DeWalt 20V Pole Saw Review: Is It Worth Buying
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A dewalt 20 volt pole saw is a cordless pruning saw on a telescoping pole, built to run on the same 20V MAX battery packs that DeWalt sells for its other tools. The model covered here is the DEWALT 20V MAX XR Pole Saw with a listed 15-foot reach, model DCPS620M1. It is worth buying if you already own DeWalt 20V batteries and mostly need to cut overhead branches from the ground. The listing gives a short set of facts, so this review sticks to what the listing says and tells you which specifications to check before you pay.
Quick answer
- The listing names a 15-foot extension pole reach, an 8-inch low kickback bar and chain, a brushless motor, and automatic oiling.
- The listing says the saw makes up to 96 cuts per charge on a 4-inch by 4-inch piece of pressure treated pine.
- The listing includes a metal bucking strip and a tree hook for handling pruned branches.
- The listing does not state the weight, the number of pole sections, or whether a battery and charger come in the box, so check those before you order.
What the listing says about the saw
The DCPS620M1 listing has five bullet points and a short specification table. The bullets name the 15-foot extension pole, a metal bucking strip and tree hook, a brushless motor, an 8-inch low kickback full complement bar and chain, and auto oiling for low maintenance. The specification table gives only the brand and the model and part number, so most of what you would want to compare, such as weight and battery type, is missing. This review does not fill those gaps with guesses.
The title carries the 20V MAX XR name. The XR label is DeWalt’s name for its brushless line, and the bullets say the motor is brushless. The listing does not describe the battery platform beyond the 20V name in the title, so confirm that the battery you own fits the saw before you buy.
Reach and how it is measured
The listing says the pole reaches up to 15 feet. It does not say how that figure is measured. Many listings for pole saws in this category state total reach as the height of the cutting head when a user of a certain height holds the pole at shoulder level, and the other listings in the comparison below do exactly that, naming a 6-foot user as the basis. The DeWalt listing does not, so treat the 15-foot figure as the maker’s number and not as a figure you can rely on for your own height.
A practical way to check reach is to measure the highest branch you need to cut, add the distance from the ground to the saw head when you stand under the branch with the pole raised, and compare that with the pole length at its longest setting. If the branch is near the top of the reach figure, a longer pole or a ladder may be the safer choice, and that is a decision to make on the branch you actually have.
Cutting performance and bar size
The listing states that the brushless motor cuts up to 96 cuts per charge on a 4-inch by 4-inch piece of pressure treated pine. That is a useful benchmark because it sets a test condition: a single standard piece of lumber, on a single charge, with a specific battery. The listing does not name the battery capacity used for that figure, so do not assume your battery will match it. A battery with a larger amp-hour rating will usually run longer, but the listing does not say which capacity was used.
The 8-inch bar is the size most often chosen for small branches. The listing describes it as a low kickback full complement bar and chain. Low kickback chains reduce the chance that the tip of the bar will kick back toward the operator, which is one reason to read the safety section of the owner’s manual before the first cut. An 8-inch bar is a sensible size for branches up to a few inches thick, and it is not the right tool for large trunk work. The listing does not state a maximum branch diameter, so use the bar length as a rough guide and check the manual for the limit.
The bucking strip is the flat metal area near the bar that lets you rest the saw against a branch while you cut. The listing names a metal bucking strip, and it is one of the features a buyer will use most on the job. The tree hook is a second feature: it lets you pull a cut branch toward you so it does not fall through the work area. Both features are described in the listing and neither depends on specifications the listing leaves out.
Auto oiling and maintenance
The listing says the saw has auto oiling for low maintenance. In practice, an automatic oiler keeps the chain and bar lubricated while the saw runs, so you do not have to stop and oil it between cuts. The listing does not say how much oil the reservoir holds or how often you should refill it, so read the manual and check the oil level before every session. Keeping the chain oiled is the single most important maintenance task for any chainsaw-type tool, and an automatic system helps but does not replace the check.
The listing gives no detail on chain tensioning, so check how the chain is tightened and whether that needs a tool. Many pole saws in this category use a tool-free tensioning system, but the DeWalt listing does not state one, so do not assume it. A chain that is too loose can jump off the bar, and one that is too tight wears the bar and the motor faster.
Battery and charger compatibility
The listing names the 20V MAX platform and the DeWalt XR line. It does not state whether a battery and charger come with the saw. For many buyers, that is the deciding question, because a pole saw with no battery is a separate purchase if you do not already own one. The alternatives in the comparison below both say their battery and charger are not included, which means the same question applies to them. Count the battery and charger into your total cost before you compare the saw with anything else.
If you own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, the saw fits the platform you already use, and you do not need to buy a new battery system. If you do not own any, compare the total of the saw and a compatible battery with other pole saws that come with a battery. The listing is silent on that point, so the decision depends on what you already have.
How it compares with two close alternatives
Two other pole saws in the pack are close enough to compare directly. Both are described as compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX batteries. Neither is the same product, and the differences below come from their listings.
The Paxwrenx 8-inch cordless pole saw is a bare tool. Its listing says it works with DeWalt 20V MAX batteries including the DCB200, DCB201, DCB203, DCB204, DCB230 and DCB240 models. It names a two-section pole that reaches up to 7.5 feet and a three-section pole that reaches up to 10 feet, with total reach figures of 12.5 and 15 feet based on user height. It lists a chain speed of up to 18 feet per second, a low kickback bar, tool-free chain tensioning, and automatic lubrication, with the oil not included. The bullets name a 3-year limited warranty, a 90-day return and a 1-year full replacement. The listing says up to 90 cuts per charge on 4-by-4 pressure treated wood, using a 4.0Ah battery.
The HEINPRO cordless pole saw is also a bare tool, and its listing states that the battery and charger are not included. It names a detachable extension pole that gives an operating reach of 5.8 to 8.2 feet and a maximum cutting height of 14.2 feet when fully assembled, based on a 6-foot user at shoulder height. The chain is listed as 3/8 inch pitch, 0.050 inch gauge and 33 drive links, with an 8-inch guide bar. The listing gives an item weight of 6.7 pounds, a dual-side safety lock trigger, automatic oiling, and a low-vibration build with an adjustable shoulder strap. The warranty is listed as a limited warranty, with the length not stated.
Comparing the three listings side by side, the DeWalt names a 15-foot reach and a brushless motor, the Paxwrenx gives the most detail on pole sections and cut counts, and the HEINPRO gives the clearest weight figure. The DeWalt listing is the only one of the three that names the brand that makes the battery, which matters if you want a single warranty path for the whole kit.
Who this saw suits
The DeWalt saw suits a homeowner who already owns DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, has a few overhead branches to trim each season, and wants a brand-name tool. It is less suited to someone who needs a heavy-duty saw for large trunks, and it is not a substitute for a professional arborist when a limb is large, dead or near a power line. For those jobs, the listing offers no information, and a qualified arborist or electrician is the right call.
The saw is also a poor fit for buyers who need to know the exact weight before they buy, because the listing does not state it. If weight matters to you, read the manual or ask the seller before you order.
Safety before the first cut
Read the owner’s manual before the first cut, and keep bystanders out of the drop zone. Keep the saw well away from power lines, and if a branch touches a line, call the utility company rather than cutting. The listing names a low kickback bar, which reduces one common risk, but it does not remove the need to hold the saw correctly and stand on stable footing. Wear eye protection and gloves, and do not cut above shoulder height unless you have a stable position.
FAQ
Is the DeWalt 20V pole saw cordless?
Yes. The title names a 20V MAX XR battery platform, and the bullets describe it as a brushless cordless tool. The listing does not say whether a battery is included, so check that before you order.
How long is the reach?
The listing says up to 15 feet. It does not state the height of the user used for that figure, so confirm the reach against the branch you need to cut.
What size bar does it use?
The listing names an 8-inch low kickback bar and chain. That size suits small branches, and the manual should state the maximum branch diameter.
Does it oil the chain automatically?
The listing says it has auto oiling for low maintenance. Check the oil reservoir level before each use, because the listing does not give a refill interval.
Can I use my existing DeWalt battery?
The title and bullets name the 20V MAX platform, so a compatible DeWalt 20V MAX battery should fit. Confirm the exact battery model against the manual before you buy.
Is it worth buying over a corded pole saw?
The listing does not compare the two types, so this review cannot make that call from the listing alone. A cordless saw avoids a cord to manage, and the listing’s runtime figure is the main thing to weigh against a corded tool that does not need charging.
Bottom line
Buy the DeWalt 20V pole saw if you already own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries and need a cordless saw for overhead branches up to a few inches thick. Before you pay, confirm the battery and charger situation, the weight and the pole sections, because the listing does not state them. If you need those figures and cannot find them, compare the Paxwrenx and HEINPRO listings, which give more of them, and check each one against the branches you plan to cut.
For more on the tool itself, see how to use a pole saw safely and how to prune branches with a pole saw.
Products in this review
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Pole Saw, 15-Foot Reach (DCPS620M1): View on Amazon
8-inch Cordless Pole Saw for DeWalt 20V Max Battery (Bare Tool), Paxwrenx: View on Amazon
Cordless Pole Saw Compatible with Dewalt 20V MAX Battery, HEINPRO: View on Amazon
