The 6 Best Pole Saws

A few years back, a nasty ice storm left a huge oak branch dangling right over our driveway. Getting a pro tree service out was going to take weeks and cost a fortune. I tried the old ladder-and-handsaw trick, which I can tell you right now is a terrible, wobbly idea. That’s when I finally invested in a good pole saw, and honestly, I should have done it years ago.

It’s one of those tools you don’t think you need until you really, really need it. A pole saw gives you the reach to safely trim high branches from the ground, clear storm damage, or just keep your trees looking tidy without risking your neck. I’ve tested a bunch on my own property over the last few seasons, from battery-powered models to gas-guzzlers.

These are the pole saws that have actually held up and done the job for me, from clearing limbs on my half-acre lot to helping my father-in-law with his massive pine trees.

 

 

My Top Picks for 2026

EGO POWER+ Multi-Head System with Pole Saw Attachment

This is the system I personally own and use the most. I bought into the EGO ecosystem a while back with their mower and string trimmer, so adding the pole saw attachment to the power head was a no-brainer. The 56V battery has serious power and cuts through 6-inch limbs without bogging down.

What I really love is the versatility. When I’m done with the saw, I can pop on the edger or trimmer head. The pole saw itself is easy to attach, and the automatic oiler works well. It does get a bit heavy with the big 5.0Ah battery when fully extended, but the balance is pretty good and the power is worth the trade-off.

 

 

DEWALT 20V MAX XR Pole Saw

If you’re already on the DEWALT 20V battery platform, this is the one to get. My neighbor has one, and I’ve borrowed it a few times. It’s surprisingly lightweight and nimble, making it great for quick jobs and cutting for longer periods without getting exhausted.

It’s not quite as powerful as my EGO, so it can struggle a bit on really thick, hardwood branches. But for pruning fruit trees or clearing pine limbs up to 4-5 inches, it’s fantastic. The tool-free chain tensioning is also a nice touch that makes adjustments on the fly really simple.

 

 

Greenworks Pro 80V Pole Saw

This thing is a beast for a battery-powered tool. The 80-volt platform delivers power that feels almost like a gas saw. I used this at a friend’s house to clear some seriously thick branches after a windstorm, and I was blown away. It just chewed through everything we threw at it.

The trade-off for all that power is weight and cost. It’s one of the heavier battery models I’ve used, and the 80V batteries aren’t cheap. But if you have big, tough jobs and want to stay away from gas, this is probably your best bet.

 

 

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Pole Saw

Let’s be real, not everyone needs a professional-grade tool. If you just have a few small trees and only need to prune once or twice a year, this BLACK+DECKER is perfect. It’s super affordable and incredibly lightweight, making it really easy for anyone to handle.

Don’t expect it to tear through massive oak limbs. This is for branches maybe 3-4 inches thick, at most. But for routine maintenance in a smaller yard, it gets the job done without the cost or weight of the bigger saws. I’d call it the perfect saw for the occasional user.

 

 

Echo PPT-2620 Gas Pole Saw

Sometimes you just need the raw, unapologetic power of gas. I rented one of these for a massive cleanup project, and it never quits. You can run it all day long, just refilling the tank, and it will cut anything you can reach. The 25.4cc engine is a monster.

Of course, it’s a gas engine. It’s loud, you have to deal with mixing fuel and oil, and there’s maintenance involved. It’s also heavy and expensive. This is overkill for most homeowners, but if you have a lot of property or are clearing land, nothing beats it.

 

 

Fiskars 14 Foot Extendable Manual Pruner & Saw

Okay, so this isn’t a powered saw, but I have to include it because I use mine all the time. For precise cuts on smaller branches (up to about 1.5 inches), the rope-pull lopper is fantastic. For anything bigger, you just use the attached wood saw blade.

It’s dead silent, weighs almost nothing, and requires zero maintenance beyond wiping it down. I use this for shaping my Japanese maples where a chainsaw would be total overkill. It’s a different tool for a different job, but it absolutely belongs in the shed next to a powered pole saw.

 

 

What to Look For in a Pole Saw

Choosing the right saw really comes down to your property and how you’ll use it. The biggest decision is the power source. For most people, I think battery is the way to go now. The technology has gotten so good, and you don’t have to mess with gas, oil, or a long extension cord. But if you have a ton of land, gas still rules for pure runtime and power.

Pay close attention to the weight and the maximum extended length. It’s easy to think “longer is better,” but a 15-foot pole saw gets incredibly heavy and hard to control at full extension. Be realistic about how high you need to reach. A lighter, shorter saw that you can actually handle safely is way better than a giant one that just sits in the garage.

Finally, look at the little things. Is it easy to adjust the chain tension? Does the pole lock securely? Does it have an automatic oiler? These features don’t seem like a big deal in the store, but they make a huge difference when you’re actually out in the yard with a branch hanging over your head.