It would be a great reality if lawn mower blades were to last indefinitely and you would never need to replace them, but this is not the actual case. They will eventually become blunt, begin to look worse for wear, and wear down the mower itself because it has to use more energy to sustain the same quality of operation.
Thankfully, the negative effects of old and worn-out lawn mower blades do not need to be your reality, because there are many great replacements in the market today. You do not need to wait for them to wear out the mower either, because replacing the machine is much more costly compared to replacing the blades alone.
In case you do not know where to begin in the realm of these blades, we have fortunately done most of the task for you by selecting the best 5 lawn mower blades in the market today. We will also give you some tips on choosing the best blades for your requirements, and a short rundown of replacing them when that time comes.
Comparison table
Lawn mower blade | Blade thickness (inches) | Blade length (inches) | Call to Action |
Rotary lawn mower blades | 0.204 inches – high lift blade | 16.75 inches | Check on Amazon |
MaxPower 331740B mower blade | 0.23 inches | 22 inches | Check on Amazon |
Toro recycler mower 59534P blade | 0.15 inches – tooth mulching blade | 21-11/16 inches | Check on Amazon |
MR Mower Parts 195-005 Blades | 0.14 inches | 21 inches | Check on Amazon |
USA AYP340BP Mulching mower blades | 0.14 inches | 21 inches | Check on Amazon |
The best mower blades for weeds reviews
Rotary Blades for Husqvarna/Craftsman/Deck – great for larger lawnmowers
This blade is great for a larger lawnmower, especially if you own a Craftsman, Husqvarna, or Poulan model – and any other model for that matter.
Specs
- High-lift blades that can work well with baggers and throwing grass/weed clippings
- Best deck to use them on is a 48-inch deck
- Triple blade in the packaging
- Compatible decks are Husqvarna, Poulan, Craftsman, and Deck
- The best mower type is a walk-behind type
- No mulching feature
The first thing we notice is the sharpness of the blades, and we really mean that – they are really sharp. In fact, the dual serrated design is enough to handle most tasks in your garden, including mulching. However, they are compatible with a limited range of models, especially those of a 48-inch deck, which are quite large.
Since they are strong and very unapologetic when it comes to their performance, they will excel in all tasks you put them to. The only problem is their cost – they are among the more expensive options we have seen in the market.
Pros
- It is made in the USA, so quality is high
- Works well with baggers if you want to store clippings for later use
- The high-lift design throws the clippings better
- Do not create as much noise
- The blades are very sharp
Cons
- They are relatively expensive
- They do not have an extensive mulching feature
Verdict
The combination of having very strong design and sharpness makes the Rotary blades a great choice if you want a versatile blade that can handle a variety of tasks. However, you will need to be careful when using and storing them, although their performance offsets the cost they come in.
View price here
MaxPower 331740B mower blade for Poulan/Craftsman/Husqvarna – best choice
This is among the longest options of mower blades you can get in the market today, and its design is meant to promote a long lifespan and high performance. This is because you can maintain the sharpness of its blades for a longer time than what you would get in the majority of blades that new mowers include.
Specs
- 5-point star center hole
- Package has 1 blade for 22-inch Craftsman/Husqvarna/Poulan mowers
- Made in the USA
- Exceeds OEM specifications
The blade is quite versatile, and it can be used alongside a variety of lawn mowers because of its star-shaped center mount hole. These mowers include Craftsman, Husqvarna, and Poulan.
Moreover, the long blade that measures 22 inches provides it with a cutting area that is wide enough to handle a variety of sections in your lawn without forcing you to return to the same section. It also helps with cutting a wide area without compromising on your cutting smoothness.
While it is very easy to install and comes in a great design though, it has some struggles with suction because the blade does not transfer the weed clippings strongly into the bag, and the bag also has a clip at its opening that reduces the suction efficiency.
Pro tip though: when connecting the blade to the mower, make sure to use something that locks your old blade in place in order to avoid unnecessary rotation and risk injury. Unbolt it and attach the new blade, bolt it, and then reconnect the spark plug to use it.
Pros
- The blade is long enough to cover a wide area
- Remains sharp for a longer time
- Star-shape mount that allows for mounting on various lawnmowers
- Very strong stainless steel construction
- Very durable blade
Cons
- Tends to struggle with suction issues
Verdict
Because the MaxPower 331740B is an extra-long blade, it is a good choice if you want a larger area coverage as you move the mower. It will work particularly well with any Craftsman, Husqvarna, or Poulan mowers.
View price here
Toro Recycler 22″ 59534P mower blade – best for Toro mowers
Toro is well-known for their user-friendly and durable lawn mowers and blades, so it is not surprising to see that their 22-inch blade is among the best choices.
Specs
- One blade in the package
- Best for walk-behind mower types
- Allows for mulching
- Works only in Toro 22-inch mowers that are manufactured between 2002 and 2015
Since this blade is specifically meant to fit with Toro lawnmowers more than other models, it can be quite limited to use if you have other models around. However, it still remains a valuable blade that you can consider using, especially if you have a larger Toro mower. In any case, Toro lawnmowers can seem very difficult to get replacement parts for, so this blade solves the issue that many of the mowers have.
The blade is longer than most mower blades, with a length of 22 inches. Therefore, its size is good if you want to increase the cutting area of your lawnmower if the machine can accommodate a blade length of more than 21 inches. It is also a strong and sharp stainless steel blade, which promises efficiency and high performance when you mount it to the right mower, and is sharp enough to produce a very fine quality of mulch.
Pros
- Resistant to rust
- Very affordable
- Narrow cutting edge
- The blade is long enough to handle a large cutting area
- Produces very fine quality of mulch
Cons
- Only works in Toro mowers
Verdict
If you love mowing but dislike the raking of leaves, and you prefer to mulch them for the purpose of promoting the health of your lawn, then this is a very good purchase to go for. It is also a great option for people who own Toro mowers, and increases their efficiency.
View price here
MR Mower Blades 195-005 AYP mower blades – most versatile option
Made specifically for Husqvarna, Poulan, Craftsman, and AYP Sears riding mowers, it is a great choice if you do not want or need to purchase OEM blades.
Specs
- 0.14 inches thick, 21 inches in length, and 2.25 inches in width
- Useful in riding mowers
- Allocation for mulching
- Compatible with Sears Craftsman 131419, Husqvarna 134149 and 532134149 models
- 2 blades in the package
Coming in a dual-blade package, they feature a dual-bevel design that helps in improving the mulching process. They are also among the longest blades in the business, each measuring 21 inches – and that is a guarantee that their cutting area is among the largest you will get.
Thanks to their 5-star center holes, they are also very easy to install in the mower when you need to use them. The only thing to ensure is that they are compatible with your mower before you spend your money on them.
Pros
- Promotes highly-effective mulching because of its dual-bevel design
- Made in the USA, therefore it is of high quality
- They have an improved design that allows for mulching
- Blades are heavy duty, and so will last for a long time
Cons
- If challenged, it will have a tendency to bend
- Might dull very quickly, especially under heavy use
Verdict
Due to its extremely sharp blades, it is possible to get very fine clippings of weeds and grass that will decompose at a very rapid rate and boost the health of your lawn. The blades also work well with a variety of riding mowers, even if you might not see your specific mower listed.
View price here
USA AYP340BP mulching mower blades – best for cutting thick grass or weeds
These mower blades are great for compatibility with a variety of mowers, especially if they have a 2” deck type. They will provide a thorough cut on a variety of lawns, and handle various types of weeds very well – especially since they work very well in both wet and dry conditions.
Specs
- Blades have a width of 2.2 inches, thickness of 0.06 inches, and a length of 21 inches
- Supports mulching
- The best mowers to use with it are Viking, Poulan, NcCulloch, Husqvarna, Craftsman, Ariens, and AYP
- Two blades in the packaging
- Best for riding mowers
However, they have the drawback of not being entirely suitable for heavy-duty work, unlike the other mower blades on this list, because they are very thin. The good news is that you can use them for a lighter scale of work, because they are pre-sharpened and can accommodate the mulching process. They also have a large cutting surface area because of their jagged edges, so that is good if you want to use them to cut a variety of surfaces.
In addition to this, they are very easy to install, and will promote optimal output because they fit in your lawnmower securely. For additional cost efficiency, they are also available in a set of two blades.
Pros
- It has a high-lift style design that gives a fresh-cut appearance
- Very good for light jobs
- Easy to install
- Compatible with a wide variety of mowers
- Steel blades that is also heat-treated, resistant to rust
Cons
- They are not the best choice for heavy-duty jobs
Verdict
Thanks to the heat-treated blades that have an epoxy coating, USA Mower blades are very durable and up to the mowing task. They can also remain sharp for as long as possible similar to OEM blades, but do not come at a very high cost.
View price here
The products we don’t recommend
Greenworks 29373 lawn mower blade – the blade is of low quality
This blade is not a terrible choice, and it is great when you want an easy-to-maintain option, we did not like the fact that the measurements described are not the actual measurements. Its description states that it is a 19-inch blade but it actually measures less than 18 inches, which is quite disappointing and leaves you at risk spending money on it and having it fail to live up to its expectations.
That said, it is quite easy to install and allows you plenty of cutting options, but it tends to also dull quite quickly and the blade blunts faster than we would like it to be. That means you cannot use it for a heavy job, and you are actually better off spending on higher-quality blades.
Merits
- Easy to maintain for DIY enthusiasts
Demerits
- Does not fit the length specifications
- The blade becomes blunt very quickly
Verdict
This blade is great if you need to do light work, but weeds require much more power, and there are better blades than this one if you need to accomplish the job.
View price here
What should you consider when buying mower blades for your weeding?
The type of lawn mower blade
Not all lawn mower blades are the same, contrary to what you may initially assume. There are 2 lawn mower blade types: discharging blades and mulching blades.
For mulching blades, they are in a curved design, and they have numerous cutting surfaces on the edge of the blade. These cutting surfaces denote its sharpness – the more they are, the finer the clippings or debris. Some also refer to mulch as 3-in-1 blades because you can do three functions: mulch the clippings, discharge them from the sides, or bag them.
Since mulching blades are more in demand, that informed our choices above – most of the list is made up of them. Just keep in mind that its results may not live up to your expectations, unless the mower specifically has a certain mulch setting that allows the blades to achieve optimal airflow to disperse and mulch the debris efficiently.
The other type of blade is the discharge blade, which is a mainstay of older mower types, especially the push ones. They will either direct the debris or clippings into a bag, which you dispose later, or discharge the clippings from the sides. You might also see the term ‘high lift’ to refer to them as well, since they raise the clippings throughout the cutting process, which allows you to throw them away easier after you are done.
Tips on choosing the best lawn mower blades
There are some additional things to keep in mind aside from the type of blade, which are:
Length of the blade
Mower blades will range from a minimum of 16.75 inches to a maximum of 22 inches, with most of them either being 21 or 22 inches long. Regardless of the length you select, you need to ensure it fits your mower properly – if it is too wide, it will not fit, and if it is too short, it will not cut much of the area.
Width of the blade
Width is also important to keep in mind, because blades that are too wide will eventually damage it. The range is usually from 2.25 inches (minimum) to 3.5 inches (at the maximum).
Size of your mower deck
This really depends on the specific type of mower you have. The usual push mower will range from 16 inches to a maximum of 30 inches, and the riding lawn mowers will go anywhere higher from that.
The number of blades you have
If you happen to have a self-propelled or push mower, you might only require one blade, while a riding mower will need a number of blades because of its wide deck.
Number of holes in the blades
Certain blades will have a 6-point opening design, while others have a 5-point design. Ensure you check the type of opening your mower can handle, even if the description of the blades is that they can work for multiple mower models. In addition to this, you need to also ensure that the size of this opening is compatible with the mower.
Blade shape
Before spending money on those mower blades, make sure to take a close look at the original blades and see their shape. For instance, are they parallel or perpendicular? What does their shape look like?
Make sure that the blades matches the original as close as possible, in order to achieve the best performance, even if the blades do not exactly match.
Conclusion
If the issue you have is not the price, but you are instead seeking satisfaction and high quality blades, you should go for the MaxPower 331740B blades. They are the easiest to replace, according to our research, and they are also in a heavy-duty design that fits well with most mower brands and types.