Pole Saw vs Pole Hedge Trimmer: Which One Should You Buy?

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Pole saw vs pole hedge trimmer: the difference

Tool	Best for	Limit
Pole saw	Cutting branches and limbs overhead	Not made for shaping hedges
Pole hedge trimmer	Shaping hedges, shrubs and garden edges	Cutting capacity limits branch size

A pole saw carries a saw chain or blade on a pole for reaching limbs, while a pole hedge trimmer carries a reciprocating blade for shaping growth. The two tools look alike on a pole, but their cutting heads do different jobs, and using one for the other’s job gives a rough result or a stalled cut. For the power choice behind both, see our gas vs electric pole saw guide and our corded vs cordless hedge trimmer guide.

When to pick a pole saw

Pick a pole saw when the work is overhead limbs, dead branches or a branch that blocks a path or a fence line. A saw head cuts through wood that a hedge blade only nicks, and it reaches limbs without a ladder. If the job list is mostly limbs and few hedges, the saw is the right pole tool, and the hedge trimmer stays in storage.

When to pick a pole hedge trimmer

Pick a pole hedge trimmer when the work is shaping: tall hedges, shrubs, garden edges and overhead trimming that needs a flat, even face. The listings below all describe hedge trimming with adjustable or pivoting heads and extension or telescopic poles for tall hedges; three of them state dual-action blades. A trimmer also handles light branches within its stated cutting capacity, but it is not a limb saw, and thick limbs belong to the saw.

The gear: pole hedge trimmers in the listings

CRAFTSMAN pole hedge trimmer. The CRAFTSMAN listing gives an 18 in dual-action blade for cutting up to 3/4 in branches, a 180 degree pivoting head with 5 positions, and up to 11 ft of reach, at 9.1 pounds. The listing states the battery and charger are sold separately, so this pick is tool only, with a hard blade cover included. Its cutting capacity is the largest stated here, and its pivoting head covers cutting at various angles.

MZK 2-in-1 pole hedge trimmer and grass shear. The MZK 2-in-1 listing gives a 20V tool with 2 x 4Ah batteries, an 8 in dual-action steel blade, a 1/2 in cutting capacity, a multi-angle cutting head with an extension pole, and up to 13 ft of reach, the longest reach stated here. The listing also describes grass shearing for small lawns, a 90 minute runtime from a 4Ah battery, and an anti-skid handle. This pick suits keepers who want one tool for hedges and grass shearing.

MZK 23-inch cordless hedge trimmer. The MZK listing gives a 20V trimmer with 2 x 4Ah batteries, a 5/8 in cutting capacity, an adjustable head from 0 to 120 degrees with five adjustable positions, a double lock for safety, and an extension pole for tall hedges, shrubs, garden edges and overhead trimming. The listing disagrees on blade length: the title gives 23-inch, the bullets give a 22.4-inch dual-action steel blade, and the spec table lists a blade length of 8 inches. The title and bullets win here, so the blade is treated as a 22.4-inch blade. Dimensions are listed as 40.9 in by 13 in by 15 in.

XSSIVE telescopic pole hedge trimmer. The XSSIVE listing gives a 20V trimmer with a 2.0Ah battery, a fast charger and a shoulder strap, a no-load speed of 1400 RPM, a cutting length of 16 in, and a cutting width of 0.63 in. The listing describes a D-auxiliary handle, a pivoting head for horizontal and vertical cutting, a telescopic pole, and a dual safety start button that needs the top handle and switch both engaged. Weight is listed as 6.5 pounds in the spec table, with 3KG in the bullets. This pick suits keepers who want a shoulder strap for trimming sessions, with a 2.0Ah battery and a fast charger.

Reach, blade and battery compared

Reach separates these trimmers more than power does. The MZK 2-in-1 listing gives up to 13 ft of reach, and the CRAFTSMAN listing gives up to 11 ft of reach, while the MZK 23-inch and XSSIVE listings describe extension or telescopic poles without a reach figure in feet. Blade length runs from 8 in on the MZK 2-in-1 to a 22.4-inch blade on the MZK 23-inch listing, with 16 in on the XSSIVE and 18 in on the CRAFTSMAN. Cutting capacity runs from 1/2 in on the MZK 2-in-1 to 3/4 in on the CRAFTSMAN, with 5/8 in on the MZK 23-inch and 0.63 in on the XSSIVE. Battery size runs from 2.0Ah on the XSSIVE to 4Ah batteries on the MZK listings, while the CRAFTSMAN listing sells its battery and charger separately. For blade sizing in general, see our hedge trimmer sizes guide.

Safety

Wear eye and hearing protection and sturdy shoes. Clear sticks, stones and other debris before trimming, and keep children, pets and bystanders away from the work area. Point cutting heads away from people and parked cars, and follow the double lock or dual safety start on the tool before cutting. Never trim near overhead power lines with a pole tool.

FAQ: mowing large lots

Can a pole hedge trimmer cut branches?

It can cut small branches within its stated cutting capacity: up to 3/4 in on the CRAFTSMAN listing, 5/8 in on the MZK 23-inch listing, 1/2 in on the MZK 2-in-1 listing, and 0.63 in on the XSSIVE listing. Thicker limbs belong to a pole saw.

How far can these trimmers reach?

The MZK 2-in-1 listing gives up to 13 ft of reach, and the CRAFTSMAN listing gives up to 11 ft of reach. The MZK 23-inch and XSSIVE listings describe extension or telescopic poles without a reach figure in feet.

Do these trimmers include batteries?

The MZK listings include 2 x 4Ah batteries, and the XSSIVE listing includes a 2.0Ah battery with a fast charger. The CRAFTSMAN listing is tool only, with its battery and charger sold separately.

Pole saw or pole hedge trimmer for tall hedges?

Pick the pole hedge trimmer for tall hedges, since its blade shapes hedges and its pole reaches tall growth. Pick the pole saw for limbs and branches, not for shaping a hedge face.

What blade lengths do these trimmers list?

The CRAFTSMAN listing gives an 18 in blade, the XSSIVE listing gives a 16 in cutting length, and the MZK 2-in-1 listing gives an 8 in blade. The MZK 23-inch listing gives 23-inch in the title and a 22.4-inch blade in the bullets, against 8 inches in its spec table.

More mowing guides

• Corded vs Cordless Hedge Trimmer: Which One Should You Buy?
• Gas vs Electric Pole Saw: Which One Should You Buy?
• Hedge Shears vs Hedge Trimmer: Which One Should You Buy?
• Hedge Trimmer Sizes: Blade Length and Reach Guide