The Best Pole Saws
If you're a homeowner with tall trees and a beautiful yard or garden, then you know first-hand the need for a good pole saw. Because most pole saws offer retractable extensions up to 15 feet or more, they eliminate the need for ladders to prune trees or trim tall hedges. And with blades up to 12 inches long, a pole saw can cut through some pretty thick branches. So, the question is, do you need an electric pole saw or a hand-held model? Corded or cordless? An eight-inch saw blade or a ten-inch saw blade? The options are seemingly endless, so we did the homework for you and whittled them down. Here, we present our list of the best pole saws available today.
DeWalt MAX XR Pole Saw
Ahead in the Poles
As with all DeWalt products, the best thing about the MAX XR is that you can be confident that this will be the only pole saw you ever need to buy. Featuring an extension pole with a 15-foot reach, it has the length you need for most jobs. Plus, the brushless motor provides enough power to make up to 96 cuts on a single battery charge. The XR runs on the same battery as all tools in DeWalt’s MAX line, making it extremely convenient and versatile. You’ll also appreciate the metal bucking strip and tree hook, which make it easy to grab and remove cut branches as you work.
Pros:
- The 8-inch bar and chain has low kickback
- Auto-oiling blade
- Easy to modify for shorter lengths
Cons:
- Battery and charger not included
- Does not include a blade or sheath cover
DocaPole Extension Pole & GoSaw Attachment
Saw What We Did There?
DocaPole is not only one of the best handheld pole saws you can own, but it’s also a 2-in-1 saw tool that can be modified with even more features. The GoSaw attachment can be used as a handheld saw or fitted atop the DocaPole extension pole to be used as a pole saw up to 12 feet in length. The saw creates a 13-inch, bi-directional cut with its unique tooth design, making it perfect for small tree branches and thick bushes. Best of all, DocaPole’s rugged, aluminum telescoping pole can be used with a wide variety of useful household cleaning and maintenance attachments that clip on easily to its threaded metal tip.
Pros:
- Sturdy, lightweight handle with a comfortable grip
- Fully assembled and ready to go out of the box
- Rust-resistant chrome-plated finish
Cons:
- Best for lighter work such as hedges
- Pole can sway at highest extension
Kimo Cordless Pole Saw
Kimo Therapy
Powered by a super-charged battery that packs 100 cuts per charge, Kimo’s cordless pole saw is strong enough for your most demanding jobs. The 8-inch chain hits a top speed of 18 feet per second. And, because it’s attached to a head that can be adjusted up to 30 degrees, it’s also flexible enough to cut hard-to-reach branches. The pole telescopes out to 15 feet on three retractable extensions. And since it only weighs about seven pounds, the Kimo is easy on your arms, shoulders, and back, especially used with the included shoulder harness.
Pros:
- Flip-and-lock clamps quickly secure the pole at the needed length
- Anti-rotation shaft and non-slip grip
- Automatic oiling system
Cons:
- Oil not included
- Charge time can take up to 6 hours
Sun Joe 10-Inch Multi-Angle Pole Saw
For especially thick branches, you need the full, 10-inch blade that comes with the Sun Joe Pole Saw. Its whopping 8-amp motor provides enough power to cut through limbs and logs up to 9.5 inches thick. It also comes with an adjustable head that rotates up to 30 degrees to help you approach branches at the most convenient angle. Capable of telescoping out to nearly nine feet, it still only weighs less than 8 pounds, meaning you get a lot of power without a lot of fatigue.
Pros:
- Corded electric: no need for batteries
- Cool camouflage design
- Also available in green, purple or red
Cons:
- The short power cord requires an extension cord
- Only holds a few ounces of chain oil
Happybuy Telescopic Pole Saw
Don't Miss the Forest for the Trees
How tall are the trees in your backyard? If you’ve got a few pine trees topping out at 20 feet or more, you’re going to need a pole saw with some serious telescoping range. With 24 feet of professional-grade, aluminum alloy pole length, Happybuy helps you reach the top branches. The taper-ground profile of the blade also reduces drag and directs more energy to the cutting edge, while the oval-shaped extension pole provides more precise blade control, even on the highest branches. Best of all, this durable beauty weighs in at less than six pounds.
Pros:
- Comfortable foam grip
- Easy-clamping pole locks
- Two grip hooks on the blade make branch removal easy
Cons:
- Thin blade bends easily
- The blade is not angled
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pole saws dangerous?
All tools can be dangerous and should be treated with caution and care. Like any power tool, powered pole saws add another element of risk to their usage. The biggest risk with pole saws, however, isn’t the tool itself but falling wood. A heavy branch can damage, hurt, or even kill when it falls. Also, you should never work near power lines.
Can a pole saw cut through wet wood?
As surprising as it sounds, wet wood is actually much easier to cut than dry wood. As a matter of fact, the easiest to cut of all is wood that is wet on the outside and dry on the inside. Either way, a pole saw is much like a chain saw in that the thickness of the wood being cut is more important than whether it’s wet or dry.
Got any other tips for using a pole saw?
Only cut one branch at a time. As mentioned above, falling branches are the most dangerous part of using a pole saw. Start by cutting the small branches off the main branch to help reduce the weight of the main branch. Then cut the main branch and remove it before cutting another. Also, remember that pole saws are heavy, so if your arms feel the strain, take a break before resuming work to reduce the chance of an accident.
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