With personal safety more of a concern than ever before, getting up on a ladder with a chainsaw to cut down overgrown branches in your yard is becoming less of a viable option nowadays.

But not to worry, the height of a ladder and the power of a chainsaw have been combined into one effective tool: the pole saw. This device comes in a range of sizes and capabilities, and finding the best pole saw for the job takes away the need to put yourself in an unnecessarily dangerous situation to trim a tree or hedge.

If you’re a seasoned gardener and looking for a robust tool to cut down some thick branches, or even if you’re more of a novice just looking to tidy up your suburban garden, there’s a pole saw to suit you.

In fact, there is a really wide range of options to choose from, so it’s important to think about exactly what you will be using it for, and what your priorities are when it comes to choosing a mechanical device.

For example, are you looking for something that is robust and will last a long time? Or are you just looking for something simple that will get the job done?

While it can be overwhelming to choose from the many options available online, here are a handful of diverse products to get you started:

Reviews Of Our Top 5 Best Pole Saws

Black and Decker LPP120 Cordless Pole Saw

The Black and Decker Cordless Pole Saw is a good all-rounder as it provides extensive reach for those high-up branches, and is battery powered so you don’t have to worry about using extension cables.

With a 20-volt lithium-ion battery, you’re also guaranteed a longer lasting charge as this battery is more effective than the average NiCad battery. In fact, Black and Decker states that you can get up to 100 cuts of 1.5-inch pine branches per charge. This is a decent amount especially considering that you probably won’t have to cut even close to as many on the average garden trimming job.

A 2-year warranty also gives peace of mind when it comes to the reliability of the product, and with compatibility across the Black and Decker range, you can also use the battery interchangeably You will find this handy if you’re going to be doing some overall garden maintenance with other Black and Decker products.

The unit also disassembles so you can easily store and transport this device, as well as keep it safe while not in use.

Overall, apart from the fact that you’ll need to keep charging the battery, this pole saw provides a solid range of features for the average homeowner looking to maintain their garden.

Main Features

  • Usable length of 6.5 or ten feet, which gives a reach of up to 14 feet
  • 20-volt MAX lithium-ion battery
  • 8-inch cutting bar and chain
  • 2-year warranty
  • Energy-star qualified battery charger

Pros

  • This pole saw is cordless and battery powered which is convenient in larger outdoor spaces where extension cable reach might be an issue
  • With a lithium-ion battery, you’re guaranteed a longer lasting charge
  • The device easily disassembles for storage and transport

Cons

  • You’ll need to charge the battery often
  • This pole saw is more suited to medium branches, and not designed for heavy duty branch cutting

Remington RM25PS Maverick Gas Pole Saw

If you’re looking to take on more heavy duty garden trimming, the Remington RM25PS Maverick Gas Pole Saw is a good choice. The gas-powered engine gives you a lot more oomph to saw through tougher branches and other kinds of foliage.

With a 7-foot extension pole, you’ll also be able to reach up and cut branches that are up to 12 feet high, which is a fair amount of range considering that you’ll be operating from the ground and not from a ladder!

As we mentioned above, the 25cc 2-cycle gas engine is powerful and designed to get the job done. It also has proprietary Quickstart technology which means that you won’t ever have to struggle to get it going.

With the ability to change attachments to become a blower, hedge trimmer and edger, this machine is also versatile and can be used to perform a wide range of gardening jobs.

With an auto-oiler, you also won’t have to worry about having to oil and maintain the chain yourself which can be quite a task!

In summary, the Remington RM25PS Maverick is perfect for taking on more robust greenery. So it’s ideal for those with established gardens that require a bit more intensive maintenance.

Main Features

  • Powerful 25cc 2-cycle engine
  • 7-foot extension pole which provides up to 12 feet of reach
  • Auto-oiler for easy chain maintenance
  • Ability to change attachments to take on other gardening tasks

Pros

  • With a strong engine, you’ll be able to cut through tougher branches than with an electric powered pole saw
  • The machine is versatile, and attachments can be added to perform different tasks
  • With a reach of up to 12 feet, the device has a decent range and can cut high-up branches on larger trees

Cons

  • Gas-powered devices are more robust and suited to heavy-duty tasks but they are noisy and do emit some fumes!

Worx Electric Pole Saw

If you’re looking for a pole saw that is easy to use and designed for keeping the average yard trim and neat, the Worx Electric Pole Saw is a popular choice.

With a patented auto-tension chain system, you don’t need to worry about adjusting the chain and doing much overall maintenance.

With 12 amps of power coming from the electric motor, you’ll also be able to run the machine at a consistent rate. In addition, because you’ll be plugged straight into an electric source, you don’t have to worry about charging batteries or having to deal with any gas fumes.

Trimming and pruning branches can be an unwieldy business. But with the Worx Electric Pole Saw’s rotatable handle you’ll be able to easily maneuver your way in between overgrown branches and foliage, along with the 8-foot extension pole.

For the average homeowner, who is just looking to keep their yard tidy, this is a good bet, especially since the device is also designed to be compact and lightweight.

Main Features

  • Patented auto-tension chain (to ensure long lasting life of the cutting bar and chain)
  • 8 amp motor that provides solid performance for average yard maintenance
  • Rotatable working handle
  • 8-foot extension pole

Pros

  • The compact and lightweight design makes this pole saw perfectly suited for trimming small to medium branches
  • With a rotatable handle and an 8-foot extension pole, you can reach high-up branches
  • An 8 amp motor provides a decent amount of power

Cons

  • The device is electric and needs to be plugged in so you’ll have to use an extension cord to be able to use it outside

Fisker’s Manual Pole Saw

Powerful gas and electric motors provide powerful leverage when it comes to chopping down unruly branches, but what if relying on your own strength is enough for maintaining your particular yard?

If you only need to cut down the odd branch every now and again, using a device like Fisker’s Manual Pole Saw can be more than adequate. This is especially true considering that without a motor, the device is a lot more lightweight and easy to hold for longer periods of time.

You’ll have to put a bit of effort into it, but with a precision-ground steel pruner for cutting smaller branches, and a 12-inch double grind saw for taking on thicker ones, you’ll be able to manage a range of trimming (with the added assistance of 12 feet of reach).

A full lifetime warranty is also nothing to scoff at. So if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly way to tackle your overgrown garden, the Fisker’s Manual Pole Saw could be the ideal option for you.

Main Features

  • 12 feet extension capability
  • Precision-ground steel pruner and 12-inch double grind saw
  • Full lifetime warranty
  • Lightweight fibreglass pole

Pros

  • With a 12 feet extension range, you have a considerable amount of reach to cut down the branches in your yard
  • As the pole is made of fibreglass, it’s lightweight and easy to handle for long periods of time
  • You’re not using electricity or gas, so this is more of an environmentally friendly option
  • A secure double locking system ensures that your pole doesn’t collapse while pruning for added safety

Cons

  • This is a manual pruner so it will take a bit of exertion to cut down branches
  • Without the help of an electric or gas motor, you also won’t be able to take on extremely thick branches

Sun Joe Electric Pole Saw

We’ve covered a range of different options in the reviews above, including gas, cordless, corded and even manual options. If you’re just looking for the best deal though, the Sun Joe pole saw is a value for money option that can provide all of the features you’re looking for, while on a budget.

With a 6.5 amp motor, you’ll be able to take on branches that are 7.5 inches thick. Therefore, it’s perfect for trimming and average sized tree, or even a well-established hedge. With a telescopic pole that extends to 8.7 feet, you’ll get up to 15 feet of reach too so you’re able to get right up into those hard to access branches.

An automatic lubrication system and a 2.7-ounce oil tank capacity also means that you won’t need to worry much about maintaining the 8-inch cutting bar and chain.

A 2-year warranty and CSA approval also means that this is a solid choice if you’re looking for something that is both affordable and reliable, and which can take on a decent range of yard tasks.

Main Features

  • Product weight of 7 pounds
  • Telescopic pole with 8.7 feet of extension, which can provide up to 15 feet of reach
  • 6.5 amp motor
  • 8-inch cutting bar and chain (with auto-oiling functionality)

Pros

  • The price tag on this device is ideal for those on a budget
  • With extensive reach, a decent motor and an 8-inch cutting bar and chain, this machine can take on most average garden trimming jobs
  • A 2-year warranty and CSA approval gives the device added credibility

Cons

  • The device is electric, so you’ll need to use an extension cord. This makes it more suited to suburban living than for those with massive gardens in remote areas

 

Buying Guide – What To Look For When Buying A Pole Saw

 

From looking at all of the different options above, you’ve almost certainly got a good idea of what will work best for you.

When it comes down to it, it is all about choosing an option that meets all of your specific requirements. From the thickness of the branches you want to cut, to the amount of effort you’re willing to put into using and maintaining this kind of gardening tool.

To help make your buying decision even easier, here is a list of features to look out for when doing research online with the goal of purchasing a new pole saw:

Power Source (gas, electric or cordless)

A key consideration when choosing any kind of home appliance is the power source. In the case of a pole saw, it’s important to consider that this device will be used outdoors and that the size of your property and the trees in it will have a direct effect on which pole saw you choose.

Essentially, pole saws come in three different types, according to their power sources: gas, electric and manual (which obviously refers to you as the power source!).

Machines that run on gas are generally more powerful but they do require mechanical maintenance. Electric pole saws can be either cordless (using a battery) or have a cord. While a cordless option is very convenient as it allows for more movement, plugging a device into a wall socket with a cord (via an extension cable) will give you more consistent power. This way you won’t have to worry about when the battery will run out.

Manual, as the name suggests, involves using no other power source at all besides your own strength. With the limitations of your own physical power, and the strength required to hold up the pole and manually saw, this application is mostly reserved for smaller pruning jobs.

Working Height/Reach

As many other review sites will tell you, it’s important to consider that the reach of the pole saw you’re thinking of buying doesn’t necessarily refer to the actual length of the pole.

To give a more practical suggestion of how far the pole can reach, manufacturers will base the product’s reach on an average height or arm estimate. So be sure to look at the actual length of the pole to see how far it can really go.

In other words, it’s important to think about who will actually be using the pole saw, because their height will play a deciding factor in choosing the most ideal option.

Cutting Bar Length

A saw can only easily cut through a branch that is smaller in diameter, so be sure to choose an option that suits the kinds of branches you’re going to be pruning.

For example, a gas powered pole saw with a longer bar length can cut through tougher branches while an electric powered device is better suited to small to medium branches.

Manual saws, on the other hand, are more applicable to smaller pruning jobs that don’t require much effort, as you’ll need to operate the saw with your own strength.

In this way, the length of the cutting bar determines the kinds of jobs you’re able to take on.

Weight

When you’re holding a pole saw up in the air, it can get very tiring to keep it in place, very quickly. So something very heavy is going to be very taxing to use after a while.

If you’re needing to cut through thick branches, you’ll have to consider a heavier device in order to have enough power to manage. If you’re only looking to tidy things up occasionally though you can easily invest in a lighter option. For example, an electric powered or manual pole saw.

In other words, you’ll need to consider the scale of the job you’ll be taking on as well as how often you’ll be using the device. This is because the product’s weight will play a key role in how long you’re reasonably able to use it. Obviously, this also depends on the strength of the person who will be taking on the job!.

Removable Saw

Apart from being able to store the device more safely and conveniently, a removable saw means that you can also detach it and use it to cut up the long branches that you’ve felled which are now lying on the ground.

This means that instead of having to get help to move all of the branches, it is now easier to chop up and relocate the debris. Depending on the type of wood, of course, this can even be used in your own home as firewood.

Additional features

All of the features above cover the most basic and important characteristics needed in a pole saw. However, there are also some other attributes to look out for that can make provide a much more pleasant experience.

These include self-oiling chains, which means that you don’t need to worry too much about maintaining them. These work through a mechanism that can discharge oil while the device is being used so you don’t have to take it out and oil it afterwards.

A non-slip grip will also ensure that you’re able to manage the device securely without having to worry about whether or not you’ve got a solid grip of a tool with a moving blade on the other end.

Other safety items can include automatic switches to prevent the machine from starting on its own, and safety clips and covers to make sure that the machine operates smoothly and can be safely stored away without being damaged, or causing any kind of damage.

Of course, even with these additional safety features, it’s still essential to wear all of the necessary safety equipment when operating this kind of machine!