Quick verdict
The Toro mulches and handles better and stores upright; the Makita runs on LXT packs, carries four of them and switches pairs automatically. For most lawns the Toro is the nicer mower. For a Makita household, or a large lawn where four packs on board matter, the XML11CT1.
Toro 60V Super Recycler 21568 Personal Pace Mower
The 21568 is the Toro 60V Super Recycler 21-inch self-propelled mower with Personal Pace drive, a Vortex-assisted Recycler deck, SmartStow vertical storage and a 7.5 Ah 60V pack in the kit.
Toro 60V Super Recycler 21568 versus Makita XML11CT1 18V X2 LXT self-propelled mowers: drive, mulching, four-battery dock, storage and platform compared from published specifications.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toro 60V Super Recycler 21568 Personal Pace Mower | Best Mulching and Handling | 9.1 | Check price |
| Makita XML11CT1 36V (18V X2) 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower | Best for a Makita LXT Shed | 8.8 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Toro 60V Super Recycler 21568 Personal Pace Mower
The 21568 is the Toro 60V Super Recycler 21-inch self-propelled mower with Personal Pace drive, a Vortex-assisted Recycler deck, SmartStow vertical storage and a 7.5 Ah 60V pack in the kit.
Reasons to buy
- Personal Pace drive
- Recycler deck mulches exceptionally
- SmartStow vertical storage
- Lighter
Reasons to avoid
- Toro 60V is a smaller platform
- One battery port
- Steel deck
Makita XML11CT1 36V (18V X2) 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
The XML11CT1 is the Makita 18V X2 LXT 36V 21-inch self-propelled commercial mower with a brushless motor, a steel deck, a four-battery dock that runs two at a time and swaps automatically, Quiet Mode, and four 5 Ah packs in the kit. It runs on the same packs as every Makita LXT tool.
Reasons to buy
- Four-battery dock with automatic switchover
- Runs on LXT packs shared with power tools
- Quiet Mode
- Commercial build
Reasons to avoid
- Heavy
- Expensive kit
- Needs two packs to run
Where these two differ
The Toro 21568 is a Super Recycler with Personal Pace drive, the best mulching deck in walk mowers and vertical storage. The Makita XML11CT1 is a commercial-grade 36V mower with a four-battery dock that runs LXT packs two at a time and switches pairs automatically, on the same packs as every Makita tool. The Toro is the nicer mower; the Makita is the nicer system for an LXT owner.
This comparison is based on the published specifications and manuals for both mowers and on recurring owner feedback. We have not run either mower ourselves.
| Specification | Toro 21568 | Makita XML11CT1 |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | 21 inch Recycler | 21 inch steel |
| Drive | Personal Pace | Variable self-propel |
| Battery in kit | 7.5 Ah 60V | Four 5 Ah LXT |
| Battery dock | One | Four, two at a time |
| Storage | SmartStow vertical | Folding handle |
| Platform | Toro 60V | Makita LXT |
Drive and handling
Personal Pace matches walking speed without a lever. The Makita uses a bail and a speed lever and is heavy with four packs aboard. The Toro turns more easily.
Mulching
The Toro Recycler deck chops clippings fine enough to vanish. The Makita mulches well at full speed and coarser in Quiet Mode.
Batteries and platform
Toro 60V packs run Toro blowers, trimmers, chainsaws and snow blowers. LXT packs run everything Makita makes, and the four-pack dock covers a large lawn without a stop. For a Makita household the mower adds no new battery system.
Storage
SmartStow stands the Toro on end in a shed corner. The Makita folds its handle and takes floor space.
Yard jobs this decides
A normal lawn mulched weekly: the Toro. A shed full of LXT packs: the Makita. A large lawn that empties one pack: the Makita with four aboard. A tight shed: the Toro.
Warranty and support
On the Toro 60V, Toro covers its 60V Flex-Force line with a three-year full warranty. On the Makita XML11CT1, Makita covers LXT tools and batteries with a three-year limited warranty. Both makers run service networks in the US and both honor the warranty only with proof of purchase, so keep the receipt with the manual. Registration takes a few minutes online and is worth doing the day the tool arrives.
Care and storage
Both are brushless battery tools and both last longest with the same habits: hose or brush debris off after each use, store packs indoors at partial charge through the winter rather than empty or full, and keep the machine out of direct sun in a shed. Neither needs oil changes, spark plugs or fuel stabilizer. A pack left at zero through a cold winter is the most common cause of a dead tool in spring on either platform.
Common owner complaints
Toro owners mention the smaller 60V platform. Makita owners mention weight and kit price. Both are reliable.
Which one should you buy
Buy the Toro 21568 for mulching, handling and storage. Buy the Makita XML11CT1 if LXT packs are already in the shed or the lawn needs four packs aboard.
Our verdict
The Toro 60V Super Recycler 21568 takes this comparison as the nicer mower. The Makita XML11CT1 is the smart buy for an LXT household.
How we research
This comparison is built from the published specifications, manuals and warranty terms of both products and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run either product ourselves; where the makers do not publish a figure we say so rather than guess.
What to look for
Platform
LXT packs in the shed favor the Makita.
Mulching
The Toro Recycler deck is the better mulcher.
Runtime
Four 5 Ah packs on the Makita cover a large lawn.
Storage
SmartStow stores the Toro upright.
Our verdict
The Toro mulches and handles better and stores upright; the Makita runs on LXT packs, carries four of them and switches pairs automatically. For most lawns the Toro is the nicer mower. For a Makita household, or a large lawn where four packs on board matter, the XML11CT1.
FAQs
It holds four packs and runs two at a time, switching to the second pair automatically when the first is empty.
The Makita on four 5 Ah packs; the Toro 7.5 Ah pack covers a half acre.
The Toro by a clear margin.
A lower blade speed on the Makita for light grass that cuts noise and extends runtime.
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