PowerSmart 21-Inch Gas Mower Review and Budget Push Alternatives

The PowerSmart 21-inch gas push mower with a 144cc engine is a sensible budget choice for a flat or gently sloping yard of up to about a third of an acre, because it offers a wide deck, six cutting heights and mulch or side-discharge cutting without a battery to maintain. If you would rather skip fuel and oil, the WORX 40V 17 inch WG745 is the runner-up for the same size of yard, and if you want the 21 inch deck with less pushing, the PowerSmart 170cc self-propelled version is the step up.

This guide is for people searching for a PowerSmart 21 inch gas lawn mower review, including the 144cc 3-in-1 style, the PowerSmart 18 inch EasyCut for small yards, and cordless alternatives from Litheli, SnapFresh, Skil, WORX and Ryobi. It also answers the questions that tag along: is there a recall on Ryobi lawn mowers, and where are Ryobi lawn mowers made. It is research-based: we did not personally use these mowers, and every spec below comes from the product listing or is marked “not listed”. We do not quote prices, battery run times or exact cut widths beyond what a listing states.

Our top picks

Top pickPowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch Gas Lawn Mower

• Easy Start Engine: The144cc 4-stroke OHV engine delivers…
• Side Discharge: Efficiently discharges grass clippings to keep…
• 18-inch Steel Deck: The durable steel deck is…

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Also greatPowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch 144cc Gas Lawn Mower

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Also greatPowerSmart 21-Inch 170cc Self Propelled Gas Lawn

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Also greatPowerSmart 21-Inch Gas Lawn Mower

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Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall Gas Budget Mower: PowerSmart 21-Inch 144cc Gas Push Mower with mulching and side discharge.
• Best for Small Yards: PowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch 144cc, 3-in-1 mulch, bag and side discharge.
• Best Self-Propelled Gas: PowerSmart 21-Inch 170cc rear-wheel-drive self-propelled.
• Best Cordless Value: WORX 40V 17 inch WG745, 2-in-1, two 4.0 Ah batteries.
• Best Cordless Step-Up: Skil PWR CORE 40 20-inch push mower kit with a 6.0 Ah battery.
• Best Budget Cordless Pair of Batteries: SnapFresh 40V 17 inch brushless with two 5.0 Ah batteries.
• Best Cordless for Bigger Decks: Litheli 40V 18 inch brushless with two 5.0 Ah batteries, 2-in-1.

Comparison Table

1. PowerSmart 21-Inch 144cc Push Mower: Best Overall Budget Gas

• 21 inch deck, 144cc 4-cycle OHV engine (listing).
• Mulching and side-discharge modes (listing).
• Six cutting height positions (listing).
• Deck material, bag capacity and weight: not listed in this title. Other PowerSmart 21 inch listings show a steel deck.

Best for: a flat to gently rolling yard where you want a wide deck for the money. Skip if: your yard is hilly, you dislike mixing and storing fuel, or you need bagging.

A 144cc engine is on the lighter side of what 21 inch gas mowers use, and it works well when you mow regularly and the grass is not tall. The wide deck saves passes: moving from an 18 to a 21 inch cut means roughly one fewer pass in every six. The trade-off is that you push every foot of it, so a long lawn adds up quickly.

Ownership realities matter more than the spec sheet. A gas mower needs fresh fuel, an oil check before use, an air filter inspection each season and a spark plug change on the schedule in the manual. Stale fuel left in the carburetor over winter is the most common reason a budget gas mower will not start in spring, so use a stabilizer or run the tank dry before storing it.

Pros: wide deck, no battery to replace, mulch and side-discharge, six heights. Cons: more noise and maintenance than cordless, bagging not listed, push-only.

2. PowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch 144cc: Best for Small Yards

• 18 inch deck, 144cc 4-stroke OHV engine (listing).
• 3-in-1 mulch, bag and side discharge on some listings; others show side discharge only.
• Dual-lever or five-position height adjustment depending on the version.

Best for: small yards, townhouse lots and anyone who needs a smaller footprint. Skip if: you have more than about a quarter acre.

There are several EasyCut 18 inch listings that look similar, and they differ in discharge options and height levers. Read the version carefully before ordering, especially if you want bagging. If you were searching for a PowerSmart easycut 18 inch gas mower for small yards, this is the one, and it is the lightest of the PowerSmart gas range.

Pros: compact, lower cost, easy storage. Cons: narrow cut, version differences, no self-propel.

3. PowerSmart 21-Inch 170cc Self-Propelled: Best Step-Up Gas

• 21 inch deck, 170cc 4-stroke OHV engine (listing).
• Rear-wheel drive, steel deck, 3-in-1 (listing).
• Ground speed and bag size: not listed.

Best for: sloped lawns and thick grass where you want help with the pushing. Skip if: your budget is the top priority and your yard is flat.

Rear-wheel drive pushes harder uphill than front-wheel drive because the weight shifts back on a slope. A bigger engine also has more reserve for thick grass. For a larger or hillier yard, this type of mower is often worth the extra cost simply because it is more comfortable to use.

Pros: self-propelled, rear-wheel drive, bigger engine, steel deck. Cons: more expensive, heavier, speed control not listed.

4. WORX 40V 17 Inch WG745: Best Cordless Value

• 40V cordless, 17 inch deck (listing).
• Brushless motor, mulching and bagging (listing).
• Two 4.0 Ah batteries; described as suitable for about a quarter acre (listing).

Best for: quarter-acre yards and mowers who dislike gas. Skip if: your grass is regularly tall and wet.

Two batteries mean you can swap one in mid-job. The maker’s quarter-acre guidance is a planning figure, not a guarantee: run time depends on grass height and moisture. A cordless mower is quieter and starts with a button, which is why many buyers choose it for the same yard where they would otherwise buy a small gas mower.

Pros: brushless, two batteries, quiet, low maintenance. Cons: narrower than a 21 inch deck, battery replacement later.

5. Skil PWR CORE 40 20-Inch Push Mower Kit: Best Cordless Step-Up

• 40V brushless 20 inch push mower, model PM4910-15 (listing).
• Includes a 6.0 Ah battery and a 150W charger (listing).
• Self-propelled and other versions are sold separately.

Best for: medium yards where a 20 inch deck is a better match. Skip if: you want two batteries in the kit.

The 20 inch deck is close to a 21 inch gas mower in width, which is the main reason to look at this one. A single large battery means one charge per session, and a second battery from the same system is sold separately. If you already own Skil PWR CORE 40 tools, battery sharing makes this attractive.

Pros: wide cordless deck, large battery, shared tool platform. Cons: one battery, not for large lawns.

6. SnapFresh 40V 17 Inch: Best Budget Cordless With Two Batteries

• 40V, 17 inch, brushless (listing).
• Two 5.0 Ah batteries and a fast charger (listing).
• Six-level height adjustment (listing).

Best for: a small or medium yard and buyers who want spare battery capacity. Skip if: you want a longer-established brand with extensive local service.

The brand is newer, so check the warranty on the product page. The listing gives battery size and cut height levels but no run time, so we do not guess.

Pros: two large batteries, brushless, six heights. Cons: newer brand, run time not listed.

7. Litheli 40V 18 Inch: Best Cordless for Mid-Size Decks

• 40V, 18 inch, brushless motor (listing).
• Two 5.0 Ah batteries, 2-in-1 mulching (listing).
• Smaller 14 and 16 inch Litheli versions are also sold.

Best for: a mid-size yard where you want a wider cordless deck. Skip if: you need a bag; the listing describes a 2-in-1 setup.

Litheli sells many sizes, from 13 inch for small patches to 21 inch with larger batteries. Searching “Litheli self propelled lawn mower” or “Litheli cordless lawn mower 17 inch” will show variations, and we could not confirm every one in the store. Pick the model by deck size and battery, not just brand.

Pros: brushless, two batteries, mulching, many sizes. Cons: newer brand, run time not listed.

Also Consider

• Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch 5-Blade Reel Mower: a manual push reel for small, flat lawns, with no fuel or battery.
• LawnMaster 48V 19 Inch CLMF4819A: a brushless cordless mower with a 15 gallon collection bag and two 24V batteries.
• Litheli 14 Inch Cordless Mower: a lightweight option for very small yards, with a 5.0 Ah battery.
• Ryobi OLM1833B 18V: an 18V ONE+ mower, 33 cm cutting width, sold without a battery and charger; check compatibility with your batteries.

Not confirmed in the store during this research: the Senix 20 inch gas push mower, a Steelite mower, and a Ryobi 40V mower such as the RY18LM37A. If you are looking for one of those, check the maker’s current page.

How We Chose

This guide is research-based. We compared listing details (deck width, engine size, voltage, battery size, drive type), looked for the PowerSmart models that are currently sold, and checked a government recall notice for the Ryobi question. We did not personally use these mowers. We included at most three products per brand, and we did not state prices or battery run times that the listings do not give.

Buying Guide

Gas or cordless for a small yard

Gas gives you unlimited run time with a fuel can and a wide deck at a lower purchase cost. Cordless gives you quiet, push-button starting and less maintenance, but you are limited by battery capacity. For yards under a quarter acre, either works; for a yard that takes an hour or more, gas is simpler.

Deck width

Wider decks mean fewer passes, but they are harder to store and maneuver. For 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, 16 to 18 inches is fine. Past 10,000 square feet, a 21 inch deck saves time.

Engine size and self-propel

144cc is enough for regular mowing on flat ground. For slopes, thick grass or tall grass, consider 170cc and a self-propelled drive. Rear-wheel drive suits hills; front-wheel drive suits flat ground and turning.

Battery system

If you buy cordless, look at the ampere-hours and number of batteries in the kit, and make sure a spare is available for that system. A 40V platform that also runs a trimmer and a blower can lower the total cost.

Mulch, bag or side discharge

Mulching returns finely cut clippings to the lawn and works best with frequent mowing. Bagging is for tall growth or overseeded areas. Check that the listing mentions the mode you need.

Is There a Recall on Ryobi Lawn Mowers?

Yes, there has been one for certain models. In February 2025 the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of certain Ryobi 40V HP brushless 21 inch cordless self-propelled push mowers because a connector inside the powerhead can overheat, which is a fire hazard. Owners were told to stop using the mower and contact the maker, which offered a replacement. Check your model number against the CPSC notice and Ryobi’s safety page, because this recall covers specific models and not every Ryobi mower.

Where Are Ryobi Lawn Mowers Made?

The recall notice lists the maker as TTI Outdoor Power Equipment of Anderson, South Carolina, and says the recalled mowers were manufactured in the United States. The notice only covers that mower, so for other Ryobi models, check the label or ask the maker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PowerSmart 21 inch gas mower good for a small yard?

It is good for a flat or lightly sloped small to medium yard if you are comfortable with fuel and oil upkeep. For a very small yard, the 18 inch EasyCut is easier to store.

Is the PowerSmart 21 inch a 3-in-1 mower?

Some PowerSmart listings are 3-in-1 and others offer mulch and side discharge only, so read the exact listing. The 170cc self-propelled version is listed as 3-in-1.

What does 144cc mean in a lawn mower?

It is the engine displacement. A larger number generally means more power, but design and drivetrain also matter. 144cc suits regular mowing of normal grass.

Are cordless mowers as good as gas for thick grass?

Good brushless cordless mowers handle normal turf well, but very thick or wet grass can shorten run time. Use a higher cutting height and take narrower passes.

Is a reel mower a real option?

Yes, for small, flat lawns with fine grass that you mow often. It will struggle with tall or weedy turf.

Is there a recall on Ryobi lawn mowers?

Yes, for certain 40V HP 21 inch self-propelled models, announced in February 2025. Check your model number on the official recall notice.

Do these mowers fit a particular battery I own?

Check your model’s manual or the maker’s compatibility chart. The 40V systems from different brands are not interchangeable.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want the lowest cost and do not mind maintenance, buy the PowerSmart 21 inch 144cc push mower, or the 18 inch EasyCut for a small yard. For hills, buy the 170cc self-propelled version. If you prefer quiet and no fuel, choose the WORX WG745 for a small yard or the Skil 20 inch for a wider cut.

Sources

• PowerSmart product listings (21 inch and EasyCut 18 inch)
• WORX, Skil, SnapFresh, Litheli and Scotts product listings
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Ryobi 40V mower recall notice
• Ryobi recall and safety notices page

Last updated: October 2026