Quick verdict
An 18-inch steel-deck gas push mower with a 144cc OHV engine, auto choke plus a primer, side discharge only and five heights from 1.5 to 3.9 inches. It suits a small flat lawn, under about a fifth of an acre, where a narrow deck fits the gates and the shed. The caveat is that side discharge is the only mode: no mulching plug, no bag.
Strengths
- Narrow 18-inch deck fits gates, strips and tight corners
- 144cc OHV engine with auto choke and primer for easy starts
- Steel deck
- Five heights from 1.5 to 3.9 inches
- 8-inch rear and 7-inch front wheels for maneuvering around beds
Weaknesses
- Side discharge only; no mulch plug or bag
- Narrow deck means more passes on anything beyond a small lawn
- Push only, no drive assist
- Weight and warranty term are not stated
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Who this mower is for
Some lawns are small enough that a 21-inch mower is more machine than the gate, the shed or the strips beside the driveway can accommodate. The PowerSmart EasyCut 18-inch is a gas push mower trimmed to that scale: an 18-inch steel deck, a 144cc engine with both an auto choke and a primer, side discharge, and five height settings. It is for the townhouse or small-lot owner who wants gas reliability without gas bulk, and who does not need a bag.
This review is based on the maker’s published specifications and on recurring owner feedback. We have not run this product ourselves.
What you get
The listing specifies an 18-inch steel deck with a blade PowerSmart describes as specialized for a clean, even cut, a 144cc four-stroke OHV engine with an auto choke and a primer for starting, side discharge as the single clipping mode, five cutting heights from 1.5 to 3.9 inches, 8-inch rear wheels and 7-inch front wheels. PowerSmart markets it for small yards, which is honest. Not stated: the weight, whether the handle folds, whether oil ships in the box, and the warranty term.
Cutting and power
On an 18-inch deck, 144cc is a better fit than it is on a 21-inch one; the blade is shorter, so the engine has less work per revolution and keeps its speed better in thick grass. For a weekly cut of a small healthy lawn that is plenty. The five-position range from 1.5 to 3.9 inches covers cool-season grasses at summer height and a shorter spring cut. Side discharge is the oldest and simplest clipping mode: the deck throws cuttings out the side onto the lawn. In a weekly cut they are short and vanish; in a tall cut they lie in rows and need a rake or a second pass. There is no mulching plug to chop them finer and no bag to collect them, which is the main thing a buyer gives up here.
Ease of use and handling
The appeal of a narrow gas mower is how it moves. An 18-inch deck slips through a 30-inch gate, follows a curved bed without scalping, and turns in a tight corner with a flick of the handle. The 8-inch rear and 7-inch front wheels are smaller than the 10-inch rears on PowerSmart’s 21-inch model, which is fine on a smooth small lawn and less so over roots. Starting is as easy as a pull-start gets: the auto choke sets itself and a few pumps of the primer help a cold engine catch on the first pull of the season. Weight is not stated, but with a small engine and no drive this will be one of the lighter gas mowers to push and to lift onto a shelf or into a car.
Build and durability
The steel deck is the durable part, and the right material for a gas mower that may meet a stone. The engine is a generic four-stroke of the sort PowerSmart fits across its range; owners of the brand’s mowers report dependable starting when oil is kept full and fuel is fresh. Hardware, cables and the bail are built to a budget and should be treated gently. The blade will need sharpening once or twice a season to keep the cut clean on an 18-inch deck, where any tearing shows.
Living with it
Fill the oil before the first start and check it every cut; small engines fail fast when run low. Change oil each season, replace the air filter and plug yearly, and stabilize the fuel or run the tank dry before winter. Side discharge means clippings stay on the lawn, which feeds it but can mat if the grass was long; mow more often rather than taller. Storage is where this mower shines: it is short and narrow enough for a crowded shed. The warranty term is not in the listing, so confirm it on the product page.
Alternatives to Consider
PowerSmart’s own 21-inch 144cc push mower adds three inches of width and a mulching mode for a little more money if the gate allows. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch cordless push mower is quieter, lighter and bags clippings, at the cost of battery runtime. The Sun Joe MJ401E 14-inch corded mower is the cheapest route for a lawn within cord reach of an outlet.
Verdict
Buy the PowerSmart EasyCut 18-inch if the lawn is small and flat, access is narrow, you want a gas engine that starts easily and you are happy to leave clippings on the lawn. Skip it if you want to mulch or bag, if the lawn is more than a fifth of an acre, or if a quiet battery mower would suit the neighborhood better.
Full specifications
PowerSmart EasyCut 18-Inch 144cc 4-Cycle Gas Push Lawn Mower with Side Discharge, 5-Position Height FAQs
No. The listing describes side discharge only. Clippings are thrown to the side and left on the lawn; in a weekly cut they are short enough to disappear, but a tall cut will need raking.
Three inches narrower means more passes on a big lawn but a mower that fits through a narrow gate, between a fence and a bed, and into a small shed. For a lawn you can cross in a dozen passes it is the right size.
The auto choke handles the air-fuel mix on a cold start; the primer bulb pushes a shot of fuel into the carburetor. Together they make a first start of the season more reliable than either alone.
PowerSmart does not state the weight. An 18-inch steel-deck mower with a 144cc engine and no drive system is typically among the lighter gas mowers, which is part of its appeal for a small yard.
