The Bottom Line: Bermuda mowed below 1 inch needs a reel mower, according to NC State and Clemson extension. If you will keep it at 1 inch or higher, a rotary mower with a low enough bottom setting does the job. Of the six mowers compiled here, only the Swardman Edwin and California Trimmer reels go below 1 inch. The Honda HRX217VKA (3/4 inch) and EGO LM2135SP (1 inch) are the lowest-reaching rotaries.
This comparison is compiled from extension publications and manufacturer specifications, each linked. We did not test these mowers, and no cut-quality scores are given.
Which Height Are You Actually Going to Keep?
Start with the height, not the mower. Three extension services put numbers on it:
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| NC State Extension, AG-431 | Acceptable bermudagrass heights run 5/8 to 2-1/2 inches. Below 1 inch requires a reel mower and very level ground. Most lawns are kept at 1 to 2-1/2 inches. Lower heights require more frequent mowing to prevent scalping. |
| Clemson HGIC | Ideal height is 1 to 2 inches. Below 1 inch requires a reel-type mower for satisfactory results. |
| UGA Extension, B1533-1 | Recommended height for hybrid bermudagrasses grown as lawns is 1 to 1.5 inches. |
A common belief is that hybrid bermuda has to be cut at half an inch. None of these three sources recommends that for a home lawn. UGA's hybrid range starts at 1 inch, which a rotary mower can reach.
The Minimum Cutting Height of Six Mowers, Against the 1-Inch Line
We pulled each mower's cutting range from its manufacturer page or manual. The last column applies the NC State and Clemson rule.
| Mower | Type | Cutting range | Below 1 inch? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swardman Edwin 2.1 45 | Gas reel | 4 to 45 mm (0.16" to 1.77") | Yes, reel |
| California Trimmer RL207H | Gas reel | 7/16" to 1-3/4" | Yes, reel |
| Honda HRX217VKA | Gas rotary | 3/4" to 4", 7 positions | Lowest notch only; extension says use a reel there |
| EGO LM2135SP | Battery rotary | 1" to 4", 8 positions | No; bottom notch meets UGA's 1" |
| Fiskars StaySharp Max | Manual reel | 1" to 4" | No; bottom notch meets UGA's 1" |
| Toro TimeMaster 30" (21199) | Gas rotary | 1.25" to 4.25" | No; cannot reach 1" |
What this means for you. If your target is UGA's 1 to 1.5 inches, the Honda, EGO or Fiskars all reach the bottom of that range. The Toro reaches only its upper part. If you want to go below 1 inch, only the two gas reels on this list qualify, and NC State adds a second requirement: very level ground.
The cost of guessing wrong runs both ways. Buy a reel you do not need, and you pay $1,429.99* for the California Trimmer against $749* for the EGO LM2135SP on Amazon. That is $680.99 more, for a mower listed at 143 to 147 lb. Set a rotary below 1 inch instead, and NC State and Clemson say you will not get satisfactory results, with more frequent mowing needed to avoid scalping.
The Six Mowers
1. Swardman Edwin 2.1 45 Reel Mower
Swardman lists the Edwin 2.1 as the current version of the Edwin. The standard 45 cm (18 inch) model has a 5-blade reel, with 6- and 10-blade options, and a Briggs & Stratton 127 cc engine.
The Catch: It is priced in euros on the page we checked, so confirm US availability with a dealer. At 108 lb, it is not light. An earlier version of this page listed 65 lb and a 25 mm reel; neither figure appears on Swardman's page.
View on Swardman2. California Trimmer Classic 20" (RL207H)
California Trimmer's Classic Standard 20-inch uses a 7-blade reel. Engine options are a Briggs & Stratton XR550 or a Honda GX120 or GX160.
Trade-offs: At 143 to 147 lb, it is heavier than the Swardman's 108 lb. Its top height of 1-3/4 inches rules it out if you let bermuda grow past 2 inches.
View on California Trimmer3. Honda HRX217VKA
Honda's owner's manual lists seven cutting heights from 3/4 to 4 inches. That is the lowest bottom notch of the rotaries here. The 3/4-inch setting sits below the 1-inch line where extension guidance calls for a reel.
Why It Fits Bermuda: The 1-1/4 inch notch lands inside UGA's 1 to 1.5 inch hybrid range. The 2 and 2-1/2 inch notches cover NC State's upper range for common bermuda.
Read Our HRX217VKA Review4. EGO Power+ LM2135SP
EGO lists eight cutting heights from 1 to 4 inches, 7.0 ft-lbs of torque, Select Cut multi-blade cutting, and up to 60 minutes of runtime on the included 7.5Ah battery.
The Limitation: Its bottom notch is exactly 1 inch. That meets UGA's hybrid minimum and leaves no room below it. An earlier version of this page gave a 1.5-inch minimum; EGO's page lists 1 inch.
Check Price on Amazon5. Toro TimeMaster 30" (Model 21199)
Toro lists a 30-inch deck, a 223 cc Briggs & Stratton engine with 10.00 ft-lb gross torque, and a cutting range of 1.25 to 4.25 inches.
The Catch: It cannot reach 1 inch. It covers the top of UGA's hybrid range and NC State's common-bermuda range, and a 30-inch deck covers more ground per pass than a 21-inch.
6. Fiskars StaySharp Max (Manual Reel)
A push reel mower with an 18-inch cutting width and a 1 to 4 inch height range, per Chainsaw Journal's product review.
Correcting a common assumption: being a reel does not make it a sub-inch mower. Its 1-inch floor means it cannot deliver the below-1-inch cut that extension guidance reserves for reels.
Reel vs. Rotary: What the Sources Support
| Factor | Reel Mower | Rotary Mower |
|---|---|---|
| Height range (models above) | 0.16" to 1.77" (Swardman); 7/16" to 1-3/4" (California Trimmer) | 3/4" to 4.25" across Honda, EGO and Toro |
| Below 1 inch | Required (NC State, Clemson) | Not satisfactory per Clemson |
| Ground | Very level ground needed below 1 inch (NC State) | Most lawns at 1 to 2-1/2 inches (NC State) |
| Mowing frequency | Lower heights require more frequent mowing to prevent scalping (NC State) | |
| Weight (models above) | 108 lb to 147 lb | 87.7 lb (Honda dry mass) |
Our Recommendation by Target Height
Common bermuda at 1.5 to 2.5 inches:
Any of the rotaries here reaches it: Honda HRX217VKA, EGO LM2135SP or Toro TimeMaster 30". A reel adds cost and weight without a height you will use.
Hybrid bermuda at UGA's 1 to 1.5 inches:
The Honda and EGO reach the bottom of that range. The Toro starts at 1.25 inches. A manual Fiskars StaySharp Max also bottoms out at 1 inch for small lawns.
Below 1 inch:
You need a reel and very level ground. The Swardman Edwin 2.1 reaches 4 mm, and the California Trimmer RL207H reaches 7/16 inch. Plan on mowing more often, as NC State notes.
Sources
- NC State Extension, Bermudagrass Lawn Maintenance Calendar (AG-431, 2021)
- Clemson HGIC, Bermudagrass Yearly Maintenance Program (2018)
- UGA Extension, Lawns in Georgia: Selection and Species (B1533-1)
- Swardman Edwin 2.1 45 specifications
- California Trimmer Classic Standard 20" (RL207H)
- Honda HRX217VKA owner's manual (specifications)
- EGO LM2135SP product page and Amazon listing (price checked Sept 13, 2026)
- Toro TimeMaster 30" (21199) product page
- Chainsaw Journal, Fiskars StaySharp Max review (updated March 25, 2024)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reel mower for bermuda grass?
Only if you plan to mow below 1 inch. NC State Extension says bermudagrass mowed below 1 inch requires a reel mower and very level ground, and Clemson's Home & Garden Information Center says the same. Between 1 and 2.5 inches, NC State says most bermuda lawns are kept there with a rotary mower.
What height should hybrid bermuda be mowed at?
University of Georgia Extension recommends 1 to 1.5 inches for hybrid bermudagrasses grown as lawns. NC State lists an acceptable range for bermudagrass of 5/8 to 2-1/2 inches.
Can I just set my rotary mower to its lowest setting?
Check the number first. On manufacturer specs, the Honda HRX217VKA goes to 3/4 inch, the EGO LM2135SP and Fiskars StaySharp Max to 1 inch, and the Toro TimeMaster 30 inch to 1.25 inches. A rotary set below 1 inch is exactly where NC State and Clemson say a reel mower is required.
What is the difference between reel and rotary mowers for bermuda?
Range is the practical difference. The Swardman Edwin 2.1 45 reel mower adjusts from 4 to 45 mm (about 0.16 to 1.77 inches) and the California Trimmer RL207H from 7/16 to 1-3/4 inches. The rotary mowers compared here start at 3/4 to 1.25 inches and go up to 4 or 4.25 inches. NC State adds that lower heights require more frequent mowing to prevent scalping.
What mower suits a small bermuda lawn?
If your target is 1 inch or higher, a manual reel mower such as the Fiskars StaySharp Max adjusts from 1 to 4 inches. It cannot go below 1 inch, so it is not a solution for sub-inch hybrid bermuda.
*Prices marked with an asterisk reflect the listed price at the time of review and may differ on the vendor's site.