Best Makita Pole Saws (2026)

The XAU02PTB is the kit version of Makita's best stand-alone pole saw. A brushless motor is claimed to deliver the power of a 30cc gas pole saw, and a telescoping shaft adjusts from 9 to 13 feet, so the same tool covers low limbs and high canopies. It runs on two 18V LXT batteries for a 36V system, and the kit includes 5.0Ah packs.

The maker quotes up to 140 cuts in 4x4 cedar with two 5.0Ah batteries, a number that depends on wood and chain condition. Treat it as a best case Treat it as a best case, but it signals real stamina for a cordless saw. In practice a homeowner trimming a yard of mature trees will work through a pair of batteries in a long afternoon, and having a second pair on the charger doubles that. The 10 inch bar is long enough for limbs of roughly 4 to 5 inches under the half-bar rule.

The kit costs more than the tool-only XAU02ZB, but includes batteries and a charger, which saves hunting for compatible packs. Oil the chain before each session, keep the bar clean and store the batteries cool. Check shaft locks for flex each season, since a wobbling telescoping pole is a safety issue. Wipe sap from the inner sections so they slide cleanly, and never extend the pole beyond its marked limit.

The XAU01ZB is the fixed-length sibling of the telescoping saw. It uses the same brushless motor and 10 inch bar, and Makita says it cuts 20 percent faster than a 31.4cc gas pole saw. The shaft is a rigid 8 feet, which removes the joints that can loosen on a telescoping pole.

A fixed shaft is stiffer and lighter, and a stiffer pole transmits less flex at the head, so cuts are steadier. The trade is reach: at 8 feet it works for lower limbs and fruit trees, but cannot match the 13 foot telescoping model for a tall canopy. Remember that your own height adds to the 8 feet, so a tall person standing on level ground can reach a limb at roughly 12 feet.

It is sold tool only, so you need two 18V LXT batteries and a dual charger. For an owner already holding LXT packs, it is a sensible purchase. If you are starting from nothing, add the cost of two batteries before you compare it with the kit. Oil and sharpen before each job. If you keep the batteries on a shelf with a dual charger, you can swap packs mid-job without losing the rhythm of the work.

The XAU03Z has a head that tilts through nine angle settings over a 120 degree range, which lets you cut branches from beside the trunk instead of directly below. That articulating head is the difference that matters in a crowded garden, because a straight pole forces you to stand under the limb.

It uses a single 18V battery, so it is lighter and cheaper to run than the 36V models, with an 8 inch bar and a split shaft that adjusts from 6 to 9 feet. The listing gives a total reach of up to 14 feet, a figure that includes your own reach. The smaller bar suits limbs up to about 3 to 4 inches. It is also easier to hold steady, since the shorter bar puts less leverage on your wrists.

An articulating head adds a pivot to maintain: keep the lock clean and tight, and check it before every session. Oil the chain and store the battery cool. Rinse resin from the head with a damp rag, and never submerge the tool.

This kit is a power head that accepts attachments rather than a dedicated pole saw. A brushless motor delivers up to 7,000 RPM on the 13 inch string trimmer attachment and a chain speed of 3,940 feet per minute on the 10 inch pole saw. Lever-style locks let you change attachments without tools.

The advantage is economy of storage and batteries: one head and one battery power several yard tools. That convenience is the whole case for the system. The disadvantage is that each attachment is a compromise, and a pole saw attachment is heavier at the end of the shaft than a dedicated saw. The 3,940 FPM chain speed equals about 65 feet per second, a competitive number.

It is the choice for someone who wants a trimmer and a pole saw but does not want to own two motors. Because the power head is the same one used on the trimmer, the battery runs down at the pace of whichever attachment is fitted, and a trimmer pulls less current than a chain. Keep couplings clean, grease the shaft joint as the manual directs and remove the battery when swapping. The chain on the attachment still needs bar oil, so keep a bottle with the kit.

The XUX02SM1X6 stretches the same idea across four attachments: a string trimmer, a pole saw, an articulating hedge trimmer and a blower. A high and low speed button helps manage power and run time, so you can drop to low for light work. Dropping to low extends runtime on a hedge, where you need little torque.

It is the most expensive Makita in the lineup, and you are paying for versatility. For a yard with trees, hedges, edges and paths, one kit replaces four tools and four motors, and every attachment uses the same battery.

A multi-tool is only worth it if you use all the attachments. Keep the couplings greased, store attachments in a dry place and check the locks before each use. The hedge and blower attachments share the same coupling, so a worn joint affects all four tools.