Best Gas Pole Saw 2023 for Chopping Backyard Trees

Ever tried climbing a tree to cut down those unwieldy, overgrown branches? Climbing trees is dangerous enough as it is, but add an electric or gas-powered chainsaw into the equation and you’re asking for trouble. This is where the best gas pole saw comes into play. You’ll be able to cut down those branches from the safety of your lawn. 

In this article, I’ve looked at the best gas pole saws available right now. You can see a quick list of the top choices below, but before we get into the why, I’ll tell you how I came to this decision. 

How Did We Find the Best Gas Pole Saw?

In a nutshell, I got tired of searching for best gas pole saw reviews online and only ever finding product-plugging blogs, often written by the same manufacturer that made the product! 

So, I figured that it’d be best to collate all the existing research that’s out there on the web, then cross-reference the winning products to see which one consistently comes out on top. This involved checking how many times a product was mentioned in an existing review, as well as seeing where it ranked on the list. 

To be completely sure that I wasn’t just falling for fake reviews, I also pulled customer review data from Amazon – i.e., the average review score, or “number of stars”, plus the number of reviews that a product had. 

As a result, I disqualified the Blue Max gas pole saw that originally ranked in fourth, due to sub-par reviews from real users, averaging a score of 3 on Amazon. Instead, I brought in the second /spanspan, which was a close contender that didn’t quite make the top 5 in the original grading, but that I promoted thanks to a very high average from real users like you and me. What we’re left with is the 5 best gas pole saws for 2020. 

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Best Gas Pole Saw Top 5

1. MAXTRA Gas Pole Saw 2-Cycle 8.2FT to 11.4 FT

Wherever I looked, the Maxtra Gas Pole Saw was coming out on top as the best gas pole saw and it’s not hard to see why. This 42.7cc engine tore through pretty much anything I could throw at it. Even at the fully-extended height of 14 to 15-feet, I was easily able to slice through limbs – trees, that is! – without issue. 

One thing I really liked about this gas pole saw, and something that’s echoed in the reviews, is the ability to convert it into other tools. Attachments are readily available and can transform this gas pole saw into a hedge trimmer, string trimmer, or brush cutter.

I spend a lot of time outdoors, but I don’t have a heap of storage space available, so having one tool that can fulfill multiple tasks is pretty useful. I also love the storage bag, which keeps the cold and damp weather out, which can rust your pole saw if you’re not careful. 

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Onto the negatives; first-off, I wasn’t a fan of the instruction manual – and neither were a lot of users whose reviews I’ve read. It’s old, outdated, and overly-complex. And whereas some saws have issues with an overly-tight chain, this one tends to come loose after prolonged use. It’s probably due to the untamed beast of an engine, but it’s something to keep an eye on. 

Pros

• Packs a 42.7cc engine, almost double some of the contenders; 
• Includes a storage bag for keeping components rust-free and dry;
• Converts to a bunch of other useful tools.

Cons

• The chain guard can take a beating from small limbs and shrubs;
• Overly-complex assembly and operational instructions; 
• Seems to have an issue with the chain tensioning system. 
• Only one year limited warranty, the Remington below has 2.

2. Remington RM2599 Maverick Gas Pole Saw

Believe it or not, this gas pole saw is actually the older model of the Remington RM25PS that made fifth place on our best pole saw list. Still, it came out consistently above it’s younger brother from what I saw on the web. With a 25cc engine and 7-inch extension pole, it’s neither the most powerful nor the highest-reaching of the pole saws on our list, but Remington has a long-running reputation for quality tools that last. 

So, I figured I’d put it to the test. Taking it out of the box, it was immediately obvious that the chain tension was all wrong, so check that first. It didn’t feel too weighty; I did see some users complain about weight, and on closer inspection, it’s not the lightest gas pole saw on our list, so make of that what you will! Also, with the pole extended as far as it would safely allow, I would’ve liked some more length to make it comparable to other saws on the list. 

Much like our other best gas pole saws, this one can be converted into a bunch of other lawn tools through compatible attachments. And for once, the instructions for doing so are surprisingly clear and easy to understand! One of the main issues I had here was that the start-up system just seemed completely over-the-top. On the air filter cover is a list of 10 – ten! – steps to start the engine. Most saws have less than half this number to get up and running. 

Pros

• The lightest pole saw after the TrimmerPlus; 
• Attachment-compatible, as well as providing pretty good instructions;
• Remington replacement parts are fairly easy to come by. 
• Two-year limited warranty

Cons

• I would’ve appreciated a little more length on the extension pole; 
• Strangely convoluted start-up system – why so many steps? 

3. Troy-Bilt TrimmerPlus PS720 Gas Pole Saw

This gas pole saw is a strange beast. I want to like it, I really do; it was the winner outright according to my research and it’s backed by a heap of great customer reviews. It’s not that it’s a bad product, it’s just that I don’t really like the design compared to some of the others – especially those from Remington. 

What I mean by this is that it’s an attachment pole saw, which can be affixed to most attachment-capable string trimmers. While that’s a pretty cool feature, it means you’ll have to ensure you have a compatible tool. You can’t just hold this pole in the air without any other handles; it just wouldn’t be safe. 

The pole comes in 2 parts and can be assembled to reach up to 7-feet above your standing height. On the end is an 8-inch saw that promises to tackle logs up to 16-inches in diameter. Judging by user reviews, you’re looking at about an hour’s worth of use from a full gas tank, which should be more than enough for most non-professional tasks. 

A common problem I see among store-bought gas pole saws is the chain being too tight straight out of the box, so be sure to take a look at that before you get started. This aside, the only other negatives worth noting are that other saws tend to be able to reach higher, and the saw housing is made from hardened plastic – which, at the end of the day, is still just plastic and doesn’t feel particularly premium. 

Pros

• Saw is backed by a 2-year warranty; 
• Averages around an hour’s worth of use from a full tank according to reviews; 
• It’s compatible with “attachment-capable trimmers, including Troy-Bilt, Remington, and Craftsman”. 

Cons

• Not the best saw for reaching great heights; 
• Quite a few reviews say that the chain is adjusted too tight by default; 
• The saw housing is made of hardened plastic, which may not be durable; 

4. Poulan Pro Gas Pole Saw PR28PS (967089801)

The Poulan Pro has a 28cc engine under the hood, making it less powerful than the Maxtra, but still capable of tackling backyard tasks. It’s also got an auto-return stop switch that automatically resets to the ON position for easier start-up. There’s a built-in string trimmer feature with attachments, which also has an automatic spool feeder – a feature that’s normal for string trimmers, but less so for pole saws with attachments. 

Though it has that trimmer built-in, there’s a lot of noise online saying that it’s not that great. Apparently, the string tends to snap frequently and you may be better off buying a string trimmer separately – though I wouldn’t necessarily let it put me off buying the saw. Also, some reviews have reported on oil leakage when this saw is put into storage for a while, so you might be best emptying it beforehand. 

I found this saw easy to handle and maneuver thanks to the D-ring mounted up-front. Some saws have this handle too low to be really useful, but it’s mounted further forward on this model, which means more stability when you’re swinging the saw around above your head. 

Pros

• Product is lightweight and easy to assemble; 
• Automatic lubrication system so you don’t have to self-oil; 
• Mounted D-ring handle on the telescopic mole provides stability.

Cons

• At 8-inches, the blade could do with being longer; 
• Reviews show a tendency to leak oil when being stored; 
• Comes with a string trimmer that doesn’t really seem fit for purpose. 

5. Remington Gas Pole Saw RM25PS Maverick

Here is the aforementioned younger brother of the Remington RM2599 – the newer model of the two. So, what’s new?

Honestly, I’m not too sure. For one thing, the engine is still 25cc, and for another, the extension pole is still 7-inches. I would’ve seen these as two of the main areas for improvement on the previous model. It seems I’m not the only person with this question, though I can’t find any mention of the answer on the web. 

This model does at least feature all the good parts of the older version: an auto-oiling system, quick-start technology, and the ability to add a number of other attachments, including a leaf blower, trimmer, edger. From testing it among the trees, I feel like the weight was probably about the same too. 

This might sound nitpicky, but I would’ve appreciated a wrench in the box. This is a pretty standard inclusion for a lot of our best gas pole saws – you’ll need a wrench to disassemble the saw blade and clear out sawdust and other debris. But, alas, there was none. What I did find was a limited 2-year warranty that didn’t seem to be included on the older model. I guess this is part of buying a newer product. 

Pros

• Works with the same attachments as the older version; 
• Also pretty lightweight compared to the Remington RM2599; 
• Has a 2-year limited warranty included.

Cons

• Lacks a wrench – it’s not a dealbreaker; 
• Again, I would’ve appreciated an improvement on pole length; 
• Like others, the chain comes overly-tight out of the box. 

Best Gas Pole Saw – The Winner

Based on my research and some personal testing, the MAXTRA Gas Pole Saw is my definite go-to when I need to reach branches that are too high to trim with other tools. While engine power in the garden tool arena is perhaps less varied than with vehicles, it’s still hard to ignore the power of this model compared to the others. So, put away those ladders and stop risking life and limb to trim the trees – get yourself the best gas pole saw instead. 

Best Gas Pole Saw – What to Look for?

If you want to know what type of things you should look for in the best gas pole saw, why not check out that other article (best pole saws) of mine that I was talking about? As I don’t want to double up on the same information, I’m going to focus instead on the types of phrases you might see on product listings for gas pole saws. 

Gas Pole Saw Terminology

When you’re shopping for the best gas pole saw, some of the terms you’ll come across can be confusing. What exactly does 2 cycle mean? What on earth is CC? In this section, I’ll cover some of the common features and terms associated with these products so you know what’s what. 

2-Cycle Saw

If you see “2-cycle” in the description of your gas pole saw engine – also called 2-stroke – it’s talking about the number of strokes of the engine’s piston required to complete the combustion cycle. Typically, 4-cycle engines are more efficient and powerful than 2-cycle engines.

So, do you need to worry yourself with this bit of technical information? Not really. You’ll mostly see 4-cycle engines in cars these days, but 2-cycle engines are the norm for gardening tools, so don’t worry about it. 

Cc

When you see “cc”, it’ll come straight after a number. Take the /spanspan that we’ve listed below; that’s a 28cc engine, whereas the MAXTRA Gas Pole Saw is a 42.7cc engine. Let’s keep this simple: engine capacity is measured in cc, or cylinder capacity, with higher numbers meaning more energy potential.

Generally, most cars will be over 1,000cc, though there are some still being made that have a measurement in the mid 600s. But when it comes to your gas pole saw, the value will be much lower. Still, higher means more powerful, which is likely one reason that the /spanspan hit the top of our list. 

Bar and Chain

This one’s simple and probably a little more obvious. The bar, also called the guide bar, is usually made of tough steel. This is the main bulk of the saw head – the metal around which the chain is wrapped. It’s curved and guides the chain when your gas pole saw is operational. Some pole saws won’t come with the chain pre-installed and it’s not always easy to safely assemble it yourself, so consult a professional if you’re at all unsure before using it. 

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Links and Teeth

Your pole saw’s chain isn’t necessarily the same as another pole saw’s chain. The links that make up the chain can vary from one model to another. One type of link is “cutter teeth”, which can be left or right-hand cutters. They’re the beasts that are going to chew through your wood.

There’s also drive links, which run inside the groove of your guide bar. These make sure that the power from the engine reaches your chain, powering it around the bar with sufficient force to cut through the wood. 

Finally, you’ve also got guard links – these aren’t a default component on every pole chain saw. They’re positioned in front of the cutter links and reduce the chance of your gas pole saw snagging on small vines, branches, and other debris. While they’re not on every saw, they’re good to have if you’re tackling smaller trees with a greater number of small limbs. 

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