The Best Pole Saws (Review) in 2023 | Autance

Topping our list of the best pole saws is this 40V Cordless Pole Saw by Greenworks. This battery-powered pole saw comes with a 3-piece aluminum shaft that’s easy to assemble into a 9ft long tool. Depending on your height, this will allow you to prune tree limbs up to 15ft high, using the 8” bar and chain. There’s also an automatic oiler so the chain will remain lubricated without manual maintenance (you just need to top it up if it’s running low).

Made from high quality steel, this cordless pole saw is well balanced and easy to use. The handle is weighted to help with muscle fatigue, and the cushioned grip offers additional comfort – although the position of the safety catch might make your thumb sore over time. It can be purchased with or without a battery, and users report that the battery life is reasonable, with many saying they tired long before the power ran low (you’ll probably get just over an hour of continuous use). The ease of operation and the instant start/stop feature are also highly praised by reviewers.

Coming in at a close second, this LPP120B 20V Lithium Ion Pole Pruning Saw by Black + Decker is another fantastic choice to tackle those hard-to-reach branches. Its cordless design is powered by the Max 20V lithium-ion battery system, which is compatible with a range of other Black + Decker tools. The pole extends to 6-½ or 10ft, offering a maximum reach of approx. 14ft, and the 8” bar and chain can easily cut through branches up to 6” in diameter.

One of the best features of this Black and Decker pole saw is the battery life. It has 5x the charge retention of NiCad batteries, and should give you plenty of time to prune those difficult overhead limbs (battery not included). Users praise the lightweight, easy to use and portable design. Criticisms include the lack of on-board oil reservoir, which means regular manual oiling is required, and the fact that the chain loosens with use. If you don’t mind a bit of maintenance though, the general consensus is this cordless pole saw is excellent value for money.

The first corded electric pole saw on the list is this Remington RM1025SPS Ranger 8-Amp 2-in-1 Pole Saw. Made from durable aluminum, this instant-start motor powers a 10” bar and chain which makes light work of overhanging branches. The pole saw has 2-in-1 functionality, with a ‘flip and lock’ clamp system which allows you to easily detach the pole and switch from pole saw to chainsaw.

The pole extends to 10ft, which provides considerable reach when combined with the user’s height – although some reviews comment that the pole cannot be disassembled once you’ve put it together, which may prove inconvenient for storage or transportation. The manufacturer also warns that some oil may leak from the bar and chain when not in use – but at least it does have an in-built oiling system.

This Sun Joe Pole Saw SWJ800E is another electric pole saw that will take the difficulty out of trimming your trees. The pole extends to 8.7ft, slightly shorter than the previous saws, but the 8” bar and chain can slice through branches of up to 7.5” in diameter. It’s lightweight, easy to use and fully adjustable, so you won’t have to struggle to get those hard-to-reach branches.

The pole saw features automatic oil lubrication, and easy chain tensioning – just turn the screw. It also comes with a built-in safety switch to prevent accidental starting (although at least one user mentions that this takes some getting used to) and there’s a 2-year full warranty from the manufacturer if anything goes wrong. People praise the sturdy construction, fast cutting speed and ease of operation.

The first gas powered pole saw on our list is this TPP720 model by TrimmerPlus. It’s compatible with a wide range of power units by major brands, including Remington, Troy-Bilt, Craftsman, Yardman, Greenworks and many more (check before purchasing to see whether it will work with your system). Providing you can power it, this gas pole saw is a solid choice. The 8-inch bar and chain will cut through logs of up to 4-inches in diameter, and the 7ft extension pole offers a useable length of approx. 11ft, depending on user height.

There’s also a built-in automatic oiler, so you don’t need to worry about manual maintenance – although, at least one user mentions that the included oil is too viscous, so you may need to replace it with another synthetic motor oil. Other reviews state that the pole saw was not set up correctly out of the box, and needed both the chain and the oiler adjusting. If you don’t mind making these recommended adjustments though, this gas pole saw has a lot of positives, with many users agreeing it’s lightweight, easy to operate and stands the test of time.

This 179-39 Telescopic Landscaping Pole Saw by SILKY is a different type of pole saw to the previous models – it’s powered by hand, rather than electric or gas. It consists of a 1.5mm thick carbon steel blade at the end of an aluminum pole, which extends from 8ft to an impressive 21ft. This incredibly long reach makes it suitable for pruning tall trees such as palms, and felling high-up tree limbs that are threatening the upper stories of your home.

You can use this pole pruner to cut through branches of up to 7.7”. As its hand-powered, it will take a more effort to do this than other pole saws, but manual operation does have its advantages – it’s free to run, completely mobile, and it’ll last as long as you do! Many people praise the lightweight design, sharp blade, and how easy the tool is to maneuver, even when fully extended.

Another fantastic pole saw from Greenworks is this 20192 8.5’ 6.5A Corded Pole Saw. This electric pole saw has a powerful motor and an 8” bar and chain which is said by one user to cut branches like ‘a hot knife through butter’. The aluminum pole extends to 8ft, and is easy to assemble and disassemble. It also comes with a carry bag, for storage and portability.

Other features of this pole chain saw include tool-free chain tensioning and an automatic oiler – although some reviewers have had issues with the saw using too much oil, or leaking when not in use. The 4-year warranty offers long-term peace of mind though if anything does go wrong.

Users praise the power of this Maxtra Gas Extendable Pole Saw. Powered by a 2-stroke 42.7cc engine, the pole extends up to 11.4ft, and the chainsaw makes light work of tree branches up to 8” in diameter. It has a large fuel tank, meaning a long working time, and there’s no cord to trip over.

This type of pole saw tends to be heavier than electric models, but Maxtra have accounted for that with some additional features such as a non-slip hand bar and a shoulder strap, designed to reduce user fatigue. The only recurring complaint seems to be the instruction manual, which does not provide adequate assembly instructions, fuel information or a parts list.

The final entry on our list of the best pole saws is this 18V Cordless Electric Pole Saw by Ryobi One+. It’s a battery-powered model (battery and charger not included) and it’s compatible with all other tools and batteries in the Ryobi One+ collection. It features a chainsaw with an 8” bar and chain, and a 9.5ft extension pole, and the head is angled, which makes it easier to cut overhead branches.

It also has an automatic oiling system, although as with some of the other models on this list, reviews indicate that it burns a lot of oil, so keep an eye on this. Other than that, this cordless Ryobi pole saw is reported to be lightweight, well-balanced and an effective way to trim high-up limbs.

If you’ve got overhanging tree limbs that need taking down, this RM2599 Maverick 25CC 8” Gas Pole Saw by Remington is up for the challenge. The 8” bar and chain is powered by a 2-cycle 25cc engine, which features QuickStart technology for easy pull starting. The 7ft pole comes in two pieces, so you have a few options for operating length.

The engine is also compatible with various other attachments, so you can turn your pole saw into a hedge trimmer or leaf blower (sold separately) and have yourself a complete garden maintenance system. A few users mention issues with the throttle, including engine spluttering and cutting out – if you experience this, make sure to take it up with the manufacturer.