Best Pole Saws for Trimming Branches
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If you are looking for the highest rated pole saw, this guide does not rank by stars or review counts, because the listings in this set do not give a rating that can be verified here. Instead, it compares eight pole saws and pole saw kits by the facts each listing states: reach, battery, bar length, motor, included parts and warranty. Use the comparison to narrow the field, then read the buyer feedback on each product page before you decide. Most tools here are cordless, and several are sold without a battery.
Quick answer
- For the most complete kit, the CRAFTSMAN V20 8-foot listing includes a battery and charger, and the Greenworks 40V kit includes a 2.0Ah battery and charger.
- For the longest stated reach, the AVADA lists up to 15.9 feet, the V-MODEST lists up to 15 feet, and the Paxwrenx lists up to 15 feet with all three pole sections linked.
- Several tools are tool only, including the Paxwrenx, CRAFTSMAN V20 bare tool, Houselife, HEINPRO and AVADA. Confirm your battery before you order.
- The CRAFTSMAN V20 8-foot title and kit list disagree on the battery size, so check the product page before you buy.
How to read a pole saw listing
Reach is the first number to check. A listing can give the pole length, the total reach with the head, or the reach for a user of a given height. The HEINPRO listing, for example, gives a 14.2-foot maximum cutting height at shoulder height for a 6-foot user. The Paxwrenx listing gives a 7.5-foot setup with two pole sections and a 15-foot total with all three. Read the basis for the figure before comparing it with another listing.
Bar length is the second number. The tools here use 6-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch bars, and a longer bar handles thicker wood but adds weight at the end of the pole. The Paxwrenx, Houselife and HEINPRO listings give 8-inch bars, and the V-MODEST uses a 6-inch pole saw head alongside a handheld chainsaw.
The third number is the battery. Check the battery platform named in the listing, the battery count and whether a charger is included. Several listings name DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, and the Houselife and HEINPRO listings name Milwaukee M18 or DeWalt 20V batteries that are sold separately.
Comparison table
| Tool | Stated reach | Bar or head | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paxwrenx 8-inch, DeWalt 20V MAX | Up to 15 feet, three sections | 8-inch low-kickback bar | Bare tool, battery not included |
| CRAFTSMAN CMCCSP20B V20 | Up to 14 feet | Angled head and blade | Bare tool, battery not included |
| Houselife 8-inch, Milwaukee M18 | Up to 14.8 feet | 4-position pivot head | Not included |
| HEINPRO 8-inch, DeWalt 20V MAX | 14.2 feet max cutting height | 8-inch tree saw | Not included |
| AVADA 8-inch and 6-inch, DeWalt 20V MAX | Up to 15.9 feet | 8-inch and 6-inch | Tool only |
| CRAFTSMAN V20 8-foot kit | 8-foot pole, folds for storage | Seven-position pivoting head | Included with charger |
| Greenworks 40V pole saw and hedge trimmer kit | Pole saw with 8-inch bar | 8-inch bar and 20-inch hedge blade | 2.0Ah included |
| V-MODEST 4-in-1 kit | Up to 15 feet (pole saw) | 6-inch pole saw head | Two 4.0Ah included |
A cell that says “not included” means the listing says the battery or charger is sold separately. Check the listing before you order.
The roundup: eight pole saws and kits
1. Paxwrenx 8-inch Cordless Pole Saw for DeWalt 20V MAX
The Paxwrenx is a bare tool for DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, and the listing says the battery and charger are not included. The listing gives a reach of up to 15 feet, which comes from linking all three pole sections, while two sections give a 7.5-foot setup for mid-level brush. It has an 8-inch low-kickback bar, and the listing gives a chain speed of 18 feet per second. The listing says a full charge yields up to 90 cuts on 4 by 4 timber, which is the listing’s own figure. Tool-free tensioning and an auto oiler are included.
2. CRAFTSMAN CMCCSP20B V20 Cordless Pole Saw
The CRAFTSMAN CMCCSP20B is a bare tool in the V20 platform. The listing says it runs up to 325 cuts per charge and reaches up to 14 feet with its extension pole. The head is angled, the blade is high speed steel, and the pole extension has a soft grip. The listing gives an item weight of 10 pounds and a plastic handle. An integrated hook lets the tool hang on the VersaTrack wall system, which the listing says is sold separately. Choose it if you already own a V20 battery.
3. Houselife 8-inch Cordless Pole Saw for Milwaukee M18
The Houselife is listed for Milwaukee M18 batteries, which the listing says you must supply. The listing advises a battery rated 4.0Ah or higher for the best cutting power. Its telescoping pole extends from 7.4 to 8.8 feet, for a total reach of up to 14.8 feet. The head has four positions and pivots up to 45 degrees, which the listing says helps reach over fences. The chain tensions without a wrench, and the listing says oil is not included. The specs give a one-year limited warranty.
4. HEINPRO 8-inch Cordless Pole Saw for DeWalt 20V MAX
The HEINPRO is a DeWalt-compatible pole saw with the battery and charger not included. Its detachable extension pole gives an operating reach of 5.8 to 8.2 feet, and the listing says the tool achieves a 14.2-foot maximum cutting height when fully assembled at shoulder height for a 6-foot user. The listing describes an automatic oiling system that lubricates the chain and guide bar, and it says the tool is lightweight. The specs give an alloy steel blade with seven teeth. It suits a buyer who already owns a DeWalt 20V battery and wants a single pole saw.
5. AVADA 2-in-1 Cordless Pole Saw for DeWalt 20V MAX
The AVADA combines an 8-inch and a 6-inch chainsaw with an extension pole, which the listing says lets you switch between a mini chainsaw and a pole saw in seconds. The listing gives a total reach of up to 15.9 feet and a 0 to 180 degree cutting head. It uses a 1200W brushless motor and a tool-less tensioning system. The package is tool only, so the battery and charger must be bought separately. It has a shoulder strap and a safety lock, according to the specs.
6. CRAFTSMAN V20 8-foot Cordless Pole Saw Kit
This CRAFTSMAN kit is the only one in this set listed with a battery and charger. The listing says it runs up to 900 cuts per charge and has a seven-position lateral pivoting head. The 8-foot pole folds for transport and storage, and the blades are non-stick coated for sap and rust resistance. The title gives a 2 Ah battery, but the kit list names a 1.5 Ah lithium-ion battery, so check the product page for the battery size before you buy. The kit list also names a V20 pruner as the cutting unit.
7. Greenworks 40V 8-inch Pole Saw and Hedge Trimmer Kit
The Greenworks is a combo kit. Its pole saw uses an 8-inch bar and chain, and the hedge trimmer head has a 20-inch dual-action blade with a 7-position pivoting head. The kit includes one 40V 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery and a charger. The listing says the pole saw has easy chain tensioning and an automatic oiler that applies oil to the bar and chain. The listed weight is 11 pounds. It suits a buyer who wants both a pole saw and a hedge tool on one battery.
8. V-MODEST 4-in-1 Electric Pole Saw and Pruning Shear Kit
The V-MODEST is a 4-in-1 kit with a 6-inch pole saw, a handheld chainsaw, electric pruning shears and an extension pole. The listing says the pole extends from 5 to 9 feet and reaches up to 15 feet. The shears use SK7 high-carbon steel, and the kit includes two 21V 4.0Ah batteries. The listing says the batteries give up to two hours of continuous use, which it describes as enough for a full yard job. The saw head turns 180 degrees for overhead and side cuts.
Review: the AVADA in depth
The AVADA is the most complete single listing among the tool-only models, so it works as a model for reading the specs. Its title and bullets give the reach, the head angle, the motor and the battery requirement in one place.
- Reach: up to 15.9 feet total, from the telescoping pole, per the listing.
- Head: 0 to 180 degrees, which helps for overhead and side cuts.
- Motor: 1200W brushless, with the listing describing a third-generation design.
- Bars: 8-inch and 6-inch, so you can switch between a pole saw and a handheld chainsaw.
- Battery: sold separately, and the listing names DeWalt 20V MAX batteries.
The main trade-off is the battery. The AVADA is tool only, so the cost of a battery and charger must be added to the price. Its reach is close to the Paxwrenx at 15 feet and the V-MODEST at 15 feet, but the Paxwrenx needs all three pole sections linked to reach that height. For a tool that includes the battery, the CRAFTSMAN V20 kit is the nearest choice. For a shorter guide to pole pruning, read How to Prune Branches With a Pole Saw.
Which tool fits which job
For a single tree with branches out of reach, the longest stated cordless reach is the AVADA or the Paxwrenx. For a yard with several shrubs as well as branches, the Greenworks combo or the V-MODEST gives you a hedge tool or a pruner in the same kit. For a buyer who wants to avoid a battery purchase, the CRAFTSMAN V20 kit is the only one in this set that includes a battery and charger.
If you already own a DeWalt 20V battery, the Paxwrenx, HEINPRO and AVADA all name that platform. If you own a Milwaukee M18 battery, the Houselife is the listing that names it. If you own a V20 battery, the CRAFTSMAN CMCCSP20B is the match.
Mistakes to avoid when buying a pole saw
- Choosing by a rating alone. This guide does not rank by ratings, and a rating does not confirm reach or battery fit.
- Buying a tool-only model without a battery. The Paxwrenx, CRAFTSMAN CMCCSP20B, Houselife, HEINPRO and AVADA listings say the battery is not included.
- Assuming the full reach is the working height. Reach figures often assume a user of a given height.
- Missing a battery size mismatch. The CRAFTSMAN V20 kit lists two different battery sizes in its title and kit list.
- Skipping the oil. Several listings describe an automatic oiler, but the Houselife listing says oil is not included.
Safety and upkeep
Keep bystanders out of the cutting area, and wear eye protection and gloves. Check the chain tension before each use, using the tool-free system the listing describes or the tensioning method in the manual. Keep the chain oiled, and refill the oil tank if the listing describes one. For any branch near a power line, call a licensed tree service. For practical steps on safe use, read How to Use a Pole Saw Safely.
FAQ
Which pole saw here is the highest rated?
This guide cannot name one, because it does not rank by rating. The listings here state different reaches, batteries and accessories, so the choice depends on your branches and your batteries. Check the feedback on each product page before you decide.
Which tool reaches the highest?
The AVADA lists up to 15.9 feet. The Paxwrenx and V-MODEST list up to 15 feet, and the Houselife lists up to 14.8 feet.
Which tools include a battery?
The CRAFTSMAN V20 8-foot kit includes a battery and charger, the Greenworks kit includes a 2.0Ah battery and charger, and the V-MODEST includes two 4.0Ah batteries. The others are tool only or require a battery to be bought separately.
What is the difference between a pole saw and a hedge trimmer kit?
A pole saw cuts branches with a chain. A hedge trimmer kit uses a blade for shaping shrubs. The Greenworks combo includes both, and the V-MODEST includes a pole saw, a chainsaw and pruning shears.
Can I use one battery for different brands?
No. Each listing names one battery platform. The AVADA and Paxwrenx use DeWalt 20V MAX, the Houselife uses Milwaukee M18, and the CRAFTSMAN uses V20.
Are these tools safe for beginners?
The listings describe safety features such as a safety lock on the AVADA and a tool-free chain system on several models. Read the owner’s manual, wear protection and keep clear of the work area. For tall or risky branches, ask a licensed tree service.
Bottom line
Choose the pole saw by the reach you need, the battery you already own and whether you want a hedge tool in the same kit. The AVADA and Paxwrenx have the longest stated cordless reach, the CRAFTSMAN V20 kit includes a battery, and the Greenworks and V-MODEST are the combo choices. Check the battery size and the included accessories before you buy.
