Best Pole Saws (2026)

The EGO pole saw is a battery-powered saw on a telescoping shaft with an LED cut line indicator that projects a light along the bar, which makes it easier to line up an overhead cut. It ships with a battery and charger and uses the EGO Power+ platform.

The tradeoff is cost of entry and battery weight. A cordless saw puts the battery at one end of the pole, which helps balance, but the whole assembly is still heavier than a corded saw. Compared with the Greenworks 40V it offers a more advanced aiming aid and a bigger platform, though the Greenworks is lighter and cheaper.

Ownership is simple: charge the battery, keep the chain oiled and sharp, and store it away from heat. The brushless design means the main upkeep items are the chain and bar, so check the tension when the chain is cool and add oil each time you charge. The LED indicator is a real help in dim light under tree canopy, since it shows where the chain will meet the limb.

The Greenworks 40V pole saw carries an 8 inch bar and chain at 31.2 feet per second and comes with a 2.0Ah battery and charger. The maker quotes up to 15 minutes of continuous runtime on that pack.

The tradeoff is runtime. Fifteen minutes is enough for pruning a few limbs from a small tree, but a larger yard will need a second battery. An 8 inch bar is the common size and handles limbs up to about 6 inches under ideal conditions. Compared with the EGO it has fewer features but costs less and weighs less.

Keep the bar oiled, check chain tension before each use and store the battery indoors. A small cordless pole saw also needs the bar rail cleaned occasionally, because sawdust packs the oil channel and starves the chain of lubricant. At the top of the pole, an 8 inch bar is forgiving, since a shorter bar flexes less and kicks back less than a long one. Expect to replace the chain once every season or two with regular use.

The CRAFTSMAN V20 has an 8 inch bar, an extension pole giving up to 14 feet of reach and a 4.0Ah battery in the kit. The 4.0Ah pack roughly doubles the energy of a 2.0Ah pack at the same voltage.

The tradeoff is that a 14 foot reach is a total working figure that includes the user's height and arm span, so the pole itself is shorter. A 20 volt tool also has less cutting headroom in dense wood than a 40 or 56 volt one. Compared with the Greenworks 40V it offers more battery energy but a lower voltage.

Buy into the V20 platform only if you also use other tools on it. A 14 foot working reach means you stand with the saw tip around 10 or 11 feet up, and the pole will flex at the extension joint, so check the locking collar tightness before each cut. The 4.0Ah pack is a real plus compared with the 2.0Ah packs that ship with some rivals, since fatigue usually ends the session before the battery does.

The SEESII is a cordless brushless saw with an 8 inch guide bar, two 4.0Ah batteries and a telescoping pole that adjusts from 6 to 10 feet. The head detaches to work as a handheld mini chainsaw.

The tradeoff is that this is a lighter-duty construction than a dedicated pole saw, and the pole and head connection is the point to check for slop. The second battery is its practical strength: you can alternate packs and keep working while one charges, which doubles usable time compared with single-battery kits like the Greenworks. Compared with the TaskStar it offers a similar format with two batteries included.

Store the batteries indoors, oil the chain before each session and check that the head locks firmly on the pole.

This pole saw uses a 48cc two-stroke engine, an 11.5 inch bar and an extendable pole. It is the largest-bar saw in the guide and is aimed at thick branches and overgrown trees where a battery saw would run out.

The tradeoff is weight, noise and upkeep. Gas pole saws are the heaviest option, they need mixed fuel and regular carburetor care, and they produce fumes and noise. They are the only choice if you need to work far from power and cut a lot of thick wood in one session. Compared with cordless saws, it has a larger bar and a longer runtime on one tank.

Use fresh mixed fuel, stabilize it for storage and keep the air filter clean. Because the engine sits at the base of the pole, a gas pole saw puts the weight near your hands, which helps balance, but it still wears on shoulders, so take short breaks. Wear hearing protection, since a 48cc two-stroke is far louder than any electric saw, and never refuel while the engine is hot.

The TaskStar is a cordless brushless saw with an 8 inch bar that detaches from an adjustable extension pole, so it works as a pole saw or a handheld mini chainsaw. It is aimed at buyers who want one tool for pruning and light cutting.

The tradeoff is that 2-in-1 designs compromise on both uses: the pole is lighter-duty and the handheld form lacks a rear handle guard in some designs. A brushless motor is efficient, but small mini-chainsaw heads are not meant for sustained hard cutting. Compared with the EGO, it is more versatile in form and less capable as a dedicated pole saw.

Keep batteries stored indoors and check that the head locks securely on the pole. Because a 2-in-1 head has to release from the pole, inspect the latch for wear and never use the tool with a loose connection. Treat it as a pruning saw for green limbs under 4 inches, not a firewood saw.