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Unlike standard mower blades, mulching lawn mower 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.
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. Keep reading to learn more about this mower accessory and see top picks for the best mulching blades available.
- BEST OVERALL: Rotary Blades for Deck/Craftsman/Poulan/Husqvarna
- BEST VALUE: MaxPower 21-Inch Universal Mulching Mower Blade
- UPGRADE PICK: 8Ten LawnRAZOR Mulching Blades for MTD Cub Cadet
- BEST FOR RIDING MOWER: Oregon G3 Gator Mulching Blade Set
- BEST FOR LEAVES: Oregon Mulching Blade Gator G5 21-Inch for MTD Mowers
- BEST FOR ZERO-TURN MOWERS: 8TEN LawnRAZOR Set for Gravely, Scag and More
- BEST UNIVERSAL BLADE: MaxPower 21-Inch Universal Mulching Blade
- BEST FOR ELECTRIC MOWERS: EGO Power+ 21-Inch Lawn Mower High Lift Blade
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Mulching Blades
While professional landscapers are familiar with these hopped-up grass-shredders, mulching 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 optimum 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 multi-blade 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. As well, you’re 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 lawnmowers display their cut size on the side of the mower (22-inch, 48-inch, 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 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 optimum 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 slower than the other. This can result in turbulent mowing and a less enjoyable experience for the user.
Fitment and Mounting Options
There are several different mounting hole styles on today’s mowers; most commonly, five-point star, six-point star, bow-tie, and universal fit. 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 need to cut the lawn more often.
Our Top Picks
The following mulching blades for push-style, riding, and commercial lawn mowers are durable, heavy-duty, and are sure to do an excellent job of breaking up ugly grass clumps that standard mulch blades leave behind.
Best Overall
Rotary Blades for Deck/Craftsman/Poulan/Husqvarna
For those looking to level-up their grass mulching game, this set of three 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 16¾ inches long, 2½ inches wide, and a hefty .204 inches 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.
Product Specs
- Size: 48 ¼ by 2 ½ by .204 inches
- Weight: 6 pounds
- Mounting Compatibility: Five-point star
Pros
- Compatible with most 48-inch mowers
- Comes with 3 blades
- Works with or without a bagger
Cons
- May leave some clumps behind
Best Value
MaxPower 21-Inch Universal Mulching Mower Blade
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 mulching blade 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.
Product Specs
- Size: 21 by 4 by 3 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Mounting Compatibility: Universal
Pros
- Compatible with most 21-inch mowers
- All mounting hardware included
- Steep lift and sturdy teeth
Cons
- Not as durable as some comparable models
- May not be suitable for use with electric mowers
Upgrade Pick
8Ten LawnRAZOR Mulching Blades for MTD Cub Cadet
If you’re looking to upgrade the blades on a Cub Cadet or other MTD-made riding mower, the LawnRAZOR Mulching Blade Set is designed to fit 46-inch Cub Cadet decks, with aggressive lift and teeth to help make mulching an easy endeavor. These blades are 23¼ inches long, 2⅜ inches wide, and .157-inches 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, 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.
Product Specs
- Size: 46 by 23 ¼ by 2 ⅜ inches
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
- Mounting Compatibility: Six-point star
Pros
- Designed to fit most 46-inch Cub Cadet decks
- High-temp powder-coat paint for durability
- Compatible with the RPM speed of a standard blade
- Long, sturdy teeth
Cons
- Pricey
- May bend if they collide with a solid object
- Not as thick as comparable options
Best for Riding Mower
Oregon G3 Gator Mulching Blade Set
If you’re ready to replace the blades on your 54-inch Craftsman, Ariens, or Husqvarna riding mower, get this set of Gator blades from Oregon, the best-known company in the mulching blade market. The blade set is extremely heavy-duty and durable, thanks to 2¾-inch width and .187-inch thickness. They 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.
Product Specs
- Size: 54 by 2 ¾ by .187 inches
- Weight: 2.7 pounds
- Mounting Compatibility: Five-point star mount
Pros
- Extremely heavy-duty
- Sturdy lift and serrated cutting edge
- Easy to replace or change
Cons
- Pricey
- May not be compatible with all 54-inch mowers
Best for Leaves
Oregon Mulching Blade Gator G5 21-Inch for MTD Mowers
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 ideal for push mowers, as its 2 ¼-inch width and .125-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.
Product Specs
- Size: 21 by 2 ¼ by .125 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Mounting Compatibility: Six-point star mount
Pros
- Comes with 2 blades
- Compatible with most MTD-made push mowers
- Can withstand an impact with solid objects
- Cuts leaves into small pieces; minimal aftercare
Cons
- May stall or bog a low-powered engine
Best for Zero-Turn Mowers
8TEN LawnRAZOR Set for Gravely, Scag and More
For home users and landscapers with zero-turn mowers, this set of mulching blades from 8Ten might be the perfect upgrade. These blades are designed to fit 48-inch decks from such manufacturers as Gravely, Scag, Hustler, Toro, and John Deere. They’re designed with durability in mind, at 2½-inches wide, with a massive .197-inch thickness.
These blades will rip through the grass on a high-speed zero-turn and mulch clippings with ease. Plus, the powder-coated finish will keep them in great shape through years of use. Keep in mind, though, that due to the 8Ten’s extremely efficient design, it can create extremely small particles that are bound to turn into useless pulp if the grass is wet.
These blades work best in dry grass, so they aren’t ideal for early morning landscaping jobs or post-rain cuts.
Product Specs
- Size: 48 by 2 ½ by .197 inches
- Weight: 6 pounds
- Mounting Compatibility: Universal
Pros
- Suitable for use on zero-turn mowers
- Compatible with many mower models
- Powder-coated finish
Cons
- Pricey
- Small particles may be left behind on the grass
- Not suitable for use on wet grass
Best Universal Blade
MaxPower 21-Inch Universal Mulching Blade
This universal model from MaxPower takes most of the guesswork out of choosing the best mulching blade for your 21-inch push mower. It’s all about easy installation and includes all the washers and fittings needed to work on most mowers.
It’s a high-lift blade, meant to send clippings directly into a bagger, and at 2¼ inches thick wide, it’s light enough to work for most 21-inch mowers without issue. The blade lacks serrated teeth, so it works best with a bagger, not for leaves or for letting grass clippings settle in the soil.
Product Specs
- Size: 21 inches by 2 ¼ inches
- Weight: 2.17 pounds
- Mounting Compatibility: Universal
Pros
- Easy to install
- 2 high-lift blades included
- All washers and fittings included; multiple options available
- Suitable for use with a bagger
Cons
- No thickness listed
- No built-in serrated teeth
Best for Electric Mowers
EGO Power+ 21-Inch Lawn Mower High Lift Blade
While most mulching blades are designed for gas-powered mowers, this high-lift blade from EGO Power+ is intended for use on their 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. 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.
Product Specs
- Size: 21 by 3.15 by 2.7 inches
- Weight: 1.75 pounds
- Mounting Compatibility: Universal
Pros
- Factory-sharpened steel blade
- Suitable for light-duty work
- Works in tandem with a bagger
Cons
- Not recommended for use with a mulching plug
- Only 1 blade included
- May require some work to install on some models
Our Verdict
Selecting the best mulching blade for your mower can be difficult with so many options currently available. One of the best options overall are the Rotary Blades for their five-point star mounting holes, compatibility with most 48-inch mowers, and 3 blades included. Alternatively, the MaxPower blades have a lightweight 2-pound construction, universal mounting hole, and are compatible with most 21-inch mowers.
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.
From universal, bow-tie, five-star, and six-star mounting holes, many of the above picks have serrated teeth and high lift for leaves or dry to 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.
FAQs
Mulching blades are likely a new concept to folks who do their own yard work. Here are some answers to common questions.
Q: Is mulching better than bagging leaves?
Mulching allows leaves to break down into organic fertilizer much faster, and it’s less work 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.
Q: Can you install mulching blades on any lawn mower?
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.
Q: How often should I mulch my lawn?
You can use your mulching blade year-round. Most people that install mulching blades don’t bother changing them until they become too dull to cut effectively, in which case they’ll have them sharpened.