A pole saw exists for one reason: to keep you off a ladder. Every branch you can cut with both feet on the ground is a branch you did not climb for, and that single fact is why a pole saw is often the safest tool in a homeowner's shed.
Choosing one is simpler than choosing a chainsaw, because there are only three specs that really decide the outcome. This guide covers each of them, and shows how the Wild Badger pole saws line up.
The Quick Answer
Want maximum reach with the lightest setup? A telescoping 20V saw with 12 feet of reach handles most suburban tree work from the ground.
Cutting denser, thicker limbs? A 40V saw brings more chain speed to the same 8 inch bar, at the cost of a little more weight.
Already own a multi tool? A pole saw attachment gives you the capability without a second battery platform.
1. Reach: Measure It From Your Hands, Not the Shaft
Reach is the number people get wrong most often, because manufacturers state it two different ways. Shaft length is how long the tool is. Total reach adds your own height and arm extension, and that is the number that decides which branches you can actually get to.
A rough guide for a person of average height:
- Around 9 to 10 feet of reach: the lower canopy, fruit trees, shrubs that have run tall, and clearing branches that hang over a path or driveway.
- Around 12 feet of reach: mature tree limbs, branches over a roofline or fence, and most of the work a homeowner would otherwise call someone in for.
The Wild Badger 20V model telescopes out to a 12 foot total reach, and the 40V model extends to 9.18 feet with a removable aluminium shaft. The removable shaft matters more than it sounds: it makes the tool far easier to store and to move between jobs.
More reach is not automatically better. Every extra foot of shaft is extra leverage working against your arms, and holding a fully extended pole saw steady is genuinely tiring. Size the reach to the tallest cut you make regularly, not the one branch you looked at once.
2. Bar Length: Smaller Than You Think, For Good Reason
Pole saw bars are short, and that is deliberate. An 8 inch bar handles branches up to roughly 6 inches thick, which covers almost everything a homeowner cuts overhead. Anything substantially thicker is usually a job that should come down in sections, or a job for a chainsaw once the limb is on the ground.
Both Wild Badger cordless pole saws use an 8 inch bar and chain. The fixed 10 inch attachment head has a 6 inch cutting capacity and a 6 tooth chain, aimed at small to medium brush and branches.
A longer bar on a pole saw would mostly add weight at the far end of a long lever, which is exactly where you least want it.
3. Power: What Voltage Changes Overhead
Voltage on a cordless saw is a reasonable proxy for how hard the chain will keep pulling through dense wood.
- 20V keeps the tool light, which matters more on a pole saw than on any other cutting tool, because you are holding the weight out in front of you and above your head.
- 40V brings more chain speed for denser hardwood limbs. The Wild Badger 40V model runs at 21,000 RPM with its included 2.0Ah battery.
Weight is the trade. The 20V saw comes in at 7.7 pounds and the 40V at 8.96 pounds. That difference sounds trivial on paper and is very noticeable at the end of a fully extended shaft after twenty minutes.
4. The Features That Actually Matter Day to Day
Automatic oiling
An oiler applies oil to the bar and chain while you cut, which keeps the chain running smoothly and extends its life. Both Wild Badger cordless pole saws and the attachment head include automatic lubrication. Overhead work is exactly where you do not want to be stopping to oil a chain by hand.
Head angle
A fixed head keeps things simple and rigid. An adjustable or angled head lets you meet the branch at a better cutting angle without contorting your body, which reduces strain on your back over a long session. The Wild Badger 40V model uses an angled head, and the 20V model has an adjustable head.
Shoulder strap and grip
A strap moves weight off your arms and onto your torso, and it is the difference between finishing a job and stopping early. The 40V model includes a shoulder strap, and the 20V model uses a cushioned overmould grip.
Dedicated Saw or Attachment?
If you already own a multi tool system, an attachment is worth considering before a second complete tool.
| Option | Best for | Trade off |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated cordless pole saw | Regular overhead pruning, best balance and controls | Another tool and battery platform to store |
| Pole saw attachment | Occasional overhead cuts on a multi tool you already own | Shares one power head, so no swapping mid job |
| Fixed pole saw attachment head | Adding reach to a universal attachment system | No telescoping, so reach is fixed |
The Wild Badger range covers all three routes, and the full lineup sits in the pole saw collection. Attachments and universal heads are grouped in attachments.
Using a Pole Saw Safely
Overhead cutting has a different risk profile to ground level work, and most of it comes down to where things fall.
- Stand to the side of the branch you are cutting, never directly underneath it.
- Plan the fall before you start, and clear that area of people, pets and anything breakable.
- Wear eye protection. Sawdust from an overhead cut goes straight down.
- Keep well clear of power lines. If a branch is near one, that is a job for a professional.
- Use the undercut method on heavier limbs: a shallow cut on the underside first stops the bark tearing down the trunk when the limb drops.
- Keep both hands on the tool and both feet planted. A pole saw is not a one handed tool.
Keeping It Cutting
A pole saw that feels underpowered is usually a pole saw with a dull chain rather than a weak battery.
- Check chain tension before each session. It should sit against the bar with a little give.
- Keep the oil reservoir topped up so the automatic oiler has something to work with.
- Clear sawdust from around the sprocket cover after use.
- Sharpen or replace the chain when the saw starts producing dust rather than chips.
- Store the battery indoors rather than in an unheated shed over winter.
Replacement chains, sprocket covers and oil caps for both voltages are stocked as accessories.
Which One Fits Your Yard?
| If your work is | Consider |
|---|---|
| High branches, longest reach, lightest tool | 20V 8 inch cordless pole saw with 12 ft reach |
| Denser limbs, more chain speed, removable shaft for storage | 40V 8 inch cordless pole saw with 9.18 ft reach |
| Adding reach to an attachment system you already run | 10 inch pole saw attachment with 30 inch shaft |
Once the limbs are on the ground, a chainsaw takes over for cutting them down to size. Our electric chainsaw buying guide covers how to pick one, and the full range sits in chainsaws.