Mulching Blades vs Regular Blades: Choosing the Right One for You
The overall performance of a mower depends on various key factors, including the type of blades used in it. Fortunately, mower blades are available in many shapes and sharpness to help you determine how to cut your grass.
Mulching and Regular (Standard/normal) blades are the most often used mower blades. However, if you’re wondering which will be best for your mower model, note that they differ in structure, features, use, pros, and cons.
That’s why today’s article will comprehensively explain the differences between mulching blades vs regular blades to help you choose the right one for your lawn care needs.
A Quick Comparison of Mulching and Regular Blades:
| Key Aspects | Mulching Blades deck | Regular Blades |
| Ideal For: | Cutting, bagging, and mulching grass clippings | Only trimming or bagging |
| Shape: | larger area with Curved cutting edge | Straight cutting edge, but some may have a slight bend at the blade’s tip. |
| Length of the Blade: | Usually longer | Generally smaller |
| Lawn Fertilizer: | Yes | No |
| Mowing ability: | Perfect for mowing short grass but not so good for tall grass. | Works well for tall grass but not so well for short grass. |
| Mowing Frequency: | More | Less |
What is the Difference Between a Mulching Blades vs Regular Blades?
Learn the differences between two popular blade types based on their key aspects.
1. Mulching vs Regular Blades Shape:
The shape of mulching blades differs from regular (standard) blades.
Mulching blades feature curved edges for efficient cutting and slicing of materials, with serrated edges for tougher materials and flat edges for clean, precise cuts.
The serrated tooth edge of the mulching blade promotes airflow and allows the mower to cut grass clippings repeatedly.
The finer the mulch, the more nutrients are provided to the earth. Hence it is advised to mulch every 4-6 days to maintain the lawn.
On the flip side, Regular blades are flat in shape and made to work in lower mower settings. The normal surface of the regular blade helps to cut and release clippings.
It is also advised to mow every 10-15 days (about 2 weeks) when using regular blades.
2. Mulching vs Regular Blades Capability to Lift (Aerodynamics):
Mulching blades have a lesser lifting capacity than regular blades because they tend to return grass clippings back to the cutting edges.
These blades provide greater cutting surface area and airflow but also reduce lift. However, they are less effective at bagging and discharging clippings.
Conversely, regular blades can generate more lift than mulching blades, making them more effective.
Regular blades provide “medium lift” and are the best option for bagging clippings, as they provide more lift than high lift blades.
High lift Regular blades work unidirectionally, sending clippings into the deck and throwing them on the ground.
3. Mulching vs Regular Blades Efficacy in Discharge:
Mainly, the way grass clippings are dispersed varies depending on the type of mower; two-in-one mowers either discharge them or send them to the bag section.
On the other hand, mulching mowers reduce clippings and distribute them back onto the lawn, improving its health.
Mulching blades are used to shred grass clippings into fine mulch but not to release the clippings. Regular mower blades, on the other hand, are more successful in cutting grass clippings but do not provide a clean cut.
Regular blades are more efficient for discharging as they focus on bagging and removing, while mulching blades are less efficient as clippings stay in the deck longer.
4. Mulching vs Regular Blades Recirculation (Trapping Beneath the Deck):
The “recirculation” of grass clippings beneath the mower deck is another term of trapping. It all depends on the mower’s design or appearance.
Several mower models come with an adjustability setting feature that lets the user set the mower at different heights to cut grass better.
Mulching blades are more curved and, as a result of the airstream they create, more efficiently recirculate grass clippings. This produces high-quality mulch that is great for the topsoil of your grass.
Regular blades, on the other hand, are not trapping blades; they are designed to lift grass clippings high and discharge them outdoors or in the bag.
5. Mulching vs Regular Blade’s Capability to Handle Grass:
Mulching blades are not meant to handle thick grass, making it more difficult to mow regularly and adding weight to the lawn mower.
Similarly, mulching blades may not be suitable for long grass, dense plant stuff, or wet grass lawns. Even too much dust might be a source of concern at times.
However, it will take more time and resources to maintain the soil’s health without the natural fertilization that a mulching blade may provide.
On the other hand, regular blades create a neat lawn, with grass dispersed or disposed of with a bagger, making them ideal for less frequent lawn mowing schedules.
However, regular blades take more time to clean up than mulching blades, as mulching removes the need for bags of clippings or piles of grass.
Mulching blades, on the other hand, might cause blockage underneath the mower deck as well as grass bumps on an overgrown lawn.
Read Also: Understanding the Pros and Cons of Using Mulching Blades!
Price Comparison Chart of Mulching Blades vs Regular Blades:
| Mulching Blades | Price Range | Regular Blades | Price Range |
| MaxPower 21-Inch Universal Mulching Mower Blade | ($24.52 – $39.69) | 8TEN LawnRAZOR Blade for MTD 46” Deck Cub Cadet | ($26.95 – $41.95) |
| Oregon G3 Gator Mulching Blade Set | ($38.00 – $59.99) | EGO Power+ AB2101 21-Inch Lawn Mower Blade | ($24.99 – $28.99) |
| MaxPower 331530S Mulching Blade | ($19.99 – $39.99) | MTD 490-110-M110 46-Inch Blade Set | ($43.07 – $44.80) |
| Oregon 598-631 Mulching Blade | ($22.00 – $34.99) | MowerPartsGroup (6) Blades | ($65.99 – $75.99) |
| Rotary Copperhead Mulching Mower Blades | ($32.09 – $43.85) | LawnRAZOR Blade for Ferris 5102227 574481401 | ($49.95 – $57.95) |
Mulching Blades Vs Regular Blades: Which One to Choose?
In short, Regular blades are ideal for older mowers and longer or overgrown grass, while mulching blades are more time-saving and efficient for shorter grass that is mowed frequently.
However, the following keynotes might help you to comprehend well to make the right choice_
- The mulching blade is only used for mulch generation and has three purposes, whereas the regular mowing blade has two functions: grass cutting and side discharge or bagging of the chopped grass.
- Mulching blades have curvier edges and either flat or serrated teeth, which allow for a higher level of mowing efficiency.
But regular mowing blades have flat blades, an angular design, and large, wide wings that work best in lower mower settings. - Mulching blades are designed to hold clippings in the mower and disseminate them into finer mulch. They also have lower lifting capacity and aerodynamics due to their function of sending clipped grass back.
On the other hand, Regular blades have a higher lifting capacity due to their unidirectional clipping mechanism. - Mulching blades are more time-saving in grass handling, while regular blades are ideal for older models of mowers.
- Mulching blades can handle more work while working at the highest level of efficiency, while regular blades are thick and made of high-quality materials.
- Regular blades are best for long grass and overgrown grass, while mulching blades are best for shorter grass that is mowed every three to four days.
Read Also: A Complete Guide on Lawn Mower Blade – Everything You Need to Know!
FAQs
Which is better, a mulching or a regular blade?
Mulching blades are meant to finely chop grass clippings, whilst regular blades cut the grass and deposit the clippings in the side chute. Consult a lawn care specialist or conduct some online research to determine which is best for you.
What effect do mulching blades have?
Mulching blades are a natural fertilizer that promotes healthy growth and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. They break down thatch and distribute clippings back onto the lawn, reducing yard waste and making them a popular choice for homeowners.
Can I use side-discharge mulching blades?
Yes, you can.
When should you sharpen mulching blades?
Either do it twice a year or every 25 hours of operation.
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