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Teetering off the top of a step ladder while wielding a chainsaw is one way to trim tree limbs that are too high off the ground to reach. It’s also a great way to get injured.
A smarter option is to use a pole saw. These tree- and shrub-trimming machines, which are essentially a chainsaw at the end of a 5- to 10-foot pole, allow you to cut off limbs up to 15 feet off the ground while keeping both feet firmly on the ground. Pole saws come in manual, corded, battery, and gas-powered options. They also range in blade length from small 4-inch models for light pruning up to foot-long cutting bars for hacking off tree limbs up to 10 inches in diameter.
Below we’ll discuss what features you should look for when shopping for one of these tree trimming machines and give our recommendations for some of the best pole saws.
A pole saw can run on gas fuel, electricity, or manual effort. Electric options are either battery-powered or plug into an electrical outlet with an extension cord.
In gas-powered models, the engine is at the operator end and turns a drive shaft that runs the length of the pole. The drive shaft turns a small chainsaw head at the other end of the pole. Gas engine pole saws are heavy-duty machines capable of sawing off limbs up to 10 inches or more in diameter. They’ll also run indefinitely as long as you keep gas in the tank. Go with a gas powered machine if you need to prune a lot of trees or cut large limbs.
Electric pole saws either use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery or a power cord that plugs into a standard electrical outlet. The battery or power cord and trigger switch are located on the operator end, and the motor is adjacent to the chainsaw head.
Corded electric pole saws are lightweight, affordable, and have an endless source of power, but their cutting ability is limited by the amount of voltage a standard outlet offers and the constraints of an extension cord. With that in mind, only choose a corded model if you have a few small trees or shrubs to prune.
Cordless technology has improved such that some battery-powered pole saws offer similar power as some gas pole saws, earning them a place with professional arborists. When shopping for a cordless pole saw, pay attention to the size of the motor. A 20-volt model is suitable for managing a few trees and shrubs in your yard, while a 56-volt pole saw can handle bigger jobs and everyday use.
Manual pole saws have a long pruning blade attached at one end of the pole that uses the manual sawing effort of the operator. Manual pole saws are most often used for light trimming and excel at making clean and precise cuts.
The length of the cutting bar (on gas and electric pole saws) or blade (on manual pole saws) dictates the size of the branch you can cut. As a general rule, the cutting bar or blade should be at least 2 inches larger than the branch diameter you’re cutting. On gas and electric pole saws, this additional length prevents the end of the bar from touching the limb and possibly resulting in kickback, the sudden or unexpected upward motion of the bar.
On manual pole saws, you might want to add a couple more inches to account for the back-and-forth cutting strokes. The most common bar lengths on gas and electric pole saws range between 8 and 12 inches, whereas manual pole saws are often between 12- and 16 inches long. Remember, it takes a lot of effort to saw through a tree limb that’s 10 to 15 feet off the ground, and the bigger the diameter of a limb, the more force you have to apply on your own.
To safely and effectively use a pole saw, you need to securely hold, control, and balance it from the start of the job to the finish. Pole saws range between 7- and 25 pounds, and heavier pole saws are more likely to cause fatigue after prolonged use than lighter ones. The saw will also feel considerably heavier the further away the cutting blade is away from your body, so a 20-pound pole saw extended to its maximum working height might feel closer to 40 pounds.
That being the case, you should weigh your general level of fitness and the amount of time you expect to use the pole saw against the tool’s weight. Gas-powered pole saws are often the heaviest type, and larger engines often weigh down models considerably. Battery-powered pole saws tend to be the second heaviest, followed by corded electric saws, and finally manual models.
Many manufacturers provide two different lengths for their pole saws: the pole length and working height. The pole length is the actual length of the pole, from tip to tip. The working height is an estimate of how far the average person will be able to reach with the pole, which is the pole length plus an extra 2- to 3-feet of arm length. In other words, a pole that’s 8 feet long has a working height of 10-11 feet.
Most gas and electric pole saws have a maximum working height of 10 to 12 feet because the saw can become difficult to control at longer lengths. Due to the lightweight nature of manual pole saws, they can have a working height of 16 feet or more.
Most commonly, pole saws have a fixed and straight blade that sits in line with the pole. However, some pole saws have detachable heads, others have a slightly angled blade, and some offer an adjustable blade angle.
Pole saws with detachable heads offer the most versatility because you can connect multiple attachments to the end of the pole. This can include a hedge trimmer, string trimmer, or brush cutter on a gas or electric pole saw, or a double-pulley pruner, additional poles, or a hook on manual pole saws. Detachable pole saws can save you money if you’re building an arsenal of yard machines.
Angled pole saw blades offer certain advantages over their straight counterparts. A straight blade is useful when you’re cutting lower branches roughly between the height of your shoulders and waist, but a blade with a slight angle works better when you're cutting high and steep branches, allowing them make contact with the top of the branch and cut straight down through it. At the upper limits of their reach, pole saws with straight blades might only be able to cut through the side of these branches, which can cause the branch to pinch the chain and stop it from moving.
Some pole saws feature an adjustable blade angle, allowing you to set the angle anywhere between 180 degrees (straight) and 90 degrees for a best-of-both-world option that can effectively cut through high and low branches.
With more than 40 years of experience, the Popular Mechanics test team take testing chainsaws seriously, whether they’re handheld, pole saws, gas-engine tools, or electrically powered. Our recommendations come from manufacturers with a strong track record for delivering gear we've loved in testing, as well as endorsements from customer reviews on retailers like Amazon and The Home Depot, and expert reviewer from publications like Bob Villa and The Spruce.
Some of the chainsaws add in this update were included after earning accolades in our 2024 Yard and Garden Awards. These machines were thoroughly vetted by PM Test Editors Brad Ford and Roy Berendsohn. Two contributors, Tony Carrick and James Fitzgerald, also contributed insights and recommendations based on the gear they've used personally and professionally. Our list includes everything from high-powered gas pole saws for professional arborists, to affordably priced corded and cordless models for homeowners.
Echo is known for its pro grade gas powered yard machines, but it’s quickly making a name for itself with battery powered models, including this pole saw. It has a max reach of 16 feet, and you can add 4 more feet to it by purchasing the compatible extension.
With its brushless 56-volt motor, Echo’s take on the battery powered pole saw is impressive. Its 10-inch bar means you can cut through limbs up to 8 inches in diameter, and the 5Ah battery can sustain the saw for a good while, depending on the severity of the cuts you're making. And with its variable speed trigger, you can adjust the chain speed to suit the job. It’s like having a gas powered pole saw, only without the noise or fumes.
The one consideration you should make before purchasing is that this Echo pole saw weighs over 16 pounds, making it heavy for the category.
Jameson’s manual pole saw has remained the industry standard for years—and for good reason. As the proud owner of this fiberglass model, I've used it to make fine and precise cuts on branches large and small both professionally and in my own backyard.
It comes with a 16-inch blade that has hardened steel teeth to make quick work of branches up to 6 inches in diameter. The blade’s slight curvature grants you the ability to cut the highest branches, even when the saw is fully extended to 12 feet by connecting the two 6-foot poles together.
For precisely cutting branches up to 1.75 inches in diameter, easily remove the blade by pulling the leaf spring locking button, then attach the included double-pulley pruner. Along with the bypass cutter, there are several other compatible attachments available—which I've also used and recommend—including a telescopic pole and limb raiser.
Black+Decker’s 20-volt pole saw doesn’t have the cutting power or capacity of the top models on this list, and its chain requires manual oiling, but it’s perfect for small jobs. Its 8-inch bar length means it is capable of taking down limbs up to 6 inches in diameter, and Black and Decker claims it can make up to 100 cuts on 1-1/2 inch limbs on a single charge, or 50 cuts on thicker 4-inch limbs.
The pole extends to a length of up to 10 feet, or a max overhead reach of 14 feet. And since this saw weighs in at just 6.3 pounds, it’s easier to wield than most. When the day’s pruning is over, it breaks down into three pieces, making it easy to store. This pole saw is the perfect pruning tool for your small trees and shrubs.
Husqvarna makes some of the best chainsaws around, and that includes pole saws. With a 25cc gas engine powering a foot-long cutting bar, this pole saw is capable of taking down large limbs measuring up to 10 inches in diameter from afar with its max reach of 13 feet.
Husqvarna’s chainsaws are built to last, and this one is no exception. A rear impact guard and a metal skid plate protect the engine from damage. There’s also a built-in air cleaning system that stops larger pieces of debris from finding their way to the air filter. And with its built-in automatic oiler, you don’t need to worry about bringing the bar to ground level to oil it.
While this Husqvarna pole saw is fairly heavy at nearly 14 lbs, a padded ergonomic handle and balanced weight helps with wielding it. This chainsaw isn’t cheap, but if you’ve got a lot of trees to manage or you maintain other people's trees for living, this is a great option.
With its compact size and short 4-inch bar, Stihl’s GTA 26 prompted the creation of a new subset of chainsaws, the mini-chainsaw. Unlike a traditional chainsaw, the GTA 26 can be operated with a single hand, which makes it ideal for pruning.
When you pair it with the 5-foot extension, sold separately, it becomes a capable pole saw for light pruning on trees and shrubs. And switching it from pole saw to chainsaw is easy. Simply flip a latch to disconnect the two.
This ability to quickly toggle between pole saw and chainsaw is a great one-two punch. Fell limbs with the pole saw, then switch to chainsaw and cut them into smaller pieces once they’re on the ground. We only wish the extension was a bit longer to allow it to reach higher limbs and branches. Still, it’s the perfect tool for light pruning.
There’s a lot to like about Skil’s line of PWR Core cordless power tools, including what you’ll find in its version of the angled cordless pole saw. It comes equipped with a 40-volt brushless motor that powers an angled 10-inch saw blade capable of cutting limbs up to 8 inches thick. Skil also uses battery cooling technology that helps maximize the overall run time.
It also comes with Skil’s PWR JUMP charger, which recharges a drained battery to 30 percent in about 15 minutes, a great feature if you happen to run out of juice while nearing the end of a job and don’t want to wait hours for a full recharge. Other notable features that make maintaining the Skil an easy job include auto lubrication and tool-less chain tensioning. This is a great angled battery-powered chainsaw for homeowners.
If you already own a Husqvarna 122LK or 330LK gas trimmer or have already bought into the brand’s 330iK Combi Switch battery powered tool, then the choice for a pole saw is an easy one. Husqvarna’s PA310 Combi-Trimmer attachment allows you to cut limbs up to 8 inches in diameter at heights of up to 12 feet. It also comes with a high quality Husqvarna X-Cut chain that slices quickly through branches.
The attachment includes a built-in automatic oiler, so you don’t have to stop while you’re working to lube the chain. This is a top notch pole saw cutting attachment from one of the best chainsaw manufacturers in the business.
What’s your preferred type of pole saw: gas-powered, battery-powered, or manual? Why?
The type of pole saw I prefer depends on what I’m using it for. I prefer the power of a gas saw when I’m cutting a large quantity of large-diameter branches. When I only have a moderate amount of branches to cut, I like the light weight of an electric pole saw. When I need to make a precise and controlled cut, my manual pole saw is the go-to.
What other tools do you like to have on hand when performing tree maintenance?
I always have a gas-powered chainsaw for cutting larger diameter material at ground level, a pair of bypass pruners for making meticulous formative cuts on smaller diameter branches accessible from the ground, a hand saw for precision cuts on branches that are too large to cut with my bypass pruners, and safety equipment like a hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and steel-toed boots.
Any safety tips you want to share?
Pole saws and chainsaws are dangerous to operate, so you should always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. A hard hat is especially important when operating a pole saw to protect you from falling branches, but eye protection, hearing protection, work gloves, and work boots are also important.
Even though you will be wearing a hard hat, you should never attempt to cut a branch that’s directly overhead that could fall on top of you. Also avoid operating a pole saw from a ladder or rooftop unless you’re experienced doing so and have the necessary safety gear. Finally, always work with another person that can call for help if an accident or injury occurs.
This guide would be incomplete without a few words here on health: the tree’s and yours.
Editors’ Note: Senior Test Editor Roy Berendsohn contributed to this article.
Tony Carrick is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in technology, home improvement, DIY, home security, and outdoor recreation. He’s tested and written about everything from home security systems to power tools to gas grills. His product guides, how-to articles, and feature stories can be found in such publications as Bob Vila, Angi, U.S. News and World Report, Field & Stream, Futurism, and Switchful. When Tony isn’t writing, he can be found working on his latest home improvement effort at his home in North Carolina.
James Fitzgerald is a home improvement freelance writer with over a decade of experience in a variety of trades—he has worked as a ranch hand, construction carpenter, tree climber, maintenance technician, and handyman. His freelance work focuses on DIY, landscaping, gardening, and home improvement. James’s writing has appeared in Bob Villa, The Family Handyman, The Spruce, HomeServe USA, Forbes Home, and This Old House.
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