If you have to deal with a lot of oak leaves, you know how hard it is to deal with them. You can try to compost some of them, but if you have a large yard, it’s not worth all the extra effort.
One thing you can do is to mulch them. However, not all mowers are good at mulching. Sometimes, it’s the mower that can’t handle this task, and other times, it’s the fault of the blade.
Before you go look for the best self-propelled lawnmower with a mulcher, try changing your existing blades and get some good quality mulching blades for your existing mower.
If you don’t have a mower that can mulch, then it’s time to get a new one. Before I get to the products, there is a quick tip I would like to share. First, get a mower and install some gator blades.
Make sure the blades are really sharp. After that, use a leaf blower and blow all the leaves into an area. Use the mower and lower the deck as low as possible and go back and forth.
This way, you will be able to reduce the leaves to dust.
Top 7 Best Self Propelled Lawn Mowers
The most important thing to consider when buying mulching mowers is the blade. Gator blades are important, as well as the design. Also, look for a mower that has the best mulching action.
1. Greenworks 40V 20-Inch Cordless Twin Force Lawn Mower
We will be starting off this list of reviews with a brand that has delivered high-quality cordless garden tools for a long time, Greenworks. The Twin Force Lawn Mower by them is one of their finer offerings that give you excellent uptime and cutting performance at a very reasonable price.
The unit comes with a complete battery kit that includes a 4 Ah battery and a 2 Ah battery along with their charger. This 40V system will give you a runtime of around 45 minutes, which should be sufficient for any small to moderate lawns. However, for larger yards, this might not be the best choice.
Its 20-inch cutting deck makes it easy for you to cover larger areas on a single pass. Combined with the mobility of the high-rear wheels, you will be able to complete your chore within no time. Thanks to its dual blade cutting deck, it delivers superior cutting and mulching capabilities.
The unit also features a Smart Cut Technology that conserves power depending on the thickness of the grass. This system further enhances its battery efficiency. It even features a dual battery port to keep the secondary battery primed so that when the primary one runs out; you do not need to stop and replace it.
Pros
- Perfect for small to mid-sized lawns
- Extremely maneuverable because of the high rear wheels
- Dual blade cutting deck
- Efficient battery utilization
Cons
- Not suitable for larger yards
2. WORX WG779 40V Power Share 4.0 Ah 14″ Lawn Mower
For our next product, we will be looking at the brand WORX. With the WG779 by the brand, you are essentially getting a high-quality no compromise cordless lawn mower that delivers excellent cutting performance and flexibility. On top of that, its affordable price tag makes it an even more appealing investment.
The unit features a 40V motor, and you get a complete battery kit with your purchase. In the kit, you will find two 20V batteries along with a rapid charger. And the best part, the same battery is compatible with any other WORX products you have in your inventory.
Its 14-inch cutting deck offers excellent cutting performance thanks to the Intellicut feature in the unit. Simply put, this feature automatically adjusts the torque while cutting to conserve power when it can and pushes the mower when more power is needed.
You can also adjust the cutting height in the unit in six different positions using the single lever height adjustment system. Its on-board battery meter lets you know how much time you have before the battery runs out. However, since it uses dual-port batteries, you can get impressive runtime out of it.
Pros
- Excellent cutting performance
- Six different height adjustment options
- Comes with a complete battery kit
- The dual battery port offers excellent runtime
Cons
- The cutting deck is a bit narrow for bigger yards
3. Craftsman M105 140cc 21-Inch 3-in-1 Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower
What the brand Greenworks is to the world of electric garden tools, Craftsman is the same when it comes to gasoline-powered products. There are very few brands out there that can match the level of excellence that this one brings to the table. The M105 by them is a perfect example of their quality.
This particular model is one of their more affordable option aimed at people on a tight budget. However, despite the lower price, in terms of performance, the manufacturers show no signs of compromise. You get a 140CC horsepower gas motor with excellent cutting capabilities and equipped with recoil and auto choke to give you optimal performance.
Furthermore, the wide 21-inch cutting deck offers unprecedented cutting prowess allowing you to cover large grounds in no time. You can also adjust the cutting height ranging from 1.25 to 3.75 inches giving you even more flexibility right at your fingertips.
The unit comes with 7-inch front wheels and 8-inch rear wheels that can traverse any sort of terrain with relative ease. Even though the unit requires some assembly, it is quite easy, and even an absolute beginner can handle it with little trouble.
Pros
- Comes with a high-quality Briggs & Stratton engine
- Lightweight and compact design
- Easy to assemble
- Excellent height adjustment range
Cons
- No apparent cons
4. Greenworks 21-Inch 40V Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower
For our next product, we will be looking at another unit by the brand Greenworks. After looking at their last product that we reviewed, you should really have no reason to doubt the quality of products they offer. If a cordless lawn mower is what you are after, this is an excellent option to consider.
The unit features a similar 40V motor but, unfortunately, does not come with a battery kit. Having to buy the battery kit separately does pose a bit of a concern, as that means an extra investment on your part. However, as long as you use high quality 5 Ah or 6 Ah batteries with it, you should get an impressive uptime.
Its 21-inch cutting deck features solid steel construction. Not only does it cut efficiently, but it is also durable and, combined with the brushless motor in the unit that can cover any terrain without any fuss. You can adjust the cutting height in the unit from 1.375 to 3.75 inches without any hassle.
Similar to the last unit, this one also comes with a dual battery port design. As a result, you will not have to worry about having to replace the battery if the primary one runs out. Overall, this unit offers one of the best cutting experience, and if having to buy a separate battery kit does not bother you, this one might be a perfect investment.
Pros
- Comes with a powerful brushless motor
- Excellent cutting performance thanks to the steel cutting deck
- Seven different height adjustment options
- Features a dual battery port
Cons
- Does not include a battery kit with your purchase
5. Snapper HD 48V MAX Cordless Electric Self-Propelled 20-Inch Lawn Mower
When buying a cordless lawn mower, another name that you will often find popping up is Snapper. The brand has made a solid mark in the industry with its top-notch electric self-propelled mowers that can compete with the best. The Snapper HD 48V Max is one of the finest devices that you can buy from them.
This cordless unit boasts an impressive uptime of around an hour using the Briggs and Stratton 5.0 Ah battery kit. The kit comes with a battery and a rapid charger capable of charging the battery to full within 30 minutes. With such an excellent runtime, you will never feel like you are running out of power.
Its 20-inch mowing deck features excellent cutting capabilities along with mulching. The intelligent load sensing technology of the unit automatically adjusts power depending on the thickness of the grass, ensuring maximum efficiency when you are mowing your lawn.
In addition, the device comes with seven different cutting height options giving you complete flexibility over how you want your lawn to look. Once you are done with your task, you can simply fold the handlebar, saving a lot of storage space in your work shed. All the utilities this device offers makes it an excellent option to consider.
Pros
- Excellent cutting power
- Massive battery uptime
- Includes a high-quality battery kit with your purchase
- Seven different cutting height options
Cons
- No apparent cons
6. PowerSmart DB2322S 22″ 3-in-1 196cc Gas Self Propelled Lawn Mower
Up next, we will be looking at a gas-powered mower by the brand PowerSmart. In fact, this unit has the most powerful engine among the ones that we featured in this list. Understandably, this is a bit expensive compared to some of the other units; however, its impressive cutting performance more than makes up for it.
Featuring a 196CC engine, you will have no doubt when it comes to raw power. Despite such a massive engine, the unit is surprisingly lightweight. Even if you have never used a lawn mower before, using it for the first time should feel easy and natural to you.
It comes with an easy pull start that allows you to start it up easily without any hassle. The large 22-inch cutting deck offers unprecedented cutting performance and can even tackle larger yards with no hassle. Furthermore, you can adjust the cutting height between five different positions while mowing effortlessly.
Thanks to the 11.5-inch-high rear wheels in the unit, you can traverse any sort of terrain without too much trouble. It allows you to mulch, bag, or discharge the grass clippings. The level of performance it offers for the price is fantastic, and anyone looking for a high-value lawn mower should consider it.
Pros
- Capable of mowing large lawns
- Highly maneuverable design
- Comes with an easy pull start feature
- Wide cutting deck
Cons
- The self-propel belt could be a bit better
7. Troy-Bilt 12AVA2MR766 21 in. Self-Propelled 3-in-1 Front Wheel Drive Mower
Wrapping up our list of reviews, we will be looking at a fantastic unit by the brand Troy-Bilt. This is a gasoline-powered mower and one that is designed to give you the perfect balance of price and performance. A good lawn mower does not come cheap, but this is as close to it as you can get.
This unit features a 159CCC OHV Troy-Bilt Engine that offers excellent cutting power regardless of the thickness of the grass. Its “Check don’t Change” system keeps the engine oil fresh, eliminating the need for changing it from time to time. All you need to know is top off the spent oil after a couple of uses.
The unit features a 21-inch cutting deck with three in one mulching bagging and discharge capabilities. You even get a 1.9bushel grass bag to collect the clippings if you choose to bag it. Because of the large bushel bag, you will be able to collect more clippings before needing to empty it out.
Furthermore, the cutting height adjustment option in the unit ranges from 1.25 to 3.75 inches, letting you decide whether you want a full cut or a light trip. Thanks to the dual lever adjustment system, you can set the height from either side instantly between six different positions.
Pros
- Excellent engine design
- Wide 21-inch cutting deck
- Excellent height adjustment range
- Durable build quality
Cons
- The self-propel controls seem a bit finicky
Final Words
The first thing that comes to our minds when dealing with leaves is that to rake them all up and compost them. However, that’s a lot of raking. The most efficient way to take care of unwanted leaves is to use the best self-propelled lawn mower with a mulcher for bigger yards and lawns.
