inch deck offers enough width for efficiency without becoming unwieldy on a slope.

For a budget-conscious alternative, the Earthwise 1715-16EW is the best manual option. It has no motor to fail and no battery to replace. It is perfect for a flat lawn with Bermuda grass, but you will need to accept the physical effort. For a wider cut on flat ground, the LawnMaster LMRM1801 with its 18-inch deck is a solid pick, provided your yard is not too steep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an electric reel mower on a steep hill?

Yes, but with limits. A cordless reel mower like the Sun Joe can handle a moderate slope. The key is to mow across the slope, not up and down, to maintain balance. You must also keep the grass at a manageable height. If the grass is too tall, the motor will strain and the battery will drain quickly.

Why does my reel mower stall in tall grass?

Stalling happens when the reel cannot generate enough torque to shear the grass blades. This is common with manual mowers. For electric models, it often means the grass is too tall for the current cutting height. Raise the height setting and make a first pass high, then lower it for a second pass. Do not force it.

How often do reel mower blades need sharpening?

It depends on usage. A manual mower with a steel reel might need a sharpening kit after a few seasons if you hit rocks or dirt regularly. Electric mowers are similar. You can extend the life by avoiding wet, gritty grass and checking the bed knife for nicks. A dull reel tears grass instead of cutting it.

Is a manual reel mower better for the environment than an electric one?

Yes, a manual mower has zero emissions and uses no electricity. It is the most sustainable option. However, an electric reel mower is still a vast improvement over a gas mower. It produces no direct exhaust and is much quieter. The trade-off is battery production and disposal, so weigh your priorities.