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Ranked & Reviewed by Primea Reviews

The 5 Best Mulching Lawn Mowers of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed

By the Primea Editorial TeamUpdated November 1, 20269 min read5 products ranked

The short answer

The EGO LM2134SP-2 is the best mulching mower, a 21 inch self-propelled 56V cordless with mulch, bag and side discharge. The PowerSmart EasyGlide is the gas 3-in-1 for less, the Greenworks 80V adds headroom for thick grass, the EGO LM2114 is the push version, and the Greenworks 40V 16 inch suits small lawns.

The Primea Scoreboard

Ranked & Reviewed

01
Best Overall
EGO Power+ LM2134SP-2 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Mower
Self-propelled, cordless and switchable between three modes.
Outstanding
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02
Best Gas 3-in-1
PowerSmart EasyGlide 21-Inch Gas Mulch/Bag/Side Discharge Mower
A gas 3-in-1 with a 21 inch steel deck for less.
Excellent
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03
Best Cordless Value
Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
Higher voltage for mulching thicker grass.
Excellent
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04
Best Push Cordless
EGO Power+ LM2114 21-Inch Cordless Mower
A push cordless mower with a mulching mode.
Excellent
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05
Best Small Lawn
Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower
A compact mulcher for small lawns and Greenworks 40V owners.
Very Good
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A mulching mower is not an ordinary mower with a plug in the chute. The deck has to be shaped so clippings circulate under the blade for several passes before falling, and the motor needs enough reserve to keep the blade at speed in thick grass while it does the extra work. Fit a mulch plug to a weak machine and the lawn ends up spotted with damp clumps that smother the turf beneath.

Six listings were reviewed and five kept as genuine mulching options, weighing deck size, drive, power source and the number of discharge modes. We went by stated mode lists, drive types and what owners mention, not trials of our own, and prices are in buckets. A manual reel mower was dropped: it clips cleanly, but it does not mulch, which is the job here.

Before you buy

What Actually Matters

Mulching mode

A mulch mode blocks the discharge so clippings recut under the deck. Without it, clippings drop in clumps. Look for the word mulch in the listing, not just a general claim, and check that the listing names a mulch plug or mode rather than a generic multi-mode deck. A plug or a closed chute is what makes clippings circulate under the blade.

Engine or battery power

Mulching needs more power than plain cutting, because the blade works on the same grass again. A bigger engine or a higher-voltage battery helps in thick grass. Compare cc for gas and volts for cordless, and note that the 80V Greenworks has the most headroom. A weak battery can slow the blade in thick grass and leave clumps.

Deck size

A 21 inch deck is the common standard for a house lawn, and smaller decks suit small yards. Pick by lawn area, since a narrow deck means more passes and a lot more time. The 16 inch Greenworks is the only smaller deck here, and a bigger yard needs the 21 inch models to finish sooner.

Self-propelled drive

Drive wheels reduce effort, especially with the extra drag of mulching, while push mowers cost less. Check whether the listing says self-propelled. The EGO LM2134SP-2 and Greenworks 80V list it, while the PowerSmart, LM2114 and 40V are push models. On sloped ground the drive makes a bigger difference than the deck width.

Height adjustment

Mulching works best when you remove only the top third of the blade. Multiple height positions let you do that, since you can raise the deck for tall grass and cut again lower. Look for the count in the specs, as the PowerSmart lists six. Raise the deck for tall grass and cut again lower after a few days.

In-depth reviews

Our Ranked Picks, Reviewed

Best Overall

EGO Power+ LM2134SP-2 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Mower

Outstanding

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Our verdict: Self-propelled, cordless and switchable between three modes.

The EGO LM2134SP-2 earns first place by combining everything mulching needs. It is a 21 inch self-propelled mower on the 56V battery platform with selectable mulch, bag and side discharge, in the $500 and up bucket. Mulching adds drag, because the blade re-cuts clippings, and self-propelled wheels take that extra load off your arms.

It ranks first because it is the only pick that puts drive wheels, cordless power and all three discharge modes in one machine. The cost is the highest of the group.

Choose it for mid to large lawns that are mulched regularly. The caveat is price, which pays off only if you mow often enough to use the drive and modes. A small patch cut now and then is better served by the lower tiers.

Deck: 21-inch
Drive: Self-propelled
Power: 56V cordless
Modes: Mulch, bag, side

What we like

+Self-propelled drive
+Three discharge modes
+56V cordless platform
+No gas to manage

Watch out for

−Highest price tier
−Only worth it for frequent mowing

Buy it if: Mid to large lawns mulched regularly.

Skip it if: You mow a small patch occasionally.

Best Gas 3-in-1

PowerSmart EasyGlide 21-Inch Gas Mulch/Bag/Side Discharge Mower

Excellent

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Our verdict: A gas 3-in-1 with a 21 inch steel deck for less.

The PowerSmart EasyGlide is the gas answer for people who want full mode choice and a smaller bill. It pairs a 21 inch steel deck with a 144cc overhead-valve four-stroke engine, switches between mulching, bagging and side discharge, and offers six cutting heights, in the $200 to $500 bucket. Gas supplies steady power in thick grass without a battery limiting the job.

It takes second because it gives the same three modes as the EGO for far less, but it is a push mower with engine upkeep. Six heights help mulching: you can raise the deck so only the top third of the blade goes.

It suits buyers who want mode flexibility on a budget. The caveats are oil, fuel and noise, plus the effort of pushing a gas engine's weight.

Deck: 21-inch steel
Engine: 144cc 4-stroke OHV
Modes: Mulch, bag, side
Height: 6 positions

What we like

+Three discharge modes
+Steel deck
+6 cutting heights
+Gas runtime

Watch out for

−Push drive only
−Engine upkeep needed

Buy it if: Budget buyers wanting full mode choice.

Skip it if: You dislike fuel and oil.

Best Cordless Value

Greenworks 80V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower

Excellent

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Our verdict: Higher voltage for mulching thicker grass.

The Greenworks 80V gives a higher-voltage platform to thick lawns. It is a 21 inch self-propelled mower with an 80V 4Ah battery included and a multi-mode cutting deck, in the $200 to $500 bucket. Higher voltage means more headroom when the blade meets dense, fast-growing grass, which is when mulching bogs down on lesser machines.

It ranks third because the listing is less specific about its modes than the EGO, though it gives a self-propelled drive for less than the LM2134SP-2.

It suits lawns that grow fast and need power for mulching. The caveat is the 4Ah battery, which limits large yards, so a half-acre property may need a second pack. The listing names a multi-mode deck, not the individual modes, so confirm bagging and side discharge on the product page.

Deck: 21-inch multi-mode
Voltage: 80V
Battery: 4Ah included
Drive: Self-propelled

What we like

+80V power headroom
+Self-propelled drive
+Battery included
+Multi-mode deck

Watch out for

−Modes less detailed
−4Ah limits big yards

Buy it if: Thick, fast-growing lawns.

Skip it if: Your yard is over half an acre.

Best Push Cordless

EGO Power+ LM2114 21-Inch Cordless Mower

Excellent

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Our verdict: A push cordless mower with a mulching mode.

The EGO LM2114 removes the drive and keeps the 56V platform. It is a 21 inch cordless push mower with a battery and charger included and a mulching mode, in the $200 to $500 bucket. The push format costs less than the LM2134SP-2 and shares its battery system.

Fourth place is explained by dropping the drive: you save money over the top pick, but you push all of the weight, and mulching adds drag. Against the Greenworks 80V, you get a more established battery platform and lose drive assistance.

It suits standard lawns on flat ground. The caveat is that hills and long sessions tire you out. If the yard slopes or exceeds a typical suburban lot, spend the extra for the self-propelled models above.

Deck: 21-inch
Power: 56V cordless
Included: Battery and charger
Drive: Push, mulching mode

What we like

+Battery and charger included
+21 inch deck
+Mulching mode
+56V platform

Watch out for

−No self-propel
−Tiring on hills

Buy it if: Standard flat lawns.

Skip it if: Your lawn slopes or is large.

Best Small Lawn

Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower

Very Good

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Our verdict: A compact mulcher for small lawns and Greenworks 40V owners.

The Greenworks 40V is the compact mulcher. It is a 16 inch push mower with a 40V 4Ah battery, 160Wh of included energy and mulching capability, in the $200 to $500 bucket. A narrow deck keeps the machine light and easy to store, and it shares batteries with Greenworks 40V tools.

It ranks last because the narrow deck means more passes, and the price is not low for what it offers. A 16 inch cut also leaves less room for the mulch to recirculate under the deck on thick growth.

It suits small lawns, and fits best if you already own Greenworks 40V tools. The caveat is the narrow width on anything larger, where the 21 inch models finish sooner. Do not buy it for a mid-size yard.

Deck: 16-inch
Battery: 40V 4Ah
Energy: 160Wh included
Drive: Push, mulching

What we like

+Compact 16 inch deck
+Battery included
+Mulching capability
+Works with 40V tools

Watch out for

−Narrow cut
−Not cheap for size

Buy it if: Small lawns and owners of Greenworks 40V tools.

Skip it if: Your lawn is mid-size or larger.

Methodology

How We Ranked These

Mulching ability

We favored mowers that list a real mulching mode or multi-mode deck.

Drive type

Self-propelled versus push changes effort over a full lawn.

Power source

Cordless platform voltage and gas engine size were compared.

Deck size

Wider decks cut fewer passes but cost more.

Value for the bucket

Features were measured against each price range.

Every Primea Score uses the same weights: Performance 30% · Build & Materials 20% · Everyday Usability 20% · Value 20% · Owner Satisfaction 10%. Full scoring rules

Buyer's guide

How to Pick the Right One for You

By Lawn Size

Lawn size picks the deck and power.

Lawn	Our pick
Small	Greenworks 40V 16-Inch
Standard flat	EGO Power+ LM2114
Mid to large	EGO Power+ LM2134SP-2
Thick growth	Greenworks 80V 21-Inch

By Budget

Spend	Our pick
$200 to $500 (gas)	PowerSmart EasyGlide 21-Inch
$200 to $500 (cordless)	Greenworks 80V 21-Inch
$200 to $500 (small)	Greenworks 40V 16-Inch
$500+	EGO Power+ LM2134SP-2

Gas vs Cordless

Gas

Gas gives runtime and a lower upfront price but needs upkeep. The PowerSmart EasyGlide is the gas pick.

Cordless

Cordless is quiet and starts instantly. The EGO models and both Greenworks fit here.

Most buyers should default to cordless unless the lawn is large.

By Terrain

Ground	Our pick
Flat	EGO Power+ LM2114
Gentle slopes	Greenworks 80V 21-Inch
Mixed, want drive	EGO Power+ LM2134SP-2
Tight small yard	Greenworks 40V 16-Inch

For Leaf Season Specifically

Look for

A multi-mode deck that bags or mulches, so leaves can be shredded or collected.

In this ranking

The PowerSmart EasyGlide and EGO LM2134SP-2 both offer mulch, bag and side discharge.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

You mow weekly on a large lawn, where the EGO LM2134SP-2 saves effort.

Save if

Your lawn is small, where the Greenworks 40V is enough.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mulching harm the lawn?+

No, if the clippings are short and dry. Heavy wet piles can smother grass, so mow when the lawn is dry and avoid mulching tall growth in one pass. Rake out thick clumps if they form.

What is the common mistake?+

Cutting too much at once. Take only about a third off the blade height, or mulched clippings pile up and clump, even on the EGO LM2134SP-2, and the blade labors.

Is the EGO worth it over the PowerSmart?+

If you want cordless and drive. The PowerSmart gives three modes for much less, but it is a gas push mower with engine upkeep and more noise. Add fuel, oil and plug care to the cost.

Do I need to bag too?+

Occasionally, for tall growth or leaves. Multi-mode decks like the EGO and PowerSmart handle this, so you can bag a one-off heavy cut and mulch the rest. Switch back to mulch afterward for ordinary mowing.

How do I maintain the blade?+

Sharpen it at least each season, since a dull blade tears grass and mulches poorly. Check for nicks too, and clean the deck underside after wet mowing so old clippings do not cake. A balanced blade also reduces vibration.

Can a push mower mulch well?+

Yes on flat ground, as the EGO LM2114 shows, provided the blade is sharp and the grass is dry. A drive helps on larger or sloped yards where mulching drag adds up, so consider it if your lawn is not flat.

Final take

Buy the EGO LM2134SP-2 if you mow often and want drive wheels without gas, or the PowerSmart if budget and mode choice matter more than quiet. The Greenworks 80V suits fast-growing grass, the LM2114 flat standard lawns, and the 40V 16 inch tiny ones. Cut only the top third of the blade at a time.

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The 7 Best 18-Inch Lawn Mowers of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed The 6 Best 21-Inch Lawn Mowers of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed The 5 Best 22-Inch-Class Lawn Mowers for Medium Yards, Gas and Cordless, Ranked & Reviewed