Best Cylinder Lawn Mower Canada 2023
Cylinder lawn mowers are the perfect option for homeowners who want to get a professional-looking cut on their lawn.
Because they have a cylindrical blade, they can easily maneuver around objects and create a clean, even finish.
If you’re looking for the best cylinder lawn mower in Canada, read on for our top picks.
What is a Cylinder Lawn Mower?
A cylinder mower is different from a rotary mower. A rotary mower has a spinning blade that cuts the top of the grass. A cylinder mower uses a rotating blade to cut the grass straight on. This happens when the blade goes past a fixed blade.
Cylinder lawnmowers are like big scissors. They cut the grass more cleanly than rotary mowers.
If you keep your cylinder mower well-maintained, its blades sharpened, it will cut through the grass easily and give more uniform results than a rotary mower.
Many people find it hard to tell the difference between the cut of a well-sharpened rotary mower and a cylinder mower. That’s why we describe cylinder mowers as best suited for die-hard lawn enthusiasts.
Cylinder mowers are good for cutting grass because they have a lot of different height settings. This means that you can cut the grass shorter than with other types of mowers.
A rotary mower can’t be set to cut any lower than about 2.5 cm. But you can find some cylinder mowers that can cut as low as 0.5 cm! You won’t be able to do this right away, though. Your lawn will need a lot of work before it is ready for this short of
You need to gradually adjust the height of the lawn while you are mowing it regularly. Do this 2 or 3 times per week. If you do this, then a cylinder mower is the right tool for the job.
Cylinder lawn mowers, like rotary mowers, come in both petrol and electric models and, unlike circulards, are also available as manually powered variants. Check out our current selection of cylinder mowers to see whether they’re right for you.
Is a reel mower a cylinder mower?
Hand-cranked reel mowers were the first lawn mowers, known as cylinder mowers. All you had to do was walk one across the grass and the wheels would spin a cylinder of sharpened grass-cutting blades.
Benefits of Cylinder Lawn Mowers
Cylinder mowers offer several advantages over their rotary counterparts. The most notable is the quality of cut. Because the blades shear the grass against a fixed bed knife, the result is a clean, even cut that promotes healthier turf. Ragged cuts from dull rotary blades can leave grass tips torn, making the lawn more susceptible to disease and discolouration. A cylinder mower’s scissor-like action avoids this, leaving a finish that rivals professional golf courses and bowling greens.
Another benefit is the ability to mow at very low heights. As mentioned, some cylinder mowers can cut as low as 0.5 cm, something no rotary mower can achieve. This makes them ideal for fine ornamental lawns, such as those composed of bentgrass or fine fescue. If you’re aiming for a striped, manicured look, a cylinder mower with a rear roller can create those classic alternating light and dark stripes that are so desirable in formal gardens.
For those concerned about environmental impact, manual reel mowers are completely emissions-free and virtually silent. Even electric cylinder mowers are quieter and produce zero exhaust emissions compared to petrol models. This makes them a great choice for urban or suburban settings where noise restrictions may apply.
Types of Cylinder Lawn Mowers
Cylinder mowers come in three main types: manual (push reel), electric (corded or cordless), and petrol. The right choice depends on your lawn size, physical ability, and preference for convenience vs. environmental impact.
- Manual reel mowers: These are powered by you. They are lightweight, quiet, and require minimal maintenance—just occasional blade sharpening and cleaning. They are best for small, flat lawns under 500 square metres. Manual mowers cut grass by rolling the reel as you push, so they work best on well-maintained, regularly mowed lawns where grass isn’t overly tall or thick.
- Electric cylinder mowers: Available in corded and cordless models, electric mowers offer more power with less effort. Corded models are lighter and provide unlimited runtime but are limited by cord length. Cordless models run on rechargeable batteries, offering freedom of movement without the hassle of a cord, but runtime is limited and batteries can be expensive to replace. For a broader look at electric mowers, see our guide to the Best Electric Lawn Mower Canada 2023.
- Petrol cylinder mowers: These are the most powerful and are suited to larger lawns, professional use, or rough terrain. They offer unlimited runtime as long as you have fuel, but they are heavier, louder, and require more maintenance, including oil changes and air filter replacements. They are less common for residential use due to their cost and emissions.
Choosing the Right Cylinder Mower for Your Lawn
When shopping for a cylinder mower, consider the size and topography of your lawn. For small, flat lawns, a manual reel mower might be all you need, and it's the most affordable option. If your lawn is larger, has slopes, or you simply want to reduce physical effort, an electric or petrol model is a better fit.
Blade width also matters. Wider cutting widths cover more ground per pass, reducing mowing time, but they can be harder to maneuver in tight spaces. Most residential cylinder mowers have cutting widths between 30 and 50 cm. If you have many obstacles like flower beds or trees, a narrower model may be easier to handle.
Consider the height adjustment range. If you plan to keep a very short lawn (e.g., 1 cm or less), you need a mower with a low minimum setting. Cheaper models often stop at 2 cm, which may not be low enough for fine turf. Check the number of height settings—more settings give you finer control.
Finally, think about maintenance. Cylinder mowers require more upkeep than rotary mowers, particularly blade sharpening. If you’re not inclined to sharpen blades yourself, look for a mower with easy blade removal or consider hiring a professional sharpening service. You might also consider our guide to the Best Cheap Lawnmower Canada if budget is a primary concern.
Maintaining Your Cylinder Mower
A well-maintained cylinder mower will last for decades. The most critical maintenance task is keeping the blades sharp. Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it, leading to a brown, ragged appearance. Sharpening frequency depends on use, but as a rule of thumb, blades should be sharpened at least once a year, or after every 25 hours of mowing.
In addition to sharpening, you should regularly clean the mower after each use. Grass clippings can accumulate on the reel and bed knife, causing rust and reducing cutting efficiency. For manual mowers, a simple brushing and occasional oiling of moving parts is sufficient. Electric and petrol mowers may require additional care: check the air filter and spark plug on petrol models, and keep batteries charged and stored properly for cordless electrics.
Proper storage is also important. Keep your mower in a dry, covered area to prevent rust. At the end of the mowing season, give it a thorough cleaning, sharpen the blades, and apply a light coat of oil to metal surfaces. This will ensure it’s ready for spring.
Is a Cylinder Mower Right for You?
Cylinder mowers are not for everyone. They require a commitment to regular mowing—often two to three times per week during peak growing season—to keep the lawn at the ideal height. If you let the grass get too long between cuts, a cylinder mower may struggle or even jam, especially manual models. In that case, you might need to use a rotary mower first to bring the height down before finishing with a cylinder mower.
But if you’re passionate about your lawn and enjoy the ritual of mowing, a cylinder mower can be immensely satisfying. The striped patterns, the precision cut, and the healthier turf are rewards that many homeowners find worth the extra effort.
For more information on related lawn care topics, check out our guides on Best Corded Lawn Mower Canada of 2023, Best Cordless Lawn Mower Canada 2023, and Best Pond Liner Canada of 2023 for other outdoor projects.