Pole saws are very popular among gardeners. They’re one of the main tools you can use to keep your garden healthy and they often come in handy around pruning season. Even then, there is not a whole lot of information on them out there. That’s why we’ve put together this little buyer’s guide which will let you compare between a few carefully picked options, and choose which one is right for you.
Read on to find out more about the specificity of our 8 selected pole saws, their pros and cons, and all their technical features. We’ll also be teaching you everything you need to know about what to look for in a pole saw and how to decide what your needs are to find the best pole saw for you.
Finally, we’ve included a few helpful tips and answered some of the most common questions on choosing a pole saw, so that you’re all set to make a clever, informed decision.
Our Top Picks
Quick Pole Saw Buyer’s Guide
Now that we’ve looked at a couple of great options for pole saws, let’s get thinking about which one might be the best for you. As you’ve seen in the descriptions, there are 3 general categories of pole saws: Manual, Battery-operated, and Electric-powered.
Further, there are a couple of specificities that make a big difference, such as the weight of the saw, the material, the height that it extends to, and its adaptability. In this quick buyers’ guide, we’ll go over the things which you need to consider when buying a pole saw so that you can find the best pole saw for you!
Electric Saws
Electric saws are a solid option if you want a powerful tool that is easy to maneuver. They tend to be lighter than battery-operated saws, as lithium batteries especially can add a few pounds to the weight of a saw, and they are easier to use than manual saws. This is because you can use the strength of the engine to do most of the work while you just hold it in place.
Who Are Electric Saws For?
If you have an extension lead to plug a saw outdoors, and if you’re looking for a lightweight, fast solution to cut branches, an electric saw just might be the perfect option for you. Electric saws are also great if you need to cut larger branches, as the power they provide is second to none.
Battery Operated Saws
A battery-operated saw leaves you the freedom to walk around the garden without worrying about electric cables like a manual saw does, without having to put in nearly as much work. A major downside is that these saws tend to be quite a bit heavier.
Who Are Battery Operated Saws For?
Battery-operated saws are great if you have no way of plugging a saw in your garden or if you are going somewhere with no access to electricity. Further, they usually come with extended battery life, meaning that charging them often is not a major factor to consider.
Manual Pole Saws
A manual pole saw is a great classic that will never go out of fashion. Quite a few brands offer manual straws that are sturdy, have great blades, and a lifetime warranty to prove it (like Fiskars’). On the other hand, they may be less practical and do a slower job compared with electric or battery-operated saws which pack in a lot more power.
Who Are Manual Pole Saws For?
Manual pole saws are perfect for smaller jobs, and for more delicate jobs where you don’t want the overwhelming power of an electric saw. They are also perfect for pruning taller trees, as they tend to reach higher and be easier to maneuver. Think about it, the saw isn’t vibrating in your hands, meaning it is a lot easier to control and won’t risk leading to as many accidents.
Your Own Physical Abilities
Another major factor to consider when choosing the best pole saw for you is your own physical capacities. We wouldn’t recommend the same saw for an athletic 20-year-old as for a sedentary 60-year-old. A young and fit person might get away with using a manual, heavy saw, while an older gardener may want to go for a lightweight electric saw that won’t require as much effort or weigh as heavy. Sawing branches and pruning trees can be physically exhausting, so you need to make sure that you are choosing a product which won’t hurt your back, or overtire your body.
Height
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a pole saw is height. If you don’t know what trees you may have to deal with, for example, if you have a landscaping business and might be called by any type of client, we recommend going for a pole saw that reaches very high.
However, if you know that the trees you will take care of are shorter, a smaller pole saw might be better for you. This is because taller saws can sometimes be more fragile, or start bending after being used for a while. We don’t recommend buying a taller saw ‘just in case’, as it might mean that you are getting lesser quality for the needs that you have.
Material
Not all pole saws are created equal. Pay good attention to the material which the saw is made of to get a sense of how long-lasting it might be. As a general rule, we recommend you stay away from too many plastic parts, as those tend to break easily. Instead, look for lightweight and durable metals, which will give you the best value possible.
Functions
Some saws have special functions like exchangeable heads, a pruning function, or a grating blade. All these may sound like gadgets at first but they are actually carefully studied to make your jobs in the garden easier. So don’t overlook those functions, even if you have never had to use them before. An anti-rotation pole might make all the difference between a decent pole saw and the best pole saw you can find at a given price point. Look out!
Some Important Notes
Here are a couple of tricks to keep in mind when choosing which pole saw to buy. Remember that there are a few factors to consider when choosing the best pole saw, here are things you shouldn’t forget:
- Make sure to check what the price of the pole saw is INCLUDING the battery if it needs one. Do not be tempted by the price of a pole saw, only to find out later that the battery is not included.
- In a similar vein, you need to make sure of what the weight of the pole saw is, once the battery is inserted. It may change the weight quite a bit, making it too difficult for you to handle over extended periods of time.
- Ease of use is the number 1 factor that you need to think about when looking for the best pole saw. Does the pole rotate? Does the blade adapt to the thickness of the branch? Small features like these actually make a hell of a difference when using a pole saw day-to-day!
The 8 Best Pole Saw Reviews
Let’s start off by looking at a few different pole saws, and analyzing their technical specification. In this section, we’ll take you through 08 different models of pole saws, explaining why you may want to look into them or why they may not be the right pick for you.
1. Greenwork’s Cordless Pole Saw
Greenwork’s 8.5′ 40 V Cordless Pole Saw is a good option for those looking at a lightweight, quiet pole saw that is easy to work with.
Reasons to Buy:
This is a product that will appeal to those looking for an efficient and powerful pole saw that is battery-operated. With the right battery, this pole saw can have power for up to 24 hours, which makes it easy to work with over several days without having to worry about recharging it often.
It is also quiet, making it more pleasant to use over a length of time.
Let’s have a look at some of the pros and cons of this one.
- Long-lasting battery, up to 24 hours
- Quiet
- Not bulky
- The battery is not included
- Can be tricky to adjust chain tension
2. BLACK+DECKER Cordless Pole Saw
This is another battery-operated pole saw with a clever and intuitive design. This one comes with the battery already included in the price, which is why it is a little bit more expensive than the last one.
Reasons to buy:
This is a great battery-operated saw that already comes with all the material you need, including oil and battery. It’s a good value-for-money option, which is also able to reach higher trees. We recommend it to those looking for an all-rounder battery-operated pole saw that is well-engineered.
Here’s our opinion on the pros and cons of this pole saw.
- Battery, charger, and oil included
- Can reach up to 10 feet, up to about 14 depending on the height of the gardener
- Long warranty
- Some pieces made out of plastic may be less durable
3. Remington Electric Pole Saw & Chainsaw
Reasons to Buy:
It’s a great pole saw that converts to a chain saw, making it multi-usage. If you need a garden instrument that does more, then this electric saw may be right for you. Also, pay special attention to the design which is very user-friendly. The special non-slip grip and an anti-rotation shaft make you feel confident when maneuvering it and avoid unnecessary accidents.
- The detachable pole can reach logs on the ground
- Non-slip grip
- Anti-rotation shaft
- 10 feet overhead reach
- Electric powered, Hazardous
- Doesn’t come with oil
4. Sun Joe Telescoping Electric Pole Chain Saw
This pole saw by Sun Joe is a solid option for a telescoping saw with a few special functions. It’s another electric-powered saw, this time with a, particularly powerful motor.
Reasons to Buy:
This electric pole saw has a powerful motor that can cut branches up to 7.5 inches thick with ease. It is a well-engineered instrument that also has a clever auto-lubrication system. This is one thing less you have to think about! Just fill up the oil tank with oil (not provided) and it will take care of itself.
- 6.5 amp powerful motor
- Cuts branches up to 7.5 inches thick
- Auto-lubrication system
- Electric powered, Hazardous
- Only reaches up to 8.7 feet overhead
5. CRAFTSMAN Cordless Pole Saw
This is another battery-operated pole saw which brings in a couple of highly appreciated additional features. Here are the main reasons to choose this one, and why it may not be for you.
Reasons to buy:
This saw is a great option if you have decided to go with battery-operated. It comes with its own battery, and with a nice range of special features. Note that it has an angled head and blade designed specially to afford you some extra precision when cutting overhead branches. This is a nice addition which we appreciate as it makes it easier to maneuver.
It also comes with a branch hook, which can be used to remove the branches you have cut from the tree. This is a welcome feature which we can see becoming very useful and sets it apart from other pole saws. Overall, this is a very multi-functional battery-operated pole saw that aims to make your job in the garden that much easier.
- Comes with its own battery
- Multi-functional battery operated
- Angled-head
- Precision blade
- Branch hook
- Doesn’t come with oil
- Weighs about 13 lbs with a battery
6. Happybuy Extendable Pole Saw
Reasons to Buy:
This may be a great saw for you if you are looking for a fully-manual instrument. No battery means that you don’t have to think about charging it, while no electrical cord means that you don’t have to think about where to plug it in either.
Essentially, it leaves you free to use it wherever and whenever you want. Being fully manual, this saw also doesn’t require the use of oil, or for you to adjust the tension. This makes it easy to use, as even after not using it for months, you’ll just be able to grab it and get cutting!
Also note that it can reach much higher than many of the other pole saws mentioned, up to 12 feet overhead. This pole saw is a great manual option that can easily take care of taller trees.
Read on for the pros and cons of this unique pole saw:
- Manual, no battery or plug required
- No oil required
- No need to adjust chain tension
- Very low maintenance
- Reaches up to 12 feet overhead
- Fully manual
- Requires more man-power
- More time consuming
7. SILKY Telescopic Landscaping Pole Saw
In terms of length, SILKY New Professional Series 179-39 Telescopic Landscaping Pole Saw is the real winner here. It may be the best pole saw out there for reaching those very far-up branches, while keeping a good technical record.
Reasons to Buy:
This is the pole-saw for you if you are dealing with very tall branches. The New Silky Landscaping Pole is one of the most expandable out there and can reach up to 26 feet with a 21 feet extension pole. This is perfect for very tall trees including palms for example. It’s also a very light-weight item, making it easier and more pleasant to use.
Read on to find out the pros and cons of this longer model:
- Reaches up to 26 feet overhead (21 with extension pole alone)
- Lightweight (7 lbs)
- Fully manual
- The pole can bend with the use
8. Fiskars Extendable Pole Saw and Pruner
Reasons to Buy:
This is a manual pole-saw that has some of the higher-technology functions of many electric or battery-operated saws on the list. You will be impressed with its 2 different blades: a very precise pruner for small branches and a powerful, double-grind saw for larger ones.
This makes it easy to use on any kind of tree and landscaping job. It is built to be solid and long-lasting while remaining light-weight. The cherry on top is definitely the impressive lifetime warranty, showing us that Fiskars really believe in its durability. And so do we!
Read more on the specificities of this pole saw in our pros and cons section:
- Reaches 12 feet overhead
- Precise pruner blade
- Double-grind saw
- Sturdy and light fiberglass material
- Lightweight
- Lifetime warranty
- Fully manual (time and energy consuming)
- Not as long as the Silky New
- No adjustable blade angle
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As well as these helpful tricks, here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about buying a pole saw:
1. How often do I need to oil my pole saw?
As a general use, you’ll want to make sure that the oil reservoir is filled every time you use a saw with a reservoir. If using it several days in a row, it’s genuinely safe to check it only every few days. If your saw doesn’t have an oil reservoir, we recommend oiling it at least once a month.
2. How long are the warranty for most pole saws?
Warranties are a very important factor to consider when choosing which pole saw to buy. A cheaper pole saw with a 1-year warranty might be a lesser investment than a more expensive one with a 15 years warranty.
It’s hard to tell what the general warranty is, as it varies greatly from 1 year to a lifetime. But generally, keep in mind that more reputable brands have longer warranties.
3. How long will it take for my pole saw to be delivered?
Ordering your pole saw on Amazon is a good way to know for sure how long it will take to deliver. Depending on how much you are willing to pay for shipment, you may even be able to get hands-on with your new pole saw in as little as a day!
For some more expensive items, the shipment is free but that may mean waiting for longer, usually up to 2 weeks.
4. Is an expensive pole saw a good investment?
It all depends on what use you are planning to make of your pole saw! But in general, if you can picture yourself using a pole saw for many hours each year, or even each month, we would recommend investing in a better, more expensive one to make sure that you are getting an ergonomic product that will protect your back and your physical form.
If you expect to get less use out of your pole saw, you may want to get a cheaper model, but make sure it has a long warranty, as you may want to be able to use it less often, but over the course of many years, or even a lifetime!
Final Word
Choosing the best pole saw may seem like an overwhelming task at first, but once you define what you are looking for, it gets very easy! We hope that our buyer’s guide has been helpful and that you were able to compare the products which we carefully selected for pole saws in 3 different categories. Remember, it’s all about the use which you are planning to make of it!
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Last update on 2023-06-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API