Best Electric Pole Saws of 2020 

When manufacturers state the reach of their pole saws, you should be suspicious. What they don’t tell you is that they often include your height in that equation. And you might ask how they know your height. They don’t. They just assume that you are a standard size. So, if you are 5 feet tall, pat yourself on the back because you have just grown several inches overnight.

Always look for the pole length as an indicator of the reach and then add on your actual height.

If you can get a pole with a detachable chainsaw, you have taken a one-use tool and turned it into a garden maintenance all-rounder. Not all pole saws have this feature, and typically, the more money you pay, the more likely you are to get this.

You aren’t going to get a pole saw to rival an actual chainsaw’s power, but you still get a saw that can tackle most garden chopping and trimming duties.

You should look for a saw that allows you to adjust the blade’s angle to reach awkward places. It also means it opens up your pruning regime to include tree and shrub limbs that you might have previously overlooked.

Please Note: Most adjustable heads swivel to 30 degrees.

As with all power tools, to keep the moving parts in good working order, you need lubrication. Some pole saws have self-oiling chains, which reduces the need for you to keep checking the blade.

It doesn’t mean your pole saw is maintenance-free, but it does make life a lot easier.

Similar to oiled chains, tension is a vital component of the efficiency of your power tool. Keeping the chain at the right tension keeps it from coming off, and the saw working as it should.

Manual pole saws are cheaper and never fail. All they require is sharpening from time to time. However, you need stamina and strength to operate one, so if you have mobility issues and reduced capabilities, a manual pole saw is not going to be a good choice.

An electric pole saw is easy to operate and, provided you are using it within the limits of the manufacturer’s recommendations, will speed up the pruning process immeasurably when compared to a manual pole saw.

How far you want your pole saw to reach depends on the size and shape of the shrubs and trees in your garden. The best rule of thumb is to buy a pole saw with the maximum reach available regardless of the height of your shrubbery.

That way, you will have the capacity to tackle every sawing task you need.

Cordless pole saws give you the freedom to roam, free from the constraints of a power cable and the need to plug it in. If you have a large garden, a cordless pole saw would be a smart choice.

Corded pole saws are always on top of their game. They suffer zero power loss and keep going until the job is done. You may be restricted by the length of your power cable, but if you have a smaller yard, a corded pole saw might be the better option.

Most pole saw shafts are made of tubular steel or aluminum. Aluminum is lighter and is better at limiting corrosion. Both are ideal materials because pole saws have to be lightweight yet durable.

On some of the less expensive models, you often find fiberglass poles. They are lightweight, but they are less robust and could result in the pole snapping over time.

If your electric pole saw is emitting smoke, something is wrong, and you should cease using it immediately. If the pole saw is used correctly and is in full working order, you should see no smoke whatsoever.

Much like the corded versus cordless argument, it depends on whether you want to be tied to a wall socket. Gas pole saws are the ideal choice if you are pruning a vast expanse of land. They are also more powerful, making them the prime choice for professionals.

The only downside is they require higher maintenance and gasoline to power them. This is an added cost you will need to factor in.

Corded pole saws are cheaper and have less power, so are better suited to domestic gardens that require moderate pruning. You must accept that you are limited to what you can cut and the distance you can move it.

Most electric pole saws struggle to compete with manual varieties. With an electric motor comes added weight. This gives an electric pole saw an uneven weight distribution, making it uncomfortable to use for prolonged periods.

For this reason, the maximum reach is usually about 10 feet. Manual pole saws can reach as far as 21 feet, over double the distance.