If you find yourself wishing for longer arms when that dead limb is just out of reach, it may be time to upgrade your equipment. Home Depot offers a wide variety of pole saws for every level of experience and intensity of use.
When you are serious about maintaining order and a proper pruning schedule, or if you have a large property to maintain, the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Pole Saw With Attachment is a good choice.
Home Depot offers pole saws with four options for power.
Homeowners and professional landscapers need different tools. Homeowners are looking to clean up a few trees, while landscapers run across thousands in their weekly jobs. With a dedicated Pro desk, Home Depot has pole saws that cater to both.
Because you are operating the pole saw at a distance from your center of gravity, the bar length matters. Too long, and you won't be able to reliably direct the operation, but too short and you are limited in the width of branches or limbs you can cut.
To get a good idea of your needs, take the length of the cutting bar and divide it in half. That's about the maximum width branch you can cut with your pole saw. This number increases as the pole gets shorter. But because you have less leverage when the pole is extended, cutting capacity is less.
In addition to providing operating instructions in the box, many Home Depot locations offer classes in everything from pruning and removing brush to making firewood from downed trees.
A pole saw requires oil for the bar and tension to be maintained for safe operation. Most Home Depot pole saws feature automatic oilers and easy-to-access chain tensioners. These let you get the job done with fewer breaks.
Home Depot knows your tools need to work hard. The vast majority of their product lines come with limited warranties guaranteed against workmanship or manufacturing defects.
Additionally, with just a few exceptions, Home Depot accepts returns of new and unopened merchandise for 90 days with a receipt. Don’t have a receipt? An associate may be able to find your purchase on their computer to refund your original payment method, If not, you can still make the return for store credit.
Prices vary depending on what type of power you select and whether or not a battery or other accessories are included with the tool. Expect to spend $100-$500.
A. It depends on the type of saw you select. Professional models can extend an additional 10-13 feet past their initial length.
A. As with anything, more practice increases your skill.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Pole Saw With Attachment
What you need to know: It is a hardworking, heavy-duty choice that fits with all of Milwaukee’s M18 line of tools.
What you’ll love: Make 150 cuts per charge of the lithium-ion battery. The saw head is 10 inches and reaches full power in 1 second. The chain tensioner is easy to access, and the saw comes with a three-year limited warranty.
What you should consider: It is heavy, just under 13 pounds, and it is expensive. If you only occasionally need a pole saw, this might be more equipment than is necessary.
Where to buy: Sold by Home Depot
2-in-1 8-amp Electric Convertible Pole Chainsaw
What you need to know: This is perfect for pruning and cutting downed limbs to length.
What you’ll love: The telescoping pole extends to 15 feet for longer reach. The 10-inch bar can also be converted to a handheld chain saw to cut limbs up to 9.5 inches. It weighs just under 8.5 pounds and has a built-in safety switch. The operation is quiet.
What you should consider: The cord is very short, and some users report leaking oil. This is best reserved for smaller yards.
Where to buy: Sold by Home Depot
Greenworks Pro 60-volt Battery Cordless Pole Saw (Tool Only)
What you need to know: If you already have tools in the Greenworks line, this “tool only” choice may work well for you.
What you’ll love: It is perfect for small yard cleanup jobs. It's light and easy to handle, and it works with either a 60- or 40-volt battery that is sized for Greenworks tools. It has an automatic chain oiler for smoother operation, and a 10-inch bar to tackle most jobs. It comes with a four-year limited warranty.
What you should consider: Maintaining chain tension is challenging.
Where to buy: Sold by Home Depot
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Suzannah Kolbeck writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
