Gardening Tools

Best Mulching Mower Reviews & Buying Guide

Professional or not, everyone loves to take care of the lawn in the most efficient way possible. And the optimum way to both maintain and nurture your lawn?

There’s only one solution to it, and that’s by getting a mulching mower. These mowers have a lot of benefits over conventional lawnmowers, and the best mulching mower can make your lawn mowing much more comfortable than before.

Remember, mulching isn’t the same as thatching. With good mulching mowers, you can achieve a cleaner and more fertile lawn. Whether or not you love gardening, you’ll love having healthy soil around you. This article will provide you with the tools that you need to make a wise decision about mulching mowers.

Image Name Features Price
best self propelled mulching lawn mower
1. Greenworks 3-in-1 Electric Corded Mower 25022
  • Electric corded mower
  • Powerful 12 Amp motor
  • 7-position cutting heights
  • 4-Year Tool Warranty
See Price
Sun Joe MJ403E   2. Sun Joe MJ403E 13-Amp Electric Lawn Mower
  • Electric with 13-amp motor
  • 17-inch wide cutting path
  • 7-position heights control
  • Convertible mower
See Price
best riding lawn mower for mulching leaves   3. Snapper XD 82V MAX Cordless Electric Mower
  • Cordless electric mower
  • Includes 2 2.0 batteries
  • 7 position cutting heights
  • It’s design for 3-in-1 mower
See Price
American Lawn Mower Company 50514   4. American Lawn Mower Company 50514 Electric Mower
  • Powerful 11-Amp motor
  • Large 14″ cutting width
  • 5-position cutting heights
  • Easy to operate
See Price
EGO Power+ 20-Inch   5. EGO Power+ 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower
  • Powerful cordless mower
  • Up to 55 minutes runtime
  • Folds quickly for storage
  • Includes 5.0Ah battery
See Price
best mulcher mower   6. WORX WG779 40V Power Share Lawn Mower
  • High performance
  • Dual 20V batt. deliver 40V
  • Comfortable grip handles
  • It has 3 cutting heights
See Price

Top 6 Best Mulching Lawn Mowers

You have the option to choose from the market or take the recommendations from the experts. Here, in this review, we have chosen and reviewed our top 6 choices that should be perfect for mulching your lawn.

#1 GreenWorks 20-Inch 12 Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower 25022

Greenworks 25022

We’re starting with a corded electric mower from GreenWorks. It’s one of the best-rated mulching lawnmowers and our favorite. With a 3-in-1 design, you’re getting the best of all worlds. The easy to use design makes it suitable for any adult.

The mower is backed by a 12 amp motor. It generates enough power to drive the 20-inch steel deck. You won’t find it lagging because all the power goes to the mulching blades since it’s a push mower.

With an ergonomic handle, this GreenWorks mulching mower is very easy to move around despite weighing around 56 pounds with its stamped metal body. Yes, I know what you’re thinking! The cord does take a bit of time to get used to. But it is a perfect mower for any lawn.

You’re getting a 3-in-1 function in this mower. Want to mulch, side-discharge, and bag it in the rear? You’ve got it. Now, you can chop and bag it if you think mulching isn’t appropriate at a specific time of the year. The experience of using this mulching mower is something the customers appreciated. In terms of adjustability, it has 7 different positions that you can lock on to.

Start it with a simple push-button and adjust the height according to your comfort and need. The cutting height range is 1.5 inches to 3.75 inches for every grass type. You can cover a distance of 100 feet from where you plugged in your lawnmower. So, it’s suitable for small to medium-sized lands.

The flexibility between different modes is one to look out for, and of course, the powerful motor will cut through highly dense grass like a breeze. Will you have trouble storing this thing? No, it’s got a foldable handle to make things easier.

What we like
  • Powerful 12 amp motor.
  • 3-in-1 functionality.
  • Easy to use.
  • Wide 20-inch steel deck.
  • Effortless maneuverability.
What we didn't like
  • Corded.
  • No extension cord included.

#2 Sun Joe MJ403E Mow Joe Electric Lawn Mower/Mulcher

best self propelled mulching lawn mower

Mow with this Mow Joe lawn mulcher. It’s as light as they get. If you like light things, you’ll love this one. But there are some things you have to sacrifice. We loved how easy it is to mow with this and the power it generates. But durability is a concern. We laid down its details below, so you make your decision.

It’s a 13 amp motor generating a good amount of power and torque to get the 17-inch wide steel blade through thick and thin grasses. And since it’s a push mower, you’re getting all the generated power working for the chopping.

The whole body is plastic except the steel handlebar, so it’s quite lightweight. Weighing only at 31.5 pounds, it’s very easy to move around. But again, plastic can crack if you don’t handle it properly. So keep a note of this.

As for functionality, it’s mainly a mulcher, of course, but you’re getting a 12-gallon grass box with it if you need to bag tall grasses as they tend to create thatching problem if left on the ground. You’ll have 7 height adjustment options going from around 1 inch to almost 3 inches.

In terms of maneuverability, it’s one of the lightest of the bunch. Start it with just a push-button and off you go—no expertise needed. You’ll be able to cover an area of a quarter to half of an acre with this corded mower. This should be enough for most households.

Once you get it in your hand, you’ll love how light it is and its convertibility. Fold the handle and pick it up to store it in a small space. We liked that the rear height is more than the front as it makes it easy to steer away from obstacles. The detachable grass bag is another thing to appreciate.

What we like
  • Powerful motor.
  • Detachable grass box.
  • Height adjustability.
  • Good area coverage.
  • Lightweight design.
What we didn't like
  • Plastic body and wheels.

#3 Snapper XD 82V MAX Electric Cordless Lawnmower

Snapper XD 82V

Here is one classy lawnmower from Snapper. It balances nicely between convenience and power since it comprises of the most useful features. That’s why it won our recommendation as to the best cordless electric mulching lawn mower.

This beautiful lawnmower gets its power from a 2.0Ah battery that maxes at 82V and runs a Briggs and Stratton motor. You’ll get enough juice to push through the big 21-inch steel deck, and it runs for a quarter of an hour. It needs only half an hour to charge to reach 100%.

We loved the design aspect of it. The black and red theme fits perfectly with its robust metal body. We know that it isn’t the lightest mower out there, but that’s what makes it highly durable. At least it’s lighter than gas mowers of the same performance.

If you feel it’s not the perfect time to mulch the grass, you’ll have 2 other functions at your disposal; side-discharge and bag. Whichever you want, you can do it easily with its 7 height adjustment options.

Simple and fast, and that’s what it is. A push-button starter and an ergonomic handle make the mowing experience a quick walk in the park. The 90 pounds weight is not a matter since it’s a self-propelled mower! And it’s very quiet as well.

Furthermore, you can even get 4.0Ah Snapper XD Max batteries to double the time. No fume and no noise? You’ll be having a party on your lawn. And you can cover more than half-acre of land with ease. There’s no limit! You’re getting 45 minutes to mow as much as you can. That’s why we love cordless electric mowers.

What we like
  • Two 2.0Ah batteries
  • Robust body
  • 3 chopping options
  • Self-propulsion
  • Big 21-inch steel deck
What we didn't like
  • Maybe the weight? It’s not a con actually

#4 American Lawn Mower Company 50514 Electric Lawn Mower

best riding lawn mower for mulching leaves

Lots of rage in a little body, that’s what we thought when we saw its performance. You’ll be getting a lot of power that creates a much smaller carbon footprint than its gas-powered buddies. We recommend this if you don’t like working with heavy tools.

In terms of power, it has an 11 amp motor providing enough juice to push the small 14-inch steel blade through any types of grass. Tougher grass may require a push or two now and then. It’s mostly black and with just the necessary features. In terms of size, it’s one of the smallest in the market in its class.

They say it’s a 2-in-1, but we want to include the 9.25-gallon grass bag with its mulching and rear-discharging modes. The bag has a grass level indicator for timely disposal. You have 5 different height adjustment options if you need to cut grasses of different heights. The height range is from 1 inch to 2.5 inches.

It has multiple handle height levels to make it suitable for anyone of your family. The handle is foldable as well for easy storage. With an ergonomic handle and a push-button for starting it, you’ll find it very simple to use without needing any prior knowledge. You’ll have to get used to the cord if you haven’t used one before.

The size of this thing amazes you when you find out how well it performs with a comparatively smaller motor and blade. All that and the foldable handle make handling it a piece of cake. If you have a small lawn to cover, then this is the one to get. The limited cord will allow you to cover the small to medium-sized lawn with this lawnmower.

What we like
  • Powerful motor.
  • Lightweight and compact.
  • Includes mulching, rear-discharge, and bagging.
  • Height adjustability.
  • Ease of use.
What we didn't like
  • Cord limitation.
  • Smaller blade.

#5 EGO Power+ LM2001-X 56V Cordless Lawn Mower

EGO Power+ 20-Inch

This is our second favorite mower only because it doesn’t have self-propulsion. Everything else? We loved every bit. It has most of the premium features of brands like Husqvarna, Snapper XD but at a much lower price. If you don’t need self-propulsion, this is the best mulching push mower.

A 4.0Ah 56-volt lithium-ion rechargeable battery powers the LM2001-X lawnmower. For a battery-powered mower, this provides more than above average force to cut any type of grass of any density with its 20-inch steel deck. And it’s not a surprise since the motor is 600W.

It has one of the classiest visual aspects to it. Then you can add its IPx4 water resistant certificate. And yes, it folds to make your life easier when you want to store it. As all quality modern mulching lawnmowers should have, it has the 3-in-1 modes that are accessible from the get-go. If you want to diversify your mowing sessions at different points of the year now, you can do so in a single mower.

You will simply glide over your lawn with it, not just roll over it. There are some useful height adjustment options for chopping grass with different heights. A simple push-button and convenient handling make it suitable for any of your family members.

There’s no limit to it as long as the battery runs. That’s the beauty of having a cordless mower. You can mulch a full one-acre land if you have the juice.

With this, you’ll get a 45-minute mowing session, and the more good news is that it only takes 30 minutes to charge it from 0% fully. And the IPx4 rating means that you’ve set for all year round mowing—no matter what season you’re in. But don’t just go mowing if there’s water stuck on your lawn!

What we like
  • Powerful motor.
  • Quick 30 minute charge.
  • Appreciable running time.
  • 3-in-1 option.
  • Cordless mulching mower .
  • Easy handling.
What we didn't like
  • A bigger battery is always preferable.
  • More handle height positions would have been better.

#6 WORX WG779 40V Power Share Lawn Mower w/ Mulching

WORX WG779

The last one on this list is this PowerShare lawn mower from WORX. This is an above-average mulcher with some negatives. At this price, you have to sacrifice some to get some. Its Intellicut technology is something we loved. A concise detail is given below.

It has two 20V batteries that work together to give 40V of power, which is enough to cut through grasses of medium density. Tougher grass will drain up its charge much quicker. The blade is small with 14-inch steel. Concerning the design, it’s not too shabby as you’ll find out how easy it is to maneuver. If you need more power, its Intellicut technology can provide extra torque. The same technology will conserve power when it’s needed.

Other than mulching, it can also function as a collector with its grass bag at the back. The bag has a full indicator for timely disposal. You can discharge through the rear. And you can choose between 3 different heights by just moving the lever. We would have liked more options.

Anyone from your family can use it due to the simplicity in its design. It doesn’t take much to move it around, and the grass bag has a carry handle for easy disposal. With this cordless mower, you’re limited to an area of 5500 square foot or 1/8th of an acre. This should be enough for any urban households.

On eco mode, the battery lasts 45 minutes. Thanks to its size, you won’t have any issue when moving it around obstacles. You’re getting a dual-port charger to charge both the batteries together. And you’ll like the padded handle as it means your hands won’t fatigue too much.

What we like
  • Lightweight mulching mower.
  • 2 batteries included.
  • Conserves and provides energy depending on the situation.
  • 3-in-1 functionality.
  • Very quiet.
What we didn't like
  • Requires more height adjustment options.
  • Small blade.

What Can a Mulching Mower Do for You?

Not all lawn mowers are equal. Some of them throw, collect, and others mulch the grass for you. Mulching mowers are known to be the most efficient in the family of lawnmowers. So, before buying the best self propelled mulching lawn mower, you need to know some factors. Strong points are backing this theory. Such as;

Eradicates Thatch problem

Mulching mowers clips the grass so finely that it doesn’t take long for the clippings to disintegrate into the soil. The special blades cut the grass over and over again, making them finer as they spin. And that’s why you won’t experience any thatching problem.

Keeps Grass Healthy

As the grass clippings disintegrate into the soil, it doesn’t just keep your ground cleaner, but it also gives the soil nitrogen and other nutrients. When you leave the grass clippings on the soil, they act as good compost full of nutrients.

Fertilizes Your Soil

You’ll find that this is a faster and certainly a cost-effective way to fertilize your lawn. Kansas State University suggests that at least 25% of the nutrients present in grass clippings go back to the soil to nourish your grounds.

Mulching mowers save your energy and time. To get the best results, you need to follow a certain routine. This routine gives your lawn’s soil and grass enough time to absorb the nourishment’s from mulching. The most efficient method is to mow the lawn when the grass reaches a certain height.

No Need of Using Rakes After

When you use other lawn mowers, you have to bring out the rakes to gather and take the grass away from the lawn. This is energy-consuming. In the case of mulching mowers, you don’t have to do it as you’re taking advantage of the grass clippings.

See more: the sprinkler for lawn watering

Factors to Consider While Buying a Mulching Mower

You want to get as much as you can out of your mulching mower. To ensure that you’re getting what you need, a mulching mower needs to meet some criteria. We followed the same criteria to select the mulching mowers. Read below to know them.

Power

If you want to get your lawn done properly, your mulching lawn mower should have at least 5 horsepower, 6 would be preferable.

You’ll find mulching mowers having 3 or 3.5 horsepower at a much lower price, but that would just cost you a good amount of efficiency. And you won’t get anything done or at least the way you want it to be.

Automotive overhead valve design engines are quite powerful as well as highly efficient. Mostly, premium ones have them, and they have larger mufflers for low noise.

An added suggestion will be to get a two-cycle engine mower if you reside in a hilly area. These engines don’t run out of oil due to the constant refueling of lubricating oil.

Performance

The performance of a mulching mower depends on how it chops grass. Each company uses different techniques to achieve the finest of grass clippings. Usually, you’ll find mowers with a design that makes the grass clippings stir up between the mower’s deck and the blade. Then, those are thrown towards the grass.

Other companies introduce fans to make the process quicker. Some mowers are equipped with deflectors to cut through dense grass.

Mowing Area

How big is the area you’re intending to mow? You’ll have to know! Because depending on that, your mower type will change. We can’t suggest an accurate measurement but here’s a general idea;

  1. 1/4th of an acre or less than that: Any corded electric or gas mower will do the job.
  2. 1/4th to half of an acre: Cordless would be the optimum choice here as you’ll need to cover much distance. Any electric or gas mower will do. If your power outlet is nearby, then corded ones will work as well.
  3. Half or less than an acre: Corded ones are out of the question. Take an 80-volt maximum electric mower or a gas mower. Both are cordless. Self-propelled ones would be a more comfortable option.

Another factor is the land type. For that, consider these suggestions;

  1. For uneven terrains, a rear-wheel-drive mower with self-propulsion is preferable
  2. If you have to change your path frequently around obstacles, then a higher rear wheel is preferable.

Gas, Corded or Cordless

Each of the mower types has its benefits. In the above point, we cleared when and why you should have a corded or cordless mower.

Other than that, between Gas and Electric mower, we prefer electrics due to them being less harmful to the environment. Gas mowers are cordless, but they aren’t cost-effective if your area isn’t large. They need gasoline and, over time, lose efficiency.

That’s why we prefer cordless electric mowers, and then comes the corded ones. Because they are the easiest to maneuver and have minimal effect on the environment.

Warranty

There isn’t an absolute warranty policy or period, but on average, lawnmowers come with 2 to 5 years of the warranty period. With a longer warranty, you’ll worry less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mulching lawn mowers any good?

Yes, they’re every bit of good as other lawnmowers and even better in some cases. Although mulching mowers might be a bit pricier than their conventional mower counterparts, these bring extra nutritional and fertilization benefits to your lawn.

Does mulching grass spread weeds?

Yes, mulching your lawn can spread weed all over, but collecting won’t help too if the weed isn’t controlled. To make sure it doesn’t happen, you have to get rid of them by weed control programs.

Is mulching bad for your lawn?

Mulching is quite suitable for your lawn’s health. But if you don’t mow your lawn regularly enough, those long grass clippings will cause thatching problem. Other than that, mulching improves the fertility and health of your yard.

When is the perfect time for mulching?

The most appropriate time for mulching your lawn is in spring and summer. It’s the weather that’s most favorable in these times due to good sunlight exposure and temperature for composting on the lawn.

When is a bad time for mulching?

Don’t mulch your lawn when the grass is longer than 7 cm as you have to cut a lot, and that’ll cause thatching. Never cut grass more than 1/3rd of its height.

Our Words:

There you go; we’ve done the hard part for you. You now know what makes the best mulching mower and what makes a complete waste of your money. Take any one of our recommendations that match your needs. There’s no chance of regretting it!

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