7 Best Lawn Mowers for Mulching & Collecting Leaves 2025

Punchy and confident, the Greenworks 40V self-propelled mower brings serious mulching muscle with a 21-inch steel deck and a high-torque brushless motor. The 3-in-1 setup—mulch, bag, side discharge—means you can switch from shredding leaves to collecting them without fuss. A single-lever 7-position height adjust helps you dial in cut quality for fall leaf cleanup or spring growth, and the rear-wheel drive traction makes slopes and damp lawns less of a chore.

In testing, the 5.0Ah battery yielded up to about 45 minutes in average conditions, enough for most suburban lots, with runtime varying if you’re plowing through thick leaf mats. The 21-inch deck covers ground quickly and mulches effectively when set to mid-high heights, creating fine particles that disappear into the turf. Bagging performance is strong thanks to deck airflow, though very wet leaves can load the bag faster; thankfully, the vertical storage design makes garage life easier.

Compared with the gas-powered PowerSmart B&S self-propelled model, the Greenworks is quieter, cleaner, and requires almost no upkeep, though heavy, continuous leaf drifts may favor gas torque. Against the lightweight Greenworks 60V 17-inch push mower, this 21-inch unit offers more coverage and better self-propelled control but at the cost of weight and maneuverability. It’s ideal for homeowners who want a balanced mulcher-bagger that reduces maintenance, and it delivers a stronger feature-to-convenience ratio than the PowerSmart 21′ Push basic mulcher.

Built to hustle through leaves, the PowerSmart self-propelled mower uses a reliable 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine and rear-wheel drive to keep traction when bags get heavy. The 21-inch steel deck and 3-in-1 system let you bag dense leaf piles, mulch weekly grass, or rear-discharge when you just need speed. With six height settings (1.5–3.9 inches), it adapts well from summer trims to fall cleanup.

In real use, this model shines at bagging leaves—airflow packs the 1.4-bushel bag efficiently and the gas torque resists bogging in thick, damp leaf layers. Mulching is competent with a clean blade and mid-height setting, though ultra-heavy drifts may still favor bag-and-dump cycles. The self-propel and 10-inch rear wheels help on slopes; noise and emissions are typical for gas, and seasonal maintenance is required.

Compared with the Greenworks 40V self-propelled, this PowerSmart offers stronger sustained suction for leaf collection but sacrifices quiet operation and low maintenance. It’s more capable than the Greenworks 60V 17-inch for heavy fall cleanups yet less nimble in tight spaces. Best for homeowners prioritizing leaf bagging performance and steady power, it provides a performance edge over the PowerSmart 21′ Push in challenging conditions.

This BILT HARD mower hits hard with a 201cc OHV engine delivering 9.0 ft-lb of torque, turning a 21-inch deck into a mulching powerhouse. Its 3-in-1 setup covers mulching, bagging, and side discharge, while the 8-position single-lever height adjust (1.2–3.75 inches) lets you tune cut quality for leaf chopping. The single-pull easy start and ball-bearing wheels add polish to a decidedly performance-first package.

Mulching performance stands out: the high torque keeps blade speed up when chewing through dry leaf layers, producing small particles that settle into the canopy. For dense, wet fall leaves, switching to bagging reduces clumping; the push design means you’ll feel the weight more than on self-propelled models. Maneuverability is decent with 9.5-inch rear and 8-inch front wheels, though frequent stops to empty bags will still test stamina in larger yards.

Compared with the PowerSmart B&S self-propelled, the BILT HARD offers stronger raw torque and better leaf mulching when you want to skip bagging, but you lose the convenience of powered drive. It’s more robust than the PowerSmart 21′ Push in thick leaf scenarios, but also heavier. Perfect for users prioritizing top-tier mulching and consistent engine output, it delivers superior cutting authority versus the lightweight Greenworks 60V 17-inch.

Nimble and modern, the Greenworks 60V 17-inch mower is a lightweight leaf tamer with a brushless motor and quick-charge battery system. The 2-in-1 deck focuses on mulching and rear bagging, while the 6-position height range (1.5–3.15 inches) keeps cut quality consistent on small to mid lawns. At just 17 inches, it slips around trees and beds with ease and keeps storage simple.

In testing, the 4.0Ah pack produced up to about 40 minutes in typical conditions, enough to bag scattered leaves or mulch weekly growth. The smaller deck concentrates airflow, yielding crisp bag fill on lighter leaf loads and fine mulch when you mow more frequently. It can struggle with deep, wet leaf mats compared to 21-inch gas units; multiple passes help, and the light chassis reduces fatigue.

Head-to-head with the Greenworks 40V 21-inch, this 60V model trades coverage and self-propel for agility and lighter handling. Compared to the Sun Joe 17-inch, it offers a higher-voltage system with stronger sustained power and better ecosystem compatibility. Ideal for small yards focused on mulching plus occasional bagging, it offers a portability-to-performance mix that surpasses bulkier gas push options in convenience.

Compact yet capable, the Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM brings a 670-watt brushless motor and dual 24V batteries (48V total) to lightweight mulching and leaf collection. The 17-inch steel blade and 6-position height adjust (1–3 inches) give you tight control, and the 11-gallon catcher with fill window takes guesswork out of emptying during leaf season. It’s a tidy, approachable package for smaller properties.

Real-world performance favors leaf collection on small yards—airflow fills the catcher predictably, and the indicator helps avoid clogs from overfilling. Runtime of about 25 minutes per charge means you’ll likely work in sections; mulching is best on dry leaves or after a pre-pass, as wetter mats demand slower pace. Maneuverability is excellent in tight corners, and noise stays neighbor-friendly.

Versus the Greenworks 60V 17-inch, Sun Joe offers similar maneuverability but shorter runtime and lower sustained power. Compared with the RB 40V 13-inch, it covers more area per pass and has a more informative bagging setup, though it’s less compact. Best for small-yard owners prioritizing clean leaf pickup with simple controls, it brings a sensible feature set that out-conveniences basic gas push mowers for quick fall cleanups.

Featherlight and friendly, the RB 40V 13-inch mower is a compact leaf cleanup specialist with a brushless motor and instant push-button start. The 2-in-1 bagging/mulching design and 5-position height adjust suit small patches, townhomes, and tight side yards where bigger decks don’t fit. At just 28 lbs, it’s easy to carry, store, and deploy for quick leaf pickups.

In testing, the 4.0Ah battery provides up to ~30 minutes in light conditions—plenty for spot-clearing patios, walks, and pocket lawns. The narrow deck creates strong localized suction, which helps bag dry leaves effectively; for heavier piles, multiple passes or staged cleanup works best. Mulching is acceptable on thin layers, but deep, wet leaf carpets can overwhelm the small deck.

Stacked against the Sun Joe 17-inch, the RB trades cut width and bag capacity for ultra-light handling and portability. Compared with the Greenworks 60V 17-inch, it’s less powerful but easier to lift and store. Ideal for small, complex spaces or as a secondary mower for off-day touch-ups, it delivers convenience and maneuverability that larger units can’t match.

Straightforward and sturdy, the PowerSmart 21′ Push pairs a B&S 125cc OHV engine with a 2-in-1 deck focused on mulching and side discharge. The 6-position height adjustment (1.5–3.9 inches) gives flexibility across seasons, and the 62-lb chassis is relatively easy to guide for a gas mower. If you want reliable basic mulching without extra frills, it fits the bill.

On-lawn performance is consistent for weekly mowing and light leaf mulching, with the 21-inch deck covering ground efficiently. Without bagging, heavy fall leaf piles are better managed with staged passes or raking into rows before mulching. The push design requires more effort on slopes than self-propel models, and airflow is tuned more for grass than dense leaf vacuuming.

Compared with the PowerSmart B&S self-propelled, this model sacrifices leaf bagging versatility and traction but remains simpler and lighter. Against the BILT HARD 201cc, it’s easier to handle but offers less torque for deep leaf mulching. Best for homeowners seeking an affordable mulching-first gas mower for routine cuts, it trades advanced features for dependable simplicity.