Best Pole Saws

A pole saw is a nifty invention that extends your reach when you need to prune or clean up damaged branches. When you have overgrown trees on your property, you don’t want to have to climb the tree in order to saw off some branches. And standing precariously balanced on a ladder with a chainsaw in your hands is also not a safe option. That’s where a pole saw comes in. It consists of a chainsaw attached to a pole, which can telescope out to a distance of 9 feet or more. And, in many models, once you have trimmed off large boughs, the pole detaches, allowing you to chop them up into firewood.

But there are several models of pole saws. The majority nowadays are electric-powered, either using a rechargeable battery or alternating current with an extension cord. But you’ll also find gas-powered pole saws and even manually-operated saws. That’s not to mention the various features and advantages in each model.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a pole saw. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of pole saw,

• See useful tips about that particular type of pole saw,

• Read reviews of different pole saws, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of the best pole saws, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

• Manual: These are essentially hand saws on a telescoping pole. Some, like the Silky Telescopic 179-39 Manual Pole Saw, can extend up to 21 feet! Some of them are more modest, such as the ARS SC-EXW18 Manual Pole Saw. It only extends 6 feet--but that actually allows for better control of the blade.

ARS Manual Pole Saw

• Gas powered: These will run on gasoline, which has the advantage of not requiring being near an electrical outlet or having to recharge the batteries all the time. An example is the Sunseeker MFT26 4-in-1 Multi-Purpose Pole Saw.

Sunseeker MFT26 4-in-1 Multi-Purpose Pole Saw

• Electric powered: You can find corded pole saws that are powered by connecting to an electrical outlet. They will usually have a safety switch so that you won’t start the saw accidentally. An example is the Sun Joe SWJ802E Electric Pole Saw.

Sun Joe SWJ802E Electric Pole Saw

There are also cordless pole saws, using a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. An example is the Greenworks G-MAX 40 V cordless pole saw. It can allow you up to 65 cuts on a single charge. This has the advantage of avoiding troublesome power cords, or gas emissions.

Greenworks 8.5” 40V Cordless Pole Saw

• Easy to switch between attachments: Customers were pleased with the Sunseeker 4-in-1 Multi-tool Pole Saw with Grass Trimmer Attachment, because it was easy to switch between one attachment and another, without requiring any tools.

• The weight of the pole saw: The weight is a big factor in the manageability of the pole saw. The Sun Joe series of pole saws range from 7.0-7.9 pounds, while the Greenworks Cordless Pole Saw weighs 15 pounds. Make sure you’ll be able to handle the weight for an extended period of time!

• Cut at various angles: It’s handy to have a pole saw whose blade can be set at different angles. The SunJoe SWG802E has a multi-position adjustable head which lets you vary the cutting angle from 0 degrees to 30 degrees.

Setting the angle on the SunJoe Pole Saw

• Multipurpose tool: As we mentioned, pole saws easily convert to a handheld chainsaw. But the Sunseeker 4-in-1 pole saw has attachments to also function as a grass trimmer, hedge trimmer, and brush cutter. This will save you storage space in your garage or shed, as well as keep you from having to buy 4 separate tools.

• Good fuel efficiency: If you decide on a gas-powered pole saw, look for a motor that has fewer emissions. That guarantees more efficient use of gasoline. Since you don’t use a pole saw on a daily basis, customers advice using non-oxygenated gas--there is less corrosion of the parts, and it will prevent the carburetor from gumming up, which requires further maintenance. (But it does produce more carbon monoxide and soot than gasoline with ethanol.

• Oil level and lubrication: It’s important that you check the oil level on your pole saw before engaging in cutting. It’s recommended to press the chain oil bulb every 30 seconds when cutting. This releases oil and lubricates the chain. Adhering to this will make cutting easier and extend the life of the equipment. But some saws have an automatic chain lubrication system, such as the Sun Joe SWJ800E Pole Saw.

• Safety precautions: A pole saw will typically have a front hand guard, to protect you when detaching the pole and using it as a chain saw. In addition, it is highly recommended to wear personal protective equipment, such as a hardhat, gloves, boots, and eye and ear protection. When cutting, keep your hands at waist level--this allows better stability and control over the blade. When you finish cutting, release the throttle on the saw, and wait for the saw to stop moving before lowering it. Also, always cut the tree branches at an angle--this way, the branches will fall away from you at a safe distance.

Cutting the tree at an angle, so that the cut branch falls at a distance

• Reach: The reach of a pole saw will be a big factor in deciding which pole saw to buy. The Greenworks Cordless Pole Saw has an aluminum shaft telescopic pole consisting of three sections, that can be extended from 5 feet to 8 feet.

• How thick a branch can it cut: Apply the blade of the saw to the branch with light steady pressure. There shouldn’t be any need to force the blade through the branch. But there will usually be a limit as to what thickness of branches you’ll physically be able to cut. For example, the Sun Joe SWJ807E 10” Pole Chain Saw can cut branches up to 9.5” thick, while their SWJ800E 8” Pole Chain Saw will be able to cut branches that are up to 7.5” thick.

• Sunseeker is a maker of garden tools, such as brush cutters, grass trimmers, leaf blowers, trimmers, chainsaws, and more. They were founded in 2007, and are based in Shanghai as well as Jinhua City, China. Their chainsaws are known for being able to start easily, as well as being suitable for semi-professional and amateur use.

• Greenworks Tools was founded in 2007, as a maker of lithium-ion battery powered tools for gardening and lawn care. They make zero-turn lawn mowers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, and more.

• Sun Joe is a designer of outdoor tools for the home and garden. Sun Joe is the division of summer lawn care, which Snow Joe is for winter lawn care. They were founded in 2004, marketing an electric snow shovel, which followed up with manual, cordless, and electric mowers, trimmers, tillers, and more.