Best Mulching Lawn Mower [2021]

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best overall rating
★★★★★

Greenworks G-MAX Lawn Mower

Greenworks 40V 16' Cordless (Push) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Included
  • Rear bagging feature
  • Variety in height of cut options
  • Long battery life
  • Quick battery recharge
best overall rating
★★★★★

Greenworks GLM801601 Lawn Mower

Greenworks 80V 21' Brushless Cordless (Push) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), (2) 2.0Ah Batteries and 30 Minute Rapid Charger Included
  • Vertical storage
  • Mows up to an acre
  • Long battery life
  • 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, discharge
best overall rating
★★★★★

CRAFTSMAN M105 140cc Lawn Mower

 

  • Starts quickly
  • Powerful engine
  • Can handle large yards
  • Wide cuts and good quality battery

Our reviews are unbiased, fact-based, and comprehensively researched to help you make the right buying decisions.

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Research Hours

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Comments Analysed

Some lawn mower come with added functions that enhance their performance.

One of the most sought out kind of special function mowers are mulching lawn mowers.

Some mowers simply have mulching capabilities. Others have either side discharge or rear bagging paired with mulching functions.

Some mowers even have all three.

Let’s take a look at the best mulching lawn mowers available.

Comparison Table of Top Best Mulching Lawn Mower in Market

Product Image
Product Name
Features
Price
Greenworks G-MAX 40V 16'' Cordless Lawn Mower with 4Ah Battery
  • Spec 1: 4Ah Battery
  • Spec 2: 5 cutting height positions
  • Spec 3: 16" cutting deck
  • USP: Quiet mowing


Greenworks GLM801601 21-Inch 80V Cordless Push Lawn Mower
  • Spec 1: 2x 2Ah batteries
  • Spec 2: 7 cutting height positions
  • Spec 3: 21" cutting deck
  • USP: Vertical storage


CRAFTSMAN M105 140cc 21-Inch 3-in-1 Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower with Bagger
  • Spec 1: 140cc engine
  • Spec 2: 6 cutting height positions
  • Spec 3: 21" cutting deck
  • USP: Quick start


WORX WG744 40V Power Share 4.0 Ah 17" Lawn Mower w/ Mulching
  • Spec 1: 2 2x 2Ah battery powershare
  • Spec 2: 6 cutting height positions
  • Spec 3: 17" cutting deck
  • USP: Dual battery powershare


PowerSmart DB2321PR Gas Powered 170cc Engine Push Lawn Mower
  • Spec 1: 170cc engine
  • Spec 2: 5 cutting height positions
  • Spec 3: 21" cutting deck
  • USP: Dense grass


Earthwise 60420 20-Inch 40-Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
  • Spec 1: 40V Li-ion battery
  • Spec 2: 1.5" to 4" height of cut
  • Spec 3: 20" cutting deck
  • USP: Easy storage


POWERWORKS 60V 21-inch Brushless HP Mower
  • Spec 1: 5Ah battery
  • Spec 2: 7 cutting height positions
  • Spec 3: 21" cutting deck
  • USP: Long run time


Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM Mulching Lawn Mower w/Grass Catcher
  • Spec 1: 2x 4Ah battery
  • Spec 2: 6 cutting height positions
  • Spec 3: 14" cutting deck
  • USP: 65 minute runtime


Yard Machines 140cc 21-inch 3-in-1 Push Mower
  • Spec 1: 140cc engine
  • Spec 2: 6 cutting height positions
  • Spec 3: 21" cutting deck
  • USP: Manueverability


Troy Bilt TB130 21 Inch 159cc Gas Mulching Push Walk Behind Lawn Mower
  • Spec 1: 159cc engine
  • Spec 2: 6 cutting height positions
  • Spec 3: 21" cuting deck
  • USP: 1.9 bushel bag


Reviews of Top Mulching Lawn Mower


Greenworks G-MAX 40V 16'' Cordless Lawn Mower with 4Ah Battery

best overall rating Greenworks 40V 16' Cordless (Push) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Included

Key Specifications

  • 4Ah Battery
  • 5 cutting height positions
  • 16″ cutting deck

The Greenworks G-MAX 40V is the best mulching lawn mower available. Besides being one of the best electric mowers out there, it is one of the best lawn mowers period.

You get 40V of power out of this cordless mower. Unlike some other battery powered lawn mowers, the G-MAX has a long run time. You can expect to mow uninterrupted for 45 minutes of operation with each fresh charge.

The cutting deck is 16” wide which is a good middle size making it right for all size yards.

You get to choose between 5 cutting height positions with this mower. Take a look at the Greenworks G-MAX 40V in action right here

Pros

  • Rear bagging feature
  • Variety in height of cut options
  • Long battery life
  • Quick battery recharge

Cons

  • Tricky to wash sometimes because it is electric

The Greenworks G-Max is great for all lawns, especially medium sized yards. Check it out for yourself!

Greenworks GLM801601 21-Inch 80V Cordless Push Lawn Mower

best overall rating Greenworks 80V 21' Brushless Cordless (Push) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), (2) 2.0Ah Batteries and 30 Minute Rapid Charger Included
Key Specifications

  • 2x 2Ah batteries
  • 7 cutting height positions
  • 21″ cutting deck

This Greenworks corded mower packs a lot of power. You get 80V of power with 2Ah batteries. Each mowing session can last you up to a full hour if you have a fully charged battery.

One of the key features of this mower is the vertical storage. It saves quite a bit of space and can fold down easily.

Because the cutting deck is 21” wide, this mower is great for big yards. Its mulching capabilities are great, and it also includes bagging and side discharge. The brushless motors it runs on are strong but stay quiet while mowing.

You get to choose between 7 different choices for the grass height as you cut. Choosing and swapping between them is easy to do.

Mowing up to an acre is not a challenge at all for this push mower. This video gives you a good look at the mower

Pros

  • Vertical storage
  • Mows up to an acre
  • Long battery life
  • 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, discharge

Cons

  • Grip handle is less durable

This mower is perfect for yards! Check it out


CRAFTSMAN M105 140cc 21-Inch 3-in-1 Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower with Bagger

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 140cc engine
  • 6 cutting height positions
  • 21″ cutting deck

The CRAFTSMAN M105 140cc engine has incredible mulching, bagging, and discharge abilities. For a great price, it has a strong engine that performs well. You won’t struggle to start this mower with the auto choke.

It gets good gas mileage. Each cut is wide as the deck is 21” wide. This CRAFTSMAN mower is ideal for any size yard as long as it’s not a huge commercial lot.

There are 6 cutting height positions to choose between, and 1 ¼” to 3 ¾”. The mower weighs roughly 65 pounds and is easy to push around the lawn. Check it out in this quick video

Pros

  • Starts quickly
  • Powerful engine
  • Can handle large yards
  • Wide cuts

Cons

  • Assembly can be time consuming

This mower is perfect for bigger yards. It starts up quickly and has great mulching capabilities. Check it out!

WORX WG744 40V Power Share 4.0 Ah 17

best overall rating Worx WG744 (2X20V) Cordless Lawn Mower (Batteries & Charger Included)
Key Specifications

  • 2 2x 2Ah battery power share
  • 6 cutting height positions
  • 17″ cutting deck

The WORX WG744 uses dual battery power share technology to give users a long runtime while mowing. The two 2Ah batteries recharge quickly and you get 40V of power behind each cut.

With a 17” cutting deck, this mower is best suited for small to medium sized lawns, but it could handle big lawns. Each cut is clean, and you don’t have to constantly go back over spots you’ve mowed.

The mulching function is convenient, and you also get a bagging function to use if you choose. Watch this short video that shows the WORX WG744 in action

Pros

  • Long battery life/runtime
  • Wide cuts that save time
  • Bagging, mulching and discharge
  • Quiet mowing

The WORX WG744 is a great option if you want an ecofriendly and easy to use mulching mower. Check it out.

PowerSmart DB2321PR Gas Powered 170cc Engine Push Lawn Mower

best overall rating PowerSmart Self propelled Gas Lawn Mower 21-Inch 144cc 4-Stroke 3-in-1 Walk-Behind Lawnmower with 5-Position Height Adjustment (DB2321PR)
Key Specifications

  • 170cc engine
  • 5 cutting height positions
  • 21″ cutting deck

Mulching mowers that can handle dense grass with grace are hard to come by. Except for the PowerSmart DB2321PR mower. It has a powerful 170cc engine that helps it

It has a traditional pull start, but it starts faster than many other gas mowers. The mower only weighs 63 pounds so mowing even on uneven terrain should not be difficult. It is highly maneuverable.

If you have weeds or overly thick grass, there are height adjustments on this mower to accommodate it. Of the 5 height positions, there is one for any type of grass you could imagine. Check out this video that shows off the mower

Pros

  • Powerful engine
  • Wide cuts save time
  • Handles rough terrain
  • Mows thick grass easily

Cons

  • Loud mowing

Earthwise 60420 20-Inch 40-Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

best overall rating Earthwise 60420 20-Inch 40-Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

Key Specifications

  • 40V Li-ion battery
  • 1.5″ to 4″ height of cut
  • 20″ cutting deck

Sometimes, quality mowers with bonus features like mulching add bulk to a mower. Not the Earthwise 60420, however. This mower is designed to be stored easily.

You can also put this mower together without needing to be an expert mechanic. From the time you get it to the time you are mowing, no more than 30 minutes need to pass.

The 40V dual batteries power give this mower an impressive runtime. Considering that the cutting deck is 20” wide, you can mow the lawn pretty fast with this mower.

It is also easy to navigate. The front wheels measure 7” with the rear wheel measuring 9.5” which gives you and the mower great leverage.

You can choose between several heights of cut ranging between 1.5” and 4” depending on your preference. Here is a brief video that showcases the Earthwise 60420

Pros

  • Wide and clean cuts each time
  • Powerful dual battery power share operation
  • Easy to store
  • Great wheel leverage/navigation

Cons

  • The motor can get dirty/covered in debris

Check out this mower if you want to save on gas and get an easy to store mulching mower.

POWERWORKS 60V 21-inch Brushless HP Mower

best overall rating POWERWORKS 60V 21-inch Brushless HP Mower, 5Ah Battery and Charger Included MO60L513PW

Key Specifications

  • 5Ah battery
  • 7 cutting height positions
  • 21″ cutting deck

This POWERWORKS 60V mulching mower is well-rounded and offers a long runtime. You can swap between 7 cutting height positions easily.

It is also unique because of its SMARTCUT Technology. The SMARTCUT Technology is why this mower can increase power when it needs to get through dense grass or rough terrain.

POWERWORKS also put thought into battery life which is critical without cordless electric lawn mowers.

You can swap between mulching and side discharge easily. Vertical storage is easy and encouraged by POWERWORKS.

This mower folds down easily and takes up no garage or shed space at all.

The cutting deck is 21” wide, which when combined with the long battery life makes this mower perfect for medium to large sized lawns. Check it out in action right here

Pros

  • Easy vertical storage
  • SMARTCUT Technology
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Misses blades of grass sometimes

This mower is great if you need a mulching mower for a large yard. Check it out!


Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM Mulching Lawn Mower w/Grass Catcher

best overall rating Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM 48-Volt 17-Inch Mulching Walk-Behind Lawn Mower w/11-Gallon Grass Catcher & 6-Position Height Adjustment, Included, Cordless, Kit (w/ 2x 4.0-Ah Battery and Charger)

Key Specifications

  • 2x 4Ah battery
  • 6 cutting height positions
  • 17″ cutting deck

Very few cordless electric lawn mowers give you a 65 minute runtime like the Sun Joe 24V-X2- does. Besides mulching capabilities, this battery powered lawn mower come equipped with an 11 gallon nylon grass collection bag.

There are 6 different choices for height of cut that span between 1” and 3”.

Like most Sun Joe lawn mowers, the wheels are set up in a way to give you maximum leverage. This comes in handy if you have to mow at in incline or over dense grass.

The cutting deck is 17” wide which is more than enough to make mowing a small yard go by quickly. This Sun Joe mower can do well in large yards as well, just watch the battery life, so it does not die on you.

Here is a quick video that shows how well it performs

Pros

  • Long runtime
  • Wide, clean cuts
  • Large nylon grass collection bag

Cons

  • Struggles with dense grass

This mower is great for any residential lawn due to the runtime. Give it a try in your own yard.

Yard Machines 140cc 21-inch 3-in-1 Push Mower

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 140cc engine
  • 6 cutting height positions
  • 21″ cutting deck

Maneuverability matters more than anything when mowing the lawn. This Yard Machines 140cc lawn mower weighs just under 63 pounds making it lightweight and easy to mow with.

This mower does not limit you in what size yard you mow, either. With a 21” cutting deck, this Yard Machines is just as appropriate for a small lawn as it is for a big one.

No matter what size lawn you are mowing, the size of this cutting deck will speed the chore up a bit.

The 140cc engine can handle dense grass well and does not struggle with rough terrain. Besides mulching, there is also regular side discharge chute and bagging capabilities as well. Here is a video of the same mower in the 20” model variety

Pros

  • Easy to maneuver
  • Wide cuts each time makes mowing quick
  • Handles rough terrain well

Cons

  • Difficult to assemble for some people

If you want a lawn mower that has mulching abilities that puts the emphasis on maneuverability, check out this Yard Machines mower.

Troy Bilt TB130 21 Inch 159cc Gas Mulching Push Walk Behind Lawn Mower

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 159cc engine
  • 6 cutting height positions
  • 1.9 bushel bag

This Troy Bilt push lawn mower uses a 1.9 bushel bag for collection and mulching capabilities. It is powered by a 159cc engine that runs on gasoline.

Compared to other similar gasoline lawn mowers, the Troy Bilt TB130 has fairly quiet operation.

It comes with 11” rear wheels. Mowers that have rear wheels between 10” and 12” have great leverage and maneuverability. The added size helps the mower handle incline, hills, and banks.

Starting this mower up is easy and should not take more than a couple of pulls on the cord. The Troy Bilt TB130 weighs 65 pounds which means most people should not struggle while using this lawn mower.

This brief video should give you and idea of what it looks like in action

Pros

  • Lightweight and maneuverable
  • Great wheel leverage
  • 1.9 bushel collection bag

Cons

  • Assembly can be time consuming

If you want a well-rounded mulching lawn mower, check out the Troy Bilt TB130 21” gas lawn mower.


Best Mulching Riding Lawn Mower

Our top pick for the best mulching riding lawn mower is the Troy-Bilt Pony 42X Riding Lawn Mower with 42-Inch Deck.

It is a well-rounded, highly maneuverable riding lawn mower allows for both side discharge and mulching.

Key Specifications

  • 42″ cutting deck
  • 24 HP engine
  • 3 gal fuel capacity

This mower is ideal for medium to large sized lawns. The 42” cutting deck is double the size of the average push lawn mower’s cut. Because it is a riding mower, it has an extremely high fuel capacity.

The 3 gallon gasoline capacity compared to a push mower’s small fuel capacity is a big selling point. It makes for long mowing sessions. You aren’t limited to big yards with the Troy-Bilt Pony, however.

If you mow a small lawn with it, the Pony will make the chore go by much faster and you’ll be done in no time. Check out the Troy-Bilt Pony if you want a riding mower with great mulching function

Best Self Propelled Mulching Lawn Mower

Our top choice for the best self-propelled mulching lawn mower is the Greenworks PRO 21” 80V Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower .

The Greenworks PRO 21” mower makes mowing easy because it is self-propelled. It does not hurt either that it mows quite quietly and has long battery life.

Key Specifications

  • 21” cutting deck
  • 80V battery power
  • 1 3/8”- 3 ¾” cutting height positions

Besides having powerful batteries, they charge extremely quickly. You can throw one of the Greenworks PRO’s batteries on the charge and it will be ready to go in 30 minutes time.

That is a major convenience, especially if you have to break a big mowing job into sections to give yourself a break. You don’t have to worry about wrestling with this mower to get it to start like many of them require.

All that you do is push one button and you and are ready to mow. Check out the Greenworks PRO 21” mower.

Best Commercial Mulching Mower

Our selection for the best commercial mulching mower around is the Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 24 HP Kawasaki Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower .

This powerhouse of a zero turn mower excels in every way.

Key Specifications

  • 61″ cutting deck
  • 24 HP engine
  • 5 gal fuel capacity

You will hard pressed to find another zero turn mower that is this precise and has a 61” cutting deck. That is more than three times the width of regular push mower, and much more than a standard riding mower.

It has 3-in-1 mulching, side discharge and rear bagging capabilities. It is ideal for commercial lots because of how massive the cutting deck is.

That combined with the beast of an engine makes the MZ61 the kind of mower you get because you want to speed the job up.

You can also fill it with u to 5 gallons of gasoline. No more worrying about running out of gas while making turns with a 0 degree radius.


 

FAQs

Can you mulch with all lawn mowers?

No, you cannot. Some lawn mowers come with mulching, discharge or bagging features and others do not. If the mower in question does not come with a mulcher, check to see if you can buy one from the producer as an accessory. Push, riding and zero turn mowers can all have mulching abilities. Look for “2-in-1” or “3-in-1” in the description of a mower, and mulching is likely included.

Does mulching function make the lawn mower cost more money?

No, it does not. In fact, there are many budget lawn mowers that feature mulching, and some that even include 3-in-1 features. Premium lawn mowers often do work for mulching if they come with all of the bells and whistles, however.

If you have to purchase a mulching attachment from the manufacturer separately, it can add to the cost but is often inexpensive. Mulching accessories are most common in riding mowers.

What does mulching refer to when it comes to mowing the lawn?

Mulching refers to the process of returning the grass back to the lawn, so to speak. As you mow, bits and clumps of blades of grass fly up and bunch together. Mowers with mulching functions gently return the grass trimmings to the ground after you have cut them.

It is usually either in extremely fine trimmings, or in clumps. It is a way to nurture your yard and saves you from having to collect yard waste.

Is the mulching function any better or worse on an electric vs. gas powered mower?

No, there is no difference in mulching function between the two. The only difference in mulching function is based on a mower to mower basis. Sometimes, however, electric mowers are able to cut the grass into finer bits if it has certain technology such as INTELLICUT and other advances.

What do I do if I broke the mulching attachment on my mower?

If your mower is under warranty, and many of them are, contact the manufacturer. Otherwise, you can look into whether or not the manufacturer sells replacement parts or even more current, updated mulching attachments.

Many mowers come with removable mulching and discharge attachments, so if that is the case, fixing or replacing it is not difficult.

Final Words

We hope this article would have helped you decide on the right lawn mower with a mulcher. Do share your feedback on these models/queries using the comment box below.

Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Kevin Stewart

Kevin is an expert metal worker with a passion for designing and making. He is passionate about his power tools. He contributes his ideas to various online platforms.

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