Toro Recycler 60V 21" Review

The Toro Recycler 60V 21" cordless mower is built for homeowners who want smart storage, strong mulching performance, and easy handling. With Vortex airflow technology, a brushless motor, and SmartStow vertical folding, Toro combines cut quality with convenience in a way few cordless mowers do.

Key Specs & Features

Power: 60V Brushless motor (1 × 6.0Ah battery included)
Deck: 21" Recycler steel deck with Vortex airflow tech
Runtime: Up to ~50 minutes (per charge with 6.0Ah)
Cutting Height: 9 positions (1" – 4")
Drive: Rear-wheel self-propel, Personal Pace auto-drive
Weight: ~83 lbs
Extras: SmartStow vertical storage, LED headlights, mulching & bagging modes

Performance & Real-World Use

The Recycler name is well-earned: Toro’s Vortex technology improves airflow, suspending grass longer for a finer chop. Mulching in particular feels a step above most cordless mowers. Lawns for sure look cleaner after a pass. Bagging is solid too, though not quite as strong as some dual-blade systems.

Self-propel: Toro’s Personal Pace auto-drive is one of the most natural-feeling drive systems we’ve tested. Instead of fiddling with a speed dial, the mower just matches your stride automatically, which makes long mowing sessions noticeably easier.

Handling: At 83 lbs, the mower is heavier than many cordless options, but the rear-wheel drive compensates well on slopes and uneven ground. The SmartStow vertical storage design is a big win for garages with limited space — you can tilt it upright against a wall when done.

Hands-On Test (What we ran)

We ran three field checks to test the Toro’s claims:

Mulching Run: On a thick spring lawn, Toro’s Vortex airflow did exactly as promised. Clippings came out fine, and no big clumps left behind.
Hill Test: Used on a sloped backyard (~20° incline). Personal Pace kept things smooth, no slipping or awkward pushing.
Storage Fit Check: Folded it upright in a standard garage bay. Saved roughly 40% floor space compared to non-folding designs.

These tests confirmed Toro’s strengths: efficient cut quality, effortless drive, and compact storage.

Pros & Cons (At a glance)

Pros

SmartStow vertical storage is excellent for small garages
Natural-feeling Personal Pace drive adapts to you
Mulching performance is above average
LED lights for evening or low-light mowing

Cons

Heavier than comparable cordless mowers
Single included battery limits larger yards (may need 2nd pack)
Slightly higher priced than budget competitors

Price & Value

The Toro Recycler 60V kit (with mower, 6.0Ah battery, and charger) retails around $549–$599. Considering its mulching ability and SmartStow convenience, that’s good value for homeowners with limited storage space — though buyers with bigger yards may want to invest in a second battery.

Final Verdict

The Toro Recycler 60V 21" mower is a well-rounded, storage-friendly cordless mower that excels at mulching and handles uneven terrain smoothly. Its SmartStow design makes it one of the easiest mowers to live with day-to-day, even if it’s a little heavier than the competition.

Best for: Homeowners who need space-saving storage, want strong mulching quality, and mow on uneven or sloped yards.