PowerSmart 21 in. Gas Lawn Mower with 144cc OHV Engine, 2-in-1 Push Mower with Mulching & Side-Discharge

A 21-inch gas push mower lives or dies by three things: how easily it starts, how cleanly it cuts, and how hard it is to push when the grass gets thick. After a season with the PowerSmart 21-inch mower, I have a pretty clear picture of where it shines and where it asks for compromise.

Setup and first start

Out of the box, setup was genuinely straightforward. The handle folds up and locks in place, I added the supplied oil with the included funnel, topped off with fresh fuel, and checked the blade bolt for snugness. The auto-choke 144cc OHV engine made a strong first impression—no priming ritual, just a steady pull on the cord and it fired on the first or second try every time during my testing. If you’ve wrestled with finicky carburetors, you’ll appreciate the predictability here.

There’s no self-propel mechanism to set up or maintain, which keeps things simple and the weight down. That simplicity does come with trade-offs, but more on that in a moment.

Design, ergonomics, and storage

The layout is lean and functional. The steel deck feels solid for the class, and the 10-inch rear/7-inch front wheels are a noticeable upgrade over the small-wheel push mowers I’ve used in the past. Those larger rears roll more smoothly over bumps, roots, and uneven soil. The mower is comparatively light, which makes it easy to muscle around landscaping and tight corners.

Height adjustment uses dual levers—one lever controls the front pair of wheels, the other the rear—giving six settings from 1.5 to 3.9 inches. I prefer single-lever systems for speed, but this dual-lever design is still quick, positive, and free of slop. The range is practical: 3.5–3.9 inches for heat-stressed summer turf, 2.5–3 inches for spring and fall.

The handle folds down in seconds, and the overall storage footprint shrinks dramatically. I don’t have an easy way to quantify the “70%” claim, but it’s compact enough to share a narrow garage bay with a snowblower and a trash bin without getting in the way.

Cutting performance

Cut quality is where the 21-inch deck earns its keep. With a fresh edge on the heavy-duty blade, I got a clean, even cut across cool-season grass, including areas where the lawn transitions from dense fescue to thinner turf. The 21-inch swath helps you cover ground quickly on straight runs; I shaved a noticeable chunk of time off my typical push-mower sessions.

This is a 2-in-1 deck—mulch and side discharge—with no bagging option. Mulching performance is solid when you follow best practices: mow frequently, avoid charging into overgrown patches, and keep the blade sharp. In typical weekly cuts, clippings disappeared into the canopy with minimal residue. In tall or damp grass, the side discharge chute is the better choice. It moves volume well, though like most non-high-lift designs, it can leave light windrows if you’re pushing too fast through heavy growth. A second overlapping pass cleans that up if you care about presentation.

Edge reach is decent; the deck geometry lets you get close to borders on the right side. Around trees and beds, the light weight and modest wheelbase make trimming passes manageable without feeling like a workout.

Power, noise, and fuel use

The 144cc OHV engine isn’t a bruiser, but it’s well matched to the deck. I didn’t experience bogging in normal conditions. In ankle-high patches I could hear the RPM dip, yet the mower pulled through if I slowed my walking pace slightly. Noise is what you’d expect from a compact gas push mower—present but not piercing. Vibration through the handle is modest and didn’t lead to tingling fingers, even on longer sessions.

Fuel consumption was reasonable. A tank handled my third-of-an-acre suburban lawn with some reserve, which means fewer stops and less fiddling with a gas can.

Maneuverability and fatigue

Because there’s no self-propel drive, push effort matters. On flat ground, the combination of low weight and larger rear wheels makes this an easy mower to live with. On moderate slopes, it’s a leg workout, though still manageable. If your yard has long grades or thick, fast-growing grass, you’ll feel the absence of a drive system by the end of the job. For small-to-medium, relatively flat lawns, the trade-off in simplicity and lower maintenance is compelling.

Durability and maintenance

The deck steel and paint held up well through the season and multiple hose-downs. I recommend flipping the mower onto its side after each mow to scrape off packed clippings; the smoother you keep the underside, the better it will mulch on the next run. There’s no washout port, so a plastic scraper is your friend.

Routine maintenance is straightforward: change the oil after the break-in period and then annually, keep the air filter clean, and sharpen the blade at least once per season. Access to the spark plug and filter is unobstructed, and the included combo tool is handy for quick checks.

Two caveats on durability. First, the rear safety flap (the rubber guard that drapes over the back of the deck) feels thinner than I’d like. If you habitually pull the mower backward across low edging or uneven ground, it’s easy for that flap to catch. Be mindful when reversing, or you may be shopping for a replacement guard sooner than you’d planned. Second, while I didn’t need replacement parts during my test period, I’d like to see more robust parts availability and faster turnaround for wear items such as that guard. It’s a basic component, and downtime in peak growth season can be frustrating.

What it’s missing

A few omissions are worth noting:
- No bagging option. If you rely on a bagger for leaves, seedhead cleanup, or tidier curb appeal, that’s a hard limit.
- No self-propel. Many buyers won’t miss it on smaller lawns, but hilly yards or thick turf benefit from a drive system.
- No washout port. Cleaning the deck is manual.
- Limited accessory ecosystem. This model keeps things simple, but that simplicity means fewer available add-ons.

None of these are dealbreakers if you value light weight, low cost of entry, and minimal upkeep. They’re just worth weighing against your yard’s demands.

Safety and usability tips

• Use the side discharge in tall or wet conditions to avoid bogging and reduce clumping.
• Keep the blade sharp; mulching performance drops off quickly with a dull edge.
• Cut high during heat waves (3.5 inches or higher) to protect your turf.
• When reversing, lift slightly on the handle to keep the rear flap from catching.
• Store it dry and clean; damp clippings are the enemy of steel decks.

Who it’s for

This mower fits best in small-to-medium, mostly flat suburban yards where mulching is the preferred strategy and simplicity is a virtue. If you’re replacing a corded electric or an older, heavier gas push mower, you’ll appreciate the lighter feel and straightforward upkeep. If you regularly bag clippings, tackle leaf-heavy fall cleanups, or manage steep slopes, you’ll be happier stepping up to a self-propelled 3-in-1 model.

Recommendation

I recommend the PowerSmart 21-inch mower for budget-conscious homeowners who want a light, reliable gas push mower with honest mulching performance and straightforward maintenance. It starts easily, cuts cleanly at a sensible pace, and stores compactly. The dual-lever height adjustment is practical, and the larger rear wheels make a noticeable difference in how easy it is to push over imperfect lawns.

The trade-offs are clear: no bagging option, no self-propel, and a rear safety flap that deserves gentler treatment than most of us give it. If those limitations align with your yard and your expectations, this mower is a strong value. If you need a bagger or routinely mow on slopes, look for a self-propelled 3-in-1 alternative.