Earthwise 1715-16EW Push Reel Mower Review

If you find yourself staring out of the window, wishing had a lush green, manicured lawn. Stop. You need to act. And it doesn't have to cost you a lot of money either. There are lots of mowers available these days for around a hundred bucks, particularly if you've only got a small lawn to take care of. The Earthwise 1715-16EW is one such mower and we recently scoured the web and did some in-depth research to get the lowdown on this model. In this Earthwise 1715-16EW review we're going to point out the most commonly cited pros, cons, and best use cases for this mower.

Earthwise 1715-16EW Review - Specifications
Type	Manual Push
Manufacturer	Earthwise
Model	1715-16EW
Cutting Width	16 inches
Cutting Heights	1/2 - 2 1/2 inches
No. of Blades	7
Weight	26 lbs
Dimensions	27 x 23 x 47 inches

Earthwise 1715-16EW Pros: What People Like About this Lawn Mower

• It Cuts Well (when used in the right conditions) – We found LOTS of folks that bought this lawn mower and are extremely satisfied with the quality of cut that it provides. We also noted that most of these people specifically mentioned one key piece of information; they mow their lawns regularly. Once per week is ideal, as to get the best results with the 1715-16EW, you need to keep your grass to a manageable length and just take off a small amount each time. The pamphlet that comes with the mower outlines a number of grass types that Earthwise stays this model won't perform well on (St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia), but we came across lots of folks that have experienced good results on all of these grass types – particularly Bermuda. So take what their pamphlet says with a pinch of salt. If you keep your lawn under control, you should be ok.
• 7 Blade Design a Plus – “Buy a 7 blade model and you won’t look back” – this is something we found many consumers commenting on. The 7 blade design allows for a smoother, more even cut. The rear rollers also do a good job of keeping the blades level, even when pushing it across uneven parts of your yard (if you have any).
• Pushes Easily – At 26 lbs, the Earthwise 1715-16EW is a lightweight model that just about anyone should be able to manage. During our research, we actually came across lots of cases of over 70's using this mower with great success.
• Assembly Very Simple – There's not much to this push reel mower, and as a result, the process of assembling it is rather simple. You basically just need to attach the handles and then set the cutting height, which should take no longer than a few minutes, and then you're all set to go.
• Straightforward Operation – Another reason that many people really like the Earthwise 1715-16EW, particularly the elderly, is that it’s super simple to use. You’ll never have trouble getting it to “start-up” because the only thing you need to do is push it forwards, and it will start cutting.
• Low Maintenance Option – You don’t need to worry about buying in a lot of supplies to maintain this mower in good working order. Just about the only thing you’ll need to do is sharpen the blades once in a while. (You can use this toolkit to do so).
• Transports Easily – Because it’s so light, it’s easy to carry to and from the lawn. So if the distance between your shed or garage (or wherever you plan to store it) and your lawn is a concern, then don’t worry. Pretty much anyone should be able to pick the Earthwise 1715-16EW up and carry it the lawn without putting out their back or straining a muscle.

Earthwise 1715-16EW Cons: What People Complain About

• Changing Cutting Height is Tedious – Some models make this process rather effortless, with a one lever system that adjusts the cutting height. Reel push mowers, in general, are somewhat cumbersome in this regard. And this model doesn't buck that trend, with the process rather tedious to say the least. There are wingnuts on each side, which you undo, before moving the blade to the desired cutting height, before refastening. And if you want to cut on the lowest height setting (0.5”), then you’ll also need to remove the washers, so that the nut is able to fit inside the roller assembly.
• Handle Construction Flimsy – You can’t expect the most robustly made product in history at this price point, but you want something solid. Some consumers raised concerns over the quality of the handle construction, stating that it has a lot of flex in it due to the material used not being of adequate thickness. If you are used to exerting a lot of force on your mowers, this might be something to think about.
• Cuts Long, Thick Grass and Weeds Poorly – This is true. We came across lots of folks who said this. But here’s the thing. It’s not designed to cut in these types of conditions. The same way a Honda Civic wasn’t built to drive off-road. So if you plan on cutting long, overgrown thick patches of grass, then you’re likely to find yourself muttering under your breath, becoming increasingly frustrated with each passing minute. Please don’t buy the Earthwise 1715-16EW if these are your expectations.
• Cutting Heights – We came across some consumers complaining about the confinements of the cutting height range, with some saying that 0.5” (the shortest setting) is not short enough for a “putting green style lawn,” while others said that 2.5” (the highest setting) is too low for the first cut after winter and summer vacation.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Earthwise 1715-16EW Lawn Mower

Does this mower cut when pulled backward?

No. It will only cut when pushed in a forward direction.

Where is it made?

It is produced in China.

Can you buy a grass catcher for the Earthwise 1715-16EW?

This model doesn't come with its own grass catcher, but there is a compatible catcher available for purchase. You can find it here.