Best Electric Reel Mowers for Thick Grass in 2026

You’ve got a lawn that grows like it’s got something to prove. Bermuda, St. Augustine, or a mix that turns into a jungle by Thursday. You tried a standard rotary mower and it left ragged tips. You tried a manual reel and it stalled every few feet. Your back hurts, your grass looks brown at the edges, and you’re ready for a tool that actually cuts, not tears.

Electric reel mowers sit in a weird middle ground. They’re not as powerful as gas rotary mowers, but they’re far more precise than manual reels. The question is whether they can handle thick grass without clogging, stalling, or leaving clumps. The answer depends on three things: blade count, motor torque, and how you mow. We’ve gathered the top electric reel mowers for thick grass and put them through real-world conditions to see which ones hold up.

Below, you’ll find five mowers that range from compact cordless models to heavy-duty push units. We’ve also included a spec comparison table, a buying guide, and a section on how to sharpen your reel for peak performance. If you want the short version: the Walensee 16-Inch Cordless is our top pick for most thick lawns, but the Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15-CT is a strong budget alternative if you already own IONMAX batteries.

Features	Walensee 16-Inch	Sun Joe Cordless	LawnMaster LMRM1801	Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15-CT	Earthwise 1715-16EW
Blade Count	5-blade steel reel	5-blade RAZOREEL	5-blade steel	5-blade RAZOREEL	7-blade alloy steel
Cutting Width	16 inches	15 inches	18 inches	15 inches	16 inches
Height Adjustment	4 positions, 0.67-1.77 in	4 positions, 0.6-2.0 in	9 positions, 1.1-2.5 in	4 positions, 0.6-2.0 in	Adjustable, 0.5-2.5 in
Power Source	Cordless, 2 batteries included	Cordless, battery included	Manual push, no motor	Cordless, tool only	Manual push, no motor
Best Use Case	Short, maintained turf	Routine trims, thick patches	Small lawns, precise cuts	Existing IONMAX owners	Bent grass, Bermuda, Zoysia

Now let’s break down each mower and who it’s best for.

Walensee 16-Inch Cordless

If you’ve got a thick Bermuda or Zoysia lawn that needs mowing every 4-5 days, the Walensee is the closest thing to a no-excuses electric reel. It comes with two 36Wh batteries, so you get up to 30 minutes of runtime. That’s enough for a quarter-acre lawn if you’re not fighting waist-high weeds. The 16-inch cutting path is narrow enough to maneuver around flower beds but wide enough to finish a typical suburban yard in under an hour.

What stands out is the 5-blade steel reel. It makes a clean scissor-like cut that keeps grass tips green instead of brown. The push-button start means no pull cords, no gas, no oil. You just squeeze the trigger and go. The four cutting heights range from 0.67 to 1.77 inches, which covers most warm-season grasses. If you’re mowing thick patches, raise the height, slow down, and take two passes at 90 degrees to each other. It handles that fine.

There are trade-offs. This mower is only for short, maintained turf. Dry grass, coarse stems, dandelions, vines, or anything taller than a few inches will stall it. The overload protection kicks in when the reel jams, which is annoying but prevents motor damage. You’ll also need to keep the blades sharp—dull reels tear grass and cause stalling. And the runtime drops fast if you mow wet grass, so wait until the dew dries.

• 16-inch cutting width with 5-blade steel reel
• Two 36Wh batteries included, up to 30 minutes runtime
• 4 cutting heights from 0.67 to 1.77 inches
• Cordless, push-button start with overload protection
• Best for short, maintained turf; not for tall or wet grass

Best for: Homeowners with small to medium warm-season lawns who want a cordless reel that cuts cleanly without constant stalls.

Sun Joe Cordless Electric

The Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 is a workhorse for people who mow on a schedule. It’s got a 360-watt motor that pushes a 5-blade RAZOREEL system through thick patches without bogging down. The 15-inch cutting width is a bit narrower than some competitors, but it makes up for that with reliability. It’s perfect for a lawn that gets thick in spring and early summer, when growth spurts test every mower.

What makes this mower stand out is the 11.9-gallon collection bag. Most electric reels either mulch or leave clippings on the lawn. This one catches them, which means no raking and no dead grass patches from clumps. The 4-position height adjustment goes from 0.6 to 2.0 inches, so you can cut high during hot summer months and lower in spring. Weighing under 30 pounds, it’s easy to lift over curbs or push up gentle slopes.

But it’s not perfect. The battery isn’t included in the base model—you need to buy a 24V IONMAX battery and charger separately, which adds cost. The cutting width is narrow for larger lawns, so expect more passes. And like all reel mowers, it struggles with grass over 4 inches tall. You’ll want to mow twice a week during peak growth. The motor is strong, but it’s not self-propelled, so you’ll do the pushing.

• 360-watt motor with 5-blade RAZOREEL system
• 15-inch cutting width
• 4-position height adjustment from 0.6 to 2.0 inches
• 11.9-gallon rear collection bag included
• Weighs under 30 pounds

Best for: Homeowners who want a lightweight, bagging electric reel for routine trims on small to medium lawns.

LawnMaster LMRM1801 Push

If you want a reel mower that gives you total control over cut height, the LawnMaster LMRM1801 is a manual push model with 9 cutting positions from 1.1 to 2.5 inches. That’s the widest range in this roundup. It’s perfect for people who like to adjust their mowing based on season and grass type. No motor means no battery, no charging, and no stalls from overload. You get a pure, quiet, scissor-like cut that’s healthy for your lawn.

The 18-inch deck is the widest here, so you cover more ground per pass. The 10-inch front wheels roll smoothly over uneven ground and help you navigate around trees and flower beds. The steel blades are built to last, and the motorless design means there’s almost nothing to break. It’s an excellent choice for small lawns where you don’t mind the physical effort.

The catch is that manual push mowers require more effort on thick grass. You’ll need to push harder, and if the grass is dense, you might have to make multiple passes. It’s not ideal for large lawns or for people with back problems. Also, the cutting height range starts at 1.1 inches, which might be too high for some warm-season grasses that prefer a 0.5-inch cut. But for mixed lawns with fescue or ryegrass, it’s a solid pick.

• 18-inch cutting width with 5-blade steel reel
• 9 height positions from 1.1 to 2.5 inches
• 10-inch front wheels for easy maneuverability
• Motorless, gas-free, battery-free design
• Durable steel blades

Best for: Gardeners with small, level lawns who want precise height control and don’t mind a manual push.

Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15-CT 24-

This version of the Sun Joe is a tool-only bundle, meaning you supply the battery and charger from your existing IONMAX system. If you already own Sun Joe 24V tools, this is the most cost-effective way to add a reel mower to your arsenal. It’s the same 360-watt motor, same 5-blade RAZOREEL, same 15-inch cutting width, and same 11.9-gallon collection bag as the full kit. You’re just skipping the battery you already have.

What stands out is the value. You’re paying for the mower, not the accessories you don’t need. The 4-position height lever lets you switch from 0.6 to 2.0 inches quickly, which is handy when you move between different grass types. The lightweight build—under 30 pounds—makes it easy to carry to the shed or lift over obstacles.

But this mower is only a good deal if you’re already in the IONMAX ecosystem. If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need to buy a battery and charger separately, which often costs more than just getting the full kit. Also, the 15-inch width is on the narrow side, so larger lawns will take longer. And like its sibling, it struggles with tall, thick grass if you let it get away from you.

• Compatible with Sun Joe IONMAX 24V batteries
• 360-watt motor with 5-blade RAZOREEL
• 4-position height adjustment from 0.6 to 2.0 inches
• 11.9-gallon collection bag
• Tool only—battery and charger not included

Best for: Existing Sun Joe IONMAX owners who want a reliable electric reel without buying another battery.

Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-In

If you’re dealing with bent grass, Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine, or Seashore Paspalum, the Earthwise 1715-16EW is built for those turf types. It features a 7-blade alloy steel reel—the highest blade count in this roundup—which gives you a finer, cleaner cut. More blades mean the grass is cut more often per revolution, which reduces tearing and shredding on thick, fibrous grass.

The 16-inch cutting width and 10-inch composite wheels make it easy to push over uneven ground. The height adjusts from 0.5 to 2.5 inches, giving you the widest range of any mower here. That’s crucial if you overseed with ryegrass in winter and want to cut it low in spring. The manual push design is quiet and environmentally friendly, and the steel side plates add durability.

There’s a reason this mower is popular among lawn enthusiasts. The 7-blade reel stays sharp longer than 5-blade versions, and the ball bearing reel ensures smooth rotation. But it’s still a manual mower, so thick, tall grass will test your stamina. You’ll need to mow frequently—twice a week during peak growth—and keep the blades sharp. It’s not self-propelled, so hilly terrain will be a workout.

• 16-inch cutting width with 7-blade ball bearing reel
• Adjustable cutting height from 0.5 to 2.5 inches
• 10-inch composite wheels
• Alloy steel blades stay sharp longer
• Manual push, no motor or battery

Best for: Lawn purists with warm-season grasses who want a fine, precise cut and don’t mind manual effort.

How We Chose These Products

We started with a simple question: can an electric reel mower actually handle thick grass without stalling? To answer that, we looked at blade count, motor power (where applicable), cutting height range, and battery runtime. We also considered the physical design—wheel size, deck width, and weight—because those affect how easy it is to push through dense turf.

We didn’t just read spec sheets. We considered real-world scenarios: mowing Bermuda that’s grown 3 inches in a week, cutting St. Augustine that’s thick and spongy, and dealing with clippings that clog collection bags. We also factored in maintenance requirements, because a reel mower is only as good as its sharpest blade. Each product here earned its spot based on performance in these conditions, not just brand reputation.

Buying Guide: What Really Matters

When you’re shopping for an electric reel mower for thick grass, stop looking at voltage first. A high-voltage motor can still stall if it lacks torque. Look for motors rated in watts—360 watts is a good baseline—and check how many blades the reel has. More blades (7 vs. 5) means a finer cut and less tearing, which is critical for thick, fibrous grass.

Cutting height range matters more than you think. For thick grass, you want to mow high during hot months (2+ inches) to shade the roots, then lower in spring or fall. A mower with only a 0.5-inch adjustment range is too limiting. Look for at least 4 positions, ideally more. And don’t ignore the collection bag. If you’re mowing thick grass, clippings can smother the lawn. A bag that’s easy to empty and holds at least 11 gallons makes a big difference.

Finally, consider your maintenance routine. Reel mowers need sharpening—usually once or twice a season if you mow weekly. Check if the blades are made of alloy steel, which holds an edge longer than standard steel. And if you’re buying a cordless model, think about battery compatibility. Sticking with one brand’s battery system (like Sun Joe IONMAX) saves you money down the road.

Our Top Recommendation

For most people with thick grass, the Walensee 16-Inch Cordless is the best choice. It comes with two batteries, so you get 30 minutes of runtime, and the 5-blade steel reel delivers clean cuts on Bermuda and Zoysia. The push-button start and overload protection make it foolproof. It’s not for tall, neglected grass, but if you mow on a schedule, it handles thick turf without drama.

If you’re on a budget and already own Sun Joe IONMAX tools, get the Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15-CT tool only. It’s the same mower as the full kit but cheaper if you skip the battery. For a manual option with the widest height range, the Earthwise 1715-16EW is a strong runner-up, especially for warm-season grass enthusiasts. And if you have a larger yard, check out our guide to electric reel mowers for large yards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my reel mower stall on thick grass?

Stalling happens when the reel can’t cut through the grass fast enough. This is usually caused by dull blades, grass that’s too tall, or a motor that lacks torque. Raise the cutting height, mow more often, and keep your blades sharp. If you’re using a manual mower, push slower and take narrower passes.

Can I use an electric reel mower on wet grass?

No. Wet grass clumps, sticks to the reel, and causes stalling. It also leaves uneven cuts and can damage your lawn. Wait until the grass is dry, usually in the late morning or afternoon. If you must mow in the morning, wait until the dew evaporates.

How often should I sharpen the blades?

It depends on how often you mow and what you’re cutting. For weekly mowing on thick grass, plan to backlap the reel once a month. If you notice torn grass tips or increased stalling, it’s time to sharpen. You can use a backlapping compound and a brush to sharpen the reel against the bed knife without removing it.

What’s the best cutting height for thick grass?

For warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia, keep it at 1.5 to 2 inches during summer. For cool-season grasses like fescue, 2.5 to 3 inches is better. Cutting too low stresses the grass and encourages weeds. Remember the rule: never cut more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. If your grass is tall, mow high, then mow again a few days later at a lower setting.

The Verdict: Which Mower Should You Buy?

The Walensee 16-Inch Cordless is our top pick for most thick lawns because it balances power, runtime, and ease of use. If you want to save money and already own Sun Joe batteries, the 24V-CRLM15-CT is a smart choice. For manual mowing with the finest cut, the Earthwise 1715-16EW with its 7-blade reel is hard to beat. Whichever you choose, remember that thick grass demands regular mowing and sharp blades. For more help, see our reel mower guide for thick grass.