Every pole saw gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Saws are grouped by power source, battery and gas, and value and weight have their own scale for each group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per foot of overhead reach | 30% |
| Reach | overhead reach the maker states | 25% |
| Bar | bar length | 10% |
| Weight | the saw's weight as the maker states it | 15% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 20% |
Where the numbers come from
Reach, bar length, weight and warranty come from the maker’s product page, spec sheet or manual, or the maker’s own copy on its Amazon listing. Prices are checked at Amazon and the maker’s own store, and the lowest is used. Battery saws are priced as kits with a battery and charger.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the overhead reach in feet, on a log scale, so going from $20 to $10 per foot counts as much as going from $40 to $20. For battery saws, $50 per foot scores zero and $10 full marks; for gas saws, $60 per foot scores zero and $12 full marks.
Reach is the overhead reach the maker states, which adds a standing person to the tool’s length: 10 ft scores zero and 16 ft full marks. When a maker gives only the tool’s length, reach is estimated as that length plus 4 ft, the median gap where makers publish both, and the product page marks it as estimated.
Bar is the bar length: 8 in scores zero and 12 in full marks.
Weight is the weight the maker states: for battery saws, 14 lb scores zero and 8 lb full marks; for gas saws, 17 lb scores zero and 11 lb full marks. Makers state weight with or without the battery or fuel, so the basis is shown next to each figure.
Warranty is the length of the consumer warranty on the saw: 1 year scores zero and 5 years full marks.
What isn’t scored
Tool length, a telescoping pole, a detachable saw head, the oiler, chain tensioning and battery size are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.