Having the best pole saw is a fantastic tool to have around the house, especially if you have tall trees or shrubs.
What is the Best Pole Saw
Here are my best pole saw recommendations. These are all electric pole saws and battery powered pole saws.
- #ad BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Pole Saw, 8-Inch (LPP120)
- #ad Sun Joe SWJ802E 9 FT 6.5 Amp Electric Pole Chain Saw with Adjustable Head
- #ad Greenworks 40V Cordless Pole Saw, 2.0 AH Battery Included 20672
- #ad Remington RM1035P Ranger II 8-Amp Electric 2-in-1 Pole Saw & Chainsaw with Telescoping Shaft
- #ad WORX WG309 8 Amp 10″ 2-in-1 Electric Pole Saw & Chainsaw with Auto-Tension
For more in-depth information on why these are recommended keep reading.
What is a Pole Saw
It is essentially just a long handled pole with a chainsaw on the end of it. You can choose between a manual pole saw or a motorized one.
These are basically a lightweight long reach chainsaw, they have a small engine that is powered with gasoline, a battery, or by electricity. They are extremely beneficial since they allow someone to stand safely on the ground (instead of precariously balancing on a ladder) and prune tall branches or vines easily.
Which is Better Gas or Electric Pole Saw?
There are four types of pole saws to choose from.
Manual
These work fine, WORK is the optimal word here. You are the engine and they take some physical exertion to use. These are wonderful if you want to get some exercise in. I have one of these and it’s better than nothing but I strongly prefer something with a motor.
Gas Powered
The good thing about a gas powered engine is it will have the most power to cut branches. The bad thing about them is they use gas, oil, loud, smell bad, messy, and not great for the environment.
Corded
A corded pole saw eliminates all of the drawbacks of a gas powered pole saw. The disadvantage is you have to lug a cord around everywhere you go. And they aren’t quite as powerful as a gas powered pole saw but are more powerful than a battery powered pole saw.
Battery Powered
This is my go to pole saw. No gas or oil to worry about for the engine and no electrical cords to get tangled up in things. All I have to do is make sure the battery is charged and I am ready to go.
The saw is not as powerful as the other two motorized options and these have the shortest bar lengths. Despite those two drawbacks the battery powered pole saws work great and make slicing through branches a breeze.
Pole Saw Considerations
Besides deciding which power source you prefer you also need to think about what your needs are with a pole saw.
Function
First and foremost think about the size and scope of work the saw will need to perform. Is this going to be a piece of equipment that is used extensively or just occasionally? What size branches will you be trimming with it?
After thinking about the function, you can begin thinking about some other aspects and what is important to you in terms of specific features.
Bar length
The length of the saw blade (the steel bar in which the chain spins around) will determine the size branches the pole saw can cut. Bar lengths are typically measured in inches and should always be longer than the diameter of the biggest branch it needs to cut. A longer bar length will need greater power to drive the chain.
Pole length/reach
The saw is only as good as the length it can reach. If it doesn’t reach all of the branches it needs to be trimmed it isn’t serving its purpose. So it’s important to take into consideration the height of the trees needing to be pruned and buy the appropriate pole length. If you have multiple tree heights, a telescoping pole may work well as you can adjust the length for different projects.
Top 5 Best Pole Saws
Okay with all that out of the way, if you still want an electric or battery powered pole saw see my detailed recommendations below.
Black and Decker Pole Saw
Consider the #ad BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Pole Saw, 8-Inch (LPP120)
The adjustable pole length spans from 6.5 to 10’ allowing you to easily cut branches up to 14’ off the ground; an 8” bar length will handle a maximum diameter of 6”. Weighing in at just over 6 pounds, arm and shoulder fatigue is less than heavier, gas powered models. The Black & Decker LPP120 also disassembles easily for compact storage — a nice feature if you are short on space.
Pros: Lightweight and easily portable. Telescoping handle lets you work at varying heights. Breaks down for easy storage.
Cons: Saw does not rotate on handle, no automatic oiler for chain. Battery power means you have less power than a gas or AC model limiting the size/thickness of branches it can handle. This model also needs the chain tightened periodically to keep it from loosening too much and slipping off the bar.
Sun Joe Pole Saw
The #ad Sun Joe SWJ802E 9 FT 6.5 Amp Electric Pole Chain Saw with Adjustable Head
A telescoping pole allows you to reach safely up to 15’ in height, and the electric 6.5-amp motor has a built in safety switch to prevent accidental starting. An electric powered motor cuts down the weight of the pole saw considerably; the SWJ802E weighs less than 8 pounds cutting arm fatigue significantly when working.
Maintenance is easy too with an auto-oiler that keeps the bar and chair lubricated during use. You can easily cut through branches up to 7.5” in diameter with this saw making it a great option for anyone needing to remove overhanging limbs and cut thin logs.
Pros: Adjustable head angle makes trimming limbs and branches less cumbersome. Telescoping extension pole allows for flexibility when working with trees of varying heights. Safety switch on motor prevents accidental starting.
Cons: Electric motor means you have to be tethered to an extension cord or generator for power, and you cannot operate this model in wet conditions.
#ad Sun Joe SWJ802E 9 FT 6.5 Amp Electric Pole Chain Saw with Adjustable Head
Greenworks Pole Saw
The #ad Greenworks 40V Cordless Pole Saw, 2.0 AH Battery Included 20672
The automatic oiling of the chain and bar means it’s not necessary to periodically stop and do this yourself, cutting into your work time. It also comes equipped with an easy-adjust chain tensioning system that quickly tightens the chain without the use of any special tools.
The aluminum, telescoping shaft extends up to 8’. The instant start/stop, automatic oiler, and tool-less chain tightening make this a good option for mechanically un-inclined homeowners with shorter, smaller diameter trees.
Pros: Automatic oil keeps chain lubricated, reducing the maintenance you need to perform while cutting limbs/branches. A telescoping pole allows you to adjust the pole length to fit the project you’re working on. Battery power allows you to move easily around the yard without worrying about fuel or an electrical cord.
Cons: The motor on the Greenworks saw is battery powered, resulting in a saw that is not as powerful as gas or AC units. Telescoping pole only extends to 8’ limiting reach and can be somewhat wobbly when fully extended.
#ad Greenworks 40V Cordless Pole Saw, 2.0 AH Battery Included 20672
Remington Pole Saw
The #ad Remington RM1035P Ranger II 8-Amp Electric 2-in-1 Pole Saw & Chainsaw with Telescoping Shaft
A 10” bar cuts through small to medium branches with minimal kickback using the 8-amp electric motor. The electric motor means no stopping in the middle of your project to charge batteries or refill gas, while keeping noise and vibrations to a minimum reducing arm fatigue. The handle and grips are designed to make handling the Remington RM1035P pole saw as easy as possible.
This is a great product for someone that needs the power of an electric pole saw and chain saw functionality but doesn’t want to purchase two different implements.
Pros: Saw and chainsaw in one allowing you the quick flexibility to cut down branches and then saw them into smaller pieces. The electric motor means minimal noise and vibrations, causes less arm fatigue in the user. No need to worry about having batteries charged or gas on hand.
Cons: Requires an electrical source, without a generator you’re limited to the length of extension cords.
#ad Remington RM1035P Ranger II 8-Amp Electric 2-in-1 Pole Saw & Chainsaw with Telescoping Shaft
WORX Pole Saw
The #ad WORX WG309 8 Amp 10″ 2-in-1 Electric Pole Saw & Chainsaw with Auto-Tension
The 10” bar length makes quick work of limbs up to 8” in diameter. Bring branches down to the ground and then quickly detach the chain saw to cut them into easy to work with, smaller pieces.
Equipped with an 8” stationary extension pole you can easily reach the hard to get to sections in the middle of your tall trees. The powerful motor and unique detachable design make it a great choice for light to medium pruning/trimming work.
Pros: Auto oiler and auto tensioning system cut down on maintenance and interruptions during work. A rotating handle allows you to adjust the direction of the saw blade to work comfortably.
Cons: Pole is stationary and doesn’t have as long a reach length as some adjustable poles limiting the size trees you can trim while safely standing on the ground. It is also heavy and somewhat cumbersome to use when at its full length due to the weight. The electric motor limits mobility and can not be operated in inclement weather.
#ad WORX WG309 8 Amp 10″ 2-in-1 Electric Pole Saw & Chainsaw with Auto-Tension
Top 5 Best Pole Saw Conclusion
This is a great gardening/landscaping tool to have in the garage or shed if you have tall bushes or shrubs to prune. Their long handles allow you to stand safely on the ground and trim branches without the aid of a ladder or a professional tree-trimming service. With many different options to choose from, you can easily find the best electric saw that fits your needs. If you need to do some trimming close to ground level check out the best weed eater list.
