The simplicity of an electric pole saw lets you get your overgrown trees and shrubs under control without having to drag out a ladder or heavy gas-powered chainsaw. They’re light and maneuverable, yet substantial enough to take down heavy limbs. The best electric pole saws incorporate handy features such as rotating heads, automatic oilers, and automatic chain tension systems.
Greenworks 20672
This highly rated pole saw is equipped with an 8-inch bar and chain that cuts through branches up to 6 inches in diameter. The G-MAX 40V 2Ah Li-Ion battery gives you around an hour of work time. The 3-piece aluminum pole extends up to 8 feet, letting you reach limbs as high as 15 feet overhead, depending on your own height. At 8.36 pounds, its weight is easily manageable for most.
It uses oil economically, and the automatic oiler lets you work with fewer interruptions. The manual chain tension system is quick and easy to use. This saw does have some minor issues, though. The battery is difficult to remove, and the recessed safety switch can tire out your hand.
Sun Joe SWJ800E
The SWJ800E is a consistent favorite among SunJoe’s many popular pole saws. Equipped with a 6.5 Amp motor and 8-inch Oregon bar and chain, it handles branches up to 7.5 inches in diameter. The pole telescopes to 8.7 feet, giving you up to 15 feet of overhead reach.
The automatic oiler keeps everything lubricated, although the saw uses oil quickly. Adjusting the chain tension is as easy as turning a screw. It’s a beginner-friendly saw that comes with detailed assembly instructions and the chain already correctly positioned.
BLACK+DECKER LPP120
Compact and reliable, this saw uses an 8-inch bar and chain designed to cut limbs of up to 6 inches. Black+Decker claims the 20V lithium ion battery allows up to 100 cuts through 1 1/2-inch pine branches. Installing the center extension gives you a usable length of 6.5 feet or 10 feet, for a reach of up to 14 feet. For closer work, just remove the extension.
The in-line power head improves the tool’s maneuverability and lets you clearly see where you’re cutting. The saw is an unusually light 6.3 pounds, but well balanced enough to let you use gravity to your advantage as you cut. A low battery can cause the saw to falter, but recharging solves the problem.
WORX WG309
A powerful 8 Amp motor drives this corded pole saw’s 10-inch bar and chain at 28 feet per second, allowing it to take down thicker limbs than most models. It’s a 2-in-1 design, so you can attach the 8-foot extension pole to trim high branches, then detach the pole and use the chainsaw alone to cut up branches on the ground. The rotatable handle makes your work more comfortable.
Made for hassle-free use and maintenance, the saw is equipped with Worx’s patented automatic chain tension system and automatic oiler. Even so, some users find manual tensioning is more effective. The design, however, could be better. Its relatively high weight of 10 pounds makes it awkward to handle, and the housing can partly block your view of the blade.
Oregon Cordless PS250
Fit with a standard 8-inch Oregon bar and chain, this saw runs on a 40V lithium ion battery pack (not included). Oregon suggests a fully charged 2.6Ah battery should allows you 325 cuts on 2- to 3-inch diameter limbs or up to two hours of use. For more run time, a 6Ah battery is also an option. The pole extends from 7 to 10 feet, letting you reach up to 15 feet, but the tightening collar has a tendency to slip.
The saw is designed for comfortable weight balance and minimal vibration. The mid-mount motor makes it less top heavy and frees up the cutting head to reach into narrower spaces than most pole saws can.
WEN 4021
This corded electric pole saw’s 6.5 Amp motor powers the 8-inch Oregon bar and chain up to 36 feet per second, letting it easily slice through 6-inch branches. The telescoping pole adjusts from 6.5 to 9.5 feet, for up to 13.5 feet of reach, and its weight of 8 pounds makes it easy to maneuver.
It’s beginner friendly with tool-free adjustments for the chain and pole. The safety switch is ambidextrous, making it more comfortable for lefties than the average pole saw.
Remington 41AZ32PG983 RM1025P
Tough and versatile, this 2-in-1 corded pole saw uses an 8 Amp motor to power its 10-inch bar and chain. Even 12-inch hardwood limbs won’t stand in its way. The anti-rotation shaft extends up to 10 feet and lets you reach branches up to 15 feet high. The flip-and-lock clamps make height adjustments simple. The push-button oiler lets you control the oil flow, but you can still expect normal leakage during storage. At 12.4-pounds, this saw is a little more top heavy than most.
Earthwise PS43008
With its 6 Amp motor and 8-inch Oregon bar and chain, this corded pole saw is powerful for its size and can take down limbs the width of its bar. Its major selling point is its 3-position cutting head, which offers straight, 15- and 30-degree angle options. The telescoping pole extends to over 9 feet 6 inches, although it includes only one telescoping section, which limits flexibility.
The in-line motor on the cutting head allows for good visibility. The chain oiling and tension systems are both automatic. While the saw’s weight of 8.57 pounds is average, the saw is still somewhat top heavy.
DEWALT DCPS620M1
A good performer all around, this electric pole saw is designed to meet all your pruning needs, from trimming high limbs to cutting back tall brush. The efficient brushless motor runs on a 20V MAX XR battery and drives an 8-inch bar and chain that can cut through limbs of up to 6 inches. Dewalt claims the battery allows for up to 96 cuts per charge through pressured treated pine 4x4s. The pole extends up to 10 feet, letting you reach up to 15 feet.
With the motor mounted on the cutting head, this 9.8-pound tool’s weight is well balanced. It’s equipped with a metal bucking strip that helps grip the wood while you saw and a tree hook to grab and remove pruned branches.
TroyBuilt TrimmerPlus PS720
If you already have an attachment-capable string trimmer, have only light trimming work to do, and don’t want to clutter up your garage with more tools, this saw attachment is for you. Its 8-inch bar and chain is designed for limbs of 4 to 6 inches thick, and the two-section adjustable pole extension allows for a reach of up to 12 feet. The tool is a light 7.25 pounds and easy to handle.
The automatic oiler performs reliably, and the chain maintains the correct tension without frequent tightening. On the downside, the non-articulated head makes undercuts difficult, and the pole is prone to rotating unexpectedly.
Getting your trees in shape is a lot easier when you have a light, maneuverable tool built for the purpose. When you start shopping around for the best electric pole saw, look for features that will help with your specific needs, such as an articulated head to get into tight spots or automatic oiler and chain tension for more convenient use.