A good mulching lawn mower is essential for maintaining a healthy, lush lawn while saving you time on cleanup. Mulching mowers chop grass into fine clippings that return to the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer and keeping your lawn nourished. Whether you have a tiny yard or a large lawn area, selecting the proper mulching mower can improve your mowing experience by providing powerful operation as well as eco-friendly gains.
In this guide, we will discuss some of the best mulching lawn mowers on the market to find the perfect mower for you and your lawn care routine.
What is Mulching?
Mulching is the process of placing materials on the soil surface to act as a covering to achieve various goals such as moisture retention, prevent weed growth, enhance the attractiveness of your garden and also boost soil fertility through decayed organic materials.
There are different types of mulching materials you can use such as compost manure, grass clippings, newspaper, shredded leaves or even straw. What determines the kind of mulching you choose is the availability of mulching materials, type of vegetation of the soil and nature of the soil.
What is Mulch Mowing?
Another concept related to mulching is mulch mowing. This is a type of mowing that requires a system in place and mulching lawn mower. The mulching lawn mower will cut the grass to the desired height, cut the moist grass clippings into such small sizes that they almost disappear.
With mulch mowing, you have one of the cheapest ways of fertilizing your garden, reducing the need for raking and retaining moisture. You don't need to worry about a layer of thatched grass or even soil erosion, as the grass clippings act a landfill and hold the soil together.
How does a Mulching Lawn Mower Work
There are different types of mulching mowers that vary in width, mowing capabilities, cutting height, cutting system, cutting deck, engine or even grass blades. As we consider how a mulching mower works, we are looking at the standard one, with rotary blades whether it is powered by petrol or electricity.
First, there's a motor that powers the rotary blades.
Most mowers you'll drive behind but some have seats and can be driven. You can mow your lawn in different patterns including circular. Mulching mowers are ideal for large spaces of land and are driven like normal cars.
A mulching mower has a collection bag that needs regular emptying while some will spread the grass evenly, on the go.
Lawnmowers with a motor engine run on either four or two-cycle engines. The two-cycle engines use oil and petrol mixture while the four-cycle engine runs on petrol and another system for lubrication.
You can get a mulching mower fuel from DIY stores, supermarkets and even hardware. Just make sure the fuel you buy is compatible with your lawn mower for increased efficiency, functionality and durability. Read and follow the manual instructions carefully.
The motor, turns the cutting blades really fast and powerfully, meaning they can be pretty dangerous. This fast mulching blade will cut the grass as it goes over it. Most mulching mowers are designed to cut the grass into small pieces that spread on the lawn.
While the above is the working of a standard mulching lawn mower, there are some variations worth mentioning.
Nowadays, there are automatic mulching mowers, electrically powered and operated by robots. Such mowers have software to ensure every part of your garden is mowed.
An amazing part of this mowers is that they can dock themselves and recharge. You can set them on timers to mow even you are not at home. While they are quieter than most mulching mowers, they are not as powerful.
The Best Mulching Lawn Mower
1. Cat DG671 60V 21” Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower
- AWARD-WINNING BATTERY POWERED LAWN MOWER: Named 2023 Best...
- SET YOUR SPEED FOR PUSH-FREE MOWING: Cordless lawn mower features...
- MAX MOWING POWER: Enjoy electric lawn mower cordless convenience...
- FINE MULCHING: High-power push lawn mower produces very fine...
- AUTOMATIC POWER OPTIMIZATION: TorqLogic technology automatically...
If you are on the lookout for an amazing, robust and efficient mowing solution for your lawns, we strongly advise the Cat DG671 60V 21” Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower.
Cat DG671 60V 21” Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower impressed us with its powerful performance and user friendly design. The 60V motor makes it a good choice for tackling many different grass types and lawn conditions since it provides reliable power.
The biggest advantage being, the self propelled mechanism opens up greatly reducing the physical effort to mow, particularly up hills etc. You can run with up to 45 minutes of runtime, giving you enough time to get your lawn under control without having to interrupt your work to recharge constantly.
This five position cutting height adjustment offers versatility for a variety of mowing needs, so you can usually keep your lawn in proper form and height for health and aesthetic reasons. It also has the added features of quiet operation, to enjoy a peaceful mowing without disturbing the neighbors.
Its higher initial investment and longer charging time compared with other options may be off putting for some, but the Cat DG671's overall performance, convenience and ecofriendliness make it the better of lawn mowers if you're looking for a powerful and reliable option for your lawn. Overall, it is a great investment for those individuals who are committed to keeping up with their lawns with ease and minimal fuss.
Other Great mulching Lawn Mowers
2. Greenworks 80V 21" Brushless Cordless (Self-Propelled) Lawn Mower
- CORDLESS LAWN MOWER – Get more done, faster, with Greenworks...
- DURABLE 21” STEEL DECK – The 21” steel deck allows you to...
- SELF-PROPELLED – Rear wheel drive and variable speed control...
- INNOVATIVE SMARTCUT TECHNOLOGY – Senses grass and auto-adapts...
- VERSATILE – Single lever, 7-position height adjustment for the...
If you are looking for a high-powered, green friendly lawn mower, then we highly recommend the Greenworks 80V 21" Brushless Cordless Self Propelled Lawn Mower.
The Greenworks 80V 21" Brushless Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower was powerful, and also very user friendly. What stands out massively is the 80V brushless motor that comes out with great power to easily cut through dense grass and uneven areas.
The self propelled mechanism not only cuts physical effort significantly, but makes mowing more pleasant on inclines. Unlike some other mowers, you don’t have to worry about the battery life when you need to mow your lawn in one go, as you have up to 60 minutes of runtime.
With the three in one functionality, you can use mulched, pinched or discharge clippings depending on your preferences. With the adjustable cutting heights to handle different grass types and growing conditions.
The Greenworks 80V 21" Brushless Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower offers efficient, quiet, and powerful performance, making it an excellent choice for homeowners who want to care for their lawn easily and effectively while the initial investment is higher and the weight slightly more than some alternatives. Overall, it’s a great eco-friendly option that offers power, convenience and versatility.
3. EGO Power+ LM2102SP-A 21-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower
- Up to 65 minutes run time on a single charge when used with the...
- Variable Speed Self-Propel: 1.3 MPH to 3.1 MPH
- 6-position cutting height adjustments: 1.5"- 4"
- 3-in-1 function: mulching, bagging, side discharge
- Quick and easy push-button start
If you are looking for a powerful and efficient lawn care solution, then one best for you is the EGO Power+ LM2102SP-A 21 Inch 56 Volt Lithium Ion Self Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower.
The EGO Power+ LM2102SP-A impressed us with its combination of advanced technology and user friendly features. With its self propelled design taking much of the physical effort out of mowing, it makes for an excellent choice if you have a large or sloped lawn. The battery is very powerful, with a capacity of up to an hour, and it can go on for enormous mowing duties without breaks.
The mower's three-in-one capabilities ensure you can choose how to handle clippings, and the adjustable heights allow for customization based on grass type and desired length. The durability and weather-resistant design add peace of mind, ensuring you can mow in various conditions.
If you shouldn’t fill your house with essentials that take up too much space like Figure Skates for instance, then the heavier price point and weight may lead some to ignore this mower, but the ones willing to invest will be rewarded by a reliable, powerful and efficient one. All in all, the EGO Power+ LM2102SP-A 21-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Self Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower is incredibly desirable if you’re adamant about keeping your lawn pristine without wishing you were able to bend your knees.
4. WORX Mulching Lawn Mower
- [6 HEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS] A single lever lets you set the height you...
- [INTELLICUT] feature provides torque on demand for tougher...
- [SAME BATTERY, EXPANDABLE POWER] Worx Power Share is compatible...
- [MULCH OR BAG] This 2-in-1 mower lets you bag it up, or mulch...
- [BATTERY METER] The on-board battery charge indicator lets you...
Worx is one of the best overall mulching mowers because of its affordability and value for money. Worx mulching mower is battery-powered and comes with tw0 20-volt batteries with a rating of 4.0 Ah, resulting in great battery life.
It also has a compact mulching blade of 14 inches for ease of use.
This mower has three height adjustment settings of the grass cutting blade for high-level of precision during mowing.
Even better, this excellent mulching power comes with a padded and ergonomic handle that allows you to cut grass for a long time comfortably. Also, you are given a three-year warranty, to get value for your money.
5. Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM 48-Volt 17-Inch Mulching Walk-Behind Lawn Mower
- [POWERFUL]: 670-watt brushless motor runs cooler and lasts longer...
- [48V POWER]: Included 2 x 4.0 Ah batteries offer up to 25 minutes...
- [VERSATILE]: Perfect for small to medium lawns, the...
- [ADJUSTABLE DECK]: Tailor cutting height with 6-position manual...
- [LIGHTWEIGHT]: Weighs in at under 34 lbs
If you are looking for a good yet energy and environmentally friendly mulching lawn mower, then Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM 48-Volt 17 Inch Mulching Walk Behind Lawn Mower is highly recommended.
The Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM impressed us with ease of use and its eco friendly nature. With gas or oil not needed, the cordless design gives it an edge over gas and oil powered lawn care enthusiasts. The 17-inch cutting deck in the compact package helps it easily navigate into tight spots and smaller yards and its ability make three in one cuts is handy for your lawn care routine.
Although battery life could be a concern for larger lawns and the cutting width may require more passes, the benefits of a lightweight, quiet, and environmentally-friendly mower are hard to ignore. This mower's adjustable cutting heights ensure that you can achieve your desired grass length without hassle.
Overall, the Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM 48-Volt 17-Inch Mulching Walk-Behind Lawn Mower is an excellent choice for homeowners seeking a practical, efficient, and green solution to lawn maintenance. It's perfect for those with small to medium yards who value ease of use and environmentally-conscious gardening practices.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Mulching Lawn Mower
If you want to buy the right mulching lawn mower, it is important to consider the following things:
1. Motor Power
The cutting performance of a lawn mower is dependent on motor power. You can find options 56 or 40-volt batteries, and 13 or 11 amp motors. The higher the motor power the better performance.
2. Cutting Width
It is important to know the cutting width of the lawn mower to estimate the amount of grass it cuts. Depending on the size of the garden, you can buy the mower that offers you optimum cutting experience.
You can find 14 or 18-inch mulching blades.
3. Power Type
There are different mulching lawn mowers and they use various power sources. You can get electric ones powered by batteries or plugging into the wall socket. Some of the common batteries are lithium-ion batteries.
If you have a large space that requires cutting grass you want some powered with petrol.
Types of Mulching mowers
There are usually three types of mulching mowers, depending on how the engine is powered.
1. Electric mulching mowers with a cord.
These are mulching mowers that have a long cord to plug into a wall socket to operate. If you want to cut grass in a small space, they can be ideal. In fact, there some with really long cords, and when combined with an extension cable, you can mow a large space.
2. Cordless electric mulching mowers
These mulching mowers are electric but have batteries to store power. You only need to make sure the batteries are well charged before starting the process. Works well when the power socket is far or you are mowing grass over a large surface.
Push lawn mowers powered by cordless electric powers allows ease of use and increased mulching capabilities.
3. Gas Mowers
A gas mower is non-electric mulching mower that is powered by gas, mostly petrol. There's a gas tank that you refill to power the motor which ensures the grass blades are operating optimally.
Benefits of a Mulching Mower
A mulching mower allows you enough benefits and is also good for the environment. Here are a few benefits that using a mulching mower will accord you:
Personal Benefits:
- It saves time as you don't have to empty the bag.
- It can save you money if you live in a municipality that charges extra fees to landfill yard waste.
Good for Your Garden
- Mulching reduces evaporation of moisture from the soil, keeping your lawn well moisturized and temperatures cooler for healthy grass.
- Mulching enhances soil aeration and provides a conducive environment for helpful microorganisms that maintain vegetation's health.
- Grass clippings are about 5% nitrogen and 85% water and this contributes to about 25% of the fertilizer needs of an average lawn.
- Since mulching mowers cut the grass clippings to small sizes, they maintain the attractive appearance of the lawn.
Environmental Sustainability
If you are mindful of our environment, you should consider getting a mulching mower to reduce the amount of yard waste. According to EPA, grass clippings contribute to over 30 million tones of waste per year.
Mulching means you are recycling this organic waste and enhancing the well being of the environment.