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If your mower is having a hard time moving through the lawn and leaves behind ragged grass blades and an uneven cut, chances are it’s time to replace the mowing blade. Rocks, roots, and even regular use dulls a mower’s blade. In fact, we recommend you replace your mower’s blade annually to ensure you get a good cut.
While changing the blade isn’t a difficult job, choosing the right one to suit your lawn mower and mowing habits can be confusing. Since mower blades come in different sizes and spindle hole shapes, you’ll need to purchase one that’s compatible with your lawn mower. There are also a variety of different types of mower blades to choose from, including general purpose blades and those designed specifically for mulching, bagging, or dusty and sandy environments.
Ahead, we’ll cover how to determine which blade is right for your lawn and round up some of the best lawn mower blades on the market.
The Best Lawn Mower Blades
- Best Overall: 8Ten LawnRazor Notched Medium-Lift Blade
- Best for Mulching: 8Ten LawnRazor Mulching Blade
- Best for Toro Mowers: Toro Timecutter 3 Lawn Mower Blade Kit
- Best Low-Lift: Craftsman 50-Inch Low-Lift Sand Lawn Mower Blade Set
- Best High-Lift: 8Ten LawnRazor Mower Blade Set
What to Consider
Compatibility
Like we mention above, lawn mower compatibility is a top consideration. Luckily, mower blade manufacturers have made finding the right one easy by stamping the serial number directly on the blade. As long as the mower’s serial number matches the one on the blade’s compatible product listing, it should fit just fine.
When shopping for a lawn mower blade you can choose between the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement part put out by your lawn mower’s brand or one from an aftermarket brand. (More on that below.)
Many aftermarket replacement blades, including our best overall pick from 8Ten, are compatible with models from a variety of mower brands.
Type
Blade type is next on the list of importance factors to think about. Some mowers only work with one type of blade, while others are compatible with multiple types.
- Standard or Medium Lift: A straight blade that makes precise cuts on the average lawn but isn’t great for tall grass or mulching.
- High Lift: This type of blade has a pronounced curve that sends lawn clippings airborne, propelling them out the side of the mower or into a bagging attachment.
- Low Lift: Designed for sandy or dry and dusty environments, this blade cuts grass while limiting the amount of dust it kicks up.
- Mulching: This curved mower blade propels grass clippings up into the mowing deck after it cuts them, allowing the blade to cut the grass into small pieces that decomposes more easily in the lawn.
New lawn mower blades come with a protective layer of paint that makes the edges appear dull out of the box. That paint is there for a reason. It blunts the edge, preventing you from cutting your hands during installation. And since the paint naturally comes off while you mow, you don’t need to sharpen a new lawn mower blade before installing it.
Keep in mind that lawn mower blades are not as sharp as you might expect and don’t have a razor-thin edge, as it would easily bend and dull from the roots, sticks, and rocks. You’ll get about a season’s worth of use out of most lawn mower blades before it’s time to sharpen or replace them.
Original Manufacturer vs. Aftermarket Equipment
While purchasing OEM parts eliminates any compatibility issues—which may be a priority for some—do note that some aftermarket brands offer superior performance over the stock blade on your mower.
You can also find more specialty blade types with an aftermarket brand. When deciding between the two, consider how happy you are with the performance of the stock blade on your mower and whether you want a blade designed for a specific type of mowing, such as bagging or mulching.
How We Selected
As someone who’s owned various push and riding mowers, I’ve changed more than a few lawn mower blades, sampling different brands and types in the process. I used that experience along with extensive research to inform my picks. My research involved comparing the specs and scouring user reviews for more than 20 different models of lawn mower blade, considering such factors as durability and cutting performance. Because compatibility is key when choosing a replacement lawn mower blade, we selected options that fit a variety of the most popular lawn mower brands. But especially with this category, double check that the blade you're considering does in fact fit your mower.
Pros
Powder coating for safety and durability- 90-day warranty
- Compatible with tons of popular models
Cons
- Medium-lift blades may not be able to handle heavy-duty jobs
If you’re looking for a pair of standard mowing blades for your 46-inch Craftsman, Husqvarna, or Ariens riding lawn mower, this high-quality option is your best bet.
Like other 8TEN products, they feature a bright green powder coating that protects them from corrosion while also creating a temporary protective layer over the blade. Its medium-lift design makes it a great all-purpose mowing blade.
8TEN also backs this blade with a 90-day warranty, giving you plenty of time to test it and decide whether or not it’s working for you. 8TEN’s are a little pricier than your average lawn mower blade, but they pay you back in performance and longevity.
Key Specs
| Deck Size | 46 in. |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium-lift |
| Pieces | 2 |
| Center Hole | Star |
| Compatible Brands | Ariens, Craftsman, Husqvarna, Poulan |
Pros
- Deep teeth ideal for thick grass
- Safety coating protects hands during install
- Compatible with multiple mower brands
Cons
- Not ideal for use in wet conditions
This mowing blade from 8TEN is designed to handle mulching duties in a push mower. With its wide-set curved teeth, it throws grass clippings up into the mower deck, so the blade can chop them into tiny bits that decompose quickly to nourish your yard.
A thick powder coat paint serves as a temporary coating over the blade to protect your fingers during installation before wearing off. While this mulching blade can handle thicker grass, only use it when the grass is dry to avoid clumping that can clog the mowing deck.
This particular blade is designed for Husqvarna lawn mowers, but different versions are compatible with other popular mower brands, too.
Key Specs
| Deck Size | 22 in. |
|---|---|
| Type | Mulching |
| Pieces | 1 |
| Center Hole | Star |
| Compatible Brands | Husqvarna |
Pros
- Factory replacement parts from Toro
- Easy to follow installation instructions
- Excellent cutting performance
Cons
- Only compatible with one brand
Toro Timecutter riding mowers are a popular choice for homeowners with big lawns, and these blades fit most 50-inch decks. They’re also factory-made, so if you’re opposed to off-brand or third-party blades, these are a solid pick.
Toro has an attentive and helpful customer service department to help answer any compatibility questions. Plus, the part number is stamped directly on the blade, which helps reduce the chance of ending up with the wrong model.
Key Specs
| Deck Size | 50 in. |
|---|---|
| Type | High-lift |
| Pieces | 3 |
| Center Hole | Round |
| Compatible Brands | Toro |
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Pros
- Last three times longer than standard blades
- Creates minimal dust
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Not for bagging mowers
The low-lift design of these Craftsman blades make them perfect for those mowing in very dry and sandy conditions, reducing the amount of dust and dirt kicked up into the air. They’re also quieter than other blade types. And while these blades are pricier than other three-blade sets, they’re more durable than traditional blades, lasting up to three times longer.
Keep in mind that these blades don’t create the lift and suction needed to force grass clippings into a bag, so they’re best-suited for tractors set up for side discharging.
Key Specs
| Deck Size | 50 in. |
|---|---|
| Type | Low-lift |
| Pieces | 3 |
| Center Hole | Star |
| Compatible Brands | Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet |
Pros
- Durable powder coating
- Easy to install
- Compatible with numerous mower brands
Cons
If you routinely bag when you mow, then these high lift blades are the best replacement option when the stock blades on your tractor wear out. They feature a curved design that propels grass long distances either into a bagger or out the side of the mower.
As with other 8TEN mower blades, this set features the brand’s signature green powder coat paint finish, which adds to its durability, and the green paint creates a temporary protective coating over the blade that prevents cuts during installation. We also like the compatibility of these blades.
Plus, they fit a broad range of popular mower brands, including Craftsman, Poulan and Husqvarna.
Key Specs
| Deck Size | 22 in. |
|---|---|
| Type | High-lift |
| Pieces | 1 |
| Center Hole | Star |
| Compatible Brands | Husqvarna, AYP, Craftsman, Sears, Poulan, Poulan Pro, Redmax |
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Alex Rennie
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
Tony Carrick
Tony Carrick is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in technology, home improvement, DIY, home security, and outdoor recreation. He’s tested and written about everything from home security systems to power tools to gas grills. His product guides, how-to articles, and feature stories can be found in such publications as Bob Vila, Angi, U.S. News and World Report, Field & Stream, Futurism, and Switchful. When Tony isn’t writing, he can be found working on his latest home improvement effort at his home in North Carolina.
