Best Mulching Kit Under $100 (2026): 5 Mulching Kits Compared
Five mulching kits for 42, 46 and 48-inch mower decks compared by deck fit, included blades and hardware, stated weight and warranty.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best OverallCub Cadet 19A700411009.5/10View on Amazon - 2
Best Husqvarna 42-InchHusqvarna HU42 42-Inch9.5/10View on Amazon - 3
Best 48-Inch KitHusqvarna HU48 48-Inch9.4/10View on Amazon - 4
Best 46-Inch KitCub Cadet 19A300471009.4/10View on Amazon - 5
Budget Plug PickFancyTark 631-051959.3/10View on Amazon
When the grass outruns the weekends and the bagger fills before the far fence, a mulching kit earns its keep. A plate bolts under the deck and dedicated blades chop clippings fine, so they settle back into the turf instead of the bagger. The best mulching kit under 100 is a plate-and-blade set matched to the deck, and this roundup compares five kits by deck fit, included parts, stated weight and warranty, using only what each listing publishes.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall Cub Cadet 19A70041100: OEM 42-inch kit: two blades, molded plug, hardware and a 3-month warranty Check price on Amazon
- Best Husqvarna 42-Inch Husqvarna HU42 42-Inch: OEM plate, blades and hardware for 42-inch stamped decks Check price on Amazon
- Best 48-Inch Kit Husqvarna HU48 48-Inch: OEM kit for 48-inch stamped decks on TS and YTH24V48 tractors Check price on Amazon
- Best 46-Inch Kit Cub Cadet 19A30047100: OEM Xtreme kit for 46-inch decks, including fabricated models Check price on Amazon
- Budget Plug Pick FancyTark 631-05195: Third-party plug fitting many 42 and 46-inch MTD-family mowers Check price on Amazon
Our acreage picks
CUB CADET 19A70041100 Mulching Kit for 42-Inch Stamped Decks
OEM 42-inch mulching kit with two blades, a molded plug, hardware and instructions, plus a 3-month warranty.
Read the full review
The 19A70041100 is Cub Cadet's OEM mulching kit for 42-inch stamped decks, and it carries the fullest box here: two mulching blades, a molded plug, mounting hardware and instructions. The listing names a long run of compatible machines across the Enduro XT1 and XT2 lines and the Ultima ZT1-42 and RZT series.
It is also the only pick with a stated warranty, 3 months from the manufacturer. Alloy steel blades and a 5.8 lb shipping weight round out a straightforward OEM upgrade for Cub Cadet owners who want to stop bagging.
Pros
- Includes two mulching blades, a molded plug, mounting hardware and instructions in one box.
- Fits a long list of Cub Cadet 42-inch models across the XT1, XT2 and RZT lines.
- Alloy steel blades, plus the only stated warranty here at 3 months.
- The maker claims finely ground mulch returns nutrients to the soil.
Cons
- 42-inch stamped decks only; check the model list before ordering.
- Only a 3-month warranty, the briefest term stated here.
- At 5.8 lb it is the heavier of the two 42-inch kits here.
- OEM part, so it only fits the Cub Cadet models the listing names.
Husqvarna HU42 Mulch Kit with Blades for 42-Inch Stamped Decks
OEM mulch plate, blades and mounting hardware for Husqvarna 42-inch stamped decks.
Read the full review
Husqvarna's HU42 kit, part 531309641, bundles a mulch plate, mulching blades and mounting hardware for 42-inch stamped decks on Husqvarna lawn tractors and Z-Turn mowers. At a stated 5.4 lb it carries the lowest stated weight of the five.
Two limits to note: it does not fit FAB or Clear-Cut decks, and the spec table lists the material as plastic, which describes the mulch plate rather than the blades. No warranty term is stated, and no blade count is given.
Pros
- OEM kit with a mulch plate, mulching blades and mounting hardware in one box.
- Fits Husqvarna 42-inch lawn tractors and Z-Turn mowers with the stamped deck.
- Lowest stated weight here at 5.4 lb.
- The listing clearly states which decks it does not fit.
Cons
- No warranty term is stated.
- 42-inch stamped decks only; FAB and Clear-Cut deck owners must look elsewhere.
- The spec table lists the material as plastic, which describes the plate; the blade steel is not stated.
- No blade count is stated in the listing.
Husqvarna 48-Inch Mulching Kit HU48 for Stamped Decks
OEM mulch plate, blades and hardware for 48-inch stamped decks on select Husqvarna tractors.
Read the full review
The HU48, part 531309642, is the 48-inch counterpart: mulch plate, mulching blades and mounting hardware for 48-inch stamped decks. The listing names three tractors, the TS 148XK, TS 148X and YTH24V48, which makes fitment unusually specific.
It is the heaviest kit here at a stated 9 lb, and like the 42-inch Husqvarna kit it does not fit FAB or Clear-Cut decks. No warranty term and no blade count are stated.
Pros
- The only 48-inch kit here, for larger stamped decks.
- OEM plate, blades and mounting hardware in one box.
- Names the exact tractor models it fits: TS 148XK, TS 148X and YTH24V48.
- Plate plus dedicated mulching blades, not a plug alone.
Cons
- No warranty term is stated.
- 48-inch stamped decks only; not for FAB or Clear-Cut decks.
- No blade count is stated.
- Heaviest kit here at a stated 9 lb.
CUB CADET 19A30047100 Xtreme Mulching Kit for 46-Inch Decks
OEM Xtreme mulching kit for 46-inch decks, including fabricated models.
Read the full review
The Xtreme kit, part 19A30047100, is Cub Cadet's OEM answer for 46-inch decks, and the only pick here stated to fit fabricated decks, including the XT1-LT46 KH FAB, XT2-LX46 KH FAB and ZT1-46 KH FAB. The box measures a stated 26 x 8 x 5 in and weighs 6.45 lb.
The listing is thin on contents: it does not state a blade count or confirm mounting hardware, so treat it as a fitment-first pick. No warranty term is stated, and the listing advises verifying compatibility in the owner's manual.
Pros
- The only kit here stated to fit fabricated 46-inch decks.
- OEM part with part number 19A30047100 for exact matching.
- Genuine factory part, per the listing.
- Covers XT1, XT2 and ZT1 46-inch models.
Cons
- No warranty term is stated.
- The listing does not detail the contents; blade count and hardware are not stated.
- 46-inch decks only; 42-inch owners need a different kit.
- The listing advises verifying compatibility in the owner's manual, so check before ordering.
FancyTark 631-05195 Mulch Plug Kit for 42 and 46-Inch Mowers
Third-party mulch plug fitting many 42 and 46-inch MTD-family mowers from 2012 on.
Read the full review
The FancyTark 631-05195 is the third-party option: a mulch plug, with no blades stated, aimed at 42 and 46-inch MTD-family decks from 2012 on. It lists a wide spread of substituted part numbers and compatible models across Cub Cadet, Craftsman and Troy-Bilt.
The same listing warns it does not fit all 42 and 46-inch decks and names exclusions such as the RZT-42 and XT2-LX42, so check your model before ordering. At 13.4 oz it carries the lowest stated weight here, and no warranty term is stated.
Pros
- Lists many compatible MTD, Cub Cadet, Craftsman and Troy-Bilt models.
- Lowest stated weight here at 13.4 oz.
- A plug-only kit, so there are no blades to swap at install.
- States the part numbers it substitutes: 631-05195 and 631-05195A.
Cons
- No warranty term is stated.
- Third-party part, not an OEM kit; no blades are stated in the listing.
- The listing warns it does not fit all 42 and 46-inch decks, so verify your model.
- Fit notes exclude some models, including the RZT-42 and XT2-LX42.
Side-by-side specs
| Mulching kit | Acre Score | Deck fit | In the box | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cub Cadet 19A70041100 | 9.5/10 | 42 in stamped | 2 blades, plug, hardware | 5.8 lb | 3 months |
| Husqvarna HU42 42-Inch | 9.5/10 | 42 in stamped | Plate, blades, hardware | 5.4 lb | Not stated |
| Husqvarna HU48 48-Inch | 9.4/10 | 48 in stamped | Plate, blades, hardware | 9 lb | Not stated |
| Cub Cadet 19A30047100 | 9.4/10 | 46 in incl. FAB | Kit (contents not detailed) | 6.45 lb | Not stated |
| FancyTark 631-05195 | 9.3/10 | 42 and 46 in (check model) | Plug only; blades not stated | 13.4 oz | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 23 October 2026.
Acreage and terrain fit
Cub Cadet 19A70041100
Husqvarna HU42 42-Inch
Husqvarna HU48 48-Inch
Cub Cadet 19A30047100
FancyTark 631-05195
Buying guide: choosing the best mulching kit under 100
OEM kit vs third-party plug
Three of the five are OEM kits from Cub Cadet and Husqvarna, each bundling a plate, blades and hardware for a named deck. The FancyTark is a third-party plug with no blades stated, which suits a mower whose blades are still sharp. An OEM part number, such as 19A70041100 or 531309641, makes matching exact.
Match the kit to the deck
Deck width decides the kit: 42-inch kits fit 42-inch stamped decks, the Xtreme fits 46-inch decks including fabricated models, and the HU48 fits 48-inch stamped decks. Stamped and fabricated decks take different kits, and both Husqvarna listings exclude FAB and Clear-Cut decks. Check the model list against your tractor, and see mulching kits for zero-turn mowers if you run a ZT.
What comes in the box
Count the parts, not just the plate. The Cub Cadet 19A70041100 lists two blades, a molded plug, hardware and instructions, while the FancyTark lists a plug with no blades stated. Mounting hardware matters: without it, a plate cannot bolt to the deck. For replacement blades later, see mower blades for lawn tractors.
Weight and fitting
Stated weights run from 13.4 oz for the plug to 9 lb for the 48-inch Husqvarna kit. A heavier box usually means a steel plate and full blade set rather than a plug alone. The Cub Cadet 42-inch listing states it installs easily.
Read the manual, keep children and pets out of the yard while you work, wear eye and hearing protection and sturdy footwear, and never exceed the slope rating of your machine. Refuel only with the engine off and cool. See CPSC lawn mower safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Matching It to Your Property
- Flat, open lawns suit any of the five; match the kit to the deck width, 42, 46 or 48 inches.
- Lawns with trees and beds are usually cut with 42-inch decks, which two of these kits fit.
- Fabricated-deck owners have one option here: the 46-inch Xtreme kit.
- All five store on a shelf; the largest box is 26 x 8 x 5 in and the heaviest kit is 9 lb.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance (deck fit, blade count and what the box includes), build quality (stated materials and construction), value (parts for the money under $100), safety (stated guards or blade-stop features) and warranty (stated term and coverage). A factor the listing does not state scores zero. None of the five listings states a safety feature, and only one states a warranty.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cub Cadet 19A70041100 | 9.5 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| Husqvarna HU42 42-Inch | 9.5 | 29 | 20 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Husqvarna HU48 48-Inch | 9.4 | 29 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Cub Cadet 19A30047100 | 9.4 | 27 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| FancyTark 631-05195 | 9.3 | 23 | 16 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
FAQ: mowing large lots
What does a mulching kit do?
It adds a plate under the deck and dedicated blades that chop clippings fine, so they settle into the turf instead of filling the bagger. The maker of the Cub Cadet 42-inch kit claims this returns nutrients to the soil.
Will a 42-inch kit fit my mower?
Only if the listing names your model and deck. The Cub Cadet 19A70041100 lists XT1, XT2 and RZT 42-inch models, while the Husqvarna HU42 fits Husqvarna 42-inch stamped decks and excludes FAB and Clear-Cut decks.
Do mulching kits include blades?
The OEM kits here do: the Cub Cadet 19A70041100 lists two blades, and both Husqvarna kits list mulching blades. The FancyTark is a plug with no blades stated.
Can I use a mulching kit on a fabricated deck?
Only with a kit stated to fit one. Of these five, only the 46-inch Xtreme kit names fabricated decks; both Husqvarna kits exclude them.
