Replacing or purchasing a mower blade for the first time can be confusing and a bit overwhelming. Mulching blades and high-lift blades are the two types of blades that often confuses lawn owners. Comparing the blades is the only way to know what’s the right option for you.
The main difference between the mulching and the high-lift blade lies in the functionality and shape. The mulching blades have a curved shape, but the high lift blades have a slimmer profile. The mulching blades are made to cut grass into small pieces. Whereas the high lift blades are meant for bagging and discharging clipping effectively. Just as their jobs and shapes are different, the mulching and high lift blades have distinctive lengths, energy consumption, and lifting capabilities.
Mulching Blades Vs High Lift Blades
| Features | Mulching Blade | High Lift Blade |
| Shape | The mulching blade has a curved profile and a pretty increased cutting edge. | High lift blade is overall straight but is slightly curved at the end. |
| Functionality | Mulching blades do cutting, bagging, and discharging all in one go. | The high lift blade can not mulch, it bags and discharges only. |
| Suitability | Mulching blades are suitable for lawns situated outside the houses that require more maintenance. | High lift blades work best for places with tall, thick, and overgrown grasses. It can work for lawn owners that mow their lawns less often. |
| Lifting Capacity | Mulching blades generate medium lift as it has a curved end that’s meant for cutting grass not lifting. | High lift blades have a good lift as it has a pronounced angle on the end. |
| Energy Consumption | The mulching blade consumes more power as it has to cut grass into the smallest pieces. | High lift blades consume less power to bag and discharge the grass. |
| Discharging | The mulching blade is not efficient at discharging, it cuts the grass into small pieces well. | High lift blade discharges pretty well as it is engineered to bag and discharge. |
| Durability | Mulching blades are made more durable as they have to cut, bag, and discharge. | The high lift blade is less sturdy as it’s job is not that tough. |
| Compatibility | Mulching blades are compatible with only a few advanced mowers. | High lift blades can work with almost all types of mowers without any hassle. |
Mulching Blades
A mulching blade is a type of lawn mower blade that cuts, bags, and discharges the grass. These blades lift the grass, cut it, and leave them on the ground to provide nutrients and improve the soil. These blades are not just not meant for cutting but for maintaining the lawn’s health as well.
Design – The mulching blade is short, curvy, and has serrated-teeth edges. Most of the other mower blades are straight, the curved body makes it unique and easily distinguishable.
Function – The mulching blade is the most advanced type of lawn mower blade. It does everything; from cutting, and bagging, to discharging.
Results – Mulching blade produces praise-worthy results. It cuts and fertilizes the lawn by leaving the grass pieces on the ground to provide nutrients and improve the soil.
High Lift Blades
High lift blade has an aerodynamic design that uses one swipe to cut and discharge grass clipping. This blade is truly versatile, it fits in almost every lawn mower and delivers a cleaner cut. Even though this high-angle lift blade is not that good at mulching, it’s still a preference for millions of lawn owners.
Design – High lift blades are mostly short and have slightly curved edges. This angular design gives it a better lift than the regular and mulching blades.
Function – High lift blades are engineered to bag and discharge the grass. It has no other function, therefore, for mulching and any other job, it is not recommended.
Results – Mulching blade usually takes the credit but the high lift blade is not any less of a hero. It does not precisely cut the grass but ensures a cleaner cut.
Difference Between Mulching Blade and High Lift Blades
Now that you got the basic idea, let’s find out the differences between these two mower blades in detail.
Shape
The most obvious difference between the mulching blade and the high lift blade is the shape. The mulching blade and high lift blade are “totally” different in shape. The mulching blade has a curved profile that supports cutting, bagging, and discharging. Mulching blades can have both serrated teeth or flat edges.
The blades with serrated teeth are more in demand as it generates powerful airflow and lifts grass more efficiently. The mulching blade is short and curved but the high lift blade has a tall straight profile. Since this blade is meant for impressive lifting, it usually has a curvature at the end.
Functionality
Since mulching and high lift blades are both lawn mower blades, it looks like they are meant to cut the grass. Well, they do cut the grass but mulching blade bags and discharges as well. However, the high lift blade does not mulch, it bags and discharges the grass only.
Suitability
Since the mulching and high lift are both meant to work on grass. However, the mulching blade is made for small or medium-sized well-maintained lawns. By well-maintained lawns I mean, the lawns that are mowed every 2 or 3 days.
The high lift blade performs well on longer grass. So, you can only use it in places with overgrown grass. You can also use this blade for a lawn that is mowed less frequently.
Lifting capacity
As the name suggests, the high lift blade has a better lifting capacity as compared to the mulching blades. The mulching blade is meant to cut the grass, not generate the high lift. The other case is made to create an airflow that lifts the grass into the bag. So, its lifting capacity is unmatchable.
Energy consumption
It’s a no-brainer that the tougher the job, the more power is required. The mulching blade has to perform three jobs, it takes more power from the mower to cut, bag, and discharge. In contrast, the high lift blade’s job is easier, it consumes less energy and is lighter on the pocket as well.
Discharging
Though, the mulching blade and the high lift blade both discharge the grass. However they work differently, mulching blades keep the grass clipping in the deck and discharge when they are cut into thinner pieces. The high lift blade is mainly developed to lift and discharge. It does not keep the grass in the deck, the blade rather cuts and discharges immediately.
Durability
If we compare the high lift and the mulching blade on the ground durability, the latter option is more durable. It is because these blades have a thicker edge that handles the contact with the ground better. High lift blades require more maintenance, if you take care of them well they can nearly last as long as a mulching blade.
Compatibility
Mulching blades go well with the more advanced mowers. So, you can say it is compatible with most mowers but the high lift blade has a very “universal design” so they can go on with any mower.
Mulching Blade Vs High Lift Blade: Which Blade is right for you?
Mulching blades and high lift blades are both good for their respective jobs. To determine which blade is right for you, you need to know your needs. If the grass is overgrown, a high lift blade would work for you. If you need a more precise cut, a mulching blade would work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are mulching blades better than high Lift blades?
There is no clear winner, mulching and high lift blades are both good for their respective jobs. A mulching blade is best for cutting, bagging, and discharging. High lift is better than mulching blade when there is a need to bag and discharge only.
Do mulching blades cut better?
Mulching blades are designed for a very precise cut. So, yes the mulching blades are cut better than the regular blades.
Conclusion
Mulching and high lift blades are made with different purposes in mind. Which one is right for you depends on the type of mower you own, the height of the grass, and your preferences.