Are you struggling to reach the small high branches that you want to prune? You can do so without a ladder when you choose one of the best manual pole saws on the market.
If you’re new to the world of pole saws, it can be overwhelming territory. But not to worry! We’ve done the hard work for you. After researching real customer reviews and expert advice, you can enjoy this list that contains seven awesome options to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for something lightweight, budget-friendly, or extendable, we have personalized recommendations. Soon enough, you’ll find the right manual saw pole for you.
- Great for personal and professional use
- Double thich blade
- Easy to Use
- Great for palm trees and dense foliage
- Pole extends from 6-18 feet
- Long 16-inch blade
- Good option for professional and personal use
- Super sharp blade
- Sturdy aluminum alloy handle
- 2-in-1 pole saw
- Anti-slip handle
- on-stick blade ensures smoother cutting
- Rust-resistant stainless steel pole
- Handheld and pole saw combination tool
- Adjust the length from 3.5 to 10 feet
- Aluminum telescoping pole that spans 6-24 feet
- Easy to extend and retract pole length
- Foam padded grip on handle
- Thumb-lever clasps
- Rubberized grips for handle security
- 7-30 feet extendable handle
The Best Manual Pole Saws of 2023
Check out these seven best manual pole saws on the market.
Notch Pole Saw Set
Best Durable Manual Pole Saw
If you’re going to be using your manual pole saw often, and are keen to spend a little extra for a high-quality option, then this is a great recommendation.
Customers flock to the reviews of this manual pole saw to praise its durability. The extension is particularly durable, with some saying it’s the best they’ve seen. You can also expect a durable blade that stays sharp for a long time.
It’s made with interlocking fiberglass. This ensures that the extensions are screwed on tightly, super durable, and long-lasting. In fact, if you’re going to use a manual pole saw professionally, then this is a great choice. However, it’s still ideal for personal use.
We also love the tooth design on the blade. It helps with fast pull-cutting so you can get around your branches quicker and back inside for that nice warm cup of tea with the family.
Another reason why this blade is so effective is that the teeth have been impulse hardened. They stay hard for a very long time, especially compared to blades that haven’t been impulse hardened. To top it off, the blade has a rust-resistant chrome finish for durability, too.
Pros
- Great option for personal and professional use.
- Hooked saw head for pulling down stubborn branches.
- Blade is double thick, which helps with durability.
- Extendable handle that’s easy to use.
Cons
- Some customers found the 8.4-pound weight too heavy.
- Instruction manual is not always included, which makes setup difficult.
Product Specs
Pole Height | 6-18 feet (extendable) |
Weight | 8.4 pounds |
Blade | Impulse hardened |
Purpose | Professional & personal (palm trees too) |
Budget | $$$ |
Our Ratings
Jameson LS-Series Landscaper Pole Saw Kit
Best Manual Pole Saw for Palm Trees
If you have palm trees that need to be trimmed and pruned, this is a great option. Many customers found that it worked great on palm trees, making quick, clean, and effective cuts. In fact, some described it as cutting through palm trees as easily as butter!
As well as palm trees, this pole saw was designed with dense foliage in mind. So you can definitely put it to the test with other types of trees and bushes, too.
This pole is also extendable. There are three poles included, so you can switch up the height by removing or adding a pole. Overall, the pole extends from six feet to 18 feet, giving you quite a range of flexibility.
As for the blade, it’s a nice long 16-inch one. It has tri-cutting teeth, which help with making quick, clean cuts.
In fact, this tool is great overall for easy cutting. Customers found it super simple to use, with minimal hassle, frustration, or fatigue.
Pros
- Great for palm trees and dense foliage.
- Pole extends from 6-18 feet.
- Long 16-inch blade
- Very easy to set up and use this pole.
Cons
- Some customers found it was quite flimsy when fully extended.
Product Specs
Pole Height | 6-18 feet (extendable) |
Weight | 8 pounds |
Blade | Triple-cut |
Purpose | Dense foliage, including palm trees |
Budget | $$ |
Our Ratings
HUNKENR Tree Pruner Pole Saw
Best Professional Manual Pole Saw
We have a few recommendations suitable for professional use, but here’s another to consider. This HUNKENR pole saw is a great professional option for a few reasons.
Firstly, it has the additional option of being used electrically. This creates more power for when manual use just isn’t cutting it.
We also think you’ll appreciate the length of the pole. It starts at just over four feet and extends to 18 feet. This allows you to use it for lower branches and trees but also extends it far enough for high trees and branches. This is ideal for professional use as you’re likely to have customers who want a few different tasks done.
We also must mention the blade. It’s made of flexible and high-quality 65Mn material. The three-sided design makes for quick and easy cutting. But it’s also super simple to clean the blade after which is great for professionals.
Note, though, that the blade isn’t impulse-hardened. However, that’s actually good for professional use since you can easily sharpen the blade when necessary.
Keep In Mind
Pros
- A good option for professional and personal use.
- Suitable for multiple different types of branches and vines.
- Super sharp blade for quick and easy cutting.
- Sturdy aluminum alloy handle.
Cons
- Blade could be thicker and more sturdy.
- Some customers had trouble locking the handle extension into place.
Product Specs
Pole Height | 4.3-18 feet (extendable) |
Weight | 6.34 pounds |
Blade | 65Mn with triple-sided edge |
Purpose | Professional and personal use (good for various branch sizes) |
Budget | $$$ |
Our Ratings
Buyplus Manual Pruning Pole Saw
Best Lightweight Manual Pole Saw
Pole saws can be heavy things. If you’re looking for something on the lighter side that’s easier to move, this is a great recommendation. It only weighs 3.69 pounds, so it’s about half the weight of the average manual pole saw.
Keep in mind that it doesn’t go as long as some of the others are on the list. But it still stretches to 12 feet long which is good enough for many people, especially those without hugely high trees.
Speaking of length, this is a telescoping extension pole. It has four stops so that you can customize the length from three to 12 feet for maximum flexibility. Just use the handy flip tab locks to secure it in place.
Another versatile function of this pole is that it also works as a handheld saw. You can take it off the pole and hold the handle in your hand, using it as a saw for low-down branches, bushes, and logs. So practical!
Pros
- 2-in-1 pole saw — can use it handheld or with the extension pole.
- Non-stick blade ensures smoother cutting.
- Anti-slip handle makes this extra safe to use.
- Reinforcement screws included for added safety.
Cons
- The blade is quite thin and, therefore, can be flimsy.
- Not the most durable pole saw on the market.
Product Specs
Pole Height | 3-12 feet (extendable) |
Weight | 3.69 pounds |
Blade | Premium carbon steel with non-stick coating |
Purpose | Thin trees, branches, bushes, and logs |
Budget | $ |
Our Ratings
HOSKO Long Extension Pole Saw
Best Affordable Manual Pole Saw
As mentioned earlier, manual pole saws can be expensive, averaging around $100. There are some cheaper options on our list, but they can still be over budget for some folk. Thankfully, there is a super budget-friendly option in the shape of this HOSKO pole saw. Coming in at about ¼ of the average price, this is a good quality but affordable option.
And just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s a knock-off. Nope, this pole saw has some seriously great features. Firstly, we noticed the hook on the saw head, which grips branches and pulls down the loosened limbs without much effort from you.
We also love the triple-sided sharpened edge. This provides a more effective and efficient cut.
Another thing to point out is that this can also be used as a handheld pruning saw as well as an extended pole saw. Once extended, it reaches from 3.5 to 10 feet for great versatility. It is a bit shorter than some of our other recommendations, but for the price — we think it’s totally worth it.
Pros
- Rust-resistant stainless steel pole.
- Handheld and pole saw combination tool.
- Adjust the length from 3.5 to 10 feet.
- Suitable for forests, gardens, yards, lawns, and other areas.
Cons
- The blade is quite thin, so it can be tricky to use.
- The handle is a bit flimsy.
- Not good for heavy-duty or hard branches.
Product Specs
Pole Height | 3.5-10 feet (extendable) |
Weight | 3.19 pounds |
Blade | Triple-sided sharp edges |
Purpose | Light-duty work across multiple areas |
Budget | $ |
Our Ratings
DocaPole Pruning Saw
Best Extendable Manual Pole Saw
All of our recommendations feature extendable poles, but here’s one more for good measure.
We have chosen this one because it has a very versatile length. It starts at six feet which is great for ground-level cutting. But it generously extends to 24 feet which is super long and ideal for high trees that you’d normally use a ladder to reach.
We also love the way this extends. Rather than taking poles apart and putting them back when you want to change the length, this comes with thumb lever clasps.
So you can easily tighten and loosen them with a screwdriver for maximum security. While the screwdriver may seem like an extra step, it makes things safer. It ensures that the thumb lever clasps are tightly shut, so your pole remains firm and sturdy.
This product was designed for pruning and high-reach, so if those are the kind of tasks at hand, then this might be just the right option for you.
Now let’s mention the actual blade. This comes with a double-strength pruning saw blade, compared to the original DocaPole model.
The blade has super sharp bi-directional movements with a triple teeth design. This allows you to have maximum control over high and low foliage while still being comfortable and lightweight to use.
Pros
- Aluminum telescoping pole that spans 6-24 feet.
- Easy to extend and retract pole length.
- Foam padded grip on handle for your comfort.
- Can be used as a handheld saw too.
Cons
- You have to tighten screws with a screwdriver each time manually.
- Saw could use better attachment — not very secure.
- Can feel a bit brittle and cheap around the plastic parts.
Product Specs
Pole Height | 6-24 feet (extendable) |
Weight | 7.63 pounds |
Blade | Bi-directional blade with 3x teeth |
Purpose | High and low pruning |
Budget | $$ |
Our Ratings
DocaPole Light-Duty Pruning Saw
Longest Manual Pole Saw
Do you have high branches that you need to reach? A long pole saw that extends further than others on the market might be just the thing you need.
This saw from DocaPole stretches up to 30 feet which is super generous in height. Now you can reach those high branches that you couldn’t before — at least not without a ladder. You can now trim and prune by hand, safely on the ground, with this razor-sharp saw.
Despite its long height, it’s not too heavy. It weighs just over seven pounds, so it’s very manageable to use.
The good news is that it’s extendable, too. 30 feet is very long and not always practical. Thankfully, this extends from seven feet to 30. You can use it short to trim branches close to you. Or you can take advantage of its versatility and lengthen it with the five extending segments, which give you great customization over the length.
Pros
- Thumb-lever clasps secure the height in place.
- Rubberized grips for handle security.
- Triple-sided taper ground teeth for quick and efficient sawing.
- 7-30 feet extendable handle.
Cons
- When fully extended, it’s a bit wobbly and flimsy.
- Poles bend and separate sometimes — some customers lost pieces in the tree!
Product Specs
Pole Height | 7-30 feet (extendable) |
Weight | 7.39 pounds |
Blade | Bi-directional blade with triple-sided teeth (hard chrome plate finish) |
Purpose | Light duty pruning (good for palm trees) |
Budget | $$ |
Our Ratings
Product | Best | Pole Height | Weight | Blade | Purpose | Budget |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Notch Pole Saw Set | Durable Manual Pole Saw | 6-18 feet (extendable) amps | 8.4 pounds | Impulse hardened | Good for palm trees | $$$ |
Jameson LS-Series Landscaper Pole Saw Kit | Manual Pole Saw for Palm Trees | 6-18 feet (extendable) | 8 pounds | Triple-cut | Dense foliage, including palm trees | $$ |
HUNKENR Tree Pruner Pole Saw | Professional Manual Pole Saw | 4.3-18 feet (extendable) | 6.34 pounds | 65Mn with triple-sided edge | Various branch sizes | $$$ |
Buyplus Manual Pruning Pole Saw | Lightweight Manual Pole Saw | 3-12 feet (extendable) | 3.69 pounds | Premium carbon steel | Thin trees, branches, bushes, logs | $ |
HOSKO Long Extension Pole Saw | Affordable Manual Pole Saw | 3.5-10 feet (extendable) | 3.19 pounds | Triple-sided sharp edges | For light-duty work | $ |
DocaPole Pruning Saw | Extendable Manual Pole Saw | 6-24 feet (extendable) | 7.63 pounds | Bi-directional blade with 3x teeth | High and low pruning | $$ |
DocaPole Light-Duty Pruning Saw | Longest Manual Pole Saw | 7-30 feet (extendable) | 7.39 pounds | Bi-directional with 3x-sided teeth | Light duty pruning | $$ |
How to Choose the Best Manual Pole Saws
Don’t choose the first manual pole saw you see. You must look at important details, such as the pole height, weight, blade, and more, to make the right decision.
How Do You Use a Manual Pole Saw?
When buying a new tool, it’s important to know how to use it properly. Follow these steps for a safe and effective experience.
1. Clear the area
Clear the area of people first and foremost. You don’t want anyone getting hurt. Remove other items that could potentially get damaged, like furniture or decorations. Remove any trip hazards to keep yourself safe. If in a busy area, rope or cordon the area off.
2. Plan your cuts
Don’t go in blind. Step back, examine the tree, and plan out where and how you will make the cuts.
3. Cut lower branches
To begin, start at the bottom. This will prevent higher branches from getting tangled in lower branches. Keep reading the next steps before making this first cut.
4. Get into position
Firstly, get yourself into position. Get to a place where you can hold the manual pole saw at chest level. Make sure you’re off to the side of the branch rather than below it. You want the pole to be at an angle, not completely vertical or horizontal.
5. Adjust the length
If necessary, now is the time to adjust the length since you’ll have a good idea of how long it should be.
6. Position the saw
Now that you’re in position and the saw is the correct length, use both hands to position the saw into the place you want to cut. Rest the weight of the pole on the branch.
7. Start the cut
Now for the fun part: cutting! Start with slow and controlled cuts, moving perpendicular to the branch. You’ll want to get the teeth in the branch for easier and effective cutting. This will allow you to make a groove so you can finish the cut quickly. The first few cuts will require the saw to slip sideways slightly, especially if the branch is sloped. When this happens, stop and reposition the saw before continuing.
8. Finish the cut
Now that you’ve made a groove, secure the saw into it and pick up speed. Pull and push the saw, letting gravity help you. Once the branch looks like it’s about to fall, ensure that you are out of the danger zone while you continue cutting.
9. Clean up
Remove the fallen branches, so they’re not creating a tripping hazard.
10. Next cut
Now repeat the above steps on the rest of the branches, moving higher up the tree as you go.
11. Clean up again
Ensure to clean up after every fallen branch and again at the end before letting people back into the area.