If you are looking for the best mulching lawn mower for your lawn, then you are in the right place because, with plenty of different lawn mowers in the market, all of them offer something different. A mulching lawn is great at cutting your grass and mulching the trimmings while saving you the effort of bagging your grass clippings and, at the same time, fertilizing your garden or yard. Therefore, if you want a well-maintained lawn or yard, invest in the best mulching lawn mower is a no-brainer.
With the right mulching mowers, you are guaranteed that the grass clippings will be small enough to dry, decay, and be absorbed by the soil within a short time. However, finding the right mulching mower can be difficult with the many options, and therefore we have listed some of the best options available with their pros and cons. The article also includes a detailed buying guide to help you navigate the buying process easier.
1. WORX WG779 Lawn Mower
- [6 HEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS] A single lever lets you set the height you want to cut your lawn, depending...
- [INTELLICUT] feature provides torque on demand for tougher conditions
- [SAME BATTERY, EXPANDABLE POWER] Worx Power Share is compatible with all Worx 20v and 40v tools,...
- [MULCH OR BAG] This 2-in-1 mower lets you bag it up, or mulch your grass back into the ground,...
- [BATTERY METER] The on-board battery charge indicator lets you know exactly how much juice you have...
WORX WG779 lawn mower is among the most affordable lawn mowers in the market and gives you maximum value for your money, making it the best mulching mower. It features a compact mulching blade of 14 inches that's easy to use and features a smaller side cutting width with a 14-inch cutting deck so that it won't slow you down. The 14-inch walk-behind mower is a battery-powered model. It comes with two removable 20-volt of 4.0 Ah batteries, which gives off great battery life, and the batteries also come with charge level indicators.
WORX WG779 mulching mower usually uses Intellicut enabling you to get extra torque when you need it. The mower has a multifunctional cutting deck that allows you to choose between rear discharge, bags, or mulching. Additionally, the walk-behind mowers use a single lever adjustment that allows a user to quickly set the height between the three height adjustment settings to get the best cut quality. The Worx models are also one of the mulching mowers that feature a padded and ergonomic handle that allows you to cut grass for extended periods comfortably.
Pros
2. Greenworks 3-in-1 Electric Corded Mulching Lawn Mower
- Durable 20-inch steel deck
- Powerful 12 amp motor cuts through the toughest grass
- Unlimited run-time with AC corded power
- Durable steel 21-inch cutting deck gets the job done quicker and more efficiently
- 3-in-1 system - mulch, rear bagging, and side discharge
Greenworks 3-in-1 is one of the best electric mowers in the market that you will always find among the best mower reviews, thanks to its versatility. The electric mower features an easy and smooth cutting system that easily gets work done, and the machine is powered by a cord and does not need batteries, meaning you won't worry about run time. However, because it's powered by a cord, it's a suitable option for lawn care for anyone who has an extension cord or a reliable power outlet.
This Greenworks model will mow your lawn effortlessly and includes discharge options on the side; and has a grass bag at the rear end and therefore allows you to have mess-free mulching. Additionally, it the best mulching mower thanks to a steel cutting deck guaranteeing durability. You can also cut grass at any height because it features seven height options, and you can start your mulching process with the push of a switch.
Pros
3. Sun Joe Mulching Walk-Behind Lawn Mower
- POWERFUL: Perfect for small to medium lawns, the battery-powered mower's durable steel blade cuts a...
- 48V POWER: Included 2x 4. 0 Ah batteries offer up to 25 minutes of rechargeable runtime
- ADJUSTABLE DECK: Tailor cutting height with 3-position manual height adjustment
- Power Source Type: Battery Powered
Sun Joe Mulching Lawn Mower is a battery-powered model that offers 48-volt cordless power from a 670-watt brushless motor. It is among the mulching mowers that use two 24-volt lithium-ion batteries to power the 17-inch cutting deck, and it is very lightweight, fast, and easy to use. This walk-behind push mower is a suitable option for people with small to medium-sized lawns and neatly cuts the grass off your yard.
The walk-behind lawn mower is also very powerful and efficient. Because it is powered by batteries, you will not be inconvenienced with cords or the hustle of finding power outlets. It is on the list of the best mulching mowers thanks to all the above features, and it also includes a mulch and rear catch bag, making it multifunctional. Also, the 17-inch mulching lawn mower has a cutting height adjustment of 1 to 3-inches with six cutting heights, and like most electric mowers, this model requires minimum maintenance.
Pros
4. Troy Bilt 12AVA2MR766 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
- 1.9 bushel rear bag collects grass clippings for easy clean up or composting
- Mulch kit included to help put nutrients back into soil for a healthier lawn
- Side discharge chute comes with handy, built-in clip to attach to handle when not in use
- California residents see Prop 65 Warnings
Troy Bilt's self-propelled lawn mower is the best mulching mower for how it handles tough grass with much ease and is one of the self-propelled mowers with a TriAction cutting system. The self-propelled mower uses a front-mounted rake guard, symmetrical deck, and an S-blade on top of the mulch or bag and side discharge features to guarantee an even all-round cutting. Also, with a dual lever, you can adjust the cutting height to six positions between 1.25 inches and 3.75 inches, and using the front-wheel-drive, you will be able to navigate your yard so long as there are no hills.
Additionally, the Troy Bilt self-propelled lawn mower also comes with a deck wash adapter that is easy to attach to a garden hose and can easily clean the inside of your deck while you are still using it. It is powered by a gas engine of 159 ccs and features a 21-inch cutting width, and with the 159 ccs, you will need no oil change for the engine.
Pros
5. Snapper Variable Speed Self-Propelled Mower With Ninja Mulching Blade
- Briggs & Stratton 850 professional Series engine with ready start starting system - no priming, no...
- Rear wheel drive improves walk behind mower traction and the smooth turn differential helps ensure...
- Ninja blade features 6 powerful cutting surfaces to finer mulch your grass while the deck design...
- Rugged solid Steel front Axle and stamped Steel mower deck provides long lasting performance season...
- Easily change the height of cut with the easy to use adjustment handles (7 height of cut adjustments...
Snapper self-propelled lawn mower is the best mulching mower for your lawn care thanks to its rear-wheel-drive that guarantees an easy and exertion-less grass mulching experience. The self-propelled mower has seven cutting height adjustments and runs on a Briggs & Stratton engine that will cut the grass, and with a unique design, it will blow the grass back to your lawn through a side discharge. Thanks to the professional engine, it is easy to start without priming or choking, and you will need to pill and go.
Snapper mulching mower features six cutting surfaces and seven cutting heights, which you can choose to achieve perfect mulches. You can also raise your cutting deck higher than usual and allow better air circulation to spread the cut grass better, and when dealing with tall grass, you can comfortably raise the cutting deck higher.
Pros
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Mulching Mowers
1. Cutting Width
The cutting width is an important factor to consider when purchasing the best mulching mower because this helps you estimate the amount of grass the mulcher will cut on a single pass. Different cutting widths range between 14 inches to 21 inches, and generally, the larger the cutting width, the better the performance the mulching lawn mower will deliver. Additionally, depending on the garden size, you can purchase a mulching mower to offer you the maximum cutting experience.
2. Motor Power
The motor power of a mulching mower determines its cutting performance and how well it will cut your grass without losing performance. The higher the motor power, the better the performance.
A corded lawn mower will give you 11 amps or 13 amps, and the higher the motor power, the better your cutting performance will be. On the other hand, cordless motor power is usually dependent on the battery voltage. The higher the voltage, the more effective and better the performance, and for these cordless options you there is 56-volt or 40volts. Finally, gas-powered models with engine sizes deliver 5+ HP, which are preferred for grass cutting and achieve a perfect mulch or trim.
3. Size of Lawn
The best mulching mower requirements usually depend on the size of the lawn where push mowers are suitable for small lawns of less than an acre, a self-propelled mower is suitable for the medium-sized lawns of over 1.5 acres, and above these sizes, it's better to use standing or riding lawn mowers. Notably, for a self-propelled lawn mower or a walk-behind mower for large lawns, you should try to opt for a zero-turn mower to minimize fatigue.
Also, some properties or yards may have many obstacles in between, such as flower beds and trees, and if your yard looks like that, a zero-turn mulching lawn mower will be the best solution to get your job done fast.
4. Noise Levels
Some mowers can be loud depending on the type, with gas mowers being very loud sometimes. If you want a quiet mulching mower, you should opt for an electric lawn mower to reduce the noise by up to 30%. Notably, you should always wear hearing protection if your mower is over 80 decibels, especially gas mowers.
5. Power Source
There are two power sources available for the best mulching mowers in the market, and they include the electric or the gas mower. Before making your purchase, you should discover if your need a cordless or a corded mower.
Gas-powered mowers are usually ideal for their long run times, and they produce more power when compared to electric lawn-mowers. Still, they need more maintenance, are quite loud when in operation, and are not environmentally friendly. On the other hand, electric-powered mowers usually have a cordless option, battery-powered, or have an extension cord. They are quieter, cleaner as they produce fewer emissions, reliable, and easier to operate than the gas-powered mower. However, these electrical models usually have limited run times and require charging or access to a power source which can be hectic sometimes.
Finally, the cordless models usually need at least two batteries, where if one runs out, you will use the other one and improve your run time. Additionally, the corded mulching lawn mowers are usually limited by the cord length, and the battery-powered models usually need lithium-ion batteries which may sometimes come with the package. With some models, you have to purchase separately.
6. Weight and Size
The size and weight of a mulching mower is a crucial factor to consider especially when using a push mower because it can cause you fatigue. Additionally, the size of the mower will determine how much space it will need for storage, as a large mower usually takes up plenty of space.
7. Battery Life
When it comes to cordless models, the battery life is important as it will determine how much time you will work without stopping. Before making your purchase, check the expected battery life of the available mulching lawn mowers and choose the one that will serve your tasks the best.
8. Cutting Deck
Grass clippings are usually expelled in three different ways, including bags, side discharge, or mulching. The bags usually collect the grass clipping, and they are not ideal for emptying because they are quite laborious. The side-discharge models usually send the grass clipping back to the grass, which is usually very convenient but can be quite messy. On the other hand, the mulching models usually cut grass clipping into small pieces before spitting them back to the grass. Notably, some models are multi-functional and usually feature two ways of expelling grass clippings.
9. Warranty
Before purchasing the best mulching lawn mower, shop around to determine the warranty period all the available lawn mowers come with. Some of these mulching lawn mowers usually pack a two to three-year warranty, with some offering a warranty of up to 5 years. Sometimes the warranty will tell you more of how durable the specific mulching lawn mower is.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is better? Mulching or Bagging your grass
Mulching the grass clippings is a suitable method for thick and healthy lawns as the mulched grass clipping usually acts as a natural fertilizer. They usually return the nutrients in your trimmings to the soil underneath your grass. Also, thick grass clumps can lead to unhealthy thatches, and so it's quite important to use an ideal mulching mower and always ensure that your mulching blade is always sharp.
2. Can mulching lawn mowers mulch leaves?
Yes, mulching mowers can mulch both grass clippings and leaves, and it's beneficial to mulch leaves because they compost faster than when on their own.
