By Tony Carrick | Updated Apr 28, 2022 1:04 PM

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While one can bag those lawn clippings to create a clean-looking yard, a smarter option is to use a mulching lawn mower. Lawn mowers with mulch functions can cut grass blades into tiny bits that nourish the yard. Not only does mulching eliminate the need to bag grass clippings, but it also reduces the amount of fertilizer needed to treat the yard.

Mulching lawn mowers come as walk-behind and ride-on mowers that are powered by either a gas engine or electric motor. They have decks specially designed to cut clippings into tiny pieces before returning them to the lawn. Read on to learn about the design features found on these specialized mowers and why the models below are some of the best mulching lawn mowers on the market.

Choosing the appropriate type of mower for the job and the right size deck is key to selecting the best mulching lawn mower. Ahead, learn more about the different lawn mower types and how to choose the right power source and deck size.

The mowing deck houses the blade or blades that cut the grass. Decks vary in size from the 20-inch decks found on many push lawn mowers to the large 46-inch decks on riding mowers. The size of the yard determines what size deck is appropriate. A 20-inch deck is suitable for small to medium-size yards of about ½ acre. Larger yards of up to ¾ of an acre require a mower with at least a 22-inch deck. Lawns greater than ¾ of an acre would benefit from a riding mower that has a deck that is 28 inches or wider.

The deck houses either single or double blades, depending on the size of the deck. These decks have an opening that discharges the clippings out the side of the mowing deck. To trigger the mulch function, the user simply closes the opening with a cover. With the discharge opening closed, the clippings circulate inside the mowing deck, allowing the blade to cut them multiple times before they fall into the yard.

Mulching lawn mowers come with three different power source options: gas, electric, and battery-powered. Gas lawn mowers have engines that range from 125 cc to 230 cc, depending on the size of the mowing deck. Riding mowers have larger engines that range from 12 to 24 horsepower. A good 20-inch mulching lawn mower should be equipped with a 140-cc engine to produce the power needed to cut clippings into smaller pieces.

Electric mowers come in both corded and battery-powered models. Since corded lawn mowers are tethered to a power cord, they are suitable for smaller lawns of less than ¼ acre. Battery-powered, or cordless mowers, use a powerful rechargeable lithium-ion battery to power the mower blade and drive wheels. These mowers typically allow for up to 45 minutes of runtime before needing a recharge, making them suitable for small to medium-size lawns. Battery and electric-powered motors are easier to start but don’t produce the same amount of power as gas-powered lawn mowers.

Mulching lawn mowers come with additional features that make them easier to operate. Many walk-behind mowers have controls that allow the operator to adjust the deck height without adjusting each wheel individually. Many mowers also have levers that make it easy to change the clipping settings from mulching to bagging to side discharge.

Mulching lawn mowers are also equipped with technologies that make them easier to start. Battery-powered mowers have push-start features, and many gas-powered mowers have pull starters that require less force to get the engine going.

Some self-propelled mowers will automatically modulate the wheel speed to match the operator’s pace. Battery-powered mowers come equipped with LED lights for nighttime mowing.

The list below includes mowers designed for producing the fine grass clippings needed to mulch a yard. The best mulching lawn mower for each category is listed, including gas and electric-powered models for yards large and small.

Toro’s aptly named Recycler sets itself apart from other walk-behind lawn mowers with a design that makes it ideal for producing fine grass clippings. The Recycler has a vent that allows air to circulate in the mowing deck, keeping the clippings airborne so the blade can cut them multiple times before returning them to the lawn. These finer clippings break down more quickly than larger clippings, allowing them to better nourish the lawn.

In addition to its mulching ability, this self-propelled mower also gives the user other cutting options with a bagging system and attachment for side discharging. A 140-cc gas engine provides ample power for its 21-inch cutting deck and rear-wheel drive, and it’s also easier to maintain thanks to an engine that never requires an oil change.

Get the Toro Recycler mulching lawn mower at The Home Depot, Mowers Direct, and Toro.

This Troy-Bilt is the best mulching push mower at a budget price for those who don’t mind supplying the power to move this mower forward. Troy-Bilt’s cutting system uses a rake on the front of the mower that lifts the blades upright, preparing them for an even cut. The clippings then circulate in the mower’s symmetrical deck, allowing the blades to cut the excess grass into smaller pieces that will break down in the lawn to serve as nutrients.

In addition to its mulching option, Troy-Bilt’s mower also comes with a bag that has a wide opening to prevent clogs. Larger 11-inch rear wheels make the mower easier to push over uneven and rough terrain. A 140-cc gas engine powers the mower’s 21-inch deck.

Get the Troy-Bilt 21 mulching lawn mower at The Home Depot and Troy-Bilt.

Those who want cutting-edge technology to cut their lawn need look no further than this self-propelled gas lawn mower from Honda. While most walk-behind mowers have a single blade, Honda equips this mower with two. The twin blades give it the ability to cut grass blades into ultra-fine pieces that are great for promoting a healthy lawn.

Not only can this mower mulch grass clippings, but it also has a special setting for shredding leaves into fine particles. The mower will bag clippings or side discharge them as well. The mower’s grass cutting settings are easy to cycle through via simple-to-use controls on the mower deck. Honda’s mulching mower is powered by a monster 200-cc engine, making it one of the most powerful (and one of the most expensive) walk-behind mowers on the market.

Get the Honda mulching lawn mower at The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Mowers Direct.

Ego tops the list of battery-powered mulching lawn mowers thanks to the power and runtime its battery and motor produce. The Ego Power+ comes equipped with a 56-volt 5-Ah rechargeable lithium-ion battery that gets a whopping 45 minutes of runtime on a single charge. That’s impressive given that the Power+ is equipped with a 21-inch mowing deck.

Cycling through the three cutting settings on the Power+ is easy, thanks to a large ergonomic handle located on the top of the mowing deck. Other user-friendly features include a push-button start and LED headlights. The Ego Power+ also folds into a small box shape that stands upright, making it easier to store than most walk-behind mowers.

Get the Ego mulching lawn mower on Ace Hardware, Amazon, and Lowe’s.

Perhaps no brand makes a mower better capable of mulching than Honda. Whereas most walk-behind mowers use one blade, Honda supplies this 21-inch self-propelled gas mower with two. And while many other 21-inch gas mowers have a 140-cc engine, Honda powers those blades with a large 170-cc engine. The result is a machine that’s better able to cut clippings into tiny pieces.

In addition to mulching, this mower is also capable of bagging and side discharge. There’s also a dual-lever system that makes it easy to move between its seven blade height options. With great power comes a higher price tag; Honda’s self-propelled mulching mower is one of the most expensive models on the market.

Get the Honda mulching lawn mower at The Home Depot, Amazon, and Mowers Direct.

Smaller yards don’t require a mower with a large deck, nor do they require the power of a gas engine. This battery-powered model from Ryobi has ample cutting power for mowing small yards. Its 40-volt 6-Ah battery (sold separately) and the brushless motor can power this 20-inch mower for up to 48 minutes on a single charge.

In addition to mulching, the Ryobi also comes with a bagger and can side discharge. It’s equipped with LED lights for nighttime mowing, and its cutting deck has seven height positions ranging from 1.5 inches to 4 inches. A lever on the mowing deck makes it easy to adjust the cutting height. When the day’s mowing is done, it folds into a compact size for easy storage.

Get the Ryobi mulching lawn mower (tool only) at The Home Depot.

You won’t find many walk-behind lawn mowers that can cut as wide a swath of grass as Toro’s aptly named TimeMaster. Its massive 30-inch deck makes it suitable for large yards that would otherwise require the services of a riding lawn mower. One might think that such a broad deck would have difficulty cutting clippings down to the minute size needed for mulching. That’s not the case with the TimeMaster, which has two blades powered by a massive 223-cc gas engine.

In addition to its broad deck, the TimeMaster comes equipped with useful additional features. One can disengage the blade without turning off the engine, making it easier to remove obstacles, and the self-propelled wheels automatically modulate their speed to match the operator’s pace.

Get the Toro TimeMaster mulching lawn mower at The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Tractor Supply.

For the unique venting system that allows it to cut grass clippings multiple times before returning them to the yard, the Toro Recycler lawn mower is a worthy option for those looking for the best mulching lawn mower overall. Those willing to pay for a top-of-the-line mulching lawn mower will want to consider the Honda 21 in. self-propelled lawn mower, which is capable of mulching not only grass but leaves as well.

We researched some two dozen lawn mowers with mulching capabilities to produce our list that shows the best mulching lawn mower for each of several categories. Since mulching requires more power than standard cutting, we selected mowers with ample power. For gas lawn mowers, we selected models with at least a 140-cc engine. For battery-powered models, we chose models with at least a 40-volt battery.

Since deck and blade design is also important, we selected mowers explicitly designed to produce the fine grass clippings needed to effectively provide nutrients to a lawn. These included mowers with technologies designed specifically for mulching, including multiple blades, special venting, or integrated rakes. Since most owners don’t mulch their lawn with every cutting, we also chose mowers that offer versatility with side-discharge and bagging cutting options.

You can do a few things to get the most out of your mower’s mulch settings. First and foremost, mow at the proper height. Only cut a third of the height of the grass blade. This will ensure that the clippings are small enough for your mower to mulch them effectively. Mower blades need to cut the clippings multiple times, so keep the mower blade sharp. Also, it’s easier for a lawn mower blade to cut dry grass, so only mulch when the lawn is dry. Finally, if you’re mulching your grass clippings instead of bagging them, you’re returning nutrients to your yard. That means you can use less fertilizer.

If you’re wondering how mulching can help improve the health of your yard or whether you need to equip your mower with a special blade, read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions.

Mulching returns nutrients to your lawn in the form of grass clippings, which helps feed it.

Most of the time, mulching is the best option as it returns nutrients to your lawn and doesn’t create yard waste. However, bagging is the best option if the grass is tall or covered in leaves.

Most lawn mowers come with blades suitable for mulching or bagging grass. Users typically do not need a special blade for mulching.

You can use a mulching mower to create decorative stripes on your lawn. But, as with any mower, you’ll need a lawn roller to achieve the striped look you see on a Major League Baseball field.

Most lawn mowers last for about 10 years, although that depends on how often you use it and how well you maintain it.

In yards, thatch is a layer of organic material that collects around the base of the grass blades that

can prevent new grass from growing. When thatch becomes too thick, the lawn must be dethatched by raking it out or using a dethatcher. Contrary to popular belief, mulching a lawn does not contribute to additional thatch.

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