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Unlike standard mower blades, mulching blades are designed to push grass clippings into the bagger with more airflow. Many mulching blades also have teeth that slice through grass clumps, dispersing cut grass into the bagger or onto the ground so they can make their way back into the soil.
Steve Sylva, owner of Steve’s Services in Malden, Massachusetts, has 25 years of experience in the lawn care industry, and we asked him to share some of his expert knowledge about mulching blades. “Installing mulching blades increases the nutritional value of your lawn by recycling grass clippings into natural fertilizer,” he says. “Not all mowers can use mulching blades,” he warns. “Rotary mowers typically work best since the blades spin fast enough to thoroughly mulch clippings. Reel mowers lack the power and may jam.” He adds that mulching kits can be installed on most standard rotary mowers to direct clippings under the deck for recycling.
Adding mulching blades to an existing mower is a snap for any DIYer with a socket set. And while most are made for gas-powered mowers, you can find mulching blades to suit an electric model as well. We researched several mulching blades and landed on the top six, our favorite being the Rotary Blades for Deck/Craftsman/Poulan/Husqvarna for their top performance and good value. Keep reading to learn more about this mower accessory and see the rest of our top picks for the best mulching blades available.
- BEST OVERALL: Rotary Blades for Deck/Craftsman/Poulan/Husqvarna
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: MaxPower 21-Inch Universal Mulching Mower Blade
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: 8Ten LawnRAZOR Mulching Blades for MTD Cub Cadet
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR RIDING MOWER: Oregon G3 Gator Mulching Blade Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LEAVES: Oregon Mulching Blade Gator G5 21-Inch for MTD Mowers
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR ELECTRIC MOWERS: EGO Power+ 21-Inch Lawn Mower High Lift Blade
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
The following mulching blades for push-style, riding, and electric lawn mowers are durable, heavy-duty, and are sure to do an excellent job of breaking up ugly grass clumps that standard mulch blades for lawn mowers leave behind.
Best Overall
Rotary Blades for Deck/Craftsman/Poulan/Husqvarna
Product Specs
- Size: 16.75 inches long by 2.5 inches wide by 0.204 inch thick
- Weight: 2.13 pounds each
- Mounting compatibility: 5-point star
What We Like
- Compatible with most 48-inch mowers
- Comes with 6 blades
- Works with or without a bagger
What We Don’t Like
- May leave some clumps behind
For those looking to level up their grass mulching game, this set of six mulching blades from Rotary could be just the ticket. This set is designed for any 48-inch mower from Craftsman, Poulan, and Husqvarna thanks to its five-point star mounting hole.
These replacement blades are 16.75 inches long by 2.5 inches wide by a hefty 0.204 inch thick. The serrated cutting edge at the back of the lift will direct the cut grass easily into a bagger, keeping clippings off your lawn. But if you skip the bagger, these blades are likely to leave a few clumps that might require raking.
Get the Rotary mulching blades at Amazon.
Best Bang For The Buck
MaxPower 21-Inch Universal Mulching Mower Blade
Product Specs
- Size: 21 inches long by 2.5 inches wide by 0.16 inch thick
- Weight: 2.35 pounds
- Mounting compatibility: Universal
What We Like
- Compatible with most 21-inch mowers
- All mounting hardware included
- Steep lift and sturdy teeth
What We Don’t Like
- Not as durable as some comparable models
- May not be suitable for use with electric mowers
MaxPower knows that not everyone has the time or patience to consult user manuals and part numbers to find the exact model number of their mulching mower. So they designed their nicely priced 21-Inch universal mulching mower blade to fit any push mower with a 21-inch deck. The mounting hole is designed to fit over both five-point stars and bow-tie shafts, so users can install this blade mulching model easily.
To make the process even smoother, all washers and fittings required for mounting on most models are included. This 4-inch-wide blade has a steep lift and, more importantly for mulching, seriously aggressive teeth for crushing clumps. One caveat: This blade is durable enough to take a hit without bending, which means your mulching mower’s output shaft could get damaged if you go over a stump or rock.
Get the MaxPower mulching blades at Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., or The Home Depot.
Upgrade Pick
8Ten LawnRAZOR Mulching Blades for MTD Cub Cadet
Product Specs
- Size: 23.25 inches long by 2.375 inches wide by 0.1875 inch thick
- Weight: 2.25 pounds each
- Mounting compatibility: 6-point star
What We Like
- Designed to fit most 46-inch Cub Cadet decks
- High-temp powder-coat paint for durability
- Compatible with the revolutions per minute (RPM) speed of a standard blade
- Long, sturdy teeth
What We Don’t Like
- May bend if they collide with a solid object
- Not as thick as comparable options
If you’re looking to upgrade the blades on a Cub Cadet or other MTD-made riding mower, converting it into a mulching rider mower, check out the LawnRazor mulching blade set. It’ss designed to fit 46-inch Cub Cadet decks, with aggressive lift and teeth to help make mulching an easy endeavor. These blades are 23.25 inches long by 2.375 inches wide by 0.1875 inch thick, and their high-temp powder-coat paint will bolster their usable lifespan.
The LawnRazor set isn’t the thickest or most heavy-duty set on the list—and that comes with pros and cons. On the plus side, the blades will match the RPM speed of a standard blade more closely, which is great for creating airflow under the direct and tossing clippings into a bagger. The trade-off is that these blades may bend if they hit a stump or rock.
Get the 8Ten mulching blades at Amazon or Walmart.
Best for Riding Mower
Oregon G3 Gator Mulching Blade Set
Product Specs
- Size: 18.4375 inches long by 2.5 inches wide by 0.187 inch wide
- Weight: 2.29 pounds
- Mounting compatibility: 5-point star
What We Like
- Extremely heavy duty
- Sturdy lift and serrated cutting edge
- Easy to replace or change
What We Don’t Like
- May not be compatible with all 54-inch mowers
If you’re ready to replace the blades on your 54-inch Craftsman, Ariens, or Husqvarna riding mower, consider this set of Gator blades from Oregon, the best-known company in the lawn mower mulching blade market. The blade set is extremely heavy duty and durable, thanks to its 2.5-inch width and 0.187-inch thickness. The blades have an aggressive lift and a set of serrated teeth to break clumps up quickly and efficiently.
Though they aren’t universal, if these Gator blades do fit your model, swapping them in is easy via the five-point star mounting hole. In fact, fully research your model number to ensure that these blades will fit—a common complaint is that they don’t fit all 54-inch decks from the intended manufacturers.
Get the Oregon G3 mulching blades at Amazon.
Best for Leaves
Oregon Mulching Blade Gator G5 21-Inch for MTD Mowers
Product Specs
- Size: 21.1875 inches long by 3 inches wide by 0.164 inch thick
- Weight: 2.82 pounds
- Mounting compatibility: 5-point star
What We Like
- Comes with 2 blades
- Compatible with most MTD-made push mowers
- Can withstand impact with solid objects
- Cuts leaves into small pieces; minimal aftercare
What We Don’t Like
- May stall or bog a low-powered engine
Oregon’s G5 mulching blade, designed for MTD-made push mowers (such as Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet, and Bolens), boasts the quality and durability of the company’s other products. This 21-inch model is the ideal push-mower mulching blade, as its 3-inch width and 0.164-inch thickness mean striking a stump or rock might not ruin the output shaft.
This particular model shreds leaves into tiny pieces quickly, allowing them to break down on the lawn—a great choice if your yard has deciduous trees. However, if your 21-inch MTD mower is older or underpowered (like an off-the-shelf big-box model might be), this blade might bog the engine down a bit, despite its reduced size and heft.
Get the Oregon G5 mulching blades at Amazon, Northern Tool + Equipment, or Walmart.
Best for Electric Mowers
EGO Power+ 21-Inch Lawn Mower High Lift Blade
Product Specs
- Size: 20.079 inches wide by 0.039 inch thick
- Weight: N/A
- Mounting compatibility: Universal
What We Like
- Factory-sharpened steel blade
- Suitable for light-duty work
- Works in tandem with a bagger
What We Don’t Like
- Not recommended for use with a mulching plug
- Only 1 blade included
- May require some work to install on certain models
While most mulching lawn mower blades are designed for gas-powered mowers, this high-lift blade from Ego Power+ is intended for use on its 21-inch push electric mower. This model, although light-duty in design, is meant to create enough lift to send clippings into the bagger on the back of the mower with mulching blades. It’s lighter than a typical mulching model, as the extra weight would quickly drain the life of a battery-powered model.
Though this blade is marketed as model-specific, a local power equipment shop might be able to make it work for an electric or battery-powered mower of another brand by replacing the mower’s spindle, or by drilling out the blade to fit. Beware, however, that modifying the blade will throw the warranty out the window.
Get the Ego Power+ mulching blades at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Ace Hardware.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Mulching Blades
We researched the most sought-after options in their respective categories and discovered that the best mulching blades are determined by their size, weight, mounting type, compatibility with multiple mowers, and other special features included by select brands.
Our top picks range from 21-inch to 54-inch blades with varying thicknesses to tackle small or large outdoor projects and work with multiple mulching lawn mowers available. While some have thin constructions that are meant for grass clippings and leaves, others are made thick to withstand collisions with stumps or rocks and have powder-coated steel finishes for long lifespans. This also coincides with the weight of each mulching blade as some are lightweight for small jobs or mowers while the heavier options are suitable for mowers that come with ample torque.
Whether they feature universal, bow-tie, five-star, or six-star mounting holes, many of the above picks have serrated teeth and high lift for leaves or both dry and wet grass clippings, making them compatible with baggers. Finally, select picks come with multiple blades included to keep your grass and lawn in good shape for years to come.
What to Consider When Choosing Mulching Blades
While professional landscapers are familiar with these hopped-up grass-shredders, mulch lawn mower blades will likely be a new concept for many. Here are some things to consider before buying a mulching blade for your push or riding mower.
Length
Long story short: Having the right length mulching blade for your mower is crucial. Mowers and all of their components are designed specifically for a certain length of the blade. Installing a too-small mulching blade will provide less than optimal results in three ways:
- You’ll make more passes (i.e., work harder), as the cutting area your mower can cover is now smaller.
- For multiblade mower decks, you’ll be missing small strips of grass altogether, leaving the lawn looking like a mosh pit with multiple Mohawk haircuts.
- Your bagger will be ineffective due to the lack of airflow that a smaller blade provides.
Lawn mower blades that are too large will slow your mower down considerably if they even fit under the deck. You’re also likely to cause more clumping due to the slower speed and the lack of space under the deck that the larger blade creates. Plus, a blade that is too long can be a hazard, potentially striking the mower’s body or another blade in a double- or triple-blade mower deck.
Most lawn mowers display their cut size on the side of the mower (22 inches, 48 inches, etc.), so check your model to find the appropriate length. If it’s not there, refer to the owner’s manual under the replacement parts section.
Weight
Mulching mower blades are considerably heavier than standard lawn mower blades. They’re thicker, and the design of the more aggressive lift angle requires more material by default. Because of this, they may cause your mower to run slower. Users with older riding mowers may find that their mower wants to stall when engaging the deck. The increased inertia of the mulching blades provides more resistance than the mower was designed for.
While this is a necessary evil in the mulching process, you may avoid blade-induced bogging if you stop the mower before engaging the cutting deck. This will reduce the amount of strain on the engine and, once the blades are up to speed, the machine should be able to function without complaint or sputter.
Number of Pieces
If you’re looking to upgrade the grass blades on your riding mower, you’ll want to purchase a kit with the correct number of blades. Most riding mowers have two or three blades, and all should be replaced with matching blades for optimal mulching performance.
Replacing only one mulching blade is a bad idea for two reasons:
- You probably won’t see the benefit of better airflow or mulching, as the standard blades will still cause clumping.
- Since mulching blades are much heavier than standard blades, installing differently weighted blades will disrupt the mower’s output, as one blade will run more slowly than the other. This can result in turbulent mowing and a less enjoyable experience for the user.
Fitment and Mounting
There are several different mounting hole styles on today’s mowers; most commonly, five-point star, six-point star, bow-tie, and universal fit options. The spindle (where the blade attaches) under the mower deck is designed for one of the shapes listed above, and blades matching the spindle should install with ease.
The easiest installation methods tend to be the five-point and six-point stars, as they only require the user to remove one bolt. Universal kits are not always the best option since they’re not designed specifically for any specific mower, but they do take the guesswork out of which blade is right for your mower.
Durability
Mulching blades are more durable than standard mowing blades due to their thickness and design. That’s an asset for mulching riding lawn mowers and commercial machines with belt-driven decks. For push mowers with direct-drive shafts, however, this durability can be a problem. Here’s why:
- For belt-driven decks, blades are attached to spindles, which are then attached to pulleys. A belt connects all the pulleys while also being attached to the drive pulley on the motor. When a thick mulching blade hits an object (like a stump or rock), it will most likely slip a bit on the belt—a built-in fail-safe. The blade may bend, but the mower itself won’t be damaged (aside from maybe shortening the lifespan of the belt by a small margin).
- For direct-drive mowers, like standard push mowers, blades are attached directly to the mower’s output shaft without a belt or pulley. This allows the smaller motor to spin the blade very quickly, but it doesn’t provide any fail-safe capability. A standard blade will bend if it hits a stump or rock, most likely leaving the mower intact. A thick mulching blade won’t give as easily and can quickly result in a bent output shaft—fatal for most push lawn mowers.
Ideally, regardless of mower style, try to give your lawn a quick check before you start mowing to remove any obstructions or make a mental note of immovable impediments. Lifting the deck height a bit will also avoid issues; however, you’ll want to cut the lawn more often.
FAQs
Still have questions about mulching blades and which one is best for your needs? Take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions—and their answers—below.
Mulching allows leaves to break down into organic fertilizer much faster, and it’s less work for whoever is mowing. For those who hate raking and bagging leaves in the fall, mulching is undoubtedly the better solution. If you use a bagger, you’ll be able to dump leaf litter in a garden bed for organic matter or past the woodline where they can break down into the ecosystem.
Another option is to simply shred the leaves into leaf litter and leave them on the lawn. This looks a little messier than bagging but can enrich the soil over the course of the winter. As the small leaf particles work their way between the blades of grass, they’ll break down and leech nutrients into the soil.
There are mulching blades available for most mowers, but not all mowers should have mulching blades installed. Underpowered models may not have the horsepower to spin a heavy mulching blade at an effective speed, providing mixed results when cutting and mulching.
You can use lawn mulching blades year-round. Most people who install mulching blades don’t bother changing them until they become too dull to cut effectively, in which case they’ll sharpen the blades.
Toothed lawn mower mulching blades chop grass clippings into finer pieces in addition to being able to handle denser grass (when compared to nontoothed mulching blades). Toothed blades are not always true mulching blades, but they are better for mulching than high-lift blades.
According to Oregon, the fin of the mulching blade should be pointed upwards.
Sylva says to avoid mowing wet grass: “It clumps more easily and can stick to the underside of the mower.” He also advises mowing with each grass growth, about one-third of the blade. “Don’t mulch newly seeded lawns,” he adds. “And never use a mulching blade to mow fallen leaves—they won’t mulch well and will stick to your mower.”
