Pole Saw is not a side dish that accompanies a sandwich. That’s Coleslaw.

A Pole Saw is a saw on the end of a pole as the name suggests. It is generally used for trimming trees and bushes. The tool is intended to make the life of a landscaper a lot easier, and it achieves that reliably. It is important to note that sometimes people refer to pole saws as ‘pole pruners’ but it’s the same thing.

There are a few different factors to take into consideration when attempting to select the proper pole saw that will suit you. Some run on gas, some are electric, some are shorter, some are longer, etc.

Below is a breakdown of some of the best pole saws on the market, pros and cons listed by PowerOfTool.com

Top 10 Best Chainsaw Pole Saw Reviews

1. Sun Joe SWJ800E 8-Inch 6.5-Amp

Sun Joe makes one of the best Pole Saws on the market. It can be extended to its full potential of 8.7 feet for big coverage. The motor is 6.5-amps. In other words, you’ll have no problem getting through branches, even those that are a bit thicker.

One of Sun Joe’s cornerstone policies is their warranty. If you have any problems within two years of buying your product, they’ll replace it. The unit will automatically lubricate itself with oil while you are using it.

The electric motor means that you won’t need to worry about any fumes or louder engines. Adjusting the chain tension is as easy as turning a screw. The price is reasonable especially when you consider the warranty they are including.

Pros:

• Price
• 2 Year Warranty
• Easy Adjustment

Cons:

• Not Wireless

2. Sun Joe 20VIONLTE-PS8 8-inch 2.0-Amp 20-Volt

Here we have another Sun Joe product, similar to the first but with a few notable differences. It goes without saying that this product is also under the same two-year warranty as the pole chain saw above; a major factor to consider.

This product has the same reach as the 6.5-amp pole saw, about 9 feet. The important distinction between this chain saw and the first is that this one is battery powered. You will not need to plug this one into a giant extension cord.

Unfortunately, there are two sides to this battery factor. It is much easier to maneuver the equipment when it is not tethered to a plug. However, the battery life is only about 12 minutes, so you won’t be able to get a whole lot done in that time. The saw is self-lubricating and lightweight so you won’t have much trouble operating it.

Pros:

• Wireless
• Light Weight
• 2 Year Warranty
• Price

Cons:

• 12 Minute Battery Life

3. Sun Joe SWJ803E-CMO 10 inch 8.0 Amp Electric Multi-Angle

This is the final Sun Joe product that will be listed in the article and it is by far the most powerful. The 8-amp motor is going to allow you to make easy work of even thicker branches than the units listed above.

It offers an adjustable head as well; you’ll be able to change the angle of the saw making this a very versatile machine. Naturally, the 2-year warranty is included with this unit. It is also available in different colors unlike the other two chain saws on this list.

You’ll need to keep this pole saw plugged in, but the power output makes it a worthwhile tradeoff. The telescoping pole doesn’t extend quite as far as the other pole saws, but ultimately, you’ll be able to achieve a reach of about 14 feet which should be enough for most people.

Pros:

• 8-amp Motor
• 2 Year Warranty
• Price
• Multi-Angle Saw

Cons:

• Not Wireless
• Shorter Reach

4. Black + Decker 20V MAX Electric Pole Saw

The Black + Decker 20V MAX is a very similar pole saw to the Sun Joe 20V pole saw above. The description along with the pros and cons does not diverge much as you may expect. However, there is one important point to be made.

These units are both listed at the same price, but the Sun Joe pole saw comes equipped with a 20-volt battery, whereas with the Black + Decker pole saw you’ll need to purchase a battery separately.

The battery life, considering the fact that it’s the same size, means this unit is going to provide about the same amount of work per charge. If you need to transport this unit you’ll be able to break it down to a manageable size.

Pros:

• Easy to Break Down
• 2 Year Warranty
• Wireless

Cons:

• Battery Not Included
• Short Battery Life

5. Greenworks 8.5” 40V Cordless Pole Saw

The Greenworks 40V Pole Saw is a small step-up in price compared to the Black + Decker wireless unit and the Sun Joe wireless unit, but you are getting double the power output with the 40-volt battery.

This unit also comes with the battery included, unlike the Black + Decker where you need to purchase it separately (about $40-50 or so for the battery and charger).

The features that this pole saw offers are similar to those offered by the other units covered so far. The 8.5-inch blade makes this unit competitive in that regard, the automatic oiler increases durability and performance, the 40-volt battery means that the biggest drawback to the battery-powered pole saw is overcome to a large degree.

You’ll also be able to purchase a hedge trimming attachment if you would like.

Pros:

• 40V Battery Lasts Longer
• Affordable
• Easy Setup & Adjustment
• Hedge Trimmer Attachment

Cons:

• Durability
• 8 Foot Extension

6. WORX WG309 8 Amp 10″ 2-in-1 Electric Pole Saw & Chainsaw

The first thing you will probably notice about this pole saw, especially since it’s right there in the name, is that this unit can be used either as a pole saw or as a regular chainsaw.

If you need to prune trees and reach high branches, no problem. This unit will act as a standard pole saw and you’ll be able to achieve an 8-foot extended reach. However, if you are doing other work that does not require the pole, that’s no problem either, as you can take the unit off of the pole.

Not only does the unit self-lubricate, but it also automatically adjusts the tension as you use it. This will ensure durability over time. The 10” blade is longer than most pole saws available. When you consider the versatility and power offered by this unit and then take a look at a price, an argument can be made that this pole saw is the best value.

One point worth noting is that, because this is detachable, the whole motor is located at the top of the pole. Most of the units have more weight distributed at the bottom making it easier to control. This will be hard to balance in the air at full extension.

Pros:

• Great Value
• 10-inch Blade
• Auto-Tension

Cons:

• Weight Balance

7. Remington RM2599 Maverick 25cc 2-Cycle 8-Inch Gas Pole Saw

The Remington RM2599 is the first gas unit in the review. For that reason, it provides the most power out of any of the machines covered thus far. It is also a small step-up in price from those above.

The extension pole is only 7 feet, making this pole saw’s reach a bit shorter. With that being said, the weight distribution on this unit is ideal. It also has a very handy grip making it as easy to maneuver as possible.

The chain saw is self-lubricating which will contribute to durability and you can add all sorts of attachments made by Remington.

Pros:

• High Power
• Self-Lubricating
• 2 Year Warranty

Cons:

• Price
• 7-Foot Reach

8. Remington RM25PS Maverick 25cc 2-Cycle Gas Pole Saw

QuickStart technology is going to ensure that you get your Remington RM25PS running in just a pull or two. The unit is a bit heavier than some of its electric counterparts, but it isn’t anything particularly out of the ordinary.

The price is almost identical to the Remington RM2599 above, and many of the features are the same. The unit is very comparable in almost every way. It would be worth exploring each of the links provided to get a better idea of what the exact differences are.

Pros:

• High Power
• Self-Lubricating
• 2 Year Warranty

Cons:

• Price
• 7-Foot Reach

9. Silky Hayauchi Professional Series 179-39 Telescopic Landscaping Pole Saw

When you take a look at the Silky Professional Series pole saw, you will notice that it is distinctly different than any of the other pole saws explored within this article. For starters, you are going to note the fact that this thing is way longer than any of the other units.

Whereas most of the other units top out at an 8-foot extension or so, this pole saw can be extended up to 21 feet! However, there are a few other considerations that must be noted. This is not gas or electric powered. It requires manual manipulation from the user to take down branches. That contributes to its lightweight; only 7 pounds.

Even though it is not an automatic chain saw, this pole saw is in a whole different price range. It is significantly more expensive than most of the other products in this article. That price is not unjustified, the quality of this product is high and it will last you a very long time. It is also understandable; extending a chain saw to 21 feet is probably a bad idea.

Pros:

• 21-Foot Extension
• High Quality
• Professional

Cons:

• Manual

10. Earthwise PS43008 8-Inch 6-Amp Pole Saw

This affordable pole saw made by Earthwise can be a solid option especially considering its versatile, 3-position head. The handle is comfortable and the pole is made partially of fiberglass which makes it a bit lighter and easier to maneuver.

The 6-amp motor isn’t the most powerful, however, it provides enough power to complete most tasks you’ll need it for. The automatic oiling system ensures that the chain will stay lubricated, contributing to a longer lifespan for the unit.

This pole saw is only 8.5 pounds making it one of the lighter units, and its 9.5-foot extension makes it one of the longest available electric pole saws.

Pros:

• Price
• 3-Position Head
• 9.5’ Pole

Cons:

• Top-Heavy
• 6-amp Motor

What is a Pole Saw Used For?

As you have likely gathered throughout this collection of reviews, the pole saw’s primary purpose is for tasks such as pruning trees. To maintain a well-groomed yard, it may require you to reach some high places. In some cases, these areas would be impossible to get to since there might not be a way to lean a ladder in the correct place and physically get up to where the branches (or whatever else) need trimming.

These can be used for your own home or they can be used in professional settings. Anyone who runs a landscaping company, for example, is going to probably need to get their hands on a pole saw at some point or another.

Plus, you may be under the impression that a saw on a pole is dangerous. That would be a fair argument, however, consider the alternative. The alternative would be a person on a ladder using a chainsaw. While both scenarios may be dangerous, the latter situation, the one with the ladder, has much more risk involved if things go bad. The right move is to use a pole saw and to employ all safety precautions in doing so. This means wearing a helmet for falling branches and wearing goggles or safety glasses for debris.

Finally, as mentioned in the article above, some of these units have adjustable headpieces. They can be swapped out for hedge trimmers, for example. A hedge trimmer on an extendable pole is going to make the whole task of yard maintenance way less time-consuming. You can cover so much more area from the same spot on the ground.

Battery or Electric or Gas Pole Saw?

In order to answer this question, preliminary questions should be posed to determine what the best option would be.

How much power do you need?

If you are going to be cutting thick branches, 7 and 10 inches thick, for example, a 20-volt battery-powered pole saw probably isn’t going to be enough. If what you need is something which will be able to handle large branches easily, you are going to want high power.

If you want high power, a gas pole saw might be your best option. Some electric plug-in units are going to do just as well and some battery-powered as well, to be fair. But it appears as though gas-powered is going to be the highest-powered.

How often do you use it?

If you are someone who is only going to be using this machine occasionally to trim branches and things of that nature, there is no need to spend a bunch of money on a gas-powered pole saw.

One of the more affordable electric plug-in units might be a better option for you. You’ll end up spending half the money. If you are going to be using the chain saw all the time and all over your yard, you’ll probably want a gas-powered machine or a high-voltage battery-powered machine.

Is this for Professional use?

If the unit is for professional use and you are going to need to reach exceptionally high places, you’ll want to spend the extra money and get the Silky Hayauchi, or something like it.

It is going to pay for itself in the long run since it is well-made and durable. It also dwarfs the other units in terms of its reach. In a professional setting you also probably don’t want to need to plugin, so that should also be considered.

What’s your budget?

If you have a low budget, the best option would probably be an electric unit. The gas units are usually at a higher price tier.

Pole Chainsaw Buying Guide

Some of the considerations are covered in the section above describing whether to get a battery-powered, electric, or gas-powered pole saw.

There are certain features that, at this point, most pole saws are going to include and so these should be included in any unit you consider. Automatic Lubrication is standard in these machines at this point. They all are going to offer at least 7 feet in terms of the pole. The power output you can expect is about 6-amps across the board, at least when it comes to the electric units.

If you are someone who is going to be using a pole saw a lot and you are considering a battery-powered pole saw, it can potentially be the right move. The technology has come a long way and the power offered by these units is, at this point, pretty comparable to the gas-powered units. However, definitely consider spending the extra money to get the larger battery. The difference between a 20-volt battery and a 40-volt battery is big in terms of productivity.

If you have a lot of work that needs to be done in very high places, don’t get one of the electric or gas-powered units. Get a manual pole saw since you’ll be able to extend the pole nearly three times higher.

Although a lot of the gas-powered units offer higher power output overall, some of the plug-in electric units bring pretty big power as well. For most people, the electric units are going to provide sufficient power and so these should be heavily considered since you might end up saving some money.

At the end of the day, you are going to be able to purchase a solid and reliable pole chain saw for no more than about $80. Whether or not some of the more expensive models are more appropriate for you is up for interpretation. The biggest factor for a lot of people will probably come down to these factors: professional or not, desired power output, and mobility.

What is the Longest Pole Saw Available?

As mentioned previously within this article, the Silky Hayauchi Pole Saw is by far the longest one mentioned in this article. It can be extended up to 21 feet. The thing is, you will not be able to get a motorized pole saw nearly that long.

When you get to the very long pole saws such as the Hayauchi, they are usually called “telescopic” pole saws. You can’t have a chain saw, whether electric or gas-powered, hanging that high in the air. It would be too heavy for one thing, and too dangerous. So, just be aware that if what you have in mind is a pole saw with an extremely long reach, it will have to be a manual unit.

Now, if you are only in the market for a motorized pole chain saw, basically the longest pole length you’ll be able to find is going to be somewhere around 9 or 10 feet.

Conclusion

Right now, there are a lot of companies making great outdoor landscaping equipment. Some features which used to be considered exclusive or that you might have to pay extra for are now standard. Things such as self-lubrication and what not.

Almost every product reviewed within this article comes with at least a 2-year warranty. Even the pole saws with the least amount of power still provide more than enough power for most people’s intended uses.

A pole saw might not be necessary for everyone, but for the people who need one, it is going to make work a heck of a lot easier. When it comes to some of the more versatile units it cannot be understated how impactful and time saving these tools can be.

Consider all the factors discussed in this article before you decide on which pole saw is the right choice for you. Are you a professional? That’s going to impact the final decision. Will you only be using this once every few months? Ok, then you’ll probably want something entirely different. Regardless, no matter what your intended purpose for this tool is, one of the products listed above is going to suit your needs.