A dull or damaged lawn mower blade severely compromises the health and beauty of your lawn, leaving grass torn, uneven, and susceptible to disease.
For owners of a Craftsman 21-inch mower, selecting the correct replacement blade is crucial to restoring clean, precise cuts and effective mulching.
Our top recommendations are based on thorough evaluations of material quality, compatibility, and real-world cutting performance, prioritizing durable steel construction, proper center hole design, and a reliable fit.
Whether you prefer to mulch, bag, or side discharge, replacing your blade with one of our top picks will enhance cutting precision and reduce strain on your mower’s engine. Read on to find the ideal match for your lawn care routine!
1. CRAFTSMAN 21-Inch Lawn Mower Blade – Best Overall
The CRAFTSMAN CMZMW21 blade is the definitive choice for those who seek pristine performance and brand loyalty, delivering an uncompromising factory-spec fit.
Engineered to the exact specifications of your machine, this official OEM part restores your mower’s original cutting capability.
It eliminates the guesswork often associated with ill-fitting aftermarket alternatives, guaranteeing a perfectly balanced, clean cut that promotes a healthier, greener lawn.
In testing, the blade provides a sharp, even cut across various grass types without tearing the blades. Its durable steel construction maintains an edge well, easily handling typical residential debris.
The blade’s aerodynamic lift is optimized for efficient bagging and mulching, ensuring a manicured finish every time you mow. While other options offer two blades, the single CRAFTSMAN CMZMW21 is tailored for owners prioritizing quality and guaranteed integrity.
Key Features
- Product Type: Lawn Mower Replacement Blade
- Size: 21-Inch
- Purpose: Tackle all mowing projects
- Function: Optimized aerodynamic lift for efficient bagging and mulching
Pros
- Official OEM part
- Perfect fitment, engineered to exact specifications
- Excellent cut quality
- Durable construction
Cons
- Higher price point
- Single blade only
2. MTD Genuine 21-Inch Mulching Blade – Best OEM Compatibility
Precision-engineered for exceptional mulching performance, the MTD Genuine Parts 942-0741A blade is a powerhouse designed to nourish your lawn with fine clippings.
This blade features a unique curved design that generates a powerful vortex beneath the deck, effectively recutting grass into minuscule particles that decompose quickly.
It provides a factory-quality upgrade for a wide range of MTD-family brands, including compatible Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, Yard Man, Huskee, Bolens, Murray, and Snapper models.
The MTD blade truly shines when mowing dense or slightly damp grass, conditions where lesser blades might struggle.
The secure star-shaped center hole ensures a slip-free mount on compatible spindles, resulting in consistent power transfer and smooth, vibration-free operation along its 21-inch path. This OEM-level part offers superior mulching compared to generic replacements.
Key Features
- Size: 21-Inch
- Compatibility: Wide range of MTD-family brands (Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, Yard Man, etc.)
- Function: Dedicated Mulching Blade
- Mount: Secure star-shaped center hole
Pros
- Superior mulching performance
- Wide OEM compatibility
- Durable build quality
- Secure star mount
Cons
- Not universally compatible
- Requires checking the model year
3. wyevee 331737B Mulching Lawn Mower Blade – Best Budget Friendly
The wyevee 331737B mulching blade represents the pinnacle of affordability, making essential lawn mower maintenance accessible without a significant financial outlay.
Engineered as a direct, budget-friendly replacement, this blade fits a vast number of AYP, Craftsman, Husqvarna, and Poulan 21″ cut mowers.
It is constructed from durable carbon steel and enhanced with a protective coating, designed to provide a sharp, clean cut immediately upon installation.
The blade’s dimensions are 21-1/4″ in length and it features a 5/8″ round center hole, making it important to verify your mower’s spindle before purchase for a proper fit.
For standard weekly mowing of straightforward yards, the wyevee blade performs admirably, offering a noticeably cleaner cut than a worn-out original.
This low-cost solution delivers a revitalized cutting experience that far outweighs its minimal investment.
Key Features
- Material: Coated durable carbon steel
- Blade Dimensions: 21-1/4″ Length, 2-1/5″ Width
- Center Hole Size: 5/8″ (Round)
- Purpose: Direct, budget-friendly replacement for various brands
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Coated carbon steel material
- Wide compatibility with AYP/Craftsman/Husqvarna
- Easy installation with a round center hole
Cons
- Thinner 0.157″ material profile
- Potential longevity concerns
4. budrash 942-0741A Mulching Blade 2 Pack – Best Value 2-Pack
For the homeowner seeking maximum value without compromising functionality, the budrash 942-0741A two-pack is a strategically smart purchase.
This package provides two 21-inch blades, ensuring you have a fresh replacement ready for a mid-season swap to maintain peak cutting performance.
Designed as a versatile 3-in-1 blade, it effectively handles mulching, bagging, and side-discharging for a broad range of mowers, including Craftsman 247 series, Troy-Bilt, MTD 410, and Cub Cadet models.
The blades come pre-sharpened, allowing you to start mowing immediately and achieve a clean, healthy cut. Featuring a bow-tie center hole and 2-1/4″ width, these blades ensure a secure fit on compatible models, delivering a stable and efficient cut.
This two-pack doubles the service life for a comparable investment to a single premium blade, appealing to the pragmatic homeowner.
Key Features
- Package Includes: Two 21″ mower blades
- Application: Versatile 3-in-1 design (bagging, discharging, mulching)
- Center Hole: Bow-tie shape
- Ready-to-use: Sharpened already
Pros
- Outstanding value proposition
- Two blades included
- Versatile 3-in-1 design
- Pre-sharpened edges
Cons
- Aftermarket quality
- Requires verification of bow-tie center hole fit
5. Stens 300-121RT Universal 3-in-1 Blade – Best Universal Fit
The Stens 300-121RT-STN unleashes ultimate versatility, serving as a reliable problem-solver for owners of older mowers or those unsure of their exact model specifications.
This blade’s universal design is its greatest asset, providing a 3-in-1 solution (bagging, mulching, side discharge) for nearly any 21-inch walk-behind mower.
It includes a comprehensive set of washers and adapters to fit the vast majority of mowers from brands like Craftsman, Bolens, Huskee, MTD, Murray, and Snapper, eliminating the frustrating search for obscure parts.
While installation requires a few extra minutes to select the correct adapter, the result is a surprisingly secure and well-balanced fit. The Stens blade is dependably good at all mowing functions, regardless of the mower brand.
It provides a trade-off of hyper-specialized performance for near-limitless compatibility, making it the definitive answer for those struggling to find a specific Craftsman replacement.
Key Features
- Deck Size: 21″
- Compatibility: Universal for many brands (Craftsman, MTD, Poulan, etc.)
- Type: 3-in-1 blade
- Design: Includes adapter kit for varied center holes
Pros
- Fits most mowers due to universal design
- Includes comprehensive adapter kit
- Reputable brand
- Versatile 3-in-1 function
Cons
- Potential for vibration if improperly fitted
- Does not offer OEM performance levels
6. KEDAKEJI 21″ Mulching Blade for Craftsman – Best Aftermarket Alternative
Engineered as a premium aftermarket alternative, the KEDAKEJI 21-inch blade combines precision manufacturing with robust materials, positioning it above standard replacement parts.
This single blade stands out due to its construction from high-strength, heat-treated steel, designed to offer superior wear resistance and a longer-lasting sharp edge.
It is a direct replacement for the popular 942-0741A part number, making it a compelling choice for owners of compatible Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, and Cub Cadet mowers seeking enhanced durability.
The blade provides a clean, crisp cut, resisting flexing even when tackling thick grass. Its mulching capabilities are excellent, aided by a 1-1/8″ lift that ensures effective clipping circulation beneath the deck.
For users who prioritize material science and longevity over sheer quantity, the KEDAKEJI is a top-tier contender focused on providing a long-lasting, sharp edge.
Key Features
- Material: High-strength, heat-treated steel
- Blade Type: Mulching Blade with 1-1/8″ lift
- Center Hole Shape: Bow Tie
- Feature: Rust-proof coating (wears away after first use)
Pros
- Heat-treated steel construction
- Excellent durability and edge retention
- Precise OEM replacement fit
- Thoughtful rust-proof coating
Cons
- Single blade only
- Requires a bow-tie mount spindle
7. GYZJ 21 Inch Lawn Mower Blades 2 Pack – Best Multi-Brand Compatibility
The GYZJ two-pack delivers an unbeatable combination of quantity and broad compatibility, offering fantastic value for owners of Craftsman, Husqvarna, and Poulan mowers.
This set provides a full season’s worth of sharp blades, ensuring that you always have an immediate replacement on hand for when conditions cause blades to dull quickly.
These blades are made from high-quality steel and feature standard dimensions: 21 1/16″ length, 2 1/4″ width, and 0.138″ thickness. The blades utilize a 5/8″ round center hole, which makes them a versatile solution for a large segment of the lawn mower market.
They perform reliably, matching the cutting quality of many factory originals right out of the box. Competing directly with single-blade budget options, the GYZJ two-pack offers double the product for only a marginally higher investment, making it the perfect purchase for the prepared and economical homeowner.
Key Features
- Pack Size: Two blades included
- Material: High-quality steel
- Length/Width: 21 1/16″ length, 2 1/4″ width
- Center Hole: 5/8″ round center hole
Pros
- Excellent value proposition
- Two blades provided
- Wide multi-brand compatibility (Craftsman, Husqvarna, Poulan)
- Durable steel material
Cons
- Requires careful checking of dimensions for fit
- Aftermarket quality