A pole saw earns its keep on the jobs you would rather not do from a ladder. Cutting back an overhanging branch, taking a few limbs off a fruit tree or clearing a dead stub over a fence line are all quicker, and a lot safer, when you can stand on the ground and reach the cut with an extended pole.
Cordless pole saws have improved a great deal. They are quieter than petrol, easier to start, and the better ones will cut through branches of 15cm or more in a few seconds. This guide covers five that are in stock on Amazon UK at the time of writing, from around £90 to £450.
As with most cordless garden tools, the best pick is usually the one that runs on the batteries you already own, so we have organised the list by platform.
Quick Verdict
For Makita 18V LXT owners the DUA200Z is the trade-grade choice, with a brushless motor and a 200mm bar. Ryobi ONE+ owners get a very capable pruner for under £100 in the OPP1820, and Einhell Power X-Change users can pick up a long-reach pruner for about the same money.
If you want a lightweight pole saw without being tied to a trade platform, the Bosch UniversalChainPole 18 is a well-reviewed option. At the top end the Stihl HTA 50 is a premium set aimed at people who prune for a living.
The Best Cordless Pole Saws for UK Landscapers
Best for Makita Users: Makita DUA200Z
The DUA200Z is a brushless 18V LXT pole saw with a 200mm bar, sold as a bare tool. It is the most capable machine in this guide for people working on Makita’s platform, and it has more than 140 reviews on Amazon UK.
It uses the same batteries as the rest of your LXT kit, so there is nothing extra to buy if you already have a few 5.0Ah packs. A 200mm bar is long enough for most pruning, including limbs up to roughly the thickness of your forearm.
At around £180 it is not cheap for a bare tool. If you cut a lot of branches, that is easy to justify. If you cut a few a year, one of the cheaper options below will do the job.
- 80TXL saw chain equipped with 1.1 mm gauge, 325 pitch and 38 links
- 200 mm guide bar/cutting length
- Automatic chain lubrication with 55 ml oil tank capacity
- Lock-off function
- Tool-less change and tension adjustment of the saw chain
Best Value for Ryobi Users: Ryobi OPP1820
The OPP1820 is a ONE+ 18V pole pruner with a 20cm bar, supplied as body only. With more than 1,500 reviews on Amazon UK and a price under £90 it is one of the most popular cordless pole saws in the country.
It is aimed at domestic and light professional use, so it is not what you want for felling work, but for general garden tidying it is hard to beat. If you already own Ryobi batteries it is also the cheapest way into a proper pole saw on this list.
The weight is reasonable for a 20cm bar, but remember that you are holding it overhead, so take regular breaks on longer jobs.
- 20cm Oregon bar and chain for effective pruning and cutting
- High torque performance with 5.5ms chain speed
- Extendable shaft for a reach of up to 4m
- 30 degrees angled cutting head for easy pruning and better control
- Automatic bar and chain lubrication for continuous cutting
Best for Einhell Users: Einhell PXC Long Reach Pruner
Einhell’s 18V Power X-Change pole saw is a long-reach pruner sold without a battery, at just under £100. It has nearly 1,500 reviews on Amazon UK, so the quality and the feedback are well established.
It shares batteries with Einhell’s whole range, including the lawnmowers, hedge cutters and drills that make up a budget garden kit. If you are not already on Power X-Change, the Ryobi gives you a wider range of tools to build on.
It is not a trade machine, but for a self-employed gardener who wants a cheap pole saw that works, it is a sensible option.
- EXPERIENCE CORDLESS FREEDOM - Annoying Power Cords Are A Thing Of The Past! The Einhell cordless pole pruner GC-LC 18/20 Li T-Solo is the perfect tool for effortless tree maintenance. Maintain your garden's beauty with easy upkeep of trees and tall shrubs
- PLUS TECHNOLOGY FOR EXTRA POWER: Take on intensive work with confidence. Our PLUS technology delivers extra power, ensuring that your tools can handle demanding tasks with ease. Stay informed about the battery's charge level with the convenient digital display
- GERMAN DESIGN EXCELLENCE - The mini chainsaw's rugged metal felling dogs are designed to withstand tough conditions, providing a long service life. Additionally, the pole pruner is equipped with a chain catcher, enhancing safety during work. Enjoy peace of mind while maintaining your trees
- ONE BATTERY FOR OVER 300 TOOLS - The same battery will power all of your Einhell PXC Power Tools and Garden Machines. Our intelligent ABS Battery Electronics and high-performance Li-Ion Cells makes our rechargeable battery system one of the safest in the industry and ensures efficiency, reliability and durability
- CORDLESS POLE SAW ONLY - This is the Cordless Mini Chainsaw With Telescopic Extendable Handle only. It requires 1 x 18v Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger (Sold Separately)
Best Lightweight Option: Bosch UniversalChainPole 18
The Bosch UniversalChainPole 18 is a telescopic pole pruner on Bosch’s green 18V Power for All system, with nearly 600 reviews on Amazon UK at around £144. It is aimed at the keen gardener, but its reach and light weight make it a useful second pole saw for professionals too.
The telescopic pole is the main selling point. It lets you adjust the length for the job, and it packs down smaller for the van.
Note that Bosch green is a different battery system from Bosch Professional blue, so check which batteries you already own before buying.
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Premium Pick: Stihl HTA 50
The Stihl HTA 50 is a battery pole pruner supplied here as a set with an AK 10 battery and an AL 101 charger. At £450 it is the most expensive option in this guide by a distance, and it has only a handful of reviews on Amazon UK so far.
What you are paying for is Stihl’s reputation, dealer network and a tool designed for people who prune every day. If you are an arborist or run a full-time landscaping business, that matters. For everyone else it is more than you need.
Because it is supplied with its own AK battery and charger, it is a stand-alone purchase and will not run on your power tool batteries.
- Power source type: battery operated
- Special feature: blade change with key
- Surface recommendation: wood
- Voltage: 36.0 volts
- Blade material: high carbon steel
At a Glance: Cordless Pole Saws Compared
| Model | Platform | What You Get | Approx. Price |
| Makita DUA200Z | Makita 18V LXT | Brushless, 200mm bar, bare tool | £180 |
| Ryobi OPP1820 | Ryobi ONE+ 18V | 20cm bar, body only | £89 |
| Einhell PXC Long Reach | Einhell Power X-Change | Long-reach pruner, bare tool | £100 |
| Bosch UniversalChainPole 18 | Bosch green 18V | Telescopic pole pruner | £144 |
| Stihl HTA 50 | Stihl AK | Pruner, AK 10 battery, AL 101 charger | £450 |
Buyer’s Guide: What Actually Matters
Reach and pole length
Check the maximum working reach, not just the length of the pole. A pole saw with a fixed pole is more rigid, while a telescopic one is easier to carry and more flexible. Think about the highest branches you cut, and remember that you are standing underneath them.
Bar length and cutting capacity
A 20cm bar is the sweet spot for most pruning, cutting limbs up to about 15cm in diameter. Shorter bars are lighter but slower on thicker wood. Anything much longer starts to be heavy at full extension.
Weight at the head
The weight of the machine matters far more with a pole saw than a handheld tool, because you are holding it at arm’s length and overhead. Look at the weight with the battery fitted, and think about whether you can hold it for ten minutes.
Chain oil and maintenance
Every pole saw needs bar and chain oil, and some have automatic oilers while others need hand topping up. Check the chain tension regularly and keep a spare chain in the van, because they dull quickly on dirty or dead wood.
Safety
Wear a helmet, eye protection and ear defenders, and keep out of the drop zone. Never use a pole saw near overhead power lines, and consider using a trained tree surgeon for anything big.
FAQs
Is a cordless pole saw powerful enough for thick branches?
For branches up to 10-15cm across, yes. For anything bigger you should use a chainsaw from the ground or a trained arborist with the right kit.
How long does the battery last on a pole saw?
A 5.0Ah battery will normally deal with a good few dozen cuts, but runtime depends on the wood and the tool. Keep a spare battery on charge.
Can I use a pole saw to fell a tree?
No. Pole saws are designed for pruning, and felling a tree needs a proper chainsaw and the right training.
Do I need a licence or ticket to use a pole saw?
In general you do not need a licence for pruning from the ground, but insurers and employers may ask for certificates such as NPTC or Lantra if you do tree work for a living.
Which brand is best for landscapers?
Makita, Stihl and the other trade brands are built to last longer. Ryobi and Einhell are fine for light use, but you may find them less durable if you use them every day.
Final Word
A pole saw is a tool you will use less often than a strimmer or a hedge trimmer, so there is a good case for buying the cheapest one that works. The Ryobi OPP1820 and the Einhell PXC do that on their platforms, and the Bosch is a fine third option if you are not tied to a battery system.
If you cut high branches every week and already run Makita 18V, the DUA200Z is the one to buy. If you do tree work as your main trade, the Stihl HTA 50 is worth the money.
