Best Lawn Mower for Bermuda Grass: Reel & Rotary Mowers

If you have Bermuda grass on your lawn, then you need a good mower for taking care of your lawn.

But, the question is, which is the best lawn mower for cutting Bermuda grass?

Is it a reel mower, or a rotary mower?

In this article, I have reviewed rotary and reel mowers that are perfect for lawns with Bermuda grass. However, if you’re short on time, check the comparison table and see my best recommendations for you.

Best Mowers for Bermuda Grass

American Company Reel Lawn Mower

After looking at several reel mowers, I found this, and it’s my favorite reel mower for cutting Bermuda grass. It is made by the American Lawn Mower Company.

It can cut grass up to four inches tall. It has a 5-blade reel with 14 inches cutting width and 8.5 inches durable polymer wheels that will aid you while you maneuver the mower. While Bermuda grass is stubborn on your lawn, you can trim or cut them whenever you want with this mower.

However, the cutting width is only 14 inches. For some people, this can be a downside because you have to push it more for mowing your lawn as compared to the 18″ or 20″ mower. But, I like this 14″ reel mower as compared to the other 18″ and 20″ mowers.

When it comes to mowing Bermuda grass, the biggest concern is how short a mower can cut. This mower has an adjustable blade height of 0.5″ to 1.75″ with a scissor action cut.

If you are someone who wants to keep the Bermuda grass as short as possible like 0.5″ or 0.75″, then this is the best mower for you. There is no doubt about that.

But, for some people, the maximum height can be a deal breaker, it’s 1.75″, so if you want to keep your grass taller than 1.75″, then you need to look at other options.

I liked this mower because it’s quite cheap. For Bermuda grass, you need a mower like this one which can keep your grass as short as 0.5″.

Greenworks 16″ Electric Lawn Mower

I have mentioned a few reel mowers, but you can also use a rotary mower for cutting Bermuda grass. One really good rotary mower is Greenworks 16″ Electric Mower.

When the batteries are fully charged, you can cut the grass for up to 45 minutes. Once the batteries are discharged, you can charge them again in about 120 minutes.

If you have small to medium yards with Bermuda grass, you can buy this mower. It has a single lever 5-position height adjustment that gives you a cutting height range from 1-1/4″ to 3-3/8″.

I have mentioned a few reel mowers that give a cutting height of 0.5″ which is quite good for Bermuda grass. But, using a reel mower can be challenging for some people. If you’re using a reel mower, you need to mow your lawn at least once a week or even more often than that. However, if you use this Greenworks Electric Mower, you have the freedom to mow your lawn once a week, or once in a couple of weeks.

Operating this rotary mower is super easy, and believe me, a lot of people use this mower to maintain their lawns filled with Bermuda. You won’t face any issues.

However, if you’re someone who wants everything perfect, 0.5″ in height, then go for a reel mower. Otherwise, this mower is a good option for you.

Fiskars Stay Sharp Max Reel Mower

In this article, I have reviewed a few reel mowers, and this is the most expensive one.

If you want a mower that can give a super clean cut on your Bermuda grass, and that’s also easier to pull, then the Fiskars Stay Sharp Max Reel Mower is the best option for you.

When it’s in motion, it’s 60% easier to push as compared to other reel mowers, which can make your lawn-mowing session more enjoyable. It’s a great choice for people who are not very physically active like elder people, or for those who just want to enjoy the mow.

It has an InertiaDrive reel technology designed for all grass types. So, it can even cut tough southern varieties like Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Bahia.

If I compare this mower with the American Company reel mower, which was reviewed above, you’ll see that it has an 18″ cutting width. It means, when using this mower, you can save nearly 20% to 30% time. The VersaCut technology offers multiple height settings from 1″ to 4″.

If you want to cut Bermuda lower than 1″, then you should go with the American Company reel mower. Otherwise, this mower is all you need.

What’s unique about this reel mower is its grass chute. The grass chute is reversible, and you can position this to direct clippings either forward, away from your feet, or downward and backward, whichever works for you.

It has inset wheels that allow the blades to reach across the mower’s actual full width, and it eliminates uncut strips and edges near fences and foundations.

To maneuver this reel mower might be rugged at first, but once you get ahold of it, you will save a lot of your time in cleaning your lawn.

Scotts Outdoor 20″ Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower

If you want to mow your lawn as fast as possible, you need to buy a mower with the maximum cutting width. The Scott Classic Reel Mower has a 20″ cutting width, so as compared to a 14″ cutting width mower, it can save you 30% to 40% time.

This classic lawn mower has an ergonomic handle that gives you comfort and has added modern features to keep you feeling convenient while using it.

It has heat-treated alloy steel, which makes the sharpness of the blade stay longer.

It can give you a quick-snap 1″ to 3″ cutting height adjustment so you can cut your Bermuda grass clean and even the way you want it.

If you have issues with assembling things, you won’t have it with this push-reel lawn mower. You can assemble it quickly, plus you do not need tools to assemble it.

It’s easy to operate, lightweight, and at the same time, it doesn’t require any gas or oil when using it.

It’s compact, lightweight, and perfect for mowing your Bermuda grass.

Earthwise 16″ Push Reel Lawn Mower

The Earthwise Push Reel Lawn Mower is another planet-friendly mower that is perfect for cutting Bermuda grass.

It has a 16″ cutting width with a 7-blade ball-bearing reel and 10-inch composite wheels.

As Bermuda grass can be annoying while proliferating on your lawn, you can cut it with no heavy sweat because this mower is a versatile Earthwise Power Tool.

You can cut your bent Bermuda grass, including Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Seashore Paspalum grass.

It has outstanding cutting precision that gives clean cutting. Not only it’s precise and clean, but it’s healthy for your lawn, too.

Since this is an easy push reel lawn mower, it is lightweight and only weighs 26 lbs. It can help you with optimal maneuverability, which gives you comfort while doing the deed, plus you can expect reliable performance.

The adjustable cutting height of 0.5″ to 2.5″ gives you the freedom to cut Bermuda grass as short as 0.5″, and keep your lawn clean and healthy.

This mower is not limited to Bermuda grass, you can use it on any grass that you have whether it’s St. Augustine, Seashore Paspalum, or Zoysia.

How to Choose a Lawn Mower for Cutting Bermuda Grass

Durability

Of course, durability will always come first if you invest in a lawn mower, especially when you intend to cut your Bermuda grass.

Most manual mowers are lightweight, but you have some things to consider in using them: can they handle cutting your whole lawn? Is the handle durable enough to be held? Will the blades stay sharp even after rough uses? Are the wheels appropriately attached?

It would help if you read online reviews about that mower, but you should not get attached to the good and bad reviews that much. You should only take those into consideration to estimate the mower’s durability and if it lasts you long in the yard.

Lawn Size

Before buying a mower, think about the size of your lawn.

If your lawn is small to medium, then buying a good rotary mower or a reel is a good choice for you. However, if you have a large lawn, let’s say, 20,000 sq. ft. then it’ll take you a lot of time to mow using a reel one.

If you have a large lawn, and in case, you couldn’t mow your lawn for more than a couple of weeks, then mowing it with a reel mower will be a nightmare.

So, keep that thing in mind. If you have a very large lawn, you may need to invest in a zero-turn mower or a lawn tractor like John Deere 100 Series.

Cutting Width

How much time it’ll take you to maintain the Bermuda grass will depend on the cutting width. You can go with a 14″ mower or a 20″ mower, it all depends on the size of your lawn, and how much time you want to spend mowing.

If you have a medium-sized lawn, and you use a 14″ reel mower, then you need to spend a few hours every week. However, if you use a lawn tractor, it’ll do the job quickly.

Cutting Height

When it comes to cutting Bermuda grass, people want to cut them short, therefore they prefer reel mowers with a cutting height of 0.5″.

However, this is not the case with all people. If you want to keep your Bermuda grass somewhere around 1″ and 1 1/2″, you can go with a rotary mower or reel mower.

But, if you want a cutting height of less than 1″, then I guess, a reel mower is the best option for you.

Reel Mower vs. Rotary Mower

For cutting Bermuda grass, some people recommend reel mowers. But, I’m sure you know some people who have Bermuda grass, and they mow it with a rotary mower.

There is no standard mower that is perfect for one kind of grass.

You can use a rotary mower or a reel mower, it depends on your preference. If you want a cutting height of 0.5″, then reel mowers are good for you. If you have a large lawn, then using a push mower can be difficult for you, in that case, I’ll recommend you should invest in a powered reel mower.

If the cutting height is not a concern for you, and you just want a mower, that does the job, then I’ll suggest you should go with a self-propelled rotary mower because they’re easy to operate.

However, you can also go with a lawn tractor if you want. But, for most people, a lawn tractor is not needed, and it’s overkill.

Final Words

So, in this article, I tried my best to give you a few options, so you can mow your lawn easily and comfortably.

In the end, whether you buy a reel mower or a rotary mower, it’s a good choice for you. But, before buying, ask yourself, what cutting height you need, how much effort you’re willing to put into mowing, and how clean you want your lawn.

I hope you found the article useful.