The 5 Best Electric Pole Saws

Pruning is an enjoyable way to spend time in a backyard, especially if you have the right tools for the different jobs you need to do. Tall trees offer a very different challenge to dense shrubs, for example.

Certainly, if you have any trees to look after, any kind of pole saw is a blessing. They help you avoid the labor of setting and resetting a ladder repeatedly and make any job easier, as well as safer.

If you are wondering which kind of power pole saw is best for your needs, it usually comes down to size, in my experience. Electric pole saws are best suited to larger branches and smaller backyards and gardens. A quality device will have enough power to cut branches several inches across - as long as you can run the power line far enough to use it.

Thin twigs and dense foliage get chewed up with any kind of pole saw and are better tackled with secateurs, shears or even a weed eater. For very big areas, it is often easier to use a gas model - even if the maintenance issues of gas powered devices can be a nuisance.

My favorite feature of electric models is that they are so much quieter than their gas cousins. I genuinely enjoy using a machine that does the job without leaving me deaf afterwards!

Things to Look for 

At what Heights can these Machines work, Comfortably?

Many manufacturers say their product has a ten-foot or whatever reach. In other words the pole is a few feet shorter than this and your arms provide the extra.

Most electric pole saws have a working height of 12 to 15 feet.

What size Branches can an Electric Pole Saw Cut?

8 amp machines can tackle softwood branches several inches across. Four or five inch branches are a breeze even with hardwood trees.

The length of the bar (the plate of steel that the chain spins around) is a rough guide to the size of branches it can cut.

Sawing at Ground Level

Some machines can be used for sawing at ground level. The chainsaw can simply be taken off the pole. Other pole saws have the motor at the end you hold so can't be taken off - they are better balanced and easier to use for pruning, though.

What do they Weigh?

Electric pole saws are the lightest kind of power pole saw. Mostly they are under ten pounds. This is no problem for the average person but if you are stretching, they can be a strain. I think of mine as good exercise!

Safety Issues

The biggest problem with any chainsaw is kick-back. If the blade jams in the wood, the power of the motor kicks back. With powerful chain saws this can mean they twist out your hand! The electric chain saws on this page are less of a danger than a big gas-machine but you should still take care to read the instructions before use.

A hard hat, safety glasses and a tough pair of gloves are recommended.

Electric Pole Saw Prices

Prices range from about $70 to $150 online.

Best places to Buy an Electric Pole Saw

Shopping online will probably give you the biggest choice and usually saves you money. Big home or garden stores like Home Depot or Lowes usually have a good range and you can try them for weight in your hand.

My advice is to read the buyer reviews at sites like Target or Amazon before you choose. Customers who were disappointed with something that they bought will soon let you know!

The 5 Best Models

Poulan 810EPT: 9 Amp

Poulan is a division of Husqvarna AB the famous Swedish chainsaw manufacturers. The Swedes know a lot about cutting trees and they produce great engineering products. The blade and cutting mechanisms on this machine are of a standard you would expect for a quality chainsaw.This model also offers a string strimmer for clearing twigs.

The pole saw will prune branches up to seven or eight inches across. It doesn't have the longest reach but it is one of the most popular models around for its power and ease of use.

One valuable feature is that the motor is at the end that you hold. This means you only have the blade at the end that you are lifting high and the tool is nicely balanced. Most pole saws have the complete (often heavy) chain saw at the cutting end and this can make them awkward to use.The disadvantage is that the saw can't be removed for easy use at ground level.

It weighs under ten pounds.

Remington RM1015P 10-Inch Bar, 8-Amp Electric Pole Saw

Remington are one of the most successful makers of electric pole saws, This model will cut limbs up to 15 feet above the ground when fully extended. The inner pole is aluminum which makes it more rigid (useful on tougher branches). The outer pole is fiberglass.

The chain saw head comes off easily and can be used separately from the pole.

It has 1.5 HP motor and draws 8 amps.

Earthwise PS40008 with 8-Inch Bar, 6 amp Telescopic

This has a little less power than the Poulan above but offers a ten foot reach when fully extended. The telescopic pole makes it easy to store as well as easy to set your working height.

It can tackle big branches - seven or eight inches across and and has a neat self-lubricating system for the chain that works better than most models (with some models, you are better lubricating the chain with an oil can yourself). The head can be repositioned to help you get the best cutting angle for different jobs.

It is worth checking the video review from one guy who bought one at Amazon. It is amazing how fast these machines are and how big a branch they will tackle! Your neighbors won't complain about the noise either.

McCulloch MCP1510 10-Inch

This is a powerful saw that offers the option of using the chain saw on a pole or just in the hand - useful for sawing up fallen branches, etc.

It has a chain-catcher for added protection in case the chain derails. The guide bar and chain are specially designed to reduce kickback.The pole is rustproof fiberglass.

The 1.5 HP motor delivers plenty of power and the ten inch bar makes it popular with users who like to get bigger jobs done quickly. The extra weight of this powerful model might be an issue for some people.

Best Economy Model? Homelite Factory-Reconditioned 6 Amp Pole Saw

If you are looking for an inexpensive pole saw for light work this might be the model for you. Most people who buy these reconditioned models are happy with them. They haven't had heavy use in the past - they are just items that have been returned shortly after purchase. They get a factory check and are sold again.

If you have a few trees and maybe a hedge this could be all you need. For under seventy dollars, it could save you a lot of backache...