So overhead tree branches are messing with your home’s Feng shui: your garden is looking overgrown and you cannot see through your kitchen window. Instead of experimenting with chainsaws and stepladders, you intelligently decided that it is time to invest in a pole saw.
Then you take a look at the market, and naturally, feel overwhelmed by the numerous products. Now you are sitting there, asking yourself how to separate the beauties from the beasts.
Look no further, because we have done the research and come up with the best pole saws you can find on the market. We selected pole saws that are easy-to-use, versatile, lightweight, and suitable for every budget so that you can find the perfect unit for your very own mini-battle with nature.
Make sure to read our essential buying advice at the end of this article, where we tell you the main factors you should consider when choosing the best pole saw for your garden. You will no longer have to worry about those far-reaching branches!
Our Best Pole Saws Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Greenworks 20302 Cordless Pole Saw |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Remington RM2599 Maverick Gas Pole Saw |  |
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| 3. Sun Joe SWJ800E Electric Pole Chain Saw |  |
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| 4. BLACK+DECKER LPP120B 20V Max Pole Saw |  |
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| 5. Oregon Cordless PS250 8-Inch 40V Telescoping Pole Saw |  |
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| 6. WORX WG309 8-Amp 10-Inch 2-in-1 Electric Pole Saw & Chainsaw |  |
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1. Greenworks 20302 Cordless Pole Saw — Best Pole Saw
“The Greenworks Cordless Pole Saw is our favorite option for most people, as it’s effective, versatile, and easy to use.”
The Greenworks Cordless Pole Saw is our favorite option for most people, as it is effective, versatile, and easy to use. This pole saw uses a lithium-ion battery to operate, so it will cut down costs in comparison to gas pole saws, and at the same time, it will allow you to cut branches in places that cabled pole saws would not be able to reach. Also, this pole saw comes with the best warranty you can find on the market.
The Greenworks pole saw offers versatility in operation. You can adjust its reach from 8 feet with extension, to 5 feet without the extension. This means that you will always be able to set the optimal length for work on branches with varying heights.
The Greenworks can work on battery life for up to 2 hours of non-stop work, which is more than enough time for you to trim those pesky branches. As this model is not corded but works on a battery, it provides a level of mobility that is not an option with corded electric models. If you have a large garden, this is the pole saw for you.
You will love the smooth operation of this unit. It starts and stops instantly, and it is very effective in cutting well, even though thicker branches. In addition, it makes way less noise than gas-powered models.
“As this model is not corded but works on a battery, it provides a level of mobility that’s not an option with corded electric models.”
The Greenworks is quite cost-effective and offers great value for your money. To begin with, the price of this unit is quite affordable. The lithium battery it requires is rechargeable and costs only about an additional $20. In addition, it does not waste a lot of chain oil to operate, so you will not have to spend much on oil, either.
This pole saw is very easy to assemble and operate. You will not need any tools to disassemble or assemble the Greenworks, and it only takes a minute. Additionally, checking the oil levels and refilling the oil tank is easy and clean.
Using the Greenworks will not be a hassle, as it is lightweight (weighs about 10 pounds), well-balanced, and the extension is super easy to adjust. This is a pole saw you can just pick up and set off to work!
Last but not least, this model is incredibly durable. It comes with a 4-year warranty, one of the best warranties you will find on the market.
Specs
- Bar Length: 8.5 inches
- Power Source: Battery-Powered
- Weight: 9.2 pounds
Pros
- It delivers smooth operation and less noise
- Maneuverable, lightweight, and it gets the job done
- A single charge delivers commanding power
- Auto tensioning system
Cons
- The oil reservoir is very small
2. Remington RM2599 Maverick Gas Pole Saw — Most Versatile
“This pole saw runs on gas, so it’s a great choice if you need a unit that can run for hours in areas that don’t have access to electricity.”
The Remington RM2599 Maverick is the most versatile pole saw that you could find for a decent price. Using the extension, you can reach branches up to 12 feet high with this pole saw.
In addition, the Maverick is compatible with most attachments, so you can use it as a leaf blower, hedge trimmer, and so on. This pole saw runs on gas, so it is a great choice if you need a unit that can run for hours in areas that do not have easy access to electricity.
Although the Maverick is the priciest pole saw out of our recommendations, it is still quite affordable and offers great value for your money. To begin with, you can use the Maverick for a variety of garden tasks beyond trimming branches, since it is compatible with most attachments, as we have already mentioned (edger, blower, and hedge trimmer).
The Maverick is also quite powerful and effective in handling more difficult tasks, thanks to its 25cc 2-cycle engine. It takes about a minute to warm up but starts up quite easily.
“It comes with an auto-oiler, which ensures that the chain will be properly lubricated without you having to pay attention to it.”
This unit is easy to maintain and easy to use. It comes with an auto-oiler, which ensures that the chain will be properly lubricated without you having to pay attention to it.
Without the extension, the pole saw is lightweight, making it easy enough to wield. In addition, it is designed to cut branches both horizontally and vertically without problems.
Lastly, the Maverick is durable. The chain remains sharp for a long time, and the build of the pole saw is sturdy. This unit is backed by a 2-year warranty.
Specs
- Bar Length: 8 inches
- Power: 25cc Gas Engine
- Power Source: Gas-Powered
- Weight: 17.5 pounds
Pros
- It offers great value for your money
- It comes with a powerful and efficient motor
- You can use it to handle difficult tasks
- It is highly durable and very easy to maintain
Cons
- Some users find it hard to start
3. Sun Joe SWJ800E Electric Pole Chain Saw — Best on a Budget
“Although it’s quite affordable, the Sun Joe is powerful, easy to use, and durable.”
The Sun Joe SWJ800E pole saw is our most budget-friendly recommendation. Although it is quite affordable, the Sun Joe is powerful, easy to use, and durable.
Its warranty is of the same length as much pricier products. The Sun Joe is an electric-corded pole saw, so it is great for work around the house, but not so much for work in a field, where finding outlets is somewhat of a fantasy.
The Sun Joe is quite easy to use. It is lightweight, but not in a cheap-quality sort of way. Despite being the cheapest, this pole saw extends the most out of our recommendations.
Extension and retraction are quick and simple, and the Sun Joe extends up to 8.7 feet, allowing you to reach branches up to 15 feet in height. You can still do this with the other models if you are tall enough, of course.
Additionally, the unit comes with a comprehensive guide and instruction manual that will take you carefully through each step of operation and maintenance. This makes the Sun Joe a good choice for newbies to mechanical gardening tools.
This pole saw is also easy to maintain. As is the case with the Remington Maverick, the Sun Joe has an auto-lubrication feature too, which makes maintenance and smooth operation a no-brainer. This unit is easy to adjust, assemble, and disassemble.
“The extension pole is quite rigid, and it doesn’t wobble even when adjusted at full-length.”
You will love how sturdy this model is for the money. The extension pole is quite rigid, and it does not wobble even when adjusted at full-length.
The Sun Joe runs on a powerful 6.5-amp motor, which can cut branches up to 7.5 inches in thickness. Also, the chain is sharp and cuts quite well. Last but not least, the Sun Joe is backed by a 2-year warranty, the same sort of warranty that comes with higher-priced products.
Specs
- Bar Length: 8 inches
- Power: 5 Amps
- Power Source: Electric-Powered
- Weight: 7.7 pounds
Pros
- It is super lightweight and convenient
- It comes with a comprehensive guide and instruction manual
- It requires minimal maintenance
- It comes with a very powerful motor
Cons
- There are some complaints about the quality of the build
4. BLACK+DECKER LPP120B 20V Max Pole Saw
The next pole saw review on our list is the BLACK+DECKER LPP120B 20V Max Pole Saw. This is one of the most affordable pole saws on the market. Despite its low price, this unit comes with several great features to provide you with an amazing cutting and trimming experience.
One of the reasons why many homeowners love this pole saw is that it has a reach of an impressive 14 feet. That length can cover all the basic needs at home jobs.
This is a cordless pole saw and it comes with a 20v battery. The battery is highly durable and you can use it with other BLACK+DECKER battery-powered tools. It is also super lightweight, as it weighs only 9.3 pounds.
This means you will not have any issues lifting this unit, making it ideal for prolonged use. It comes with an extension that allows for a usable length of 6.5 or 10 feet. With a single charge, this unit can provide you with up to 100 cuts of 1.5-inch pine branches.
The bar length of this unit is 8 inches and it delivers a maximum cutting diameter of 6 inches. It also comes with a two-year limited warranty. The unit is very easy to assemble and disassemble for easy transport. It comes with a line powerhead that makes it easy to maneuver and see between branches.
The powerful delivers a cutting speed of 375 rotations per minute, which is pretty impressive. The packaging includes 1 pole saw with extension, a wrench, and a blade guard oil bottle.
Specs
- Bar Length: 8 inches
- Power Source: Battery-Powered
- Weight: 9.3 pounds
Pros
- Long bar length to handle a variety of cuts
- Lightweight fiberglass pole with a reach of up to 14 feet
- Up to 100 cuts per charge
- It is affordable
Cons
- The battery takes a long time to charge
- Some users complained the battery discharges faster
5. Oregon Cordless PS250 8-Inch 40V Telescoping Pole Saw
If you are looking for the best pole saw with a great balance, the Oregon Cordless PS250 8-Inch 40V Telescoping Pole Saw is one of the best options to consider. The weight of this unit is evenly distributed in the body of the saw, making it very easy to use.
With this unit, you can bid farewell to the common issues of one side of the saw being too heavy to aim consistently. This makes it very easy to use at almost any angle.
It comes with an 8 inches bar and chain. While some may see this small blade as a drawback, it actually allows for more precision when using it to cut specific bushes or branches. The blade also contributes to the lightweight nature of the entire unit. When it comes to noise level, this unit is four times quieter than most pole saws on the market.
It comes with a very powerful motor that delivers great cutting power. This unit is also very easy to maneuver, thanks to its cordless nature. It uses a 40v battery, which delivers great performance. Since it is a battery-powered pole saw, it has no emissions, making it an eco-friendly pole saw. It is compact, lightweight, and very easy to use.
With a full charge, you can use this pole saw to make up to 500 cuts on two to three inches diameter limbs using the 4Ah lithium battery. It comes with an ergonomic design to enable you to work more comfortably. You can extend the shaft up to 10.1 feet and the overall coverage of the unit is 15 feet.
With this saw, you no longer have to wait for the saw to warm up or worry about pull-cords, as it starts instantly. With the battery, the unit weighs only 13.5 pounds. The motor delivers a cutting speed of 2,817 FPM.
Specs
- Bar Length: 8 inches
- Power Source: Battery-Powered
- Weight: 13.5 pounds
Pros
- Balanced weight distribution
- Low vibration and noise
- It is very easy to start, with no emissions
- It comes with a compact cutting head
Cons
- The charger is a bit slow, but you can purchase an upgraded (faster) charger
6. WORX WG309 8-Amp 10-Inch 2-in-1 Electric Pole Saw & Chainsaw
WORX is a well-respected company in the power tool industry, and they hardly disappoint. The Worx WG309 Pole Saw & Chainsaw is a unique product and it is one of the best pole saws on the market.
As stated in the name of the product, this unit is 2-in-1 and you can use it as a pole saw and a chainsaw. One of the major points of attraction for this unit is its auto-tensioning system. This unit comes with an auto-tensioner that increases the operation lifespan of its 40-link blade.
It is an electric-powered pole saw & chainsaw and it comes with a very powerful 8-amp motor. The motor is reliable and strong, and it is designed for prolonged use. The motor is also more durable than most other pole saws out there.
The entire unit is reasonably lightweight and it can extend up to 8 feet. With this pole saw, you can trim most trees without stressing your arms and shoulders, as it offers a reach of up to 10 feet.
This saw is also very easy to handle and use, thanks to its ergonomic and comfortable grip. Even in wet conditions, this unit still offers a firm grip. To make pruning much easier, this unit comes with a rotatable handle.
It comes with a pretty long bar and chain, 10 inches. This is pretty impressive and it gives you a longer reach. It also comes with an auto oil pump system with a level indicator.
Specs
- Bar Length: 10 inches
- Power: 8 Amps
- Power Source: Electric-Powered
- Weight: 10 pounds
Pros
- Patented auto-tensioner that boosts operational lifespan
- Ergonomic and comfortable grip
- An auto oiler system to keep your chain and bar lubricated
- Highly durable and high-performance engine
Cons
- Limited maneuverability
Best Pole Saw Buyer’s Guide
Now that you have looked at our favorite pole saws on the market, you are trying to decide which recommendation is the best choice for you.
To make your decision easier, here are some things you should consider when choosing:
Gas, Battery, or Corded?
We have included one of each — we have a gas-powered, a battery-powered, and a corded-powered recommendation. Therefore, the question is — what does each type have to offer?
However, as they use gas to operate, they pollute the air and are not very eco-friendly. In addition, they weigh quite a bit more than electric pole saws, and you will always need to dough out more cash for gas.
“Battery-powered pole saws offer a great deal of mobility, while corded pole saws are the cheapest option on the market.”
Electricity-powered pole saws are more eco-friendly and economical, and in general are also cheaper than gas-powered saws. They are also much more lightweight and easier to use than gas pole saws.
The two types of electricity-powered pole saws are battery-powered and corded designs. Battery-powered pole saws offer a great deal of mobility, while corded pole saws are the cheapest option on the market.
Safety Features
To avoid accidents, you need to opt for a pole saw that comes with some basic safety features. For the safety of users, many brands are now including good grip handles, anti-vibration features, compact designs, and more.
All these factors help to make the tools safer. Safety should be one of your major concerns when looking for the best pole saw to buy.
The Length of the Pole
The length of the pole saw matters a lot also. The more the length of the pole, the higher your reach. If you want to cut or trim higher branches, then the length of the pole saw should be of high priority to you.
You will be able to trim large trees without any issues when you opt for a long pole. However, when looking for a long pole, you need to make sure the entire unit is well-balanced so you will not have trouble reaching specific branches.
Cutting Bar Length
You also need to consider the length of the bar and chain. The cutting bar determines the maximum diameter of the wood you can cut. Pole saws come with bar length from 6 to 12 inches. However, the most common on the market is 8 inches.
If you want to cut a branch with a diameter of 6 inches or less, then an 8-inch bar length can do the job. The length of the bar should always be 2 inches greater than the diameter of the branch you want to use it to cut.
Other Types of Saws
Meanwhile, check out our reviews of other types of saws for every application and budget! We have our roundup of chainsaws — both regular and electric ones — and our other top lists:
- For track saws, click here
- For table saws, click here
- For reciprocating saws, click here
- For scroll saws, click here
- For tile saws, click here
- For miter saws, click here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What Is A Pole Saw?
A: A pole saw is a gardening machine, which consists of a saw at the end of a pole. The saw is mounted at the end of the pole so that you can cut overhead branches that are difficult to reach. If you intend to cut bigger chunks of a tree, then consider a log splitter instead.
Q: How Thick Can A Pole Saw Cut?
A: A pole saw can cut branches that are between 6 to 8 inches in thickness, generally. There are some models that can cut thicker wood, too.
Q: Are Pole Saws Safe?
A: Pole saws are safe if handled correctly. Some ways of staying safe are carefully reading the guide, wearing the right gear, keeping the pole saw upright, and not cutting directly on top of yourself. (1)
Q: How Do You Keep The Pole Saw Blades Sharp?
A: Clean your pole saw after use, and store in a dry, well-ventilated place. Keep your machine well oiled. When the blades start to dull, use a chain saw sharpener or file to refine the edges of the teeth.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you found our recommendations and buying guide useful in your search for the best pole saw. You can get more information about each unit by following their title links!
We recommend the Greenworks 20302 Cordless Pole Saw for most people as it also offers the best value for your money. It provides excellent performance that will allow you to cut down most branches, and with the extension, you will be able to reach branches up to 15 feet in height.
The Greenworks is also quite energy-efficient and eco-friendly as it uses a rechargeable lithium battery to operate. The cordless design allows for greater mobility and continuous work in remote locations for about 2 hours. Not to mention that it is backed by an incredible 4-year warranty!
