The Best Mulching Blades In 2023

Last updated: Today

Erin Carpenter

Top 5 Best Mulching Blades 2023:

  1. Oregon G3 Gator Blades
  2. Maxpower 561713
  3. Toro Recycler Mower Blade
  4. Rotary 12963 PK3 Copperhead
  5. USA Mower 4-Pack Blades

Sick and tired of cleaning up the grass clippings after mowing? 

If you’re a sane person, the answer is probably “Yes.

What if we tell you there’s a way to avoid this tedious task, and that it’s actually good for your lawn?

Well, it is.

Enter the mulching blade, a special kind of lawn mower blade which cuts grass so finely that the clippings are almost invisible.

But that’s not all. 

These tiny bits of grass fall to the ground and serve as fertilizer, which will keep your lawn beautiful and healthy.

We can already feel your excitement.

Now, let us introduce you to the best mulching blades, and set you on the way to the best lawn in the neighborhood.

What To Look For In Mulching Blades?

Regardless if this is your first time buying a mulching blade or no, you have to read the following section.

We’re serious.

Purchasing a lawnmower blade often proves to be trickier than it seems, and if you don’t know exactly what to look for, you may lose a lot of time and money.

Now that we’ve properly scared you, we’d like to cheer you up!

The good news is that there aren’t too many factors that you need to remember, but they’re all important, so don’t skim read.

1. Shape

The first thing that you need to consider is the shape of the blade. We’re saying this because these products come in various shapes, and it is crucial to pick the one that suits your lawnmower.

Now, how in the world can you figure this out?

It’s so simple that a baby could do it. However, don’t leave this up to your baby; do it yourself.

Check the specifications of the mulching blades and look for the list of lawnmowers that it’s compatible with. Be sure to check this yourself, do not take anyone’s word for it. 

All the top brands have this kind of information included, so be wary of blades that don’t.

See Also: The Best Tree Pruner

2. Size

After the shape comes the size, or shall we say length. Length of the mulching blade is vital for two reasons – effectiveness and compatibility, so let’s break this down a bit more.

The compatibility part should be self-explanatory; a blade that’s longer than the lawnmower will not fit. Also, a blade that’s too small will cause its own set of problems, so it’s best to find the right size right away. 

Same as with the shape, check the lawnmower’s specifications and the blades to see if they’re right for each other.You’ll learn that each blade size is designed for a specific deck size of the mower, so, for example, a 21” blade usually works with 42” decks.

When it comes to effectiveness, a longer blade is going to cut a wider surface of the grass, which means that you’ll need fewer passes to mow the lawn. 

Math – gotta love it!

3. Weight

Don’t buy a mulching blade before you check how heavy it is. 

Do yourself a favor – measure the weight of your lawnmower’s original blade, and then start looking for the appropriate mulching model.

The thing is, you don’t know if your lawnmower will be able to handle a blade that’s heavier than its factory blade, so it’s best to find a model with a similar weight.

The trouble is that some of the most durable materials also tend to be the heaviest, so you’ll always have to make a compromise here.

4. Durability

We believe that there’s no need to tell you why durability is important.

Good, let’s get right to the point.

You need to check which material the blade is made from. Is it heat-treated industrial steel, or perhaps some kind of alloy? What do the experts have to say about the material’s durability?

These are the questions that’ll set you on track to finding the sturdiest blades out there, the ones that you won’t be replacing after four months of use.

5. Curvature 

The term “angle of curvature” is something that you’ll often meet when dealing with mulching blades. 

It may sound like something from an advanced physics class, but we promise that you don’t need a Ph.D. to figure it out.

Here’s a straightforward equation that you need to remember: the thicker the grass, the greater the curvature that you’ll need.

That’s all there is to it.

If you’re wondering what’s the correlation between the angle of curvature and mowing efficiency, we’re afraid that you need to ask someone smarter.

6. Warranty

As you probably know, the warranty usually determines whether you’ll be able to return the blade or not. 

But you just bought it, why would you return it?

There are many reasons for this. Maybe the center hole on the blade doesn’t fit your lawnmower, or perhaps the blade is faulty. Maybe you drop it by accident, and it breaks.

Who knows?

The point is that you should look for a brand that offers good warranty terms so that you can get a replacement if something goes wrong.

7. The Number Of Pieces

You may not know this, but not all mulching blades come in a set of one. There are also three-piece and six-piece sets, so it’s up to you to determine what you need.

This matters because, as you can guess, more blades means more money. 

In case this is your first time buying a mulching blade, or you want to try a new model, the multi-piece set might not be the best choice. 

On the other hand, if you already have a brand that you tried and liked, then more than one piece can be a good solution.

As always, see if the value that a manufacturer offers corresponds with the price of their product by reading reviews such as ours or checking customers’ comments.

See Also: The Best Trimmer Line; The Best Sprinkler Head


5 Best Mulching Blades In 2023: Detailed Reviews

After hours of research and heaps of blades, we were able to select a few models that stand out from the crowd. 

We left no stone unturned, made no compromises, and now we bring you the top five mulching blades on the market.

Enough drama, it’s time to get down to business. 

Below, you will find detailed reviews of the above-mentioned blades, so roll up your sleeves and read!

1. Oregon G3 Gator Blades

Image Credit: Amazon.com

In our opinion, the Oregon G3 Gator blade is the quintessential mulching blade that perfectly demonstrates what this product is supposed to do. If you’re looking for a trustworthy name to give your money to, look no further than Oregon.

These mulching blades are made from heat-treated steel, which means that they’re significantly more durable than your average lawnmower blade. Branches, nuts, and roots will not damage or affect it in any way.

The manufacturer points out that the blades work best with Husqvarna, Poulan Pro, and Craftsman machines. The Gator blades are 18.5 long and 2.5 inches wide, and while they may be able to fit other brands’ 54-inch deck mowers, this isn’t always the case.

An issue that some users reported is that the blades are dull, and because of that, not able to cut grass as finely as expected. However, this is an exception rather than the rule, so you shouldn’t worry too much about it.

If you decide to purchase G3 Gator blades, you will get a set of three pieces for a reasonable price. This product offers a balance between quality, performance, and cost, and that’s why it is so popular.

Pros

  • High-quality build
  • Easy installation
  • Highly durable material

Cons

  • Might be a bit dull

2. Maxpower 561713

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Maxpower is a reputable company with a plethora of lawnmower blades, all of which enjoy high ratings and enormous popularity. The 561713 model is no different, and now, we’ll take a close look at it.

In the set, you’ll get two US-made blades, with star-shaped center holes. The folks at Maxpower were kind enough to tell us which lawnmowers their blades will suit. These include 42-inch models from Husqvarna, Craftsman, and Poulan.

If you have a machine from another brand, just make sure that it can fit a blade that’s 21-inch long and 2,25 inches wide. Basically, the 561713 mulching blades are pretty average regarding their design and shape, which makes things easier for shoppers.

Another great thing about this product is that they are sufficiently sharp and ready to be used right out of the box. This removes the need for you to do the sharpening, which is undoubtedly a good thing.

Now, the problem with this model is the material. It isn’t stated what the blades are made from, but they are only suitable for smooth lawn mowing. If used on rough areas with plenty of roots and weeds, they might chip or bend.

All in all, Maxpower 561713 is an excellent product for the price, and most previous users agree with this.

Pros

  • Well-made
  • Suits perfectly
  • Pre-sharpened
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Not the most durable

3. Toro Recycler Mower Blade

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Here’s a special treat for owners of a Toro lawnmower – a replacement blade made specifically for this brand. 

Is it any good? You bet. Let’s find out more about it.

Despite having said that this mulching blade is made for Toro mowers, this doesn’t mean that it won’t fit any other brands. It will, as long as the center holes, the size, and shape match the mower. 

When installing it on a non-Toro machine, pay extra attention to the last two factors because they dictate the compatibility.

Toro Recycler is 22 inches long and 2.25 inches wide, and it is made of carbon steel. This material is known for its extreme durability, so you should have no problems if using it on rough terrains.

Another great thing about carbon steel is its lightweight, which ensures that the blade won’t be too heavy for any lawnmower.

Toro’s blade is sharp on arrival, and it does its job impeccably well. It can cut the grass into tiny bits and pieces, and it’ll go through almost anything in its path.

A slight downside is that it might get a bit dull sooner than you’d expect, so keep this in mind before buying it.

Pros

  • Cuts the grass very finely
  • Very durable
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Optimal only for Toro mowers
  • Might get dull quickly

4. Rotary 12963 PK3 Copperhead

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Rotary Copperhead 12963 PK3 blades are yet another popular model online, and for a good reason. 

More details later on in the text.

The mulching blades are made from titanium alloy with a bit of carbide thrown into the mix. This ensures their durability and longevity.

Now, the negative side of the material is its weight. Believe us; this isn’t the lightest of blades, so not all lawnmowers will be able to handle this.

As far as performance is concerned, there aren’t any errors with the PK3. Its differentiated teeth cut grass, dry or wet, very uniformly, and grind it down to tiny bits. 

They are very sharp compared to some of their competition, and this is a huge bonus when combined with their heavy weight. Also, the sturdy material means that you’ll be able to go through branches and roots too.

The blades are 18.5 inches long and 3 inches wide, and they are made to fit most 54” lawnmowers with a star center hole.

In the package, you will get three pieces, and all of this for a fair price. Of course, check the shape and size before buying, and see whether they’re right for your lawnmower.

Pros

  • Very sharp and cuts well
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Fair price

Cons

  • Heavy

5. USA Mower 4-Pack Blades

Image Credit: Amazon.com

If looking for a universal solution, USA Mower 4-pack blades might be the closest thing that you’ll find. Below, you’ll find all the important details about it and more.

These mulching blades are designed to fit mowers with a 42 inches deck and a center hole with a 5-pointed star shape. 

Speaking of dimensions, the blade is 21 inches long, and it has a width of 2.25 inches, which is pretty standard. They also have two side holes, both of which have 0.36-inch diameters.

The blades are very easy to install, and they perform really well. However, their material is not very sturdy, so they’re best used for smooth lawns.

It’s not recommended to use them on rough patches as they might get damaged or dull prematurely.

The positive thing is that you get four pieces for a very low price, which means that even if you have to replace the blade more often, it still pays off!

To sup up, these aren’t super durable mulching blades like some of the models above, but they can mulch, and they’ll get the job done.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Four pieces in a set
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Relatively soft metal

Conclusion

Ok, folks, you know the drill; it’s time that we part ways, but not before we uncover the winning product! 

It was a close call, and after a lot of mind storming, we decided to declare Oregon G3 Gator Blades as the best mulching blades on today’s list. 

The reasons? Where do we even start?

Oregon offers you a three-piece set of mulching blades made from high-quality steel, compatible with a variety of lawn mowers, and all of this for an excellent price. It’s truly an incredible deal.

However, don’t feel obligated to agree with us, as we’re not the smartest people out there. Pick the product that you think will fulfill your specific needs, and don’t look back.

That’s all for today’s people. Until next time – happy mowing!

About Erin Carpenter

Erin Carpenter has over 15 years experience in the diamond industry working with Artic Canadian Diamonds, Anglo-American Diamonds. She is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as USA Today, Forbes, The New York Times and more.