Last Updated on October 20, 2021
If you are interested in buying a pole saw, and looking for the right option, then I can be of some help.
“How?” you may ask.
Well, information about pole saws isn’t very common. So, we have done some digging, and here, we will present all the info one can know about pole saws.
Coming to the point, in this article, we are going to review the best pole saws in the market.
We will also provide you with a buying guide and a list of top brands.
Once you have gone through the entire article, you will be able to choose the right option for you.
Let’s get started.
Best Pole Saw – Comparisons
Top 10 Best Pole Saw Reviews
I have done some research for you and made a list of pole saws that I believe will help you to choose the ideal option. Let’s begin.
1. Greenworks PS80L21 PRO 10 Inch 80V Cordless Pole Saw
No products found.
A cordless unit has both benefits and demerits. The good thing about them is that you can use the machine anywhere without worrying about cords. It also won’t emit any fumes. Also, these devices do not make any noise.
That said, the battery may run out any time if you do not bring along with you a spare battery. Moreover, these tools also happen to be less powerful than devices with other power sources.
However, this unit from Greenworks seems like it has been designed to sort these problems out. It has come with a 10” blade and an Oregon chain to deal with the power issue.
You will also notice that it gets charged pretty quickly. The machine weighs 12.8 pounds. When it comes to performance, the device manages to trim the branches with efficiency.
Another exceptional feature it is equipped with is the angled head. That helps in reaching around the tree branches.
The unit doesn’t vibrate much during pruning. So, there will be less fatigue in this case. It features an easy adjustment of the chain tension. During work, this will save you some valuable time.
Usually, the tool comes with a battery and charger in the package. That reduces some extra work. Whenever you have a low oil level, you will be notified thanks to the indicator window the device features.
- The motor is very durable
- Head is angled to reach around the branches
- The handle provides a firm grip
- Auto oiling facility
- Indicator window for oil level
- Heavy pole
- Not so useful with thicker branches
2. Greenworks 20672 8.5 Inch 40V Cordless Pole Saw
No products found.
This machine gets the trimming done with real speed. At the same time, it requires minimum effort from its users.
The unit is lightweight. Those who aren’t into a heavy pole saw will surely love it. By weighing less, this machine saves your energy and doesn’t give your muscles a tough time. It also allows you to reach higher tree branches with much ease.
This unit comes with a battery made of lithium that runs longer than the others. It generates the maximum possible power a battery can.
Regarding performance, the saw nicely cuts down the tree branches of moderate thickness. Also, it is cheaper than the previous saw we talked about. If you consider the price tag, the deal looks like a steal. So, this machine is a good option for you if you want a good quality product at a cheap rate.
Now, let’s learn about its limitations. We will point out the reasons why it’s not my first choice.
The unit can reach eight feet of distance only. Considering the first one’s ability of 12 feet reach, that’s quite short. You are going to have a hard time reaching the higher tree branches.
Users noticed that the battery died out faster than it was supposed to in few occasions. This problem happened mainly while dealing with the thicker branches. That being said, no doubt this is an excellent tool to keep in your possession.
- Considerably light in weight
- Motor functions great
- Reasonably priced
- Reaching capacity is comparatively shorter
- Occasional battery error
3. BLACK+DECKER LPP120 20-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Pole Saw
No products found.
There is no match for this cordless pole saw when it comes to a reasonable price rate. However, to make the product more affordable, the makers haven’t compromised with the quality a bit.
Moreover, it is also capable of reaching a distance of 14 feet. That’s quite long as far as the reaching capacity is concerned. You won’t have any trouble whatsoever in trimming any remote branch in a typical courtyard tree.
This pole saw comes with a battery swapping feature. If you possess another of this unit, you can swap the battery anytime you need. Therefore, there will be no more running out of batteries if you have two machines.
By weighing moderately (6.3 lbs. to be precise), it allows you to lift and maneuver it with less effort. If you need to work for an extended period, the weight of the device will be pivotal.
One drawback of this unit is that its battery span is a bit short. It is a bit tiring to charge it after every 20 minutes. Also, the charging takes longer. If you can overlook or deal with these issues, the device will be a good choice for you.
- The price tag is very affordable
- Long reaching capacity
- Interchangeable battery
- Easy to store
- Poor battery span
- Frequent loosening of the chain
- Repeated manual oiling
4. Sun Joe SWJ807E 10 inch 8.0 Amp Electric Convertible Pole Chain Saw
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This unit is 8.8 feet long. That means you have about 15 feet of overhead reach when you add your height to that. With this reach, you will be having little, if any, trouble in cutting off the hanging branches and leaves.
It has an 8-amp motor system. The motor saves a lot of electricity. Therefore, it reduces the financial load on you by keeping the bill low.
This motor is built strongly. It can trim the thicker branches and do it with ease. Another nice feature of this unit is its auto oiling facility. It keeps the chain lubricated continuously. It just needs the machine to be switched on for doing its job.
You will find the pruning work to be smooth and fast with the oiled chain. This unit comes with a safety switch. It is introduced to prevent any mishap from happening. That is a great feature and ensures your safety.
It weighs 8.4 pounds. That is pretty light as far as the pole saws go. You can carry it around without exhausting yourselves. Its low weight will come in handy when you have a long day of work. You will be less fatigued then. Being a convertible machine, it helps in all types of pruning.
- High reach facility for trimming upper branches
- Automatic oiling of the chain
- Lightweight
- The handle offers a firm grip
- Occasionally struggles to prune thicker limbs
- Complex chain adjustment
5. Greenworks 20192 8.5 Inch 6.5 Amp Corded Pole Saw with Case
No products found.
This unit from Greenworks has managed to please its users with good performance. It is a corded tool with a more comfortable set up than the gas units.
You will like the fact that it comes with a well-built chain as well as a durable 8″ bar. With this saw, you can trim tree branches from small to medium. An aluminum-made pole is also included with the unit. So, it is a quite sturdy tool for your regular use.
There are other features included in the machine that one would find attractive. For example, the device has an auto-oiled chain. That means you don’t need to do anything to keep the chain running efficiently. There will also be no durability issues for this auto-oiling mechanism.
Another cool addition is the fitted window. You can easily see the oil level through that. This device is equipped with a strong 6.5-amp motor. With this much power, you won’t have any difficulties in using the machine for long periods.
This unit has 8 feet of reach. That will be great for a garden with small trees. Another nice feature the tool comes with is the Nylon made carrying bag. Thanks to the bag, you’ll be able to carry the machine easily.
You will be glad to find the device with adjustable chain tension feature. If it weren’t there, you would be having a difficult job of adjusting it in the middle of work. Now, you just need to turn the bolt to adjust it.
- Trim the stubborn branches easily
- Automatic oiling
- An Aluminum-made sturdy pole with 8 feet reach
- Easy adjustment of chain tension
- Nice carrying bag
- Occasional oil leakage
- Loses balance during full extension of the shaft
6. Earthwise CVPS43010 7-Amp 10-Inch Convetible 2-in-1 Polesaw Chainsaw
No products found.
When it comes to a convertible tool, they often end up being overrated. But this unit does the job quite well and fulfills the expectations.
This machine is manufactured in a couple of sizes. You can choose from either a 10” bar or an 8” one. They come with different sort of working ability. Both of them are equipped with telescoping poles.
There are some differences between these two different sized machines. Regarding the 10” one, it comes with a 7-amp motor which is not of very good quality. It does the regular job well, though. When it comes to trimming the medium sized tree branches, this unit is as good as any.
You will find the saw not so useful with the large branches, but you will be able to trim the remote branches with this one. The extended shaft of this unit will be helpful in doing that.
Moreover, you are going to like the rotatable saw with the 8 feet long pole. With this saw, you will be better able to handle the branches that otherwise would give you a hard time.
The 8″ model comes with a 6.5-amp motor. It has a longer shaft than the other unit. There are 9 feet of extension for this pole. This unit is weaker in power, but lighter in weight than the other one.
- Cuts off moderately thick branches efficiently
- Can be easily stored
- Pole can be extended
- Lightweight
- Not so powerful
7. BLACK+DECKER PP610 6.5-Amp Corded Pole Saw
No products found.
The machine is quite lightweight. It weighs 7.9 pounds. With a tool this light, you can trim the higher branches without tiring your arms.
You will also be able to control the machine comfortably. At times, you will have to do long hours. A heavy tool would be really inconvenient for you in those cases.
A nice feature for the machine is that it is equipped with the facility of automatic lubrication of the chain. This auto oiling feature gives the chain durability. You won’t have to oil the machine by yourself which will save you a lot of time.
Furthermore, you will be glad to find the 9.5 feet long shaft in this pole saw. It will give you access to the highest of branches.
This unit comes with an inline motor to offer you safety during the trimming work. You will be having a clear sight line while cutting the branches off, thanks to this feature.
- Sturdy bar and chain of 10-inch
- Almost no vibration
- Lightweight unit reducing the workload
- Well designed
- Strong motor
- Bar and chain oil are not provided in the package
8. Remington RM1035P Ranger II 8-Amp Electric 2-in-1 Pole Saw
No products found.
Its handle comes with a guard providing firm and comfortable grip. The device comes with a 10 feet extended pole to allow you access to hard-to-reach spots.
You will be able to convert the device from a chainsaw to the pole saw pretty easily. All you have to do is attach the handle to the pole, open the flip and lock clamps, and then close them.
An angled head also comes as a feature in this tool. Pruning the trees will be more convenient with it. With an 8-amp motor, the device can work on moderately long tree branches efficiently. You’ll get a 10″ chain and bar with the unit.
Another excellent feature it comes with is the chain tension adjustment. This option makes the work easy for you. All you have to do is tighten or loosen the knob according to the need. Moreover, there is an upgrade on the lubrication of chains. This way, the chains become stronger and smoother.
But weight is an issue here. The machine happens to be pretty heavy. Considering that you will need to trim high branches, it might become difficult to handle it. If you are alright with this, then it can be a good option for you.
- Firm and easy grip
- Uncomplicated setup and conversion
- Well-built
- Too heavy
9. Worx WG309 Electric Pole Saw, 10-Inch
No products found.
Regarding design, it’s very impressive. The makers have also kept the price range within the limit. This machine is designed to prune small to medium sized tree branches. The 8-amp motor is powerful enough for most of the tasks.
This pole is long enough to reach the high branches without you having to make much effort. It has a firm handle with a comfortable grip. The handle revolves when you want it to revolve. That makes trimming more fun and easier.
Another feature that makes it unique is its 10-inch bar. The bar can clip the thin branches as well as the very thick ones.
Moreover, this tool comes with a double functioned pole that can also work as a saw. This feature will be of help when you need to remove those awkwardly big branches.
Cool design and a variety of functions are not the only impressive qualities the device possesses. It has an exclusive auto-stressing mechanism that very few other pole saws have. This feature increases the unit’s durability.
- Specialist in cutting moderately sized tree branches
- Stunningly slim outlook
- Designed with an auto-stressing mechanism
- Can turn itself into a saw to prune big branches
- A bit heavy
10. Remington RM1025SPS Ranger 8-Amp Electric 2-in-1 Pole Saw
No products found.
The machine comes with an 8-amp electric powered motor for fast and precise trimming. Also, the machine features a 10” bar.
You will have 10 feet of reach with this machine. That means around 15 feet of a total range including your height. There are options for flipping and clamp locking to adjust the pole length. You can do that very easily. Moreover, you can remove the chainsaw without needing any tools to do that.
What we didn’t find cool was the frequent clogging of the chain area by debris as this leads to constant maintenance. A good thing about this pole saw is that it is a two-in-one removable device. That enables it to offer variety in pruning.
You will enjoy comfort in handling the machine due to its anti-rotation design. It provides stability and ease. The pole comes with a slip-preventing grip to ensure safety as well as to reduce the hand fatigue.
The kit weighs 12.9 pounds. So, you won’t have to exhaust yourself while carrying it around for long periods.
- High power motor to do plenty of wood cutting
- Removable chainsaw provides flexibility in use
- Flip and lock clamps make it very easily adjustable
- Clogging up of chain area asks for regular maintenance
Benefits of Using Pole Saw
With this tool, you can work on your trees without having to climb any ladder.
It is used to trim the unwanted growth of branches of any tree.
The benefits of using it;
- It can reach high places
- Less muscle work
- Saves money
- Less risk of injuries
- Easy to handle
So, you can be a do-it-yourselfer pretty efficiently if you own a tool like this.
It makes gardening more fun. Overall, this tool would be a useful item to own for sure.
Before You Buy, What to Look For
After this detailed breakdown of multiple pole saws, you might be suffering from indecision regarding which one to go with. That is why we have come with this section to help you get through the tough job of decision making.
Power
When it comes to power sources, you can choose from a variety of options. Let’s talk about them.
Gas Powered
First, you have the gas-powered devices. They are usually recommended for professional use. These machines are expected to be more powerful than others.
Though the electric machines are quite powerful as well, the gas-powered units are still known as the devices with the most power.
You don’t need to charge the batteries to fire this thing up. All you have to do is supply enough gas to the machine to get it started.
Battery Powered
Then there are the electric units. They are more suitable for home gardening. It is unusual to see the professionals using these machines. But this is changing nowadays. They have begun to step into the territory of professional jobs.
The electric machines are cheaper than the gas-powered ones. Also, they do not emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as the gas-powered motors do.
Regarding their drawbacks, they come with lesser power than the gas units. That means limitation in the types of work you can do.
Since the electric units require charged batteries, you have to be careful that the battery doesn’t run out in the middle of work. Otherwise, your work will be in jeopardy.
These machines for sure are eco-friendly. So, if you care about the environment, then you should buy a battery-powered machine.
Manual Ones
Last, there are the manual pole saws. Though they are efficient and simple, they aren’t recommended for heavy-duty projects.
These saws help you get the regular and simple pruning done. But, when there are large-scale projects, it is more convenient to have some fuel or power source involved.
But, concerning affordability, there is just no match for them. If that’s what your priority is, you should go for one of these manual devices.
Reach
Keep in mind that the reach is a very crucial factor to keep an eye on. The manufacturers provide the reach according to the market norms. In that case, the reach is based on an average tall guy’s height.
Therefore, you could end up being shorter than that standard. Consequently, you might end up having the wrong tool.
So, keep in mind, the maximum extension of the pole means the pole’s length only. Depending on how tall the trees in your garden are, your choice of pole saws will vary.
Power Source
Some electric tools require cords. If you choose them, make sure you have a plugin facility available near you. And if you don’t have that facility, then there’s no point in having an electric unit. Instead, you should choose from the other options.
Size and Weight
If you are a person of moderate strength, you might find some pole saws to be too heavy. You might get into trouble for that. Because the pole saws will need to be used overhead sometimes.
Therefore, you should choose the tool by keeping in mind its size and weight. The device should be suitable for your stature.
You shouldn’t invest in a machine that isn’t very portable.
Generally, the gas-powered kits weigh much less than the electric ones. The manual tools are the most lightweight.
It is a general estimation. You have to look more into the product’s specifications. Then you should choose the one that suits you.
Before making a choice, keep in mind that this is a machine you will regularly use. Choose one that you think will be comfortable for you to carry around.
Types of Pruning
It is essential to look into the kind of work you will do before choosing a tool.
If you are looking to do some heavy pruning, you need to choose the more powerful units. Because, the thicker the branches get, the stronger the pole saws should be.
For these heavy duties, gas units will be the most appropriate choice. That’s why professionals use these.
The electric devices are suitable for moderate pruning while the manual ones can do regular small-scale home garden trimming.
Go for a saw that suits your garden condition regarding the thickness of the tree branches. Be careful about not going for an underpowered machine for it will be useless then.
Maintenance
The gas units require more maintenance than the electric ones. The reason behind that is their complicated motor.
If you are ok with taking care of your device regularly, you can have a gas unit. Otherwise, you will be better with a low maintenance pole saws like the battery-powered ones.
In the process of maintaining a gas unit, it often requires professional help. If you can afford to spend some extra bucks, you can consider buying it.
Warranty
Before buying something with a complex motor system like these machines, it would be wise to make sure there is a warranty included. You need to take the warranty into consideration for some reasons.
A warranty assures you of assistance from the manufacturers whenever things go wrong with the product. Just knowing that there’s help available is quite comforting itself. For users who aren’t much good at taking proper care of their stuff will need it the most.
It is also proof of a particular brand’s quality. To give a good warranty with a unit, they must have confidence in their products. Otherwise, a company wouldn’t offer a warranty, if they think the product is a bad one.
So, if the warranty is not up to the mark, you might want to give it a second thought.
Combination
There are some units in the market which includes removable chainsaws. If you have any use of this feature, you should look for those units.
Otherwise, you might want to buy the ones that are more old-school and don’t come with a removable chainsaw.
The Frequency of Use
Not just for the pole saws, you need to consider this point before buying any tool. It is crucial to know how often you will use the device.
If you are intending on using the pole saw quite often, then you should go for the sturdier ones.
On the other hand, if the machine is likely to be used once in a while, then you are good with the moderately durable ones.
Generally, the gas units are expected to be more durable.
The best way to find about durability would be having chats with the users of the respective device.
However, all the devices that I reviewed are durable and should last at least a few years.
Price
A simple yet essential factor is the price. You need a good quality device without overspending for it.
The cheapest ones are the manual units. And the most expensive among them is the gas-powered tools.
Top Rated Brands
Here are the most reliable brands out there that you can gamble your trust on;
Remington
This brand is well known for producing both battery-powered pole saws and gas saws. Previously, the company used to manufacture razors and firearms.
Now, the company has become involved with MTD, an American company that manufactures outdoor power equipment. We found this brand to be reliable. That means you can trust them too.
Another thing that you will like about them is that they keep the price of their products reasonable.
Black and Decker
The brand’s specialty is its cordless pole saws. As far as the cordless units go, they are the best out there. Their machines are affordable, simple in use, and durable.
Usually, they come with a cutting blade shield and a holding case. The guard also does the job of tool holding.
Greenworks
This brand has committed to an eco-friendly production plan. Generally, they offer more years of warranty than other brands. That shows how confident they are in their products.
The company has been manufacturing both cordless and corded devices.
Their electrical unit has a longer reach than any other corded machine.
Earthwise
This brand produces both corded and cordless pole saws. Their products are electric units. They may not manufacture very sturdy machines like some of the other brands, but their products are extremely affordable.
In terms of durability, their products are quite good. With the simple operating facility, these units have earned customers appreciation.
Sun Joe
It is the sister company of Snow Joe, a company that produces snow blowers. New Jersey was this brand’s first base. They have manufactured quite many power tools, both cordless and corded, since their launch.
You will find their products cheaper than the units produced by other brands. Nevertheless, their tools are quite durable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a pole saw machine?
A: It is a gardening tool made by attaching a saw at the end of a pole. The pole saw is used to trim the tree branches and cut the unwanted branches off without climbing a ladder.
Q: How does a pole saw work?
A: The electric and gas-powered units use their chainsaws for pruning. And the manual devices are conventional saws with poles attached to them.
Q: What is the process of using this device?
A: You can use it vertically to prune the overhead hanging branches. If you need to extend it across hedges and fences, it will be ok with that too. This tool eliminates the risk of ladder climbing.
Q: What are the safety measures?
A: The protective measures would be wearing a pair of gloves that provide a non-slip and firm grip, a helmet, and a goggle. You should also put on shoes and long pants. Also, you should use hearing protection to protect your ears.
Q: Will it be alright to use the tool on a ladder?
A: No, it won’t be safe. One should use it only from the ground.
Conclusion
Ok, now you know all you need to know about pole saws to make an informed decision. It’s time for you to act. So, my reviews for the best pole saw will help you to narrow down the options.
And the buying guide will help you realize what features you want in your pole saw.
If you still have any queries regarding the pole saws, please tell me in the comments section. I’ll try to answer the questions as soon as possible.