EGO Power+ Pole Saw, Cordless Electric Pole Saw for Tree Trimming with Telescopic LED Cut Line Indicator, Includes 56V 2.5Ah Battery and Charger - PS1001

Why I reached for this pole saw

Storm seasons keep reminding me that the branches above my head don’t care about internet cables, fences, or roofs. I picked up the EGO pole saw to handle the overhead work I prefer not to do on a ladder: annual canopy thinning, clearing growth around service lines, and taking back limbs that kept scraping the house. After several weekends of use—everything from quick touch-ups to a half-day pruning session—I’ve got a clear sense of where it shines and where it asks something back from the user.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, assembly is straightforward. The chain arrives mounted and tensioned; you add bar oil, clip in the 56V battery, and go. The telescoping carbon-fiber shaft feels legitimately rigid, more so than the aluminum poles I’ve used. The twist-lock collar cinches down solidly, and the quick-adjust auxiliary handle makes it easy to reposition grip points as your reach changes.

One detail worth noting: there’s a hook for a shoulder strap. The strap isn’t always included, but I strongly recommend using one; it makes a meaningful difference once you’re working overhead with the pole extended.

Reach and control

The saw’s reach is advertised up to 13 feet with the built-in telescoping shaft. In practice, your real-world cutting height depends on your own height and stance, but getting to branches in the 10–12 foot range is very comfortable and controlled. EGO sells an optional extension that takes total reach farther; if you routinely target branches beyond a single-story eave, that add-on will matter.

The carbon-fiber tube pays dividends in stiffness. Even at full extension, I didn’t fight the kind of whippy flex that can make precise cuts difficult. The weight distribution is still front-heavy, as you’d expect with the motor and bar out at the end, but the pole itself isn’t contributing much to wobble.

Cutting performance

The 10-inch bar runs a 1/4" pitch, 0.043" gauge chain and spins up quickly with the brushless motor. On small to medium limbs, the saw is fast—1.5–3-inch branches were usually gone in a couple of seconds with a steady pull. For 4–5-inch material, you’ll want to score your cut, let the chain do the work, and take your time. The narrow-kerf chain helps the saw bite without bogging, and I rarely felt the motor labor unless I pinched the bar or leaned into the cut too much.

Kickback control is predictable. Keep the bar nose away from the wood when starting an overhead cut, and the saw remains well-behaved. This is one of those tools where good habits matter: stand balanced, pre-plan your escape path in case the limb swings, and avoid cutting directly above your body.

Battery life and runtime

With the included 2.5Ah battery, I was able to complete several pruning rounds on a mature yard—something like 60–100 cuts, depending on branch size and how much walking and repositioning was involved. Runtime is more than adequate for typical homeowner tasks. For longer sessions, I like to rotate between two batteries: while one cools and charges, the other keeps me moving without much downtime. If you already have other 56V EGO batteries, that cross-compatibility is a real advantage.

Noise is low compared to gas—more like a strong power drill than a chainsaw—and it stops instantly when you release the trigger. That on/off immediacy makes precise, incremental cuts much easier.

The LED cut-line indicator

This is the first pole saw I’ve used with an LED aiming aid, and it’s more helpful than I expected—within limits. Think of it as a small guide light that helps you orient the bar tip as you approach a limb, especially in deep shade or at dusk. It’s not a laser line or a miter-saw-style projection; it’s a reference point that reduces the “hunt” when you’re extending above eye level.

In full sun it’s hard to see, but by then you can generally sight the bar just fine. Under canopy or when light is uneven, the LED makes lining up the cut faster and less fatiguing.

Chain tensioning and maintenance

Tool-free chain tensioning is handled by a single dial. It’s the style I prefer on a pole saw because you inevitably check tension more often while working overhead. Expect to re-check and snug the chain a few times during your first session as the chain stretches; after that, it holds adjustment reasonably well. As with any saw, make sure the chain is oriented correctly and tensioned to spec before you start—it prevents derailments and saves time.

The oiling system is consistent. I didn’t see drips during storage, and flow was adequate in both softwood and hardwood. Like most 10-inch bar setups, it uses a fair amount of oil, so keep a quart on hand. A tacky bar oil helps it cling at higher chain speeds, which this saw has in spades.

Sharpening and swapping the 10-inch chain is simple. Because the chain is a narrow-kerf, it pays to keep it sharp; a few strokes with a 4mm file between sessions keeps performance snappy.

Ergonomics and fatigue

This is a stout tool. With the 2.5Ah pack installed, it’s not something you’ll swing around one-handed or hold fully extended for long without a break. The tradeoff for the long, rigid reach is weight at the business end. I found a pace that works: a handful of cuts, lower the saw, reposition, breathe, and go again. The quick-adjust handle and a shoulder strap help redistribute load and reduce forearm burn.

If you’re smaller-framed or have shoulder issues, plan on shorter work sessions or consider the optional extension for reach so you can keep the base of the saw closer to your body. The power is there; leverage and ergonomics are what make the difference over an afternoon.

Build quality and durability

The carbon-fiber shaft feels premium and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty, which is reassuring given the abuse pole saws take. Locks and latches engage positively with no slop. The motor housing and bar cover open easily for clearing chips or swapping chains. After bouncing around in a truck bed and a few inevitable knocks against trunks and stone, nothing loosened or rattled.

What could be better

• Weight at full extension: power and rigidity are excellent, but extended overhead cuts will tire most users. A strap should be standard in the box.
• LED visibility in bright sun: the aiming light is great in shade and low light, but there’s no getting around the fact that sunlight washes it out.
• Chain tension drift during break-in: you’ll need to babysit tension on your first outing. Not unusual, but worth planning time for checks.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with mature trees who want to prune safely from the ground.
• Users invested in EGO’s 56V platform who value shared batteries.
• Pros and serious DIYers needing a fast, rigid, low-maintenance pole saw for routine trimming up to roughly 6 inches in diameter.

If your work is mainly topping very tall trees or making frequent cuts above 15 feet, you’ll want the optional extension—or a different approach entirely. For frequent, heavy overhead work, be honest about your stamina; the tool can do it, but you’ll need to pace yourself.

Recommendation

I recommend this EGO pole saw for anyone who needs a capable, quiet, and well-built tool for ground-based pruning. It cuts quickly, the telescoping carbon-fiber shaft keeps the bar steady at reach, and the LED indicator—while not a magic laser—genuinely helps aim in shaded conditions. Battery life with the included 2.5Ah pack is sufficient for most jobs, and compatibility with other 56V packs adds flexibility. The main caveat is weight when fully extended; plan your workflow and use a strap to stay fresh and safe. If that tradeoff suits your needs, this is a reliable, high-performing pole saw that should last for seasons of pruning.