Best Pole Saws Reviewed & Rated

Criteria for Evaluation

To create a list on the best pole saws available for purchase today, you have to compare and evaluate a huge array of devices ranging from the well designed and easy to use, to the awkward and downright dangerous. Needless to say, the number of tools we eventually evaluated was a bit overwhelming. To make sense of what we were looking at and to finally fully evaluate these tools, we had to invent a sort of criteria. Most of the criteria we based these evaluations on are pretty straightforward and involve aspects like price, weight and power. Some of the criteria are harder to quantify and are much more subjective, like comfort.

Occasionally on these lists, including this one, it may seem like a superior tool is getting a lower ranking than an inferior one. The truth is that we rate and ranked these tools on a final price/value ratio. We did our best to compare the output to how much you are putting in monetarily. I’ll explain this part a bit further under the explanation of price.

It is important to note that our assumed value and ranking may not have any relevance to your needs. If a tool is ranked highly but cannot accomplish the job you need doing, then from your perspective the tool will have a value of zero – regardless of how highly we think of it. Ensure you evaluate these tools on your scales.

Price

Since this list included pole saws ranging rather drastically in price from one another, we had to decide how this stat would be used to create a balanced playing field from which to judge. We decided on a price/value system, where we roughly created a ratio of dollar spent to overall output received. This wasn’t an exact science, but if a tool could roughly do 75% of what another tool could do, but cost 33% or 50% as much, it was deemed to have an overall better value. This is why occasionally you will see a superior tool ranking lower than an inferior one – it couldn’t justify its much higher price.

Extension Range and Stability

Being able to work from several feet away is the point of a pole saw, so obviously, those that gave you a better reach and still maintained proper stability and maneuverability would get a boost in this area. Those that had a long range but suffered balance issues had to be considered on a case by case basis in most cases.

Cutting Power

Many of the tools on this list are battery powered and it wasn’t until very recently that battery operated devices would be considered powerful enough to make a list like this. Every tool on this list can handle the majority of trimming tasks, while a few are more suited to small residential projects and a few are better suited to large, difficult trimming tasks. Generally speaking, the more cutting potential a tool has, the better we ranked it.

Weight

When it comes to pole saws, weight can be a significant factor. Very often you are trimming while holding the tool well above your head; this can get extremely tiring very quickly. Very often, workers will be cutting kilometers of trees. Stopping just simply isn’t an option when you have so much ground to cover. The less weight your tool can force you to hold up – while still delivering enough power to cut – the better it will be for your overall comfort and morale.

We made sure any heavy tool on this list made up for that aspect in another way.

Comfort

This overlaps quite a bit with weight, but it’s not really the same. Working long hours can wear on your arms and core muscles, as well as other areas of your body. A comfortable tool will go a long way in reducing the fatigue and pain you feel at the end of a long work day and can very often keep morale up and you working faster.

What is the best Power Source for a Pole Saw?

Pole Saws come in many shapes and sizes and many different forms of engines. From manual saws to battery powered electric saws, there is no single “best” type. Each has its own pro’s and con’s and have are suited to a different kind of user.

Electric (Corded) Pole Saw

Electric corded pole saws are best used in smaller areas. Homeowners commonly purchase these tools for backyards. Electrical tools are perfect for long periods of non-use because they don’t need the same level of storage prep and maintenance as a gas powered saw.

A good corded saw is capable of cutting branches many inches across and can usually be generally termed as ‘better’ in function than the cordless alternatives.

There is an obvious drawback in that cord, however. If you are working a large property, a cord is really just not going to cut it.

Electric (Battery) Pole Saw

As simple as an electric saw with the mobility of a gas powered, with batteries now able to generate solid amounts of power, cordless electric saws are quickly becoming one of the favorite options across the board.

You’d need at least a 40-volt cordless to begin to match the power of most corded tools.

Batteries leave you with issues other tools don’t, like battery life, though refueling a gas powered tool is much more expensive than charging a battery.

THis is also a great tool if you already own tools that use the same batteries.

Manual Pole Saw

Manual pole saws require much more skill and don’t have many upsides when compared to powered alternatives. Even the prices aren’t much different. There are instances and unique locations where the use of a manual pole saw is required.

The classic gas powered pole saw can still generate the most power. They still have the advantage in large tracts of lands and orchards that require a substantial amount of work and/or have thicker branches. Greater run time and more power against a louder noise, weight and fuel costs.

Jawsaw

A jaw saw is a chainsaw like device that operates within a vice or ‘jaw’ design. You put the tool around the branch and then close the jaws. It is a solid device for some thicker branches and is very simple to use.

What is Reach?

Keep in mind that when a product says a “8 ft reach” or whatever distance, they are including the assumed length of your arm in that reach. The tool is likely a bit shorter. Most saws will provide a reach of around 12 ft to 15 ft.

Explain Cutting Capacity Further

You can roughly guess the capabilities of a pole saw by looking at the size of its bar (the plate the chain runs around). You can assume the bar can cut branches half its length in diameter. i.e. a ten-inch bar can seemingly cut branches around 4-5 inches in diameter.

This capability will also rely on the engine involved. Gas powered are more likely to take on larger branches.

Making Your Decision

This criteria guide, frequently asked questions and rating list should have hopefully given you all the tools you need to go out and make a more informed decision regarding your new pole saw. Large purchases can be stressful and this is often the case with power tools – especially with so many brands and pieces of info to consider. Although pole saws don’t have the extreme price tags many other tools do, you still don’t want to find yourself with a $200 tool that isn’t helping you out properly. Look at our evaluations and decide for yourself if a tool seems like a good fit for you. Even if you disagree with some of our opinions, in your disagreement, you are likely to solidify or make up your own mind better about what best suits you. It doesn’t matter, as long as this list helps you better find the right pole saw.