7 Best Mulching Lawn Mower Review 2024

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The mulching mower is a type of lawn mower that mulches grass clippings into fine particles, which provides a nutritious and all-natural fertilizer for the lawn. Mulching mowers are the best mowers to keep your lawn healthy, as it eliminates grass clippings that are a hindrance to water supply during the dry summer months as well as prevent weed growth.

We spent over 120 hours researching and testing 12 top mulching mowers and narrowed it down to seven winners. These mowers all feature high-quality cutting blades, efficient engines, and a variety of cutting height options. We also compared ease of use, as mulching mowers can be a bit tricky to operate. We asked experts, reviewers, and lawn mowing enthusiasts for their favorite mulching mowers. We considered how these mowers perform on different types of lawns, and whether they are easier or more difficult to maneuver than standard mowers.

After testing and evaluating each we find EGO Power+ LM2101 is our top mulching mower. It’s environment friendly, easy to use, durable, provide efficient cutting every time, and offers value for the money.

Let’s dig into the review.

How We Pick the Perfect Mulching Lawn Mower for Your Yard?

Mulching lawn mowers are great for reducing the clippings you need to dispose of, but which one should you choose? Here are 5 factors you must consider when selecting a mulching lawn mower.

Lawn Mower Type

There are 3 types of mulching mowers available on the market.

1. Push mower: Push mower is a walk-behind lawn mower that requires physical power to move the mower and propel the blades. Though it features larger wheels to mulch the grass in uneven conditions, it loses performance. These mowers are suitable for smaller lawns with more minor obstacles.
2. Self-propelled lawn mower: It’s another version of a push mower, but the motor helps propel the wheels and blades. And you can easily handle this mower with its handlebar. This self-drive mower is ideal for single moms, women, or older adults. 
3. Riding lawn mower: Riding lawn mowers are suitable for large yards, and most professional lawns are safe for its commercial usage. It’s a very powerful mower that handles any mowing task. So if you have a large lawn or want to start a lawn mowing business, you can go with this one.

Wheel Drive Type

There are three types of wheel drive mowers available on the market.

1. All-wheel drive: All-wheel drive mowers are suitable for any type of lawn (flat to uneven). Those types of mowers offer better tractions in any situation.
2. Rear-wheel drive: RWD mowers are specially built for handling mowing in the uneven condition
3. Front-wheel drove: Those mower types are good picks for the flat surface. Most residential mowers feature front-wheel drive.

Power Source

Based on the cutting power, mulching mowers come with three different power sources.

1. Gas: Gas-powered mowers are the most powerful lawn mowers used to tackle the most challenging lawn mowing tasks. Depending on the mower deck size and build material, it comes with a 125cc to 230cc engine. On the contrary, a riding lawn mower features a 12 to 36HP engine for working on the larger yards. A gas-powered mower offers more mobility with ultimate running time. Though they are not environment friendly, they are an excellent choice for flats to invent and small to more extensive lawns.
2. Electric – corded lawn mower: Electric corded lawn mowers are lightweight and easy. Generally, they are used for light to medium mowing tasks. Electric corded mowers are ideal for 1/4 acres of lawn. You need more electric outlets for more extensive lawns because you can extend the electric extension up to 100 feet. Due to the power source, the corded electric mower offers unlimited running time with limited areas.
3. Battery-powered: Battery-powered lawn mower offers unlimited mobility with limited running time. Generally battery-powered or cordless mower offers approximately 45 to 90 minutes of running time that is quiet to cut the small to medium-sized yards. In 2022, most cordless mowers will offer fast charging capability with a dual battery for uninterrupted running time.

Comparing all of those features, the electric lawn mower is not as powerful as the gas mower. So if your lawn has many obstacles with uneven ground, go with a gas-powered lawn mower.

Cutting Width and Cutting Height

Deck size or cutting width belongs on how faster you want to mulch your lawn. The large deck size offers less mowing time. But it was expensive. And need a more powerful lawn mower.

So the main thing you need to know about the size of your yards.

If you have a more extensive lawn, you need a larger cutting deck that reduces time.

On the other hand, cutting height depends on mower to the mower. So based on grass size and types, you ‘need to set the cutting height.

Number Of Blades

Most Residential mowers feature one blade. Because its deck size is 16 to 25 inches, one blade is quiet enough to cut the small to medium-sized yards for this type of deck. But if you have a large-sized lawn and looking for a large cutting deck, 36 to 72-inch deck, then it has 3 blades for providing the best mulching.

So the bottom line is mower blade’s number depends on the deck size.

Best Mulching Lawn Mower – Comparison Chart

The head-to-head comparison table will understand the mower quality. Along with which one is suitable for you.

Sure, here’s the information you provided organized into a data table format:

Model	Experts Rating	Power Source	Cutting Path	Cutting Height
EGO Power+ LM2101	#1 Overall Winner	Battery	21 Inches	7 Positions
Greenworks 25302	#2 Budget Pick	Battery	20 Inches	5 Positions
Honda 663020	#3 Premium Choice	Gas	21 Inches	7 Positions
Troy-Bilt 12AVA2MR766	#4 Best Gas	Gas	21 Inches	6 Positions
CRAFTSMAN 11A-U2V2791	#5 Best Push	Gas	21 Inches	6 Positions
PowerSmart DB2194CR	#6 Under $200	Gas	21 Inches	5 Positions
Troy Bilt TB130	#7 Under $400	Gas	21 Inches	4 Positions

Probably you will get the best short story about it. It’s time to drive in the in-depth review.

The 7 Best Mulching Lawn Mower Review

Good mulching began with an excellent deck design which makes sufficient airflow for spreading out the clippings grass. So before taking any mower we take a detailed look at the mower deck design, blade, and cut quality.

Best Overall: EGO Power+ LM2101 Review

Key Features

• 56V lithium ARC battery
• 5.0 Ah rapid charge
• Superior mulching
• Convenient grass bagger
• 21 in cutting swath

Depending on the reasonable price, excellent cut quality, the superior mulching capability our expert picked EGO Power+ LM2021 as the best mulching self-propelled mower.

The machine is always starting with a push-button start and starting the mowing job. It’s 56 -volt cordless battery has enough power to make sufficient airflow to spread the grass finer pieces across the entire yard. Also, its high rear wheel provides better traction on the slope, and its razor-sharp blade tackles all types of grass.

On the other hand, the long-lasting battery has only 45 minutes of running time that easily mows the 1/4 acre yards. On the other hand, its 5.0 Ah rapid charger takes less than 40 minutes. Also, the EGO Power+ 56v ARC lithium battery works for all ego power+ tools.

Moreover, being a cordless mower it makes less engine vibration, less noise, and no fumes. Fully environment-friendly.

However, the 21-inch cutting steel swath is durable in the soil, and its 6 position height adjustments cut the grass into different levels and its 3-in-1 function allows mulching, bagging, or side discharge.

Along with this, the machine’s bright LED lights allow mowing at the dack and dusk conditions. Also, its fold handle saves upto 60%-70% of garage storage.

It is a medium-weight mower. Easy to push and start work on the lawns. But if you’re a woman or an old man/woman then we don’t recommend you. Maybe it’s hard to push for you.

Then we would like to encourage you to buy the EGO power+ self-propelled model.

Products Specs

Brand	EGO Power+
Dimensions	61.61 x 22.92 x 46.46 inches
Weight	84.2 Pounds
Power Source	Battery
Deck Size	21 Inch
Cutting Option	6 Position

Also Consider: WORX WG743 40V PowerShare 4.0Ah 17″ Lawn Mower w/Mulching & Intellicut (2x20V Batteries), Black and Orange

If you’re a woman, or old man, or old man, and looking for a mulching mower with less price tag, ideal for small yards, and lightweight then I would encourage you to go with WOROX WG743.

The tool has less cutting swath (17 inches) and extraordinary mulching capability. It’s powered by a 40v battery and able to cut 1/8 acre yards per charge. Its dedicated dual batteries extend the running time. Moreover, the dual battery takes only 2 hours to recharge the battery.

Overall this mower is well worth the money.

Best Budget Mower: Greenworks 25302 Review

Key Features

• G-MAX 4.o Ah 40V battery
• 17-inch deck size
• 2 in 1 feature
• 5 postin cutting depth
• 60 minutes run time
• Onboard battery life indicator

Greenworks is the most reliable brand in America. Starting with the 17-inch plastic cutting deck which is ideal for high-end airflow. The machine is powered by a 40v (battery) brushless motor that makes sufficient power to cut the toughest grass and give a nice appearance lawn.

The machine can cut the grass into 5 different levels ( 1-1/4 inch to 3-3/8-inch). Being a plastics deck it’s able to create a highly efficient airflow to provide great mulching. Besides, it will be able to rear bagging. The bagger is not so big. But it’s easy to attach and remove.

This battery-powered machine runs upto 60 minutes, which’s good enough for the 1/2 acres yard. Moreover, its 4.0Ah fast charging capability takes only 120 minutes to recharge the battery. And also the onboard battery life indicator helps you know the battery percentage that’s a great advantage.

Overall, its affordable price tag and features provide value for the money.

Products Specs

Brand	GreenWorks
Dimensions	52.05 x 19.21 x 41 inches
Weight	40.89 Pounds
Power Source	Battery
Deck Size	20 Inch
Cutting Option	5 Position

Best Premium Mower: Honda 663020 Review

Key Features

• GCV170 Engine
• Adjustable speed
• 3 in 1 function
• 16-gallon grass back
• 21-inch steel cutting deck

The Honda 663020 is the most expensive model on this mulching mower list. We take a detailed look at its performance, cut quality, mulching capability, and durability then we pick this machine in our list

It’s GCV170 Engine power that is combined with the 21-inch blades and provides an excellent cut every time. The engine is turned every time with a pull cord. No hassle, simply turn it in.

Also, the mouth of the gas tank is extra wide, so you can easily see the level of gas as it rises.

Awesome?

Like the other mower, it’s not a lightweight mower. It weighs around 92 pounds.

But thanks to its self-propelled drive system that removes the physical efforts and makes it much more enjoyable in the mowing time. However, the smart drive variable speed controlling features adjust the mower speed.

Being a gas mower, it’s much more powerful than the electric mower and it can tackle every mowing condition.

It has a 3 in 1 grass management ability that allows switching between mulching, bagging, or side discharge. The 16-gallon bagging capacity is enough to mow the small without disposing of the clipping grass.

However, one of the great things about this tool is it makes less noise and no fumes. we are fully impressed with this feature.

Overall this beast is ready to mow the small to the large-sized lawn in every hardest mowing condition.

Products Specs

Brand	Honda
Dimensions	63.4 x 23.1 x 23.1 inches
Weight	92 Pounds
Power Source	Gas
Deck Size	21 Inch
Cutting Option	7 Position

Best Gas-Powered Mower: Troy-Bilt 12AVA2MR766 Review

Key Features

• 159cc powerful Troy-Bilt OHV engine
• 21-inch cutting path
• 3-in-1 functionality
• Dual-lever 6-position height setting
• Underside deck wash adapter
• Triaction cutting system

Toro is another player in this mulching mower category. It’s the most reliable brand in the US.

We pick the mower in this category for its reasonable price with a powerful 159cc engine, superior mulching, and self-drive mechanism.

Well, the 159cc OHV engine is the most reliable engine in the mower industry, and also we know that some lawn mower OHV engines never require any kind of oil. But this one required oil.

The dual lever 6 position 21-inch tri-cutting system deck is powered by the gas engine and makes strong airflow to mulch the clipping grass on the lawns. Moreover, the tools also have side discharge and rear bagging.

Featuring its variable speed controlling mechanism that allows maintaining the right speed in mowing time. And give better traction in the hilly yards.

But there is a problem. Being a front-wheel-drive self-propelled mower it can’t provide better traction on the hill or lawns slope. But the advantage is it can change the cutting direction easily and is perfect for flat yards.

After analyzing all aspects of Troy-Bilt TB 120 is a great tool for flat small to large yards, But if you have a hilly lawn then I would encourage you to go with honda.

Products Specs

Brand	Troy Bilt
Dimensions	40 x 25 x 20 inches
Weight	90 Pounds
Power Source	Gas
Deck Size	21 Inch
Cutting Option	6 Position

Best Mulching Push Mower

CRAFTSMAN 11A-U2V2791 Review

Key Features

• Vertical storage
• Powerful 149cc engine
• 1.9-bushel dust blocker bagging
• Comfortable handle grip
• Dual-lever 6 Position height

The Craftsman 11A-U2V2791 is a 66.9 pounds gas-powered push mower. Being a push mower many people think it’s a heavyweight mower.

But actually not.

However, the most reliable 149cc gas engine equipped with recoil and auto choke provides a hassle-free start every time.

On the other hand, the 21-inch cutting path and dual lever 6 position cutting height setting allow cutting the grass into different levels and provide a clean cut.

The 3-in-1 design allows switching between mulching, bagging, and side discharge. Also, The machine is equipped with a 1.9-bushel dust blocker bag for easy cleanup or composting. And also its deck wash mechanism helps to remove all dirt and debris from under the deck.

It’s a rear-wheel-drive machine. The larger 8-inch rear wheel provides better traction and maneuverability on any terrain. So don’t worry if you have a hilly lawn.

Unlike the other walk-behind gas mowers, this model has vertical storage capability, making it easy to store anywhere, whether in your garage, shell, or other storage. And it saves up to 70% on garage storage.

Thumbs up.

Well, after in-depth research on it, we are providing a bottom line for this machine. Please don’t go with larger yards. But it’s great pick for the small to medium flat or terrain lawns.

Products Specs

Brand	Craftsman
Dimensions	59 x 22.5 x 39.5 inches
Weight	66 Pounds
Power Source	Gas
Deck Size	21 Inch
Cutting Option	6 Position

Best Mulching Mower Under $200

PowerSmart DB2194CR Lawn Mower

Key Features

• 170cc gas engine
• 21-inch cutting swath
• 5 Position cutting height setting
• Recoil starter

PowerSmart DB2194CR is the most inexpensive mower on our list. Being an inexpensive machine offers lots of specs and features.

The tool is powered by the 170cc 4-stroke gas engine. Like the others, it also has a 21-inch cutting swath and 5 adjustable height settings. And also it’s cut the grass into finer pieces and cuts more grass on each pass.

It has 0.4 gallons and 16.9 fl oz fuel tank capacity which is more than enough to mow the smaller yard.

When it comes to grass management, you should consider it 2 in 1 feature. It offers you mulching and side discharge.

For the compact storage design, it has a quick folding capability that allows storage in a tiny space.

Overall the mower is a great pick for the smaller yards.

Products Specs

Brand	Power Smart
Dimensions	33 x 23 x 18 inches
Weight	58 Pounds
Power Source	Gas
Deck Size	21 Inch
Cutting Option	5 Position

Best Mulching Mower Under $400

Troy Bilt TB130 Review

Key Features

• 159cc gas engine
• Automatic choke
• 11 Inch high rear wheels and 7-inch front wheels
• 1.9-bushel bust blocking bag

Troy Bilt TB130 adds some extra cost and offers more features than PowerSmart. The machine is powered by a 159cc gas engine. It’s a  walk-behind push mower that features a 21-inch mulching blade and is capable of other mowing jobs. 

The blade is specially designed for excellent mulching, superior grass flow, and eliminating clumping. 

The 159cc engine automatic choke helps to start the engine easily and its 11-high rear wheel provides better traction on the yard’s slope or terrain. 

Generally, this power is ideal for small to medium yards.  As a push mower, it’s come with a lightweight and compact design. The machine weighs around 65.9 pounds. It’s easy to push and maneuver. 

The mower deck features dual lever 6 position cutting height adjustment features and its tri-cutting system cuts them into equal pieces. 

This is not only capable of mulching but also has a 1.9 Brussels bagging capacity and side discharge as well. 

The machine is made in America and for longevity, the manufacturer offers a 2-year warranty. 

Great.

Being a gas mower doesn’t make more noise or fumes. Though it is not environmentally friendly but offers value for the money. 

Overall this machine has enough power to tackle any obstacle in the yards. Our experts encourage you to buy it if you have only a smaller yard. 

Products Specs

Brand	Troy-Bilt
Dimensions	N/A
Weight	65.9 Pounds
Power Source	Gas
Deck Size	21 Inch
Cutting Option	7 Position

Best Mulching Lawn Mower Buyer’s Guide 

There is a wide range of benefits from mulching mowers, it reduces weeds growth, gives natural soil, protects the lawn from the summer heat, and more!

However, choosing the wrong mulching that doesn’t provide superior mulching, makes its sake meaningless. Some people want to buy an electric or gas, or petrol or self-propelled or push mower that suits their budget and adds no extra cost. 

Well, we write this section only for you so that you don’t make any mistake in purchasing a mower.

How Does Mulch Mowing Work?

The mulching mower provides fertilizer to the lawn while simultaneously saving your work.

This machine pack with a special blade that cuts the tall grass in very short Pisces and is left behind by the mower. Generally, it works like a middle man, namely, it provides a compost pile instead of providing compost directly.

The main reason for people using mulching instead of bagging – is to maintain a healthy lawn and save time. 

Gas vs Electric Mulching Mower

No doubt, gas models are more powerful than electric models. 

But great mulching begins with cutting the deck and blades. If the deck doesn’t make sufficient airflow to spread the grass clipping far out from the mower then it does not matter what power source (gas or electric) the machine uses. 

Deck size

Larger deck sizes save your time and effort. A larger deck saves you more time. 

Yard condition

Above I mentioned 7 mowers based on their price and types. If you have an uneven lawn, I would encourage you to go with CRAFTSMAN 11A-U2V2791 and for the flat yard   EGO Power+ LM2101.

Mulching Capability

A plastic deck is always superior to mulching to a steel deck. When the blade power is combined with the plastics deck it will make a stronger air follow to spread the grass far from the mower.

However, some steel decks were made for the superiors mulching. Conversely, a steel deck is more durable than a plastic deck. So if your lawn is uneven you have to consider a steel deck.

How We Test The Mulching Mower?

Build 

Build quality is one of the important parts of mower longevity. In our list, most of the mower decks are made of sturdy plastics for superior mulching. And also some of them are steel.

However, we pick the mulching mower for the homeowners who have small to medium yards. On the other hand, if you have larger yards then I would encourage you to go with a honda 663020 self-propelled gas mower. 

Cut Quality

As I mentioned, the great mulching began with an excellent cutting deck and superior cut quality. During mulching time the mower cuts the grass into short pieces and helps to spread out the grass.  

So, if you have a flat lawn you can go with the front-wheel-drive mower. Conversely, if your lawn has slopes or unevenness we encourage you to go with the rear-wheel-drive mower. 

Ground Types

Mower performance varies on the ground types. Some of the mowers are suitable for all types of ground or flat terrain. 

Noise Level

We are the homeowners. We don’t disturb our neighbors during our mowing time. The SPL meter helps to the mower noise levels. 

In our research time, the electric model performed better than the gas model. 

Features

One of the major features of the mulching mower is superior cut quality and a better deck design. However, our listed all mower comes with extra features like bagging, or side discharge, self-propelled drive system, rapid charge, etc.

Value

We determine the value based on the price and features

Mulching Lawn Mower Using Tips

Mulching your lawn mower is a great way to reduce the amount of time you spend on your lawn, and it can also help improve the soil conditions in your garden. You can follow a few tips to get the most out of mulching your lawn mower.

1. Set the right cutting height, always cut the grass one-third of the height
2. Keep the baldes sharp
3. Don’t use the damage mulching kit
4. Don’t use fertilizer at the mulching time
5. Mulching the lawn when it dries.

FAQ: Read Most Frequent Questions

Conclusion

All in all, mulching mowers are really essential for maintaining a healthy lawn. However, if you’re not a lawn mower expert and want to spend more time discovering more mulching mower models, this can make you confused among hundreds of models.

Just forget that time-consuming job and take some time to read this article thoroughly to find out the best mulching lawn mower for you. For assisting you with optimizing choices, my top picks are EGO Power+ LM2101 for the best overall Greenworks 25302 and Honda 663020 for the premium choice.