Best Pole Saws of 2022

1. Why invest in a pole saw?

A neat, tidy garden can easily boost the curb appeal of your property, but keeping your hedges and trees in good shape is hard with the traditional pruning tools. Yet, you needn’t call in a landscaper and spend heavily for this task. A pole saw is just the perfect tool to help you out.

Designed to help homeowners and professionals reach the higher branches and limbs, this tool comes with multiple advantages:

• It adapts to a wide range of tasks. You can use it to trim hedges, prune branches and limbs, manicure your trees and bushes, and more.
• It allows you to reach the higher branches without a ladder thanks to the telescopic shaft. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, the pole saw is developed specifically for overhead use.
• It is easy to use even by the novice. Lightweight, well-balanced, and powerful, a pole saw can help you prune your trees yourself.
• It comes in various types designed to meet all needs. From cheap options suitable for light-duty chores to expensive tools built to deal with the most stubborn branches, there is a pole saw for all demands.

2. Types of pole saws

Pole saws can be classified into manual, gas-powered, and electric.

Manual pole saws

The manual pole saw is an uncomplicated tool that consists of a saw attached to the end of a pole. This tool is the cheapest but also the hardest to use, as you’ll have to use your force to cut branches and limbs.

On a positive note, manual pole saws need little to no maintenance. Regular cleaning and occasional sharpening of the blade is all it takes to keep your tool in the best conditions.

Gas-powered pole saws

The gas-powered pole saws are the most powerful version and are usually developed for commercial use. An increased power can handle longer cutting bars, a feature that provides better cutting capabilities.

However, the gas-powered pole saw isn’t all milk and honey. One of the main disadvantages is pollution. The fuel combustion produces noxious fumes that are harmful to you and the environment. The weight of the fuel adds up to the weight of the tool, making it harder to handle.

They generally also produces much more noise than electric pole saws.

Electric pole saws

This is the most versatile category of pole saws, comprising corded and cordless tools designed majorly for home use.

• Corded pole saws: Draw electricity from a traditional wall outlet and can work uninterruptedly for as long as you like. More powerful than the cordless models, these tools boast cutting blades up to 10 inches long and require minimal maintenance. Due to the lack of battery and fuel tank, the corded pole saws are also lighter than all other models. They are very easy to use but their mobility is subject to the length of the cable.
• Cordless pole saws: Are powered by batteries instead of a cord and boost boundless portability. Their runtime depends on the battery and can vary widely. The best cordless pole saws are powered by 80-volt batteries or higher and are capable of delivering gas-powered capabilities for approximately half an hour. These tools are fairly quiet but usually have smaller cutting blades of up to 8 inches. Despite their limitations, cordless pole saws are the most popular among homeowners.

3. Cordless pole saw batteries

The most important thing to consider when buying a cordless pole saw is the battery. This component not only powers up your tool but is responsible to deliver sufficient energy to the motor, so it can provide quick and clean cuts.

NiCad batteries

Models vary widely. The pole saws powered by NiCad batteries are the cheapest in the range but also the less convenient, due to a shorter runtime and longer recharge time. These batteries can also self-discharge when not in use.

Lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are undoubtedly more performing. They maintain the charge better and boost extended runtimes compared to the NiCad variants.

These batteries come in various sizes, from small 20-volt batteries on low and mid-range units to powerful 80+ volts batteries on the high-end models. Some brands even propose interchangeable batteries that can be used on a variety of power tools; their advantage is that you can simply replace a drained battery with a fully charged one for continuous operation.

4. What to look for in a pole saw?

• Cutting bar length: Perhaps the most important feature to look for in a pole saw is the cutting bar length. This number determines the saw’s suitability to cut thick branches; most home use pole saws come with 8-inch cutting bars, although 10-inch is also a common size on the higher end units. But a longer bar isn’t necessarily better. A longer bar needs more power, therefore if you deal with mostly thin branches, a shorter bar could be a more appropriate choice.
• Maximum extension: Refers to the maximum length the pole (or shaft) can reach. Most pole saws have a maximum extension between 8 and 12 feet, which means the saw can usually cut branches at heights up to 15 feet. This is possible because the maximum reach of a pole accounts for the user’s height too. However, to avoid confusion, make sure to check the max extension and not the max reach value, especially if you’re not very tall.
• Portability: Most pole saws can be moved from one place to another, but some models are more portable. Manual, gas-powered, and battery-operated units can be used anywhere. Fiberglass and aluminum are the more lightweight, thus the most portable, materials. A cord extension adds some mobility to the electric pole saws, but these models are not portable in the true meaning of the word.
• Multifunction: Some pole saws bring the versatility of two power tools in one, transforming from a pole saw into a traditional chainsaw. Other models come with a detachable pole that is compatible with a range of gardening power tools including edgers, blowers, string trimmers, and more. Since a tool head costs less than a complete tool, it makes sense to invest in a pole saw compatible with a range of accessories.
• Automatic oiler: The cutting end of a pole saw is very similar to a traditional chainsaw. Thus, the chain needs periodical lubrication. This rule is valid even for the best pole saws, and that’s where an automatic oiler comes in handy. The oiler is designed to dispense a small amount of oil at preset intervals, ensuring the chain operates as smoothly as possible.