Cordless, Corded or Manual? Where the Best Pole Saw Fits Your Tallest Limbs

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The best pole saw lets you cut a dead or overhanging limb while both feet stay on the ground. The first decision is power. Cordless saws run on a battery and go anywhere in the yard. Corded electric saws cost less and never run down, but they tie you to an outlet and an extension cord. Manual pole saws have no motor at all, and they reach far higher than any powered pick here.

We compared seven pole saws from Greenworks, CRAFTSMAN, EGO, WORX, WEN, VEVOR and SEESII using their Amazon listings: bar or blade length, listed reach and pole length, weight, and whether a battery and charger come in the box. Six are sold by Amazon.com and one by the brand’s own store, and all were listed in stock when we checked.

One rule comes before any of them: look up first. Pole saws are long, and the utility guidance we cite below says to keep yourself, your tools and the branches you cut at least 10 feet from overhead power lines.

Our Top Pole Saw Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. Greenworks 40V 8-Inch Cordless Pole Saw (PS40B210): Best Overall

Greenworks’ PS40B210 is a 40V cordless pole saw with an 8-inch bar and chain on the end of a three-piece aluminum shaft. The kit includes the saw, a 2.0Ah battery, a charger and the operator’s manual, so it is ready to trim once the battery is charged and the bar oil is filled.

Day to day, you click the battery in, extend the shaft and reach for the limb from the ground. The listing says the shaft extends up to 9 feet, which Greenworks puts at 11 feet of maximum reach. An automatic oiler keeps the chain lubricated as it runs, and Greenworks says an easy-adjust system lets you tighten the chain quickly when it starts to sag.

Greenworks pitches it as maintenance-free compared with gas: no gas, no mixing oil and no emissions, and the listing says it starts instantly and runs quietly. That suits early-morning or neighborhood-friendly work. The listing doesn’t give a cut count per charge or a warranty term, and the warranty field is blank, so check the manual for both.

It suits homeowners with a few trees to keep tidy, storm-damaged limbs to clear, or branches hanging over a driveway or roof line that sit within the listed reach. At a listed 7.8 pounds, it is a tool you hold overhead in short sessions, and an 8-inch bar is sized for small and medium limbs rather than big trunk sections.

Why we like it

• Battery and charger in the box
• Automatic chain oiler
• Strong category rank

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t state a warranty term or runtime, and the 2.0Ah battery is the smallest in our cordless group.

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2. CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Pole Saw, 14-Foot (CMCCSP20M1): Best Reach on a Battery

CRAFTSMAN’s CMCCSP20M1 is a cordless pole saw on the brand’s V20 battery platform, sold as a kit with a 4.0Ah battery and a charger. It carries an 8-inch bar, and the listing puts its reach at up to 14 feet with the extension pole fitted.

The head and blade are angled, which CRAFTSMAN says helps with cutting precision when you are working a limb from below. A branch hook near the head is there to help pull down cut branches that hang up in the canopy, a common annoyance with any pole saw. The pole extension has a soft grip for steering the saw.

CRAFTSMAN’s title claims up to 325 cuts per charge, a marketing figure that will vary with limb size and wood type. Replacement parts are named in the listing (chain CMZCSC8 and bar CMZCSB8), which makes future maintenance easier to plan. A bullet lists a 3 Year Limited Warranty, though the separate warranty field on the listing is blank.

It suits anyone who already owns CRAFTSMAN V20 tools, and homeowners whose problem limbs sit just out of reach of shorter saws. The listed weight is 5.97 pounds, which matters when you hold a saw at arm’s length for a full afternoon of fall cleanup.

Why we like it

• Longest listed powered reach
• 4.0Ah battery in the box
• Branch hook for hung-up limbs

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t mention an automatic oiler, so check the manual for how the chain is lubricated.

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3. EGO Power+ 56V Pole Saw with LED Cut Line (PS1001): Best Premium Cordless

EGO’s PS1001 is a 56V cordless pole saw with a 10-inch bar and chain, a brushless motor and a telescopic carbon fiber shaft. The kit includes a 2.5Ah battery and charger, and EGO says the saw works with all of its 56V ARC Lithium batteries.

Its standout feature is an LED cut line indicator, which EGO describes as the first among pole saws, meant to show where the cut will land in dark, shaded parts of a tree. The shaft telescopes for a total reach of up to 13 feet, or up to 17 feet with the EP1000 extension pole, sold separately.

EGO lists a chain with a 1/4-inch pitch and 0.043-inch gauge, and chain speeds up to 20 meters per second. Chain tensioning is tool-free, and the saw has a quick-adjust handle and a hook for a shoulder strap to spread the weight. EGO says the carbon fiber shaft is protected by a limited lifetime warranty. The included battery is rated for up to 100 cuts per charge, per the listing.

It suits homeowners with mature hardwoods, larger limbs or dense canopies, and anyone who already owns EGO mowers, blowers or trimmers and can share batteries. It is listed at 9.37 pounds, so the shoulder strap hook is worth using on long sessions.

Why we like it

• 10-inch bar
• LED cut line for shaded trees
• Shares EGO 56V batteries

Watch out for

The included 2.5Ah battery is rated for up to 100 cuts, and the longest reach needs an extra pole.

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4. WORX 8 Amp 10-Inch 2-in-1 Electric Pole Saw (WG311): Best Corded 2-in-1

WORX’s WG311 is an 8-amp electric pole saw with a 10-inch bar that doubles as a regular chainsaw. Pull the extension pole off and the powerhead works on its own for ground-level jobs, such as cutting fallen limbs into shorter pieces after you bring them down.

Because the listing rates the motor in amps and mentions no battery, plan on running it from an outdoor outlet with a suitable extension cord. WORX says the pole extends up to 10 feet to reach high branches without a ladder, and the pole length is adjustable to suit the cut.

Listing features include a chain speed of 28 feet per second, chain tensioning with the turn of a knob, and automatic lubrication to keep the bar and chain oiled. A rear handle rotates 180 degrees, which WORX says gives comfortable grip angles when cutting at different positions. The warranty field reads three years.

It suits homeowners with a modest yard, trees within cord range of the house, and a pile of limbs that need cutting up afterward. WORX lists it at 10 pounds, so it is better for short, planned trimming sessions than for hours of overhead work, and cord management is part of the job.

Why we like it

• Two tools in one
• No battery to charge
• Three-year warranty field

Watch out for

A cord limits how far you can roam, and the listed 10 pounds is felt quickly when held overhead.

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5. WEN 4019 6-Amp 8-Inch Corded Pole Saw: Best Budget Corded

WEN’s 4019 is a corded electric pole saw with a 6-amp motor and an 8-inch bar. The telescoping pole adjusts from 5.3 to 7.3 feet, and WEN puts the overhead reach at up to 12 feet once your own height and arm reach are counted.

Using it is simple: plug in an outdoor-rated extension cord, set the pole length and cut. WEN says the motor drives the chain at up to 36 feet per second, and chain adjustments are tool-free. With no battery, there is nothing to charge and no runtime to plan around, as long as the cord reaches the tree.

In the box, WEN includes the 8-inch saw chain, a blade cover and a shoulder strap, plus a two-year warranty, which the warranty field also lists. A bullet puts the weight at a mere 6.7 pounds, while the specs file lists 7.2 pounds, likely with packaging or accessories. The listing describes emission-free operation.

It suits homeowners on a budget with a handful of small limbs to clear each fall, especially branches over a patio or walkway that sit within the shorter pole range. If your tree work is far from an outlet, the cord will be the main limitation.

Why we like it

• Low price tier
• Shoulder strap and blade cover included
• No batteries to manage

Watch out for

The short pole and cord limit reach and range, and the listing doesn’t mention an automatic oiler.

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6. VEVOR Manual Pole Saw, 7.3–27 ft, With Scissors: Best Manual

VEVOR’s manual pole saw is a no-motor tree pruner made of eight fiberglass poles that assemble from 7.3 feet up to 27 feet. A curved saw blade sits on top, and a set of pruning scissors, worked by a nylon rope through a pulley, handles twigs and small branches.

You saw by pulling and pushing the pole, so the work is physical, but there is no battery to charge and no cord to drag. VEVOR says the poles use double-lock joints for a firm connection, and the saw can also be used hand-held for lower branches, brush and logs.

According to the listing, the blade is 0.05-inch (1.2 mm) carbon steel with a Teflon coating, with a hook knife on top to pull off twigs and another on the bottom to free stuck branches. The scissors are Mn steel, and the rope is 11.5 feet long. A saw sleeve covers the blade when it isn’t in use, and a storage bag holds the parts.

It suits homeowners with tall trees, palm fronds or high dead limbs that no powered pick here can reach. The weight is listed at 13 pounds in a bullet and 14.8 pounds in the specs, and a fully extended pole is long and flexible, so plan short sessions and longer rests.

Why we like it

• 27 ft maximum pole length
• Saw plus rope-pull scissors
• Nothing to charge or plug in

Watch out for

At full length the pole is heavy and hard to steer, and every cut is by hand.

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7. SEESII P8 Ace 2-in-1 8-Inch Pole Saw and Mini Chainsaw: Best Battery 2-in-1

SEESII’s P8 Ace kit pairs a handheld mini chainsaw with a telescoping extension pole, so one 8-inch saw does both jobs. The pole adjusts from 6 to 10 feet, and the kit ships with two 21V 4000mAh batteries and a charger.

For overhead work, the mini saw locks onto the pole and the cutting angle adjusts for awkward limbs. Take it off and it becomes a handheld saw for limbing fallen branches or light wood cutting. SEESII says the saw weighs 3.6 pounds handheld and 7.2 pounds as a pole saw, and that each battery lasts up to 50 minutes.

The listing names an 800-watt motor and a manganese steel chain, and SEESII claims it cuts through 8-inch logs in 12 seconds, a brand figure rather than a tested one. SEESII counts eight safety features, including a security lock, safety baffles, a reinforced pole, an anti-slip handle and a shoulder strap, and the kit includes gloves and goggles. A bullet lists a three-year warranty.

SEESII describes it as built for routine residential pruning and trimming rather than large tree trunks. It suits homeowners who want one light battery kit for small-to-medium limbs overhead and storm cleanup on the ground, with a spare battery charged and ready.

Why we like it

• Two batteries in the kit
• Handheld and pole modes
• Gloves and goggles included

Watch out for

Its 10-foot maximum pole length is short for tall trees, and speed claims come from the brand.

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How We Chose the Best Pole Saws

We compared each listing’s features, specs file and sales rank, and quoted only what the listings state:

• Power type: cordless voltage and included battery, corded amp rating, or manual.
• Bar or blade length: 8-inch and 10-inch bars, or the manual blade’s listed thickness.
• Reach and pole length: as each listing words it, because some brands quote pole length and others quote total reach.
• Weight: from the specs file and bullets, with mismatches flagged.
• What’s in the box and warranty: batteries, chargers, straps and the warranty field or bullet.
• Availability: sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store, and listed in stock when we checked.

Pole Saw Buying Guide

Best Cordless Pole Saw: Voltage, Battery and Cuts per Charge

Cordless pole saws trade a cord for a runtime limit. Check whether the battery and charger are included and what the brand claims per charge. CRAFTSMAN’s V20 kit includes a 4.0Ah battery and claims up to 325 cuts per charge; EGO’s 56V kit includes a 2.5Ah battery rated for up to 100 cuts; Greenworks includes a 2.0Ah battery without a cut count. If you already own one brand’s batteries, staying on that platform saves money.

Best Electric Pole Saw: Corded Amps and Cord Range

Corded saws such as the WEN 4019 (6 amps) and WORX WG311 (8 amps) never run out of charge, and they sit in a lower price tier than most of the cordless kits. The catch is the cord: you need an outdoor-rated extension cord long enough to reach the tree, and you have to keep it clear of the cut and your feet.

Best Manual Pole Saw for the Tallest Limbs

A manual saw has no motor, so it is quiet and has nothing to charge, and it can reach much higher. The VEVOR pole runs from 7.3 to 27 feet. The trade-off is effort: every cut is by hand, and a long pole gets heavy and flexible at full extension.

Best Battery Pole Saw 2-in-1

Some saws detach from the pole for ground work. The SEESII P8 Ace becomes a handheld mini chainsaw, and the WORX WG311 converts to a regular corded chainsaw. That is handy for cutting up limbs after they fall. For bigger rounds and firewood, a dedicated saw from our chainsaw guide is the better tool, and for shaping shrubs and hedges, see our hedge trimmer guide.

Best Pole Saw for Homeowners: Reach, Bar Length and Weight

Measure the height of the limbs you actually need to cut. Listed figures range from 10 feet of pole on the SEESII and WORX to 14 feet of reach on the CRAFTSMAN and 27 feet of pole on the VEVOR. An 8-inch bar handles most small and medium limbs; EGO and WORX carry 10-inch bars. Lighter saws are easier to hold overhead: CRAFTSMAN lists 5.97 pounds, while the VEVOR manual pole is listed at 13 pounds or more.

Pole Saw Safety: Power Lines, Ladders and Falling Limbs

A pole saw puts a long tool, and sometimes an electric one, up in the tree canopy, so the risks are different from ground-level yard work:

• Look up for power lines first. FirstEnergy’s tree-trimming guidance says to be certain that you and your equipment, including long-handled trimming tools, will not come within 10 feet of overhead power lines, and that the same goes for the branches you cut. Ohio State University Extension adds that you should assume a power line is energized, check with your local utility, and never use a metal ladder to trim limbs near power lines. If a limb is close to a line, call the utility or a qualified tree service instead.
• Keep both feet on the ground. A pole saw is designed to be used from the ground, so don’t climb a ladder with one. Save the ladder for gutters and other jobs; our extension ladder guide covers those.
• Protect your eyes and head. FirstEnergy lists gloves, sturdy shoes and eye protection as essential. Sawdust and twigs fall straight down, so wear eye protection (see our safety glasses guide) and consider a hard hat.
• Stand clear of the drop zone. Cut from the side, not directly beneath the limb, and keep children and pets well away, as FirstEnergy also advises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best pole saw for most homeowners?

The Greenworks 40V PS40B210 is our overall pick. It ranks #3 in Pole Saws, includes a 2.0Ah battery and charger, has an automatic oiler, and its shaft extends to 9 feet for an 11-foot maximum reach, per the listing.

What is the best cordless pole saw for reach?

Among our powered picks, the CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCCSP20M1 lists the most reach: up to 14 feet with the extension pole. EGO lists up to 13 feet, or 17 feet with an extension pole sold separately.

Is a manual pole saw better than an electric one?

It depends on height and effort. A manual saw like the VEVOR reaches far higher (its pole runs to 27 feet) and needs no power, but every cut is by hand. Electric and cordless saws cut faster on reachable limbs.

How close can I use a pole saw to power lines?

FirstEnergy says to make sure you, your equipment and the branches you cut will not come within 10 feet of overhead power lines. If a limb is closer than that, call your utility or a qualified line-clearance tree service.

Can I use a pole saw from a ladder?

No. Pole saws are meant to keep you on the ground, and cutting from a ladder adds fall risk. If the limb is out of reach from the ground, choose a longer pole or hire a tree service.

The Bottom Line

The Greenworks 40V PS40B210 is the best pole saw for most yards: a strong category rank, a battery and charger in the box and an automatic oiler. The CRAFTSMAN V20 lists the longest powered reach at the lightest listed weight, and EGO’s PS1001 brings a 10-inch bar and LED cut line for bigger trees. On a budget, the corded WEN 4019 and the 2-in-1 WORX WG311 skip batteries entirely, the SEESII P8 Ace doubles as a handheld saw, and the VEVOR manual pole reaches limbs nothing else here can. Whatever you choose, stay at least 10 feet from power lines.

Worried about a limb landing on the roof or a neighbor’s fence? Ask your agent how your policy would handle it, and read our Ohio homeowners insurance guide. Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or schedule a free coverage review.