Yard work equipment is expensive, so where do you go to find pole saws when on a budget? Luckily, there are a few excellent pole saws that won’t break your bank but will break down whatever you need it to. We’ve narrowed down our favorites based on overall quality and a budget-friendly price.
Best Pole Saws for the Money
Sun Joe SWJ806E 8-Inch 8.0 Amp 2-in-1 Convertible Pole Chain Saw
- [2-IN-1]: Easily converts from a pole chainsaw to a handheld chainsaw..No Load Speed : 5500 ± 10% rpm.
- [VERASTILE]: Ideal for cutting overhanging limbs and thin logs
- [TELESCOPIC]: Telescoping pole extends to 8.6 ft, for up to 15 ft overhead reach.
- [POWERFUL]: 7.5-amp motor cuts branches up to 7.5-inches thick.
The Sun Joe 8.0-amp pole saw has an impressive motor capable of cutting through 7.5-inch thick branches. The chain has an auto-oiler, so you don’t have to stop and lubricate before you’ve finished cutting. The whole pole saw weighs roughly eight pounds, so it’s easy to handle for any job.
The sturdy pole extends up to 15 feet, letting you stay on the ground while you work. Even better is that the motor is electric, so you can just press a button and get going, without needing to get extra gas or fiddle with more equipment. The built-in safety switch helps prevent the motor from accidentally starting, so there are no surprises during woodworking.
If you need to convert to a regular-sized chainsaw, you can just push a button and detach the pole. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to separate the pole, which might make some people nervous about it staying on, but it’s pretty sturdy. It doesn’t come with extra oil for the chain, but that’s easily managed.
Pros
- Converts easily into a regular-sized chainsaw
- Lightweight to use
- Powerful engine cuts through thick branches
- Pole is strong and not flimsy at all
- Includes a protective sleeve for the chainsaw
Cons
- It does not come with extra oil for the chain
- The pole detachment button doesn’t require a lot of effort
- It takes a while to cool down after use
WORX WG309 8 Amp 10″ 2-In-1 Electric Pole Saw
- [UP HIGH OR DOWN LOW] It’s really 2-tools-in-1: A pole saw for trimming branches from trees, and a regular chainsaw for projects on the ground.Please refuel before use, but oil is sold separately.
- [POWERFUL MOTOR] At 8 Amps, you’ll get consistent performance and reliability from this streamlined machine. Rated Voltage: 120V~60Hz
- [AUTO CHAIN LUBRICATION] The automatic oiler will always have the chain operating at peak efficiency, for faster, more controlled cuts
- [COMPACT and LIGHTWEIGHT] At only 10 lbs., this saw is designed to be held up high and to be maneuverable once it gets up there
- [DO IT YOURSELF. DO IT BETTER. DO IT WITH WORX.] WORX tools are engineered with cutting-edge technology, and above modern efficiency standards, so you can build a cost-effective tool collection that’s been designed to last
The WORX WG309 electric pole saw comes with some standard pole saw trappings, such as an 8-amp motor and auto-chain lubrication with a helpful oil window. It also has an auto chain tension system, which prevents the chain from over-tightening and doesn’t stress the motor.
It’s a little heavier than some models at 10 pounds. However, the pole easily attaches to the chainsaw and extends for up to 10 feet. It also rotates 180 degrees so you can turn the saw without also needing to turn your body. The on/off switch at the bottom of the pole allows you to turn the chainsaw off without lowering it.
The chain runs at 28 feet per second, running smoothly with the auto lubrication and tension system. It doesn’t run on gas, so you don’t have to keep repairing it or refilling a gas tank, and it’ll lessen your carbon footprint. That said, you will need to purchase extra oil to lubricate the chain, and you’ll need to adjust the tension before you first use the chainsaw. Most people get roughly 2 hours of cutting time with a full oil tank, which doesn’t seem to leak.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Easy to convert between chainsaw and pole saw
- The saw can cut through various diameters of different woods
- Auto tension for chain works great
- The oil tank is light and does not leak
Cons
- Tension requires adjusting every so often
- The instruction book is not the easiest to understand
- Gears are plastic so that they may wear out more quickly
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools PS45010S 10-Inch 8-Amp Corded Electric Pole Saw
- Scotts pole pruner with a powerful 8-Amp electric motor for cutting tree branches and limbs around your yard; Fully extended pole is 9'5" long
- Tree trimmer pole saw with 10" bar and chain with 30 degree/3-adjustable cutting head angles; Includes a blade cover for protection and easy storage
- Corded electric chainsaw with a pole that features an automatic oiling system with oil level window and tool-free tensioner chain adjustment
- Plug-in pruning chainsaw that requires no gas; A great alternative to gas pole saws for tree trimming
- Power pole saw with a rubber over molded handle and foam grip for your comfort
Once again, we have a pole saw model that does a lot of the work for you with self-lubrication and an easy-to-use knob for adjusting chain tension. The Scotts corded electric pole saw has an 8-amp motor with a pole that reaches 9’5″ at full length. When held at the waist, though, your extension length reaches 15 feet.
The five adjustable cutting head angles help to customize your cutting experience. The rubber handle has a foam grip for better comfort, and the cord retention hook prevents the power cord from tangling while you’re cutting.
Pros
- Customer service works fast to replace parts
- Adjustable tilt head is a huge plus
- Able to handle all kinds of woods
- All parts are accessible for wire brush cleaning
- Extending pole is pretty strong
Cons
- Power cord sometimes pops out
- Instructions are a little hard to understand
- It might be more challenging for left-handed folks to use
WEN 4019 6-Amp 8-Inch Electric Telescoping Pole Saw
- Telescoping pole adjusts anywhere from 5.3 feet to 7.3 feet for up to 12 feet of overhead reach
- 6-Amp motor rotates the chain up to 36 ft per second
- Weighs in at a mere 6.7 pounds to limit user fatigue during operation
- Design allows for tool-free chain adjustments and emission-free operation
- Includes an 8-inch saw chain, a blade cover, a shoulder strap, and a two-year warranty
The WEN electric pole saw is one of the shorter pole saws in this list, but it’s still got a lot going for it. The pole adjusts between 5.3 and 7.3 feet for a total of 12-foot overhead reach. Like the other chainsaws on this list, it has tool-free adjustments, a self-lubricating chain, and a safety lock on the handle.
The 6-amp motor rotates at 36 feet per second, and the overall chainsaw only weighs 6.7 pounds. As a bonus, the chainsaw comes with a holding strap to help you hold the chainsaw for a long cutting job. The chainsaw itself comes fully assembled, the tension does not likely need adjusting, and even comes with a small refill bottle of oil.
As an extra safety feature, you have to press the safety switch before the motor activates itself. The button itself is kind of hard to push, but it’s suitable for safety. Ventilation holes in the chainsaw also help to keep the unit clean and not build up sawdust.
As this is a smaller model, you may need to take more time adjusting the chain, especially if you’re cutting through larger branches.
Pros
- It works pretty well for a smaller model
- The chainsaw comes fully assembled and adjusted
- Lightweight and easy to control
- Ventilation holes prevent sawdust buildup
- Comes with a small refill oil bottle.
Cons
- The attachment ring for the holding strap is faulty
- The chain requires adjusting every so often
- It might not reach as high for some people
Conclusion
It’s great to have some versatile tools in your garage for yard work, but it’s better to have inexpensive but effective tools too. Hopefully, the budget-friendly tools on this list give you some choices for what pole saw you might add to your garage.