Top 3 Best Pole Saws: Reviews and Buying Guide

There are normally only two tools that can be used to cut branches, located a good distance from the ground: a chainsaw and a stepladder. However, some professionals favor the use of a reputable equipment to bring together the best of these two previous ones. This pruning tool allows its user to cut leaves in height without the need for a stepladder. This is actually the pole saw or long-handled pruning saw. This pruning equipment is very effective in getting rid of bad branches in places that are difficult to reach.

The robust design of the pole saw is very effective for pruning shrubs. The usefulness of the tool is obviously indisputable, but when it comes to acquiring one, you should better get informed about this tool. Indeed, the biggest difficulty when buying equipment concerns the complexity of choosing the model that best suits your needs. To achieve this, a number of criteria must be taken into consideration. These criteria will be the subject of this buying guide.

We’ll start by our pick of best 3 pole saws in the market; you may find among them the tool that suits your need.

Top 3 pole saws

Greenworks CS-80-XR Cordless Pole Saw

This Greenworks 40V CS-80-XR Cordless Pole Saw will make cutting jobs a lot easier, especially when cutting large trees.

The pole saw has an automatic oiling system that assures continuous lubrication for the bar and the chain and it is equipped with a translucent oil tank. It has a shaft divided into three parts to work at different heights, the 8” bar and chain ensure optimum cutting performance.

The CS-80-XR pole saw is battery powered and the 2 Ah 40 V battery is included in the delivery. All Greenworks line battery tools (over 50 products) can share the same battery, so you only need one battery to power all your Greenworks tools from the same voltage range! With two batteries, you can keep working for longer, because when you use one battery, you can charge the second. This battery is also equipped with USB port to charge all your portable electronic devices Very convenient for yards up to ½ acre!

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Pole Saw (LPP120)

Cut high branches without climbing a ladder with this BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Pole Saw that can cut up to 100 of 1.5″ branches on a single charge.

The 20V MAX lithium-ion battery has a long life and holds its charge 5 times longer than a similar Ni-Cd battery when inactive. BLACK & DECKER electric garden appliances produce zero emissions in your yard, reducing your carbon footprint.

The 8” cutting bar with the chain provides a maximum cutting diameter of 6”.

The lightweight design makes this device easy to use and allows reaching above tree branches up to 14 ft high and the inline power head allows visibility between branches and ease of use.

This cordless pole saw is easy to disassemble which makes it perfect for transporting to another site. Most of B&D products batteries are interchangeable; if you already own one B&D tool running on batteries you can probably save a few bucks by buying its cordless pole saw without a battery.

Sun Joe SWJ803E Multi-Angle Pole Chain Saw

Snow Joe has a robust research and development team that works hard to bring you creative and enjoyable designs combined with technological advancements to provide you with high-quality outdoor products. Originally started to bring you outdoor gear designed for winter, Snow Joe now distributes a wide range of easy to use, reliable and powerful gear to take care of everything from snow removal to cutting your hedges. Designed for everyone from garden enthusiasts to the average gardeners, Snow Joe has the perfect outdoor solution.

The Sun Joe SWJ803E Multi-Position pole Chainsaw can significantly help you taking care of hard-to-reach branches with ease. This telescopic pole saw comes to extend your reach up to 15 feet and it features a multi-angle head that adjusts up to 30 degrees. The Oregon cutter bar has a self-lubricating system that never needs maintenance.

This pruning saw features an 8 amp quiet and powerful motor that cuts easily branches up to 9.5 inches thick without having to deal with smoke and bad smell.

This Sun Joe pole saw is available with multiple colors and it’s equipped with an integrated safety switch that helps to prevent accidents.

The pole is 5.8 feet long, but extends to 8.8 feet. The weight is 7.9lbs.

The pole saw buyer’s guide

Whether you are purchasing a pole saw or any other pruning tool, the needs are almost identical. However, it is not just a question of ensuring the material’s cutting capacity. It is also important to take into consideration the safety offered by the device, the handling and many other aspects.

User safety

Your safety when using the device is the first focal point when purchasing a pole saw. Anyone who uses it is at risk of a work-related accident. It should be noted that no one is safe from the use of such equipment; not even the professionals. For information, pole or pruning saws are equipped with the same blades as a chainsaw. It would then be better if these included an emergency command.

For the first experience with such equipment, professionals recommend moreover to favor devices having a maximum of safety control. Whether it’s an emergency stop or an automatic safety system, it’s all good to go. From time to time the user can lose control of the machine handle, which can be very dangerous. For this, it is necessary to opt for better handling.

It is also important to choose the best extension system for the pole saw. Generally speaking, you will distinguish two systems. The first is rotatable, the second on the other hand, can be assembled and disassembled. This aspect can have certain drawbacks from one manufacturer to another. In fact, when the main part of the machine is slippery, it could fall during use and cause serious damage.

Types of pole saws

Protecting the environment is an important matter for many people; this is one of the main differences between an electric pole saw and a gas pole saw. Noisy and smelly are characteristic of gasoline-powered machines. However, they are very powerful which makes it possible to cut branches with some ease.

The choice of the type of power also depends on the place where the work is to be carried out. In this case, pole saws running on gasoline, which are not really suitable for inhabited areas, should be avoided.

The main difficulty encountered by a pole saw running on electric energy concerns natural weathering, especially rain. It is also necessary to note the problem of recharging which constitutes an essential aspect. Fortunately, some electric pole saws run on batteries. However, this implies a time limit for use.

Weight

For good reasons, the weight of a pole saw is a deciding factor. A heavy and moreover sharp object undoubtedly represents a danger for its user; for example, it could slip out of his hands and cause damage. Thus, in case of difficulty, it is advisable to hold the pole saw at a slight inclination. The strength of the user is an important consideration when it comes to the gas-powered pole saws.

On the weight scale, pole saws are ranked as follow:

• Gas-powered pole saws (Heaviest)
• Cordless pole saws (Moderately lighter than gas)
• Electric pole saws (No battery so lighter than cordless)
• Manual pole saws (Lightest)