Best Mulching Lawn Mowers: Our 6 Picks + Buying Guide 2023
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The best mulching lawn mowers are renowned for making a noticeable difference to your lawn, but what is it that sets the best apart?
Not only are they excellent at cutting your lawn, but they recycle the clippings to create a natural fertilizer, leaving it looking healthier than ever. Some offer additional features and can even allow the user to store their clippings to use as they wish.
Let’s take a closer look at mulching lawn mowers before revealing our pick of the best.
Table of Contents
Matt's Top Picks for Best Mulching Lawn Mowers
Matt's Top Picks for Best Mulching Lawn Mowers 2023 | ||
 | Best Rated EGO Power+ LM2142SP 21-Inch | |
 | Best Self-propelled Greenworks Pro 80V 21-Inch | |
 | Best for Mulching Leaves POWERSMITH 21 in 40V | |
 | Best Electric Sun Joe 17-Inch | |
 | Best Petrol Yard Machines 140cc | |
 | Best Cordless Sun Joe 24V-X2-16LM | |
What Is a Mulching Lawn Mower?
Mulch is a word often associated with weed control, and a mulching mower is often used as a way of enhancing a lawn.
Mulching lawn mowers cut grass clippings several times until they are cut into miniscule particles. When they are released onto the soil, they quickly turn brown and release beneficial nutrients for a healthy lawn.
Mulching Blades vs Regular Blades: What to Expect?
The two most common types of lawn mower blades are standard blades and mulching blades. A standard blade will cut grass and release it onto the lawn or into a bag as clippings.
They are the go-to type of mowing blade when the user is not interested in mulching. A mulching blade is curved, ideal for cutting grass into fine pieces and sometimes known as a 3-in-1 blade.
It can be used to bag the cuttings, mulch, or discharge them.
How to Choose Mulching Lawn Mower?
Top rated mulching mowers are easy to use and can greatly enhance the appearance and health of your lawn.
To find the best one for your needs, use the following criteria.
Budget
It all starts with budget, and thankfully, there are a range of mulching lawn mowers in various price ranges. The high-end products will command a bigger price, but they often have greater cutting power, and added features such as the option for bagging clippings to use for compost or to distribute throughout your lawn.
Mulching kit
A mulching kit will allow the user to convert their mower into a mulcher. It changes the standard blade into a mulching blade. This allows the mower to mulch the grass and recycle the clippings, spreading them across the lawn as it passes.
Terrain
Choose your mulching mower on the terrain you intend to use it on. Some are best for hilly areas whilst others are ideally suited to flat open lawns. There are also mulching lawn mowers that have the option of side discharge, This is ideal for longer grass and overgrown gardens and are also well united to damp grass.
Cutting Height
It is not a good idea to have the deck cut too low as it can be detrimental to the health of the grass. Choose a mower that has a height of 2.5-3 inches to mulch leaves as it will not overwork the engine. This is also a good height for cutting in winter as cutting the grass too low before the cold months come can be damaging.
Safety
The best mulching lawn mowers will come with additional safety features. Some mulching mowers will stop the blade turning when the operator’s hands are no longer holding the controls. Look for products that cut well when on slopes if that is the terrain it is to be used on.
Maintenance and Spare Parts
Some mulching mowers are easier to clean than others. The ebay products won’t be as susceptible to clumping making clean up a lot easier. Any mower that comes with spare parts is also the sign of a quality product.
Weight & Maneuverability
A mulching mower should be easy to maneuver so turning corners should be smooth. A mower that’s too heavy is soon going to take its toll on the user. A mower that weighs 32 – 50 kgs should have enough power behind it without being too strenuous to push across a lawn.
6 Best Mulching Lawn Mowers
Best Rated Mulching Lawn Mower
EGO Power+ LM2142SP 21-Inch
Variable speed | 21″ deck | Battery powered | Mulching | Bagging | Side discharge
This is the best mulching mower for anyone who wants to mow large lawns. It is battery powered, giving you the freedom of pushing it without cords getting in the way, and an 80 minute run time.
This is via the 56V 5.0ARC Lithium-ion battery that provides high-end performance and cutting power. It isn’t just powerful, it also gives you plenty of options; the EGO Power+ is also one of the most customisable mulching mowers on our list. It has variable speeds for the propeller that ranges from 0.9 MPH – 3. 1 MPH making it excellent on different terrain.
Many users will appreciate the 3-1 functionality as it can be used to mulch the cuttings, bag them, or discharge to the side after they have passed through the 21 inch deck. There are also six different height settings that allow the user to customize the way they want their lawn to look, and how they want to leave the grass after mowing.
Not everyone has the time to mow when it is convenient. However, the LED lights allow you to mow when visibility isn’t quite as good, providing more potential hours of mowing. To top it all off, the EGO Power+ LM2142SP folds down to a convenient size, making it easy to store.
Matt Loves:
- 6 different heights
- 0.9 MPH – 3. 1 MPH speed settings
- 80 minute run time
- 56V 5.0ARC Lithium-ion battery
- LED lights
Consider:
- Some plastic parts
Best Self Propelled Mulching Lawn Mower
Greenworks Pro 80V 21-Inch
Variable speed | 21″ deck | Battery powered | 7-position height adjustment | 4.0Ah battery
This self propelled mulching lawn mower from Greenworks takes the strain out of mowing, making it ideal for large lawns that otherwise take their toll. Not only does it produce fine cuttings that provide plenty of nutrients for grass, but it has a self propelled drive that allows the user to relax as they mow.
It also has a generous run time of up to 45 minutes thanks to the 4.0Ah battery although the condition of the grass can impact this. The steel deck measures 21 inches making it easier to handle large areas of grass and speeds up the time thanks to the additional torque.
The Greenworks Pro 80V mower is surprisingly quiet to run and what many users find is that the variable speed control makes it easy to maneuver on sections of long grass. Smartcut technology makes it one of the best mulching mowers for anyone who hasn’t used this type of mower before. It senses grass and auto adapts the power to optimize the cut.
Intuitive mowers make life a lot easier, and Greenworks have also ensured it can cut in all environments thanks to the 7 position height adjustment. Much like the better mowers available, it offers users the chance to mulch, bag to the rear, or discharge clippings via the side.
Matt Loves:
- Smartcut technology
- 7 different heights
- 45 minute run time
- 21 inch steel deck
- Mulch, bag, or side discharge
Consider:
- Other mowers can have more run time
Best Lawn Mower For Mulching Leaves
POWERSMITH 21 in 40V
5 Year Limited Warranty | 40V Brushless motor | Battery powered | 6-position adjustment
This is the ideal mower for anyone who has foliage from trees around their lawn thanks to its power motor. It will allow the user to suppress weeds via mulching and it also offers side discharge and bagging of clippings.
The 40 minute run time from its 40V brushless motor gives it around ½ acre of mowing time and removes the difficulty of refilling gasoline that comes with gas powered motors. There is also an easy push-button mechanism to get started and whether the lawn has been left a little longer than usual, or it is already in good condition, there are 6 different heights to tackle different lengths of grass.
The lightweight mower makes it easy to keep your grass in pristine condition and comes with a handful of useful accessories including the mulching insert, side discharge chute, grass catching bag, and more. It is the useful additions that set it apart, so many users will enjoy the folding handy to make storage simple, and LED headlights to improve visibility when perfecting the lawn at the end of the day.
This is an excellent mower for maintenance, but it is also the best lawn mower for mulching leaves since and comes with a 5 year manufacturer warranty.
Matt Loves:
- Plenty of accessories
- 40 minute run time
- 5 year warranty
- Easy to maneuver
- 6 different heights
Consider:
- Replacement blades can be difficult to find
Best Mulching Electric Lawn Mower
Sun Joe MJ403E 17-Inch 13-Amp
13 AMP Motor | 17-Inches | 7-position height | Mulching + mowing function
This is the best mulching electric lawn mower, but also among the best in terms of value. It is difficult to match the performance and ease of use at the price point, making the Sun Joe MJ403E an excellent option.
The powerful 13-amp motor means it can make light work of different lengths of grass and cuts with a 17 inch path to ensure the user can mow their lawn quickly. There are 7 different heights available ranging from 0.98 to 2.87 inches so it is also one of the best mulching lawn mowers in terms of versatility, and no matter what the terrain or length of grass, it gives you plenty of options.
The detachable grass collection bag makes clean up easy should you wish to dispose of or distribute the cuttings elsewhere. At under 31 lbs, the Sun Joe MJ403E electric lawn mower is easy to maneuver and it can be powered up at the push of a button.
An innovative mulching lawn mower that converts swiftly between mowing and mulching, it is well worth considering.
Matt Loves:
- 17 inch cutting path
- 7 heights
- Weighs under 31 lbs
- Push button start
- Up to ½ acre of mowing
Consider:
- Other options can be more powerful
Best Petrol Mulching Lawn Mower
Yard Machines 140cc OHV 21-Inch
Gas powered | 140cc motor | Side discharge and mulching capabilities | 21″ deck
As close to an all in one lawn mower as you can get, this is a high wheeled and powerful petrol option from Yard Machines. The pull start mechanism can take a little getting used to but once it is in motion, the 140cc engine proves to be more than capable of cutting thanks to its 21 inch deck.
This makes it easy to trim a large lawn quickly and requires fewer passes to leave the lawn looking pristine. There are 6 different height settings allowing the user to mow a full cut or a trim depending on the terrain.
It is easy to switch to the mulching setting where you can distribute the fine cuttings that are good for your lawn and there is also a side discharge option. This is an excellent option for any lawn with uneven terrain as the 7 and 11 inch wheels have bar treadings, making it easy to drive through hard soil and challenging sections.
To top it all off it is easy to use and comes with a 2 year warranty for peace of mind.
Matt Loves:
- 21 inch deck
- Mulching and side discharge options
- 6 different heights
- Large wheels can tackle different terrain
Consider:
- Pull start engine isn't for everyone
Best Cordless Mulching Lawn Mower
Sun Joe 24V-X2-16LM 48-Volt
2×4.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries | 800-watt brushless motor | 2-year warranty
This is the best mulching lawn mower in the USA for anyone who wants lightweight options and no cords getting in the way. There are two batteries and a fast charger which means it doesn’t take long before it is ready to go again for anyone with a particularly large lawn.
It has a run time of approximately 45 minutes which is plenty enough for medium sized lawns and even larger. The mulching setting is easy to use and it does an excellent job of distributing clippings to ensure the lawn is in top condition.
There are 6 height adjustments which is standard for the type of mower and it is easy to assemble and offers excellent value for money.
Matt Loves:
- Quick charge time
- Easy to maneuver
- 6 height adjustments
Consider:
- Other products have a longer run time
FAQs
What is the best mulching lawn mower?
The best overall mower for mulching is the EGO Power+ LM2142SP and it is excellent for mowing large lawns thanks to an 80 minute run time. It offers more versatility thanks to the variable speeds, height adjustments, LED light and large 12 inch deck.
What does a mulching lawn mower do?
A mulching lawn mower continually cuts grass until it is incredibly thin and distributes it around the lawn. The cuttings brown quickly and obtain plenty of nutrients, ideal for enhancing the health of the grass.
How to sharpen a mulching lawn mower blade?
It is recommended that mulching lawn mower blades are sharpened twice a season so they can easily cut through grass. They can be sharpened with a file and then tightened onto the deck of the lawnmower before they are ready for use again.
What is the advantage of a mulching lawn mower?
A mulching mower allows the user to keep their lawn in excellent condition, using the nutrients of small cuttings that brown quickly.
Who sells the best mulching lawn mowers?
EGO Power+ sells the best mulching mower. Their model LM2142SP is the pick of our bunch and an excellent option for anyone with a large lawn, or smaller.
Final Words
The best mulching lawn mowers can make a significant difference to the health of your grass and the overall condition of a lawn.
Not all mowers are made the same so it is important to look for the essential attributes mentioned above.
Welcome
Howdy, I’m Matt and welcome to my site Mowing With Matt. I’ve always been a self confessed lawn mowing nut and have learnt plenty about looking after lawns.
I’d like to share this knowledge by providing valuable information and tips from buying the right lawn mower to keeping your grass green.
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