Bermuda grass is a great choice for lawns because it is hardy and holds up well to heavy traffic. If you want a yard that can handle kids, pets, parties, and sports without wilting or dying, Bermuda grass is what you need. It produces a nice tight ground covering that can withstand droughts and extreme heat. But Bermuda grass grows very quickly and needs to be mowed often to keep it in great shape. For that you’ll need a reliable lawn mower, but which one? We will help you decide on the best lawn mower for Bermuda grass, according to the demands of your lawn and your lifestyle.

About Bermuda Grass

Originally imported to the United States from Africa in the 18^th century, Bermuda grass is a popular choice for lawns because of its resilient characteristics. It is flexible, too, flourishing in a variety of soils and climates. It can even stay green all winter, especially in frost-free areas.

A Bermuda grass lawn is tough, fast growing, and packs densely in the soil. It can sustain a high level of foot traffic but also needs to be mowed frequently in order to avoid overgrowth. Because it is a dense grass, it is also important to aerate your lawn and fertilize the grass a couple of times per year.

There are a several different types of Bermuda grass with varying textures and features, including Sahara, Princess 77, and Riviera. Some varieties do better in colder climates, and some crave the heat. A hybrid version of Bermuda grass is the kind used frequently on golf courses and sports fields.

Mowing Frequency for Bermuda Grass

Originally imported to the United States from Africa in the 18^th century, Bermuda grass is a popular choice for lawns because of its resilient characteristics. It is flexible, too, flourishing in a variety of soils and climates. It can even stay green all winter, especially in frost-free areas.

A Bermuda grass lawn is tough, fast growing, and packs densely in the soil. It can sustain a high level of foot traffic but also needs to be mowed frequently in order to avoid overgrowth. Because it is a dense grass, it is also important to aerate your lawn and fertilize the grass a couple of times per year.

There are a several different types of Bermuda grass with varying textures and features, including Sahara, Princess 77, and Riviera. Some varieties do better in colder climates, and some crave the heat. A hybrid version of Bermuda grass is the kind used frequently on golf courses and sports fields.

Types of Mower

There are two basic types of lawn mower: reel and rotary. Reel mowers usually don’t have motors and their blades turn in response to pushing the mower across the lawn. Reel mowers have blades that come together to clip like scissors. Rotary mowers, on the other hand, have one spinning blade that tends to chew up the tips of grass. Rotary mowers are usually run by gas, electricity, or battery power.

Each type has its pros and cons, and each have models that can work well with Bermuda grass. In the end, it comes down to your personal preference. We have collected five well-reviewed lawn mowers that might fit the bill, depending on your needs. Stick with us after the reviews to learn more about the good and bad of each type.

Top 5 Lawn Mower for Bermuda Grass 2021

– Product Overview

Product	​Our Rating	Type	Cutting Width	Power	Weight	Warranty
Fiskars	#1 ​Editor Choice	Reel	18”	Man	51.7 lbs.	3 years
DuroStar	#2	Reel	20”	Man	24 lbs.	1 years
Greenworks	#3	Rotary	20”	Electric Cord	56 lbs.	4 years
Remington	#4	Rotary	21”	Gas	63.2 lbs.	2 years
EGO Power	#5	Rotary	20”	Battery	56.2 lbs.	5 years

Now let’s look at these tools in more detail.
  1    Fiskars 362050-1001 Reel Mower, StaySharp Max -18 Inch

The main drawback of a reel lawnmower is that it takes more physical exertion to operate than does a rotary model. But the Fiskars Reel Mower has incorporated some clever design elements that make the job much easier. The advanced InertiaDrive reel is designed to make Bermuda grass care a breeze and the StaySharp cutting system avoids taking more impact than is necessary. This keeps the blades sharp for a long time.

This mower comes with an adjustable grass chute that can be positioned in a couple of different ways to direct grass clippings forward or else backward and downward. The 18” cutting swath afforded by the Fiskars is ample but not the largest on our list. However, the wheels are inset so as to allow the blades to extend across the mount. In this way you can avoid uncut strips along fence lines that would otherwise force you to get out a separate edging tool.

The grass may be cut at any level from 1-4 inches with the adjustable height setting. You can also change the position of the handle to accommodate people of different heights. Add in the environmental and noise pollution benefits of going with a reel mower, and this Fiskars could be just the fit for your Bermuda grass lawn.

SPECS:

24 x 23.5 x 14.2 inches
51.7 pounds
3 year warranty

PROS

 – Thicker blades for more efficient cutting
 – Up to 60% easier to push than traditional reel mowers
 – Adjustable grass chute

CONS

 – May not cut taller weeds or stems
 -Heavy to push up hills
 – Only cuts when pushing forward
  2    DuroStar 20″ 5-Blade Height Adjustable Push Reel Mower

If you’re looking for a super-light reel mower, check out the DuroStar. At only 24 pounds, it won’t break your back, even over long distances. But the 20” cutting swath makes short work of that lawn anyway. There are 5 steel blades to slice through the grass, and you can set your preferred cutting height (from 1 ½ inches to 3 inches) with just the turn of a knob.

The DuroStar comes equipped with a grass catcher that holds enough to do a medium-sized yard in one go. The blades are heat treated for durability and come pre-sharpened and ready to cut. This tool leaves you with a beautifully manicured lawn with clean cuts to the grass. Maintenance is as easy as oiling the reel and sharpening the blades once or twice a year.

SPECS:

45 x 25 x 23 inches
24 pounds
1 year warranty

PROS

 – Easily adjust cutting height
 – Long warranty
 – Very little maintenance required

CONS

 – Height adjustment switch can bend with rough use
 -May struggle if grass gets too long
 – Assembly required
  3    Greenworks 20-Inch 12 Amp Corded Lawn Mower 25022

Moving into the rotary mowers, Greenworks has an interesting corded model that users love. Built from durable steel, this mower uses a powerful 12 amp motor to keep your Bermuda grass under control. Unlike gas mowers that require a specific mix of ethanol-free gas and oil and a difficult pull-string start, the Greenworks mower uses electricity and starts at the touch of a button. If you have avoided a rotary lawn mower because they are too difficult to use and maintain, it’s time to rethink.

The large 20” inch cutting swath makes short work of the lawn. You can choose whether to mulch the cuttings or collect them in the included bag, which can position either to the side or the rear of the unit. There are 7 available positions for cutting height – these are controlled easily by a single lever. When it is time to store your mower, the foldable handle keeps it nice and compact.

 Now, because this is a corded model, it is important to take a bit of time to plan your mowing path with the cord in mind. This way you won’t need to constantly adjust the cord as you go. Some users have suggested using an extension cord that is brightly colored and therefore easy to spot in the grass.

SPECS:

26.9 x 16.1 x 18 inches
56 pounds
4 year warranty

PROS

 – Easy to start and maneuver
 – Stores compactly with folding handle
 – Collect or mulch grass cuttings

CONS

 – Can short out older electric systems
 -Mowing route must be preplanned to avoid running over the cord
 – Blades will dull or break if you run over sticks
  4    Remington RM130 Trail Blazer 140cc 21-Inch 3-in-1 Gas Push Lawn Mower

One of the biggest complaints about rotary lawn mowers is that they chew up grass rather than cut it cleanly. This Remington model addresses that concern with a SureCut blade that lifts and circulates as it cuts. This also allows you to mulch the cuttings with clumps.

This mower’s strong 140cc OHV engine can handle even the toughest grass, and the 21” cutting swath means fewer passes to complete the job. The 7” front wheels are coupled with 8” rear wheels – these are equipped with sturdy treads to help you navigate uneven terrain.

The handle has a comfort grip and is adjustable to people of different heights. It is also designed to minimize that uncomfortable vibration sustained when using a power mower. The Remington has a dual-lever 6-position height adjustment capability, so you can choose how long or short you want to keep your lawn.

SPECS:

38.4 x 24.2 x 18.1 inches
63.2 pounds
2 year warranty

PROS

 – Easy to start and maneuver
 – Comfort grip that adjusts to accommodate different heights
 – Relatively quiet for a gas mower

CONS

 – Collection bag can be tricky to seat
 -On the heavy side
 – Lacks multiple power settings
  5    EGO Power+ 20-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Lawn Mower – 5.0Ah Battery and Charger Kit

If you have a small to medium sized yard, you can take advantage of the power of a gas model with the quiet operation of a reel mower. The EGO Power mower runs on an advanced arc-lithium battery. Offering up to 55 minutes runtime per charge, a 20” cutting swath, and convenient 3-in-1 collection bag, nothing should slow you down when you’re mowing your lawn.

This mower starts super easily with a push button; there’s no challenging pull cord or gas/oil mix to mess with. The EGO Power also folds quickly and easily when it is time to store it. The collection bag can be mounted on the side or back, and you can also simply mulch the clippings.

The company advertises 2 miles worth of mowing per charge and the product comes with a rapid charger. There are multiple cutting positions available to customize the height of your grass. Some users have reported issues with the battery overheating when used during the hottest part of a summer day, so mid-morning or early evening mowing is recommended.

SPECS:

37.4 x 21.6 x 16.1 inches
56.2 pounds
5 year warranty

PROS

 – Multiple blade positions
 – Long warranty
 – Runs quietly with no fumes

CONS

 – Customer service is not very responsive
 – Battery life diminishes over time
 – Grass must be dry to protect electronics

About Reel Mowers

Reel mowers are manpowered machines, very basic yet capable of precision cutting.

The Good

Reel mowers cut with a bed-knife and a reel that brings the blades together and cuts grass in a scissor motion. The blades spin vertically and perpendicular to the ground.

Environmentally Friendly

Generally muscle-powered rather than fuel-powered, reel mowers are environmentally friendly because no gas means no exhaust. However, this benefit is nullified if you tow your reel mower behind a tractor.

Low Maintenance

With no motor or fancy electronic parts, reel mowers are long-lived and pretty easy to maintain. Every year or two, sharpen the blades. As needed or a couple of times per season, apply some WD-40 or other silicon-based lubricant to the moving parts of your reel mower. That’s all you need to keep it in great working order.

Quiet Operation

Reel mowers lack motors and therefore make almost no noise as they operate. You’ll hear a soft snipping sound as the grass is cut, but that’s all. This opens up more hours during which to mow without disturbing your neighbors, and is much more tolerable for you while you work.

Natural Mulchers

Lawn clippings actually take up an astonishing amount of space in landfills. Reel mowers actually mulch the cuttings so that there is no need to collect and dispose of them. This natural mulch is a great fertilizer for your lawn as well.

Safety

Reel mowers have sharp blades, but they cause many fewer serious injuries each year than rotary mowers. That’s because the blades stop turning when the user stops pushing. It is not uncommon for thousands of people to lose fingers and toes every year to rotary mower accidents.

Close Cutting

Reel mowers hug the turf closely and can provide a close, even cut. Rotary mowers are more likely to scalp your lawn when rolling over irregular land contours, meaning they cut all the way to ground in scattered locations and leave bald spots.

The Bad

Though today’s reel mowers weigh less than their older counterparts, you’ll still need to push 16-32 pounds over the entire lawn. This makes their use more labor intensive and time consuming.

Won’t Cut Weeds

Reel mowers are designed for grass, which stays fairly low to the ground. Weeds that have some height to them won’t likely be cut by a reel mower. They’ll bend down and pop back up once the mower passes.

Can’t Handle Tall Grass

Unless you are committed to mowing regularly, a reel mower might not be ideal for you. If your grass has gotten too long, the reel mower will struggle to cut it. Each strip will require multiple passes, which gets exhausting. Reel mowers may also bind up in long grass, causing the wheels to skid and the blades to remain motionless.

More Time and Energy Consuming

With no engine, you are the force behind a reel mower. That means mowing will take more time and energy than with a self-propelled or riding rotary mower. You are the engine, and the faster the mower is pushed, the faster the blades will spin. That translates to a better cut.

Therefore, reel mowers are not recommended for lawns larger than 8,000 square feet. Any larger than that will take too long and become physically exhausting.

About Reel Mowers

Rotary mower blades rotate rapidly and have a machete-like cutting action. Rotary mowers are power mowers, always requiring an external energy source, whether that be electricity or gas. Some 98% of mowers sold in America today are rotary models.

The Good

Variety

There are many different makes and models of rotary mower that employ battery, corded electric, or gas power. Unlike reel mowers, the technology behind rotary mowers is advancing every day. One of the complaints about rotary mowers has been their potential for scalping Bermuda grass, which is when the grass is ripped out by the roots, leaving bald patches. But new technology makes this less of a concern.

Power Boost

The fact that rotary mowers have power support makes them easier to use. Some models are self-propelled, so you really just need to hang on and guide them. The power generated by the rotating blade also reduces the effort you need to do the actual cutting. Reel mowers rely on muscle power to bring those scissor blades together.

Cover More Ground

Reel mowers have their limitations, generally tied to the stamina of the user. If you have a huge lawn, you’ve got to go rotary. All ride-on mowers are rotary, so if you need one of those to manage your property, reel is not truly an option unless you purchase a huge reel attachment that can be towed behind a tractor.

The Bad

Pollution

In America alone, 800 million gallons of gas are used in lawn mowers. That adds up lot a lot of pollution in the form of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides. By some estimates, gas powered lawn mowers produce 5% of the nation’s air pollution. Some reports also point to issues caused by the 17 million gallons of fuel that are spilled while refueling lawn equipment.

Messy Cuts

Rotary mowers have one blade that rotates really fast. It cuts by sucking up grass blades and tearing them. This is fine for most applications, but people who want really beautifully manicured lawns with precise cuts may prefer a reel mower.

More Maintenance

As more advanced technological machines, power rotary mowers also require more maintenance. There are simply more parts that can break down. Gas powered machines require nearly as much maintenance as cars.

Best Practices for Mowing Bermuda Grass

For proper Bermuda lawn care, the initial mow of each season should take place before the grass turns fully green in springtime. You’ll also want to cut it about a ½ inch lower than usual for that first mow, which removes all the dead blades. After the lawn turns fully green again, the best Bermuda grass mowing height can vary between 1.5” and 2.5”, but aim to cut no more than 1/3 of the blades’ height each time you mow.

If you use a reel mower, the mulched grass clippings add a nice layer of fertilizer for grass. The clippings release important nutrients such as nitrogen as they decompose, reducing your fertilizer requirements by up to 30%. Other than grass clippings, the most commonly used organic Bermuda fertilizers are nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus fertilizer.

Conclusion

In the end, the best lawn mower for Bermuda grass depends on your preferences as the mower. Bermuda is a hardy grass that can stand up to a lot of traffic, and that includes many types of mowers. If you have a smaller yard, crave precise cuts, and want to protect the environment, a reel mower is the type for you. On the other hand, if you have a larger lawn, need to get the job done quickly, and don’t need stadium-quality cuts, go for a rotary model.

Prices are all over the map for both types, but in general, the more basic reel mower is less expensive. The fact that it takes much more effort to use is the trade-off. But with the information and products we’ve presented here, you should be ready to meet the mowing season with gusto and maintain your Bermuda grass to perfection.