Rear Bagger vs Side Discharge Mower: Which One Should You Buy?
A rear bagger chute, a side discharge mower and a side discharge chute compared by fitment and deck size for homeowners choosing how clippings leave the deck.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Bagger Chute 731-09173A for 42-46 Inch Double Bagger Systems9.4/10View on Amazon - 2
SENIX 144 cc Gas Lawn Mower9.7/10View on Amazon - 3
Worx Cordless Lawn Mower9.5/10View on Amazon - 4
SENIX 22'' Self Propelled Gas Lawn MowerView on Amazon - 5
PowerSmart 21" Push Lawn MowerView on Amazon - 6
SENIX 21" 144cc Gas Push Lawn MowerView on Amazon - 7
PowerSmart 21-Inch Gas Lawn MowerView on Amazon - 8
PowerSmart 18-inch 144cc Gas Lawn MowerView on Amazon - 9
SENIX 21-Inch Gas Push Lawn MowerView on Amazon
Verdict: Choose a rear bagger if you want clippings collected out of sight, and pick a side discharge mower if you want to keep mowing without stopping to empty a bag. The rear bagger side here is a replacement chute for a bagger system, while the side discharge side includes a complete mower and a chute.
On a suburban lot with beds, trees and a lawn that grows fast in spring, clippings pile up with every pass. The rear bagger vs side discharge mower question comes down to what happens to those clippings: a rear bagger collects them, while a side discharge mower throws them out to the side. This comparison uses three listings as concrete examples: a rear bagger chute, a side discharge mower and a side discharge chute.
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SENIX 144 cc Gas Lawn Mower, 20 inch 4-Cycle Push Mower, Side Discharge
A 144 cc gas push mower with a 20-inch cut, 5 cutting heights and side discharge for yards and gardens.
Who it's for: a homeowner mowing yards and gardens with a gas push mower.
Who should skip it: a buyer who wants a bagger option, since none is stated.
Read the full review
The listing describes a 144 cc 4-cycle gas push mower with a 20-inch cut, 5 heights from 1.25 to 3.75 inches, 7-inch wheels and gentle slopes up to 15°. The title gives model LSPG-L5 while the spec table lists GCJ-LSPG-L5.
Pros
- 144 cc 4-cycle OHV gas engine
- 20-inch cut with 5 heights from 1.25 to 3.75 inches
- 7-inch wheels front and rear for rugged terrain
- 2-year limited warranty stated
Cons
- No bagger option is stated
- Model number differs between title and spec table
- No safety standard beyond the slope rating is stated
- 43.4 pounds to push
Bagger Chute 731-09173A for 42-46 Inch Double Bagger Systems
A replacement lower chute for 42-inch to 46-inch leaf collection and double bagger systems.
Who it's for: an owner replacing a worn bagger chute on a compatible system.
Who should skip it: a buyer who wants a complete bagger set.
Read the full review
The listing describes a single lower chute replacement, part 731-09173A, for 42-inch to 46-inch leaf collection and double bagger systems. It is a chute, not a complete bagger, and it fits MTD, Craftsman, Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet models.
Pros
- Fits MTD, Craftsman, Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet models
- OEM part number 731-09173A stated
- For leaf collection and double bagger systems
- Replacement part for an existing bagger system
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No safety standard is stated
- Material is not stated
- A chute only, not a complete bagger
731-07131 Lawn Mower Side Discharge Chute for 21 Inch Decks
A side discharge chute for 21-inch decks on listed Troy-Bilt, MTD and Craftsman mowers.
Who it's for: an owner replacing a side discharge chute on a listed model.
Who should skip it: a buyer who wants a complete mower.
Read the full review
The listing describes a side discharge chute, part 731-07131, for a 21-inch deck, with a long fitment list across Troy-Bilt, MTD and Craftsman models. It is a chute, not a mower, and it states no warranty term.
Pros
- Fits a long list of Troy-Bilt, MTD and Craftsman models
- Part number 731-07131 stated
- For 21-inch decks
- Light at 7.7 ounces
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No safety standard is stated
- Material is not stated
- A chute only, not a mower
Other machines to compare
SENIX 22'' Self Propelled Gas Lawn MowerCheck price on Amazon
PowerSmart 21" Push Lawn MowerCheck price on Amazon
SENIX 21" 144cc Gas Push Lawn MowerCheck price on Amazon
PowerSmart 21-Inch Gas Lawn MowerCheck price on Amazon
PowerSmart 18-inch 144cc Gas Lawn MowerCheck price on Amazon
SENIX 21-Inch Gas Push Lawn MowerCheck price on Amazon
Rear bagger vs side discharge mower side by side
| Mower or Part | Acre Score | Side | Deck or Fit | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SENIX 20-Inch Mower | 9.7/10 | Side discharge | 20 inch | 2-year limited |
| Gabasinover Chute | 9.4/10 | Rear bagger | 42-46 inch | Not stated |
| MDANNO Side Chute | 9.4/10 | Side discharge | 21 inch | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 27 October 2026.
Collection: bagged or thrown clear
A rear bagger chute feeds clippings into a 42-inch to 46-inch leaf collection system, per the Gabasinover listing. A side discharge mower throws clippings out to the side as it mows, and a side discharge chute directs that flow on a 21-inch deck, per the MDANNO listing. Neither side is better on collection alone: bagging collects clippings off the lawn, while side discharge skips the bag entirely.
Fitment: what fits your deck
Fitment decides this comparison more than any other spec. The Gabasinover chute fits 42-inch to 46-inch leaf collection and double bagger systems, including MTD, Craftsman, Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet models, per its listing. The MDANNO chute fits a 21-inch deck and lists Troy-Bilt, MTD and Craftsman models, including TB130 and TB200. The SENIX mower cuts 20 inches wide, so its deck sits close to the MDANNO chute’s 21-inch deck size, but the listings do not state that the chute fits the SENIX mower.
Power and handling
The SENIX mower is the only complete mower here, with a 144 cc 4-cycle gas engine, a 20-inch cut and 7-inch wheels front and rear. The two chutes are parts, not mowers: the Gabasinover chute weighs 3.59 pounds and the MDANNO chute weighs 7.7 ounces, per their listings. Weight comparisons across a mower and a part mean little, so judge each listing on its own stated figures.
Upkeep
The SENIX listing names easy-access blade replacement with a high-carbon steel blade and air filters for upkeep, plus a 2-year limited warranty. The chute listings name no upkeep parts and no warranty term, so upkeep for the chutes is not stated. Check the part numbers before buying: 731-09173A for the Gabasinover chute and 731-07131 for the MDANNO chute.
The examples
Matching It to Your Property
- The SENIX mower cuts 20 inches wide with 7-inch wheels and handles gentle slopes up to 15°, per its listing.
- The Gabasinover chute fits 42-inch to 46-inch leaf collection and double bagger systems; check the system size against your mower before buying.
- The MDANNO chute fits a 21-inch deck and lists Troy-Bilt, MTD and Craftsman models, so check the model list before buying.
- Store the chute parts by size: the Gabasinover chute measures 38 by 13 by 11.8 inches and the MDANNO chute measures 14.5 by 8 by 2.5 inches.
The Acre Score explained
Each example is scored on performance, build, value, safety listing and warranty, with the weights published on the How We Pick page. Only the SENIX mower states a warranty term and a slope rating, so only it scores on those two criteria; the chute listings state neither.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SENIX 20-Inch Mower | 9.7 | 32 | 21 | 21 | 7 | 3 |
| Gabasinover Chute | 9.4 | 28 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| MDANNO Side Chute | 9.4 | 27 | 19 | 20 | 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.
Walk the area first and clear stones, sticks, wire and toys. Wear eye and hearing protection, long pants and sturdy closed footwear, mow across slopes with a walk-behind (not up and down), and never pull a running mower toward you. Keep kids and pets well away. Refuel only with the engine off and cool. See CPSC lawn mower safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: mowing large lots
Should I bag clippings or side discharge them?
Bag if you want clippings collected into a bagger system, and side discharge if you want to keep mowing without a bag to empty. The Gabasinover chute feeds a bagger system, while the SENIX mower and the MDANNO chute throw clippings to the side.
Will the rear bagger chute fit my mower?
The Gabasinover listing states fit for 42-inch to 46-inch leaf collection and double bagger systems, including MTD, Craftsman, Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet models. Check part number 731-09173A against your mower before buying.
Will the side discharge chute fit my mower?
The MDANNO listing states a 21-inch deck and lists Troy-Bilt, MTD and Craftsman models, including TB130 and TB200. Check part number 731-07131 against your mower before buying.
Does the SENIX mower bag clippings?
Not stated. The SENIX listing describes a side discharge mower and does not state a bagger option.
What slope can the SENIX mower handle?
The listing states gentle slopes up to 15°. Do not exceed the maker’s stated slope.
