Best Battery Pole Saw Reviews for Homeowners
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Battery pole saw reviews usually start with one question: how high can the saw reach without a ladder? The answer depends on the pole length, the head angle and your own height. Most battery pole saws in this roundup use an 8-inch chain and a telescoping or sectioned pole, and most ship as bare tools that need a battery you may already own. This guide compares eight battery pole saws from the product pack, with the stated reach, battery platform, chain and included parts for each listing. It does not rank the tools on performance, because the pack contains listing facts only.
Quick answer
- For the longest stated reach, the 2-in-1 DeWalt 20V kit (B0FDB34119) lists up to 15.9 feet, and the DeWalt 20V pole saw (B0H3GST2VM) lists up to 15 feet with three sections.
- For a kit with a battery and charger, the Greenworks 40V combo (B01ID88KUW) includes the battery, charger and a pole hedge trimmer head.
- For a Milwaukee M18 owner, the Milwaukee-compatible pole saws (B0FY1HZSRN, B0GTMX1DZP and B0H7J3MC4Y) list compatibility with M18 batteries and state that the battery is not included.
- If you want a pruner as well, the 4-in-1 kit (B0GTMX1DZP) and the Craftsman V20 pole saw with a pivoting head (B0DVTGL5VD) combine a saw and a pruning tool.
How battery pole saws work
A battery pole saw is a chainsaw on a long pole. The motor sits at the top or the handle, a drive shaft runs up the pole, and the chain and guide bar sit at the far end. You control the cut from the ground, which keeps you off a ladder when branches are overhead. The chain is small, usually 8 inches on the listings here, so the saw suits limbs and light pruning rather than large trunks.
Two parts decide most of the experience: the reach and the head. The reach is the total distance from the ground to the tip of the chain, and it depends on the pole length, the number of sections and your height. The head is the part that cuts. Some heads pivot to reach around a branch, and some tilt to a fixed angle. The listings describe the head angle in different ways, so compare the numbers before you choose.
Battery platform and included parts
The battery is the biggest choice in this group, because most listings are bare tools. The roundup includes saws for the DeWalt 20V MAX platform, the Milwaukee M18 platform and the Craftsman V20 platform, plus a Greenworks 40V combo that ships with its own battery and charger. If you already own a DeWalt or Milwaukee battery, a bare tool saves the cost of a second battery. If you do not, the Craftsman V20 model and the Greenworks combo include the battery in the listing.
Battery capacity affects how many cuts you get on one charge. The DeWalt 20V bare tool (B0H3GST2VM) states up to 90 cuts per charge on 4×4 pressure-treated timber with a 4.0Ah battery, and its listing recommends a 4.0Ah battery or larger for best results. The Milwaukee-compatible tool (B0FY1HZSRN) advises the same: use a battery rated 4.0Ah or higher for optimal cutting power. Check your battery’s rating before you buy, because a smaller pack can give less power.
Read the included components line on each listing. Several listings say battery and charger are not included. Others include a charger, a shoulder strap, an extra chain, or a storage bag. An extra chain is useful, because the chain is the part you will replace most often.
Reach, pole sections and head angle
Reach is the number that matters most for the job. The DeWalt 20V pole saw (B0H3GST2VM) lists a 2-section total reach of 12.5 feet and a 3-section total reach of 15 feet, based on a user’s height. The Milwaukee-compatible tool (B0FY1HZSRN) extends from 7.4 to 8.8 feet and lists a total reach of up to 14.8 feet. The 4-in-1 Milwaukee kit (B0GTMX1DZP) uses a four-section pole that the listing says reaches up to 15 feet based on a 6-foot user. The HEINPRO models (B0FHWGB2XG and B0H7J3MC4Y) list a maximum cutting height of 14.2 feet when fully assembled at shoulder height for a 6-foot user.
Head angle matters when branches grow at an awkward angle. The Milwaukee-compatible saw has a four-position pivot head that the listing says reaches up to 45 degrees. The DeWalt 20V pole saw (B0H3GST2VM) describes an optimized 90-degree head. The Craftsman V20 pole saw (B0DVTGL5VD) lists a seven-position lateral pivoting head. The 2-in-1 DeWalt-compatible kit (B0FDB34119) lists a 0 to 180 degree cutting head, and the 4-in-1 Milwaukee kit lists a rotatable angle of up to 180 degrees.
Pole sections add weight and flex. A longer pole reaches higher but feels heavier at the top. Several listings give a weight for the saw alone. The Milwaukee-compatible tool weighs 7 pounds in its listing, and the Greenworks combo weighs 11 pounds. A saw with a shoulder strap or a comfort strap helps when you work overhead for a long time, and several listings in the group include one.
Roundup of eight battery pole saws
8-inch Cordless Pole Saw for DeWalt 20V MAX, bare tool (B0H3GST2VM)
This bare tool is compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, including the DCB200, DCB201, DCB203, DCB204, DCB205, DCB230 and DCB240 models listed by name. The pole has two or three sections. The listing gives up to 7.5 feet with two sections and up to 10 feet with three, and a total reach of up to 12.5 feet or 15 feet depending on the section count. The 8-inch bar runs at up to 18 feet per second, and the listing says the tool has a tool-free chain tensioning system and an automatic chain oiler. It has a 3 Year Limited Warranty in the bullets, and its chain is 3/8 inch low-profile with 33 drive links. Oil and battery are not included.
Greenworks 40V 8 inch Pole Saw Hedge Trimmer Kit with 2.0Ah battery (B01ID88KUW)
This is the kit in the group that ships with a battery and charger. It combines an 8-inch pole saw with a 20-inch pole hedge trimmer, and the kit uses a 40V battery with a 2.0Ah rating. The pole saw has an 8-inch bar and chain with easy-adjust tensioning and an automatic oiler. The hedge trimmer head is a dual-action blade that pivots to seven positions for trimming at several angles. The listing gives a weight of 11 pounds for the kit and a 3 year manufacturer warranty. The package includes the pole saw, the hedge trimmer head, a blade cover, the battery, the charger and the owner’s manual.
8-inch Cordless Pole Saw for Milwaukee M18, bare tool (B0FY1HZSRN)
This pole saw is compatible with Milwaukee M18 18V batteries. The battery and charger are not included, and the listing advises a battery rated 4.0Ah or higher for optimal cutting power. The telescoping pole extends from 7.4 to 8.8 feet, and the total reach is up to 14.8 feet. The four-position pivot head angles up to 45 degrees, and the listing says it helps reach over fences and into tight branch structures. The saw has SDS tool-free chain tensioning and an integrated auto-oiler, with oil not included. The listing gives a weight of 7 pounds and a 1 year limited warranty. It has a dual-side safety trigger for left or right-handed use.
CRAFTSMAN V20 8 ft Cordless Pole Saw with battery and charger (B0DVTGL5VD)
This Craftsman V20 model includes a battery and charger, and its title lists a 2 Ah battery. The kit bullet names a 1.5 Ah battery, so confirm the battery size on the product page before you buy. The pole folds to an 8-foot length for transport and storage. The listing describes a seven-position lateral pivoting head, non-stick coated blades that resist sap build-up, tool-less blade change, and rust-resistant alloy steel blades. It states up to 900 cuts per charge and a 3 Year Limited Warranty. Because the title and the kit bullet differ on the battery, read the included parts before you order.
2-in-1 Cordless 8 inch Pole Saw and 6 inch Mini Chainsaw for DeWalt 20V, tool only (B0FDB34119)
This tool-only kit includes an 8-inch and a 6-inch mini chainsaw that switches to a pole saw in seconds, with no extra tools. It is compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, and the battery and charger are not included. The telescoping pole adjusts from 5.6 to 9.9 feet for a total reach of up to 15.9 feet. The cutting head rotates from 0 to 180 degrees. The listing describes a brushless motor, a built-in auto-lube system that works at up to 38 feet per second, and tool-less installation for the chain. The specifications table gives a wattage of 1200 watts and a weight of 5.7 pounds.
4-in-1 Cordless 8 inch Pole Saw and Pruning Shears for Milwaukee 18V, tool only (B0GTMX1DZP)
This tool-only kit combines an 8-inch cordless chainsaw with a 1.2-inch power pruner. The pruner has an LCD screen that shows the battery level and the cut count, and it offers two cutting diameters, 0.8 and 1.2 inches. The pole is a four-section design, and the listing says you can choose two, three or all four sections for a reach of up to 15 feet based on a 6-foot user. The pole saw uses a brushless motor rated at 800 watts. The kit includes three chains, an automatic oiler, tool-free chain tensioning and a safety switch. It is compatible with Milwaukee 18V batteries, and the battery and charger are not included.
HEINPRO 8 inch Cordless Pole Saw for DeWalt 20V MAX (B0FHWGB2XG)
This tool is designed for DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, and the battery and charger are not included. The listing gives a detachable extension pole with an operating reach of 5.8 to 8.2 feet and a maximum cutting height of 14.2 feet when assembled at shoulder height for a 6-foot user. It has an automatic oiling mechanism, a dual-side safety lock trigger, and an adjustable shoulder strap. The chain is listed as 3/8 inch pitch with a 0.050 inch gauge and 33 drive links, on an 8-inch guide bar. The item weight in the specifications is 6.7 pounds.
HEINPRO 8 inch Cordless Pole Saw for Milwaukee M18 (B0H7J3MC4Y)
This version is designed for Milwaukee M18 series batteries, which are not included. Its specifications match the DeWalt-compatible HEINPRO listing: an extension pole that gives a 5.8 to 8.2 foot operating reach, up to 14.2 feet of cutting height, an automatic oiler, a dual-side safety lock and a shoulder strap. The chain is listed as 3/8 inch pitch, 0.050 inch gauge, 33 drive links, with an 8-inch guide bar. The item weight is 6.7 pounds. Choose this model if your battery is a Milwaukee M18 pack and you want the same reach as the DeWalt version.
Review: the DeWalt 20V pole saw with the longest stated reach (B0H3GST2VM)
Among the single-purpose pole saws in this roundup, the DeWalt 20V bare tool gives the most detail on reach and chain. Its listing gives the 8-inch bar and chain, an 18 foot-per-second chain speed and a two- or three-section pole. The three-section setup is the one that reaches 15 feet in total, and the two-section setup stops at 12.5 feet. Those figures are the listing’s own, and they assume a user of a standard height. If your reach is limited, the shorter setup is easier to handle.
The saw is built around the DeWalt 20V MAX platform. The listing names several compatible battery models, including the DCB200, DCB201, DCB203 and DCB204, along with the DCB230 and DCB240. If you already own a DeWalt 20V battery, the tool saves the cost of a new battery system. The listing says the battery is not included, so check that the pack you own is rated at 4.0Ah or higher for the best performance on thicker wood.
The head is the most practical feature for overhead work. The listing describes a 90-degree head that maximizes downforce and avoids binding, and the saw has a tool-free tensioning system that lets you adjust the chain without a wrench. The listing also says the auto oiler keeps the chain lubricated during use, though oil is not included. Tool-free adjustment and automatic oiling reduce the stops you make on the job, which is useful when you are working up a ladder-free reach.
The listing gives a 3 Year Limited Warranty in its bullets and a warranty type of extended in its specifications. Read the warranty terms on the product page before you buy, because the listing describes its return and warranty options in more than one place.
Who it suits: a DeWalt 20V owner who wants up to 15 feet of reach for limbs in a yard. Who should look elsewhere: anyone who does not own a DeWalt battery, because the saw ships as a bare tool, or anyone who needs a pruner head. For a combined pruner, the Milwaukee-compatible 4-in-1 kit (B0GTMX1DZP) or the Greenworks kit (B01ID88KUW) fits better.
Close alternatives
The Milwaukee-compatible pole saw (B0FY1HZSRN) is the closest alternative if you own M18 batteries. It lists a 14.8 foot total reach and a four-position head that tilts to 45 degrees. The Greenworks combo (B01ID88KUW) is the choice if you need a battery and charger in the box, and it adds a hedge trimmer head for shrubs. For a saw that doubles as a mini chainsaw, the DeWalt-compatible 2-in-1 kit (B0FDB34119) switches between the 8-inch and 6-inch saws.
FAQ
How high can a battery pole saw reach?
The listings state reach in different ways. The 2-in-1 DeWalt-compatible kit lists up to 15.9 feet, and the DeWalt 20V pole saw lists up to 15 feet with three sections. The Milwaukee-compatible pole saw lists up to 14.8 feet. The HEINPRO models list a cutting height of 14.2 feet for a 6-foot user. The 4-in-1 Milwaukee kit lists up to 15 feet based on a 6-foot user. Reach depends on your height and the sections you assemble.
Which battery pole saws include a battery?
The Greenworks 40V combo (B01ID88KUW) includes a 2.0Ah battery and a charger. The Craftsman V20 model (B0DVTGL5VD) lists a battery and charger in its kit. The remaining models in this roundup are bare tools, and the listings say the battery and charger are not included.
What battery size should I use?
The DeWalt 20V and Milwaukee-compatible listings both recommend a battery rated 4.0Ah or higher for best cutting performance. A smaller battery can still run the saw, but the listings say it may reduce power. Use a battery with a higher amp-hour rating for thicker branches.
Do battery pole saws need oil?
Most listings in this group say the saw has an automatic oiler. Several listings state that the oil is not included, so add the bar and chain oil that the owner’s manual recommends before you start. Keep the oil level up as the owner’s manual directs.
Can I use one pole saw for pruning too?
Yes, in two cases. The Milwaukee-compatible 4-in-1 kit (B0GTMX1DZP) includes a 1.2-inch power pruner with an LCD display and two cutting diameters. The Craftsman V20 pole saw (B0DVTGL5VD) is listed as a pole saw and pruner with a seven-position pivoting head. Other models are saw-only or saw with a hedge trimmer head.
Which pole saw has the widest head angle?
The 2-in-1 DeWalt-compatible kit (B0FDB34119) lists a cutting head that rotates from 0 to 180 degrees. The 4-in-1 Milwaukee kit (B0GTMX1DZP) lists a rotatable angle of 180 degrees. The Milwaukee-compatible saw (B0FY1HZSRN) lists a four-position head that tilts up to 45 degrees.
Is a pole saw safe to use near power lines?
Do not use any pole saw near power lines. Keep a safe distance from wires, and if a branch touches a line, call the utility company or a licensed electrician or tree service. The listings in this roundup do not give electrical safety guidance, so follow the owner’s manual and local rules.
Bottom line
Pick the battery first. If you already own a DeWalt 20V, Milwaukee M18 or Craftsman V20 battery, a bare tool or matching kit saves you money on the battery system. If you need a battery and charger in the box, the Greenworks 40V combo (B01ID88KUW) is the one listing here that includes both. Then match the reach to your tallest branch, and pick a pole saw with the head angle and pruner accessory you need.
For a related guide to keeping cordless yard tools working between jobs, read Making a Cordless Mower Battery Last Longer. If you prefer a shorter-reach tool for hedges, see How to Trim a Hedge Evenly With a Cordless Trimmer.
