As autumn approaches, managing fallen leaves becomes as crucial as regular grass cutting for maintaining a pristine lawn. The right mower can turn this seasonal chore into a simple, efficient task, simultaneously mulching leaves into nutrient-rich compost for your soil or neatly collecting them for disposal. Whether you prioritize the raw power of gas, the quiet convenience of cordless electric, or the simplicity of a corded model, your choice directly impacts the health and appearance of your yard.
This roundup focuses on versatile machines that excel at both mulching and collecting, helping you make an informed decision for your specific lawn care needs. We’ve evaluated a range of options based on power source, cutting width, runtime, and unique features to bring you a selection of the best mowers for 2025. From large, self-propelled models for expansive properties to lightweight push mowers for smaller spaces, there is an ideal tool here for every homeowner.
The Best Lawn Mowers for Mulching and Leaf Collection
- Greenworks 40V 21″ Brushless Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
- PowerSmart 21-Inch Gas Lawn Mower with B&S Engine, Self-Propelled
- BILT HARD 21 Inch Lawn Mower Gas Powered, 201cc Engine
- Greenworks 60V 17″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower, 2-in-1
- Sun Joe Cordless Electric Push Lawn Mower, 17-Inch Cutting Width
- RB 40V 13-Inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower, 2-in-1 Lightweight
- PowerSmart 21″ Push Lawn Mower, B&S 125cc Engine, 2-in-1
- Greenworks 80V 21″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower with LED
- EGO POWER+ Electric Lawn Mower, Self-Propelled Cordless
- Sun Joe MJ401E 13-Amp Electric Lawn Mower with Mulcher
Greenworks 40V 21″ Brushless Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
This self-propelled mower from Greenworks combines cordless freedom with the ease of not having to push it yourself. The 40V 5.0Ah battery provides a solid 45 minutes of runtime, making it suitable for medium-sized lawns. Its highly efficient brushless motor ensures powerful, quiet operation and a longer lifespan for the mower.
The 21-inch steel deck is built for durability, and the 3-in-1 design is perfectly suited for this article’s focus. You can choose to mulch grass clippings and leaves to feed your lawn, collect them in the rear bag for a clean finish, or use the side discharge for longer grass. The single-lever system adjusts the cutting height across seven positions to adapt to any season.
PowerSmart 21-Inch Gas Lawn Mower with B&S Engine, Self-Propelled
For those who prefer traditional gas power, the PowerSmart mower is equipped with a reliable 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine. This engine is known for its consistent performance and durability, especially useful for tougher mowing conditions and dense leaf cover. The self-propelled rear-wheel drive reduces user fatigue on larger properties.
Its 3-in-1 functionality allows for effective bagging, mulching, or rear discharge. The 1.4-bushel bag is spacious enough to handle both grass and a significant volume of leaves, minimizing stops to empty it. With a 21-inch cutting path and six cutting height options, this mower is a workhorse designed for efficiency and reliable power.
BILT HARD 21 Inch Lawn Mower Gas Powered, 201cc Engine
The BILT HARD mower stands out with its powerful 201cc 4-stroke engine, delivering substantial torque for challenging mowing tasks. This power is ideal for mulching thick layers of leaves or cutting through overgrown areas. The engine features a no-choke, no-primer start system designed for a quick and easy pull-start every time.
This model offers a versatile 3-in-1 steel deck with mulching, side discharge, and rear bagging capabilities. It provides an extensive 21-inch mowing path for efficient coverage. The cutting height is easily adjustable across eight positions with a single lever, allowing you to customize the cut from 1.2 inches to 3.75 inches to suit your lawn’s needs throughout the year.
Greenworks 60V 17″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower, 2-in-1
This Greenworks 60V model is a fantastic option for smaller to medium lawns where a 21-inch mower might be excessive. It delivers up to 40 minutes of runtime from its 4.0Ah battery, which recharges fully in just 80 minutes. The advanced brushless motor provides reliable power and extends the tool’s overall life.
While it’s a push mower, its lighter footprint and 17-inch deck make it highly maneuverable around garden beds and obstacles. The 2-in-1 feature provides the essential choice between mulching and rear bagging, making it effective for both regular grass cutting and seasonal leaf management. Six cutting height positions let you find the perfect setting for your turf.
Sun Joe Cordless Electric Push Lawn Mower, 17-Inch Cutting Width
The Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM operates on two 24V batteries (sold separately) to power a robust 670-watt brushless motor. This setup delivers cooler, longer-lasting performance for consistent mowing. Its 17-inch steel blade cuts a clean and precise path in a single pass, suitable for smaller yards.
Grass and leaf collection is straightforward with the large 11-gallon grass catcher. A built-in indicator window shows when the bag is full, helping you maintain optimal airflow and cutting performance. The mower offers six cutting height positions, from 1 inch to 3 inches, giving you control over your lawn’s appearance and health.
RB 40V 13-Inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower, 2-in-1 Lightweight
Ideal for small yards, courtyards, and tight spaces, the RB 40V mower features a compact 13-inch cutting width. It offers up to 30 minutes of runtime from its included 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery. Starting is instant and simple with a push-button, eliminating the hassle of pull cords.
Its high-efficiency brushless motor ensures quiet, durable operation with ample torque. The 2-in-1 versatility allows you to choose between bagging for a pristine, clean finish—highly effective for leaf cleanup—or mulching to naturally nourish your lawn with fine clippings. The foldable handle makes for convenient storage in a shed or garage.
PowerSmart 21″ Push Lawn Mower, B&S 125cc Engine, 2-in-1
This gas-powered push mower from PowerSmart provides a great balance of power and lightweight maneuverability. Weighing only 62 pounds, it is relatively easy to push around the yard. It is powered by a dependable Briggs & Stratton 125cc 4-stroke engine, offering reliable performance for a push mower.
The 2-in-1 design provides mulching and side discharge capabilities, giving you flexibility in how you manage your lawn debris. While it does not include a bag, its mulching function is effective for processing leaves. You can customize the cut with the six-position height adjustment, which ranges from 1.5 to 3.9 inches.
Greenworks 80V 21″ Brushless Cordless Push Lawn Mower with LED
For those with larger lawns who want maximum cordless power, the Greenworks 80V model is a top contender. It is capable of cutting up to half an acre on a single charge of the included 4.0Ah battery. The durable 21-inch steel deck and efficient brushless motor provide the torque and runtime needed for bigger jobs.
A standout feature is the integrated LED headlight, which increases visibility for early morning or late evening mowing, offering greater scheduling flexibility. This mower operates at a noise level three times quieter than a typical gas mower. Its 3-in-1 functionality ensures it can mulch, bag, or side-discharge with ease.
EGO POWER+ Electric Lawn Mower, Self-Propelled Cordless
The EGO POWER+ LM2135SP represents the premium end of the cordless mower market. It features Select Cut Technology, a multi-blade system designed to deliver a superior cut that rivals gas mowers. The self-propelled function is managed by intuitive Touch Drive technology, allowing you to control the speed with a simple touch of a lever.
With the included 56V 7.5Ah ARC Lithium battery, you can expect up to 60 minutes of run time, making it suitable for large lawns. This combination of advanced cutting technology, effortless self-propelled operation, and long battery life creates a high-performance mowing experience that excels at both mulching and bagging tasks.
Sun Joe MJ401E 13-Amp Electric Lawn Mower with Mulcher
For homeowners with smaller lawns and easy access to an outdoor power outlet, the Sun Joe MJ401E offers a simple and effective solution. As a corded electric mower, it provides consistent power without the concern of battery life or runtime, allowing you to work for as long as needed. The 13-amp motor is robust enough for general mowing and mulching.
This model comes with a built-in mulcher that finely chops grass clippings and leaves, returning valuable organic matter to your soil. Its straightforward operation and reliable electric power make it a low-maintenance option for those who want to avoid the upkeep of a gas engine or the cost of a battery system.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Lawn Mower for Mulching and Collecting Leaves in 2025
When I’m looking for a new mower to handle both mulching and collecting leaves, I focus on a few key features that make a real difference. It’s not just about cutting grass; it’s about finding a machine that can tackle the seasonal chore of fallen leaves efficiently. Getting this right means a healthier lawn and less time spent on yard work.
First, I always consider the mower type. For smaller, flat lawns, a good electric corded mower is lightweight and low-maintenance. For larger properties, a cordless battery model offers the freedom to move around without a cord, but you need to check the battery life to ensure it can handle your entire yard. If your lawn is big and you have a lot of leaves, a gas-powered mower provides the raw power and runtime needed for the toughest jobs. Riding mowers are the ultimate choice for large, open spaces, turning a long chore into a quick task.
The mower’s deck construction and cutting system are the heart of its performance. I look for a deep-deck design, as this creates a vacuum that lifts grass and leaves for a cleaner cut and better mulching. The shape of the deck—whether it’s a “High-Vacuum” or “Turbo” design—is engineered to keep material circulating under the deck longer, allowing the blade to chop it into finer pieces. This is crucial for leaf mulching; a coarse chop just leaves a mess on your lawn. A dedicated mulching blade, often with extra curves and cutting edges, is non-negotiable for me. It’s specifically designed to shred clippings and leaves into a nutrient-rich fine powder that disappears into the turf.
For collection, the bag size and ease of use are paramount. A large-capacity bag means fewer stops to empty it, which is a huge time-saver during peak leaf season. I also check how the bag attaches; a simple hook-and-loop or latch system is much better than a fiddly one. Some mowers offer a 3-in-1 design, letting you switch between mulching, bagging, and side-discharging with a simple plug or chute change. This versatility is a feature I always appreciate, as it lets me adapt to different conditions throughout the year. Finally, don’t forget about adjustable cutting heights. Being able to raise the deck is essential for mulching a thick layer of leaves without bogging down the engine. By focusing on these aspects, you can find one of the best lawn mowers for mulching & collecting leaves 2025 has to offer that perfectly suits your yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a regular mower and one good for mulching leaves?
A regular mower might have a basic blade and a flat deck designed mostly to cut grass and either discharge it or bag it. A mower built for mulching has a specialized, often curved, mulching blade and a domed deck. This design creates a powerful air vortex that sucks grass and leaves up, holds them under the deck, and chops them into tiny pieces with multiple blade passes. The result is a fine, confetti-like mulch that decomposes quickly and nourishes your lawn, unlike larger leaf chunks that can smother the grass.
Can I mulch a thick layer of wet leaves?
I would not recommend it. Mulching wet leaves is much harder than mulching dry ones. They tend to clump together, clog the deck, and stick to the underside of the mower and your shoes. This can strain the mower’s engine or motor and leave an uneven, messy layer on your lawn. For the best results, I always wait for leaves to dry out after rain or morning dew. If you have a very thick layer, it’s better to mow over it multiple times at a higher setting first to reduce the volume.
Is it better to bag or mulch my leaves in the fall?
From a lawn health perspective, mulching is almost always better. When you shred leaves finely with a quality mower, they break down and return valuable nutrients and organic matter to the soil, acting as a free fertilizer. Bagging removes this potential food source. However, if the leaf layer is excessively thick and you can’t mulch it finely enough, it can form a mat that blocks sunlight and air. In that case, you might bag some of the leaves or use them for compost, and mulch the remainder.
Do I need a special bag for collecting mulched leaves?
You use the same grass collection bag that comes with your mower, but you will notice a huge difference in capacity. Because mulching reduces the volume of the material so significantly, your bag will hold many times more mulched leaves than it would whole leaves or even just grass clippings. This means you can cover a much larger area before you have to stop and empty it. Just make sure the bag is designed for your specific mower model to ensure proper airflow and collection efficiency.
Are battery-powered mowers powerful enough for heavy leaf mulching?
Modern battery mowers have come a long way. Many high-end models now have more than enough power to handle leaf mulching, rivaling some gas mowers. The key is to look for a model with a high-voltage battery (e.g., 40V, 56V, or 80V) and a brushless motor, which provides more torque and efficiency. Keep in mind that mulching leaves is a high-power task, so it will drain the battery faster than just mowing grass. For a large yard, having a second backup battery is a smart investment to ensure you can finish the job. When searching for the best lawn mowers for mulching & collecting leaves 2025, you’ll find several robust battery options.