High quality mower blades. 5 Best High Lift Mower Blades – 2023 Reviews

The 5 Best 21 Inch Lawn Mower Blades

Are you ready to upgrade your lawn mowing game with a new 21 inch blade? Look no further, because we’ve rounded up the top five best blades for the job. Whether you’re in need of a regular blade, a gator blade, or a mulching blade, we’ve got you covered.

MaxPower 331528B Mulching Blade

This heavy-duty blade is made of high-quality steel and is built to last, making it perfect for those who have larger lawns or need to mow more frequently. Its mulching design helps reduce lawn waste while fertilizing your grass at the same time. And with its commercial-grade durability, you can trust that it’ll hold up season after season.

Rotary Copperhead Mower Blade

If you’re looking for a blade that can take on even the toughest grass, the Rotary Copperhead Mower Blade is up for the challenge. Its copperhead alloy construction and heat-treated design make it both durable and efficient!

Arnold 21-Inch Universal Lawn Mower Blade

This blade is a versatile option for those who want a high-quality, reliable blade that fits a variety of different lawn mowers. Made of durable steel, it provides a clean, precise cut every time. Plus, it’s easy to install, so you can get your mowing done quickly and efficiently.

Stens Silver Streak Lawn Mower Blade

If mulching is your top priority, the Stens Silver Streak Lawn Mower Blade is the way to go. Its high-quality steel construction and special mulching design make it easy to cut grass into fine clippings that decompose quickly and fertilize your lawn. Plus, it’s heat-treated for added durability.

Oregon Gator Mulcher Lawn Mower Blade

This blade is another top choice for those looking for a high-quality mulching blade. Its tough, heat-treated steel construction and unique tooth design make it efficient at cutting grass into fine clippings for easy decomposition. And with its easy installation, you can get your lawn mowing done in no time.

No matter which blade you choose, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and use to ensure that you get the best performance out of your lawn mower. Happy mowing!

After doing my master’s in agriculture, I went on with this field for more than 15 years because I love working in green. I have experienced using modern machinery and techniques that can help farmers and landscapers to achieve something great. My goal will be to deliver you the best reviews and information to make the right decision.

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Best High Lift Mower Blades – 2023 Reviews!

The beautiful lawn is a result of long and dedicated work. However, to achieve this, you require suitable blades to cut your lawn efficiently and smoothly while keeping it healthy.

Improper cutting weakens the lawn and exposes it to harmful pests and diseases. Therefore, you need the best high lift mower blades for your lawn mower.

They have a factory sharp steel blade that provides excellent cutting performance and leaves the lawn excellent looking. These models are made of high-quality steel material that makes them durable and long-lasting. Thanks to the excellent coating, they are resistant to rust and corrosion.

You can enjoy the excellent service from the customer care before replacing them. Likewise, these best high lift mower blades have extra standards and quality, making them highly reliable and completely safe to guarantee high performance.

The blades have different mounting holes, which are hassle-free and work with most modern lawn mowers. Besides, they come with the factory sharpening, so you will use them once you receive them.

Therefore, don’t waste time or effort if you want the best models, but consider the best high lift mower blades.

• Types of mower blades
• Factors to Consider When Buying the Best High Lift Mower Blades
• 5 Best High Lift Mower Blades
• 1. EGO Power 21-Inch AB2101 High Lift Mower Blade
• 2. EGO Power High Lift AB2102D 21-Inch Mower Blade
• 3. Maxpower 561144B 48-inch High Lift Blade
• 4. MTD Genuine Parts 46-Inch 2-in-1 490-110-M116 High Lift Blade
• 5. Stens 302-720 Exmark Streak Toothed 116-5499-S High Lift Blade
• How to clean the high lift mower blade
• Conclusion

Types of mower blades

Low lift

The low lift mower blades are ideal for mowing a typical front and back garden and small lawn mowers, which work in less space. Remarkably, they are suitable for mowing residential lawns instead of weeds.

Additionally, the low lift mower blades require little maintenance and perform well with occasional use. Besides, these mower blades do not use as much energy or gas as other blades because they do not weigh much or spin very fast.

Medium lift

These blades are larger and are fit for cutting thicker lawns and some finer weeds. Thanks to their versatility, you can use the medium lift mowing blades for residential and commercial work. Also,

this versatility makes them easier to find. You can find these tools in many stores, either in person or online. Also, they are great if you have not mowed your lawn in a long time but don’t want to do too much damage to the ground or grass.

High lift

The high lift mower blades are ideal for cutting tons of grass. They can remove large amounts of grass and weeds much faster than other types of lawn mower blades.

Also, they can last much longer because they are usually made from more durable materials that can withstand severe punishments.

Understandably, they need more electrical or gasoline power to run, but they can sometimes use less power because they do the mowing jobs in less time when compared to other types of mower blades. High lift models are ideal for commercial mowing.

Mulching

Mulching mower blades are essential for composting cut lawn and trimming it t a finer. The grass is then thrown into the yard or outdoors for fertilizer. Typically, this can be useful when using the same soil or want to help it grow faster.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best High Lift Mower Blades

Blade length

The length of the mower blades directly impacts the model you choose and how much lawn they can mow at once. Longer high lift mower blades are ideal for larger tools and can cut yards quickly but are more challenging to use in constricted spaces.

Shorter blades are ideal for smaller mowers and are easier to control but take longer to cut the same area.

Typically, it is good to find replacement high lift mower blades that have th same length as the original blades, which came with the initial purchase. This will ensure that the blades fit the machine regardless of the model or make.

Blade width

Another thing to consider when buying the best high lift mower blades is the blade width. The typical blade width is between 2.25 and 3.5 inches.

An extensive blade may not fit it or can damage the mower. Even a blade that’s too shallow can’t help you mower better. Select the proposed size in the mower manual.

Deck size

The deck size is an important factor when buying the high lift mower blades. This falls around 16 or 30 inches, but a little longer is better. But again, just like the width, you need to check the fit. If you have a riding lawn mower, it is best to choose the size.

Blade holes

The blade holes refer to the locking holes that fit into the opening. Many models have a 5-point opening, while others have a 6-point opening.

Choose different blades with various holes based on the model and type of mower you’re using. Essentially, this information is mentioned in a product manual for your lawnmower. Make sure to choose something that perfectly fits the holes and the lawn mower.

Blade shape

When buying the best high lift mower blades, you need to consider the blade shape. When buying a replacement blade set, we tend to replace the exact type of blade that we had before.

You don’t have to buy blades, which look exactly like the originals. All you have to do is check if the initial blades are perpendicular or parallel in shape. So, you are required to buy the model that matches the current shape of the blade. It is ultimate but not mandatory.

Building material

Building material is important when buying the best high lift mower blades. This is important because it can also determine the life of the mower.

Think of building materials as an investment, and you will be lured to choose a durable building material. The stainless steel material is the most famous building material because that provides a sharp and brilliant cut in the grass without quickly rusting. Good surface painting is preferable.

Best High Lift Mower Blades

EGO Power 21-Inch AB2101 High Lift Mower Blade

If you are looking for the best high lift mower blades designed for use, then go for this model from EGO Power.

For one thing, it comes with the factory sharpened steel material that can ensure excellent cutting performance. The most important thing is that it delivers a clean cut that helps to promote lawn health.

It is the phenomenal choice for larger machines and high-powered lawn mowers that collect more grass into heavy-duty bags.

Typically, this blade is designed with lawn mowers, which collect the clippings into the bag. It needs to be sharpened every time, but it delivers the outstandingly clean cut, making the yard’s overgrowth short work.

Similarly, it comes with a sloping arc on both of the arms. This makes the lawn mower blade efficiently collect grass trimmings and throw them into a bag reliably.

Equally important, it has a circular mounting hole, which helps it work with many modern lawn mowers, particularly if you have particular fitting washers to change the size of a hole.

• Promote lawn health
• It ensures compatibility and quality
• Long-lasting and heavy-duty
• Excellent cutting performance
• It is durable
• Deliver a clean cut
• Great suction power
• Easy to install

EGO Power High Lift AB2102D 21-Inch Mower Blade

EGO Power has developed a high lift mower blade that promotes lawn health and delivers a clean cut.

It is used in combination with an EGO upper blade that helps to enhance the cutting performance for every type of grass. In all honesty, it works as a solution for replacing the premium gas lawn mower for good.

Besides, it is ideal if you want additional suction fit for bagging, leaving the yard free from grass clippings.

In the same case, this steel blade is precisely designed for every EGO POWER 21-inch select cut lawn mowers. This improves the cutting efficiency of the lawn mower and helps promote the lawn’s health.

Furthermore, the blade has a heavy-duty material that can turn grass into very fine fragments. The model is durable, solid, and is factory sharpened, which means it is set to start mowing grass once it is out of a box.

What is more, it comes with a high-lift design that provides good clearance while mowing through the thick grass.

• Interchangeable lower blade
• Excellent cutting performance
• It is heavy-duty
• It offers the highest performance, quality, and value
• Promotes the lawn health
• Solid and durable
• It has a high-lift design
• Delivers a nice clean
• High quality
• Offer a good clearance with a thick grass
• Maximizes bagging efficiency and cutting
• Easy to install
• The suction adds more power

Maxpower 561144B 48-inch High Lift Blade

The Maxpower model comes with three high lift blades 48 inches cut. Notably, it is well manufactured to exceed or meet all OEM specifications.

You need to check the owner’s manual to confirm that the blade OEM number being replaced matches one of the OEM numbers offered for this item. Each blade measures 2-1/2 inch W and 16-1/2 inch L with a center hole diameter of 15/16 inches.

It is long enough, which makes it ideal among the high lift mowing blades for large to medium-sized lawnmowers.

In the same case, the teeth are strong enough to turn thicker and harder weeds into an excellent fertilizer. On the other hand, the blade has sturdy and long-lasting steel material to make it durable.

Additionally, it has a paint finish, which prevents it from accumulating damage and corrosion. In a like manner, it is sharp enough to do the work of cutting tougher and thicker turf perfectly, but you will be required to do sharpening and frequently honing because the edge wears down quickly.

Best Mower Blades in 2023. Top 5 Mower Blades Review

Also, it is affordable, and you can use it like another expensive model to get a Smart shape to the yard effortlessly.

• Sturdy and long-lasting
• It is resistant to corrosion
• It prevents accumulating of damage
• It has the mounting holes
• Cut tougher and thicker turf wonderfully
• It is heavy duty
• Easy to install
• It is durable
• It cut clean
• Has the right size

MTD Genuine Parts 46-Inch 2-in-1 490-110-M116 High Lift Blade

Many people are going for the best high lift mower blades from MTD Genuine Parts because they can fit 46-inch garden and lawn tractors.

You can use it for Huskee, troy-built, MTD, yard-man, yard machines, and Bolens. In all honesty, it comes in a set of three blades. Each blade measures 21 inches long by 2-1/2 inches wide with a hole center of a five-point star.

Furthermore, it works great by cutting grass that can then be used to make natural fertilizer for the lawn and give the lawn a perfect green look.

It is recommended not to expose the model to obstacles to prevent damage. In the same case, this blade is excellent for high-intensity jobs by being sturdier and heavier than most models.

Thanks to the five star-shaped point center hole, it makes it easy to install. importantly, it is compatible with many lawn mowers, making it the best choice when replacing the mower blades on older machines. Overall, it’s a sharp and excellent mowing blade, affordable for anybody to buy.

• Easy to install
• Great and sharp
• Compatible with other lawn mowers
• It is affordable
• Tough and solid
• High-intensity performance
• It is affordable
• It has a high precision level
• It is durable
• Suction is effective
• It looks good

Stens 302-720 Exmark Streak Toothed 116-5499-S High Lift Blade

The Stens model is the professional-grade high lift blade, making it a popular option among lawn care homeowners and professionals who need a beautifully manicured yard.

For instance, it creates enhanced suction that can pull the grass blades upwards, reading to a cleaner and more uniform cut. In like manner, it has a 25 percent thicker profile compared to the standard blades.

Similarly, these best high light blades have a higher lift capacity of 40% compared to other toothed blades. There is the enhanced clippings discharge that helps to nourish the lawn.

On the other hand, the teeth have a unique angle, which pulls clippings and grass inward towards the cutting edges, reducing clippings into fine pieces.

Furthermore, the blade is sharp and durable and promises a smooth cut and maximum efficiency.

This helps you cover the entire lawn very fast while maintaining a precise and smooth cut in the entire lifespan of the high lift mower blade. It requires minimal maintenance to maintain the high performance for a long.

• Sharp and durable
• It maintains a precise and smooth cut
• Require minimal maintenance
• It is heavy duty
• Help to nourish the lawn
• It gives a cleaner and more uniform cut
• It reduces clippings
• Easy to use
• It gives a beautifully manicured yard

How to clean the high lift mower blade

Regular cleaning of the mower blades can assist in keeping the mower fun for long, reduce the need for intensive and regular maintenance, and extend the life of the mower blades. Also, a clean blade can assist in keeping the grass healthy and growing well.

First, tilt the blade backward instead of sideways to avoid oil leaks and ensure it is firmly helped so that the mower does not fall over during maintenance. Remove the plug of the spark. This is to reduce the risk of injury and sparks when cleaning the mower blade and ensure safety.

Spray the blade and the housing with the hose to remove the residue of the crusted grass and make manual cleaning as easy as possible.

The more pressure the hose can generate, the easier it will be to remove most of the remains from the mower housing and the blade. Brush off all stubborn residue using the stiff wire brush and prepare to eliminate the blade from the housing.

Remove the nut with a socket wrench and lift the blade from the housing. Clean both sides of the blade and cover with a thin vegetable oil layer to prevent other debris from sticking to the high lift mower blade in the future. Then change it, tighten the nut, replace a spark plug, and you are ready to cut again.

Standard vs High Lift Mower Blades: Which One Is Best?

Conclusion

The best high lift mower blades are designed for high performance, clean cut, and long life. In the same case, they are sturdy and robust to withstand big obstacles when cutting. They have a different shape-pointed hole, which makes installation easy.

Likewise, they are long to offer a large cutting area that increases cutting efficiency and speed, so you can cover a large area of ​​grass quickly without compromising on cut level. This means you need to go for the above products and not regret it.

EGO Power 21-Inch AB2101 High Lift Mower Blade is the best-selling product in the market because it has high–quality steel material that can ensure excellent cutting performance.

Also, it comes with a sloping arc on both of the arms to ensure efficient grass trimmings. This product has attained the above factors because it has the high-quality steel material to offer effective cutting performance and the sloping arc to trim grass efficiently.

Posted on Published: January 12, 2022. Last updated: February 24, 2023

Lawn Mower Blades: The Ultimate Guide (Types, Measuring, and )

Purchasing replacement blades for your lawn mower is a relatively easy task if you know your lawn mower blade’s part number. If you have your lawn mower’s model and serial number, referencing that mower’s model and serial number parts diagram is another fool-proof way to purchase the correct blade.

But, what if you don’t have any of these part numbers to reference? How do you determine which blades will fit your mower?

By the time you are finished reading our Ultimate Guide to Lawn Mower Blades article, you should have all the info you need to purchase a blade that will work perfectly with your lawn mower.

How to measure lawn mower blades

We’ll get into the various types of lawn mower blades further into the article (skip to view types of lawn mower blades). First, we will walk you through measuring the blade on your lawn mower to determine which size blade you need.

Measure mower blades diagonally

The most common mistake we see when people are attempting to measure their lawn mower blade is measuring straight across the blade. This is going to give you an inaccurate measurement!

To properly measure a lawn mower blade, measure the blade diagonally.

Center hole diameter

The next measurement you will need is the diameter of the center hole of your lawn mower blade.

If your mower blade has 3 holes, make sure you are measuring the center hole!

To measure the diameter, measure straight across.

If your mower blade does not have a circle for the center hole, you will need to determine what the shape in referred to. on mower blades without circle-shaped holes in just a second.

If your mower blade has outside holes

If you notice 2 holes on either side of the center hole in your lawn mower blade, you will also need to take some measurements here.

Many push lawn mowers and some other types of mowers utilize these outer holes to ensure the blades do not hit each other while in use. Many commercial lawn mowers use 2 or 3 blades, not just 1 blade.

A perfect example of this is the Exmark Commercial 30. This is an oversized 30 wide commercial push mower that utilizes the center holes to ensure each blade is mounted in the correct position.

Once again, you will want to measure the diameter of these holes.

You will also need to measure the distance between the center of these 2 outside holes. This measurement is referred to as center to center.

Lawn mower blade center hole types

Most lawn mower blades have circles as the center hole shape. If your blade does not, here is a quick reference of other possible mower blade center hole types.

Less common but not pictured center hole types include a square and a 7-point star center hole.

Measuring your mower blades width

The width of a lawn mower blade is usually not relevant to the fitment of the blade but we wanted to make sure you knew where to measure if this is applicable to your mower.

To accurately measure the width, make sure you are measuring straight across and measuring at the widest section of your blade.

Right-hand cut vs left-hand cut blades

Believe it or not, the cutting edge is not on the same side for all lawn mower blades.

Right-hand cut lawn mower blades are overwhelmingly the most common type.

Left-hand cut blades can be found on some mower’s manufactured by Kubota, Woods, Walker, and others.

Lawn Mower Blade Thickness

It is recommended to stick with the specs of the blade that came stock on your lawn mower. If for whatever reason you cannot determine the OEM blade part number, don’t stress about the thickness of the blade. It is not a huge deal, although using a blade that is too thick could lower the RPMs to a point where cut quality is lost.

As you might expect, blade thickness is measured by measuring the top of the blade to the bottom.

If you are bending a lot of blades, you may want to purchase a thicker lawn mower blade or just stop hitting rocks! Believe me, I’ve had 100 employees in my lawn care business over the years and completely understand if you are not sure if your employees are looking at what they are cutting as they are working!

Types of lawn mower blades

Now that you understand how to measure lawn mower blades properly and the various types of center holes you may find, let’s take a look at the different types of lawn mower blades and when you may want to consider each type.

We should mention you may see standard blade in the description of some lawn mower blades. This is basically the middle ground between high lift and low lift lawn mower blades. It is pretty suitable for any type of cutting.

High lift lawn mower blades

High lift lawn mower blades create a lot of lift due to the exaggerated fin on the non-cutting edge side of the blade.

When to use high lift lawn mower blades:

• When you are cutting tall grass ( Grass over 3 tall )
• When you are cutting flimsy grass such as turf-type tall fescue

When not to use high lift lawn mower blades:

Low lift lawn mower blades

Low lift lawn mower blades c reate little lift due to the exaggerated fin on the non-cutting edge side of the blade.

When to use low lift lawn mower blades:

• When you are cutting short grass (Grass under 3 tall)
• When you are cutting rigid grass such as Bermudagrass
• In sandy soil conditions (see flat blades too)

When not to use low lift lawn mower blades:

Gator blades

Gator blades are also referred to as 3-in-1. Gator blades are often used by professional mowing companies in the fall to shred leaves as they mow. S ome companies run gator blades all year long.

Gator blades also shred longer grass blades before being discharged from the mower’s deck. Gator blades do create some lift.

When to use gator blades:

When not to use gator blades:

Mulching blades

Mulching blades mulch the grass clippings to allow for returning the grass clippings to the soil as natural nutrients.

It is important to note, you can certainly discharge the clippings from the mower’s deck back into the lawn without mulching blades as long as you are cutting your grass on a frequent enough basis.

When to use mulching blades:

• When you are not discharging the clippings or bagging
• When you are following the 1/3 rule (only remove 1/3 or less of the grass blade each time you mow)

When not to use mulching blades:

Flat lawn mower blades

Flat lawn mower blades create zero lift due to the blade being completely flat.

When to use flat lawn mower blades:

When not to use flat lawn mower blades:

• Most of the time! Only use flat lawn mower blades when in extremely sandy soil conditions and cutting a rigid grass type

Self-sharpening lawn mower blades

To ensure this article covers all the bases, we wanted to include a new option when it comes to lawn mower blades.

Self-sharpening blades use patented technology to literally sharpen themselves as you mow. The early adopters seem to agree that these blades do in fact sharpen themselves.

Of course, these blades come with a hefty price tag as far as lawn mower blades are concerned. It will be for you to determine if they are worth the investment.

When to sharpen lawn mower blades

Factors such as how much use, what type of grass you are cutting, the length of grass you are cutting, soil conditions, and other factors will determine how often you will need to sharpen your lawn mower blades.

After finishing this article, check out our guide on sharpening lawn mower blades.

The best way to determine when you need to sharpen your lawn mower blades is by simply looking at the cut quality. This refers to the sharpness of the cut you are getting out of your blades. In the picture above you can clearly see the blades on the lawn mower that cut this grass need to be sharpened as they are tearing the grass instead of cutting it.

How to tell if a mower blade has been sharpened too many times

If you read the manuals, most lawn mower blade manufacturers recommend replacing the blades when there is 1/2 left between the cutting edge and the fin, sail, or lift. The fin, sail, or lift is referring to the part of the blade that is angled up.

If you continue to mow with less than 1/2 of material left, you are putting yourself and others in danger as there is a great possibility this blade could fail and send a piece of the blade flying from your mower. Please take this recommendation seriously!

Even if no one is hurt if this occurs, you very well could be on the hook for property damage costs.

When to replace lawn mower blades

At some point, lawn mower blades can no longer be sharpened and will need to be replaced.

You may need to replace your lawn mower blades because you have sharpened them too many times and have removed too much material from the blade.

Other reasons you may need to replace your lawn mower blades are much more obvious.

For example, if you bend your lawn mower blade, it should be replaced. Please do not attempt to bend it back to being straight once again. The integrity of the blade was lost as soon as it was bent.

Other reasons to replace your lawn mower blades include large chunks missing due to hitting an obstacle or hairline fractures. You should always inspect your lawn mower blades when sharpening or if you know you just hit an object you shouldn’t have!

OEM vs Universal Lawn Mower Blades

Something worth noting about lawn mower blades is that you do not have to stick with the OEM blades that came with your lawn mower!

Some stock blades simply do not provide a great cut quality. The 2 most important factors when purchasing aftermarket blades is that you purchase blades with the same length and center hole diameter. If your blade has the additional outer holes, you need to account for these specs as well.

Above is an example of a universal replacement blade that has an elongated hole instead of a circle. You will often see this on universal blades that account for outer holes because they want the blade to fit as many makes and models of mowers as possible.

Where to purchase lawn mower blades?

Great question. You are in the right place!

iGoPro Lawn Supply has over 900 lawn mower blades in stock.

We more than likely have the blade you need and have the best price you will find online.

Go ahead and shop lawn mower blades now. We recommend searching for the blade you need by part number, but by now you are fully prepared to measure your blades and purchase the perfect replacement blade.

Lawn Mower Blade Conclusion

To wrap this up, let’s just summarize the most important information we covered.

The 2 most important things to note when purchasing lawn mower blades is the length of the blade and the center hole diameter.

Make sure you purchase a blade with the appropriate outer holes as well if your mower requires them.

Use high lift blades if you are mowing cool-season grasses.

Use low lift blades if you are mowing warm-season grasses.

Try gator blades if you are mowing long grass or would like to shred leaves as you mow.

Mulching blades should only be used with a mulching lawn mower or a lawn mower with a mulching kit installed.

Ryan Sciamanna

Ryan is the owner and founder of Lawn Crack, LLC the parent company of iGoPro Lawn Supply. He has worked in almost every capacity within the lawn and landscape industry for small local companies, nationwide companies, and of course, owning his own lawn landscape business which he sold in 2018 before starting selling lawn and garden products online. Learn more about Ryan by subscribing to the LawnCrack YouTube Channel.

Attaching one of these clump-busting blades to your mower can help make your lawn more beautiful and healthy.

By Tom Scalisi | Updated Feb 25, 2022 3:59 PM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

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
• 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.

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
• Compatible with most 48-inch mowers
• Comes with 3 blades
• Works with or without a bagger

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

• Compatible with most 21-inch mowers
• All mounting hardware included
• Steep lift and sturdy teeth
• Not as durable as some comparable models
• May not be suitable for use with electric mowers

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
• 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
• Pricey
• May bend if they collide with a solid object
• Not as thick as comparable options

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
• Extremely heavy-duty
• Sturdy lift and serrated cutting edge
• Easy to replace or change

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
• 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

8TEN LawnRAZOR Set for Gravely, Scag and

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
• Suitable for use on zero-turn mowers
• Compatible with many mower models
• Powder-coated finish
• Pricey
• Small particles may be left behind on the grass
• Not suitable for use on wet grass

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
• Easy to install
• 2 high-lift blades included
• All washers and fittings included; multiple options available
• Suitable for use with a bagger

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
• Factory-sharpened steel blade
• Suitable for light-duty work
• Works in tandem with a bagger
• 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.