DeWalt 10 in. Brushless Cordless Fixed Pole Saw (Tool Only)

What stood out the first day in the trees

I ran the DeWalt pole saw on a mix of live oak and pecan, working ground level and up at full reach. Two things jumped out quickly: the cutting system is a big step up from typical homeowner pole saws, and the shaft design—while sturdy in most situations—has some flex you need to account for at full extension.

This model uses a 10-inch bar with a low-profile .325 pitch chain. That combo feels purpose-built for controlled cuts overhead: it bites smoothly without the jumpiness you sometimes get with more aggressive setups. Paired with the brushless motor and a 60V MAX battery, the saw maintains chain speed well through medium-to-large limbs. In clean, green wood, I was able to make confident, accurate cuts without needing to force the head into the branch.

Setup, balance, and ergonomics

Out of the box, you get the bar and chain, a scrench, a sharpening file, a shoulder strap and clip, and the manual. Bar-and-chain oil isn’t included, so have a bottle ready. Mounting and tensioning are simple thanks to the lateral tensioning system and a captured bar nut—you won’t drop a nut in the grass mid-job, and adjustments take moments.

The fixed-length shaft extends the tool to roughly 95 inches overall. It’s not telescoping, which I tend to prefer for rigidity and simplicity. Weight distribution is nose-forward as you’d expect, but not excessively so. The included shoulder strap helps a lot on longer days or when you’re repeatedly working at full reach. The foot mount underneath protects the battery pack when you set the saw down—handier than it sounds, especially when you’re stepping around on uneven ground or loading in and out of a truck.

The metal tree hook is well executed. It’s not a gimmick; after a cut, it lets you pull or steer a loosened limb away from hang-ups, and it also gives you a point to help settle the head on a target branch before you throttle up.

Cutting performance

With a 60V pack installed, the saw has a surprising amount of punch for a 10-inch head. In softwoods, I cut through an 8-inch pine section in roughly nine seconds, which aligns with what DeWalt claims. In hardwoods like oak, it’s slower—as expected—but still confident. The variable-speed trigger is well tuned. I often start the chain just before contacting the wood, then roll into full throttle; that minimizes stalling and helps the chain seat into the cut without chatter.

Kickback risk overhead is always a concern, and the low-profile chain helps here. You can feel it in the way the chain engages—less lurch, more glide. That doesn’t replace proper technique, but it’s a welcome margin of safety when your arms are extended.

One tip: don’t use the head as a lever to pry or snap branches. Let the chain do the work, and keep your cuts in line with the shaft. That preserves control and reduces the torque that can stress the joints between components.

Oiling and maintenance

The adjustable oiling system is useful if you’re working in varying conditions. In dry hardwood or on long cuts, bump it up; in softer, sappy wood, dial it back to reduce sling. The oil reservoir is easy to access, and flow has been consistent. Keep a rag handy—like most compact saw heads, there’s a bit of seepage after aggressive cutting.

Chain tension holds well over a session, and touch-ups are quick with the lateral adjuster. The sharpening file in the box is a thoughtful inclusion; a couple of strokes every tank of oil keeps performance strong and reduces the urge to push.

Power system and runtime

This tool is sold bare. If you’re already on DeWalt’s 60V platform, you’ll get the most out of it with a high-output pack. With a higher-capacity battery, I pruned for several hours with intermittent cutting and didn’t dent the second pack in my kit. Lower-capacity or older batteries will run it, but you’ll feel more bogging in tougher cuts and notice shorter runtime. The brushless motor does a good job managing torque and chain speed, and it recovers quickly if you back off and re-engage.

There’s an LED display on the power head that provides quick status information. It’s easy to see outdoors and useful for sanity checks mid-job. I wouldn’t call it essential, but it’s a nice modern touch on a tool that spends a lot of time over your head.

Build quality, flex, and durability

The head assembly inspires confidence. The magnesium gear case is compact and feels robust, and the chain brake cover and hardware have the fit and finish I expect at this level. The shaft is where you need to be a bit mindful. At near full reach, there is noticeable flex. In straight, vertical cuts, it’s not a problem and actually helps absorb some vibration. In horizontal cuts or when you’re reaching out and around obstacles, you’ll feel play if you try to twist or lever the head.

For me, the practical takeaway is simple: maintain alignment during the cut, avoid side-loading the pole, and let gravity and the chain do the work. If you need to steer or nudge a branch, use the tree hook after the kerf opens rather than muscling the pole mid-cut. Treated this way, the saw holds up well. Treat it like a pry bar, and you’ll be repairing connections sooner than you’d like.

Vibration, chips, and general comfort

Vibration is well managed for a pole saw—no numb hands after a long session. Overhead cutting will shower you with chips; that’s the nature of the work. Wear a helmet and face shield and plan your body position so the chips fall past you rather than straight down your collar. The head spools up smoothly, and the trigger modulation makes delicate starting cuts easier than on fixed-speed designs.

Noise is far less than a gas unit, which is appreciated in neighborhoods and on early mornings. There’s still a bite to the sound under load, but conversation-level communication is possible when you’re not actively cutting.

Features worth calling out

• Variable-speed trigger: Excellent control for setting the chain into the cut.
• Lateral tensioning with captured bar nut: Fast, tool-simple adjustments with fewer lost parts.
• Adjustable oiling: Dial in flow to conditions; saves oil and reduces mess.
• Magnesium gear case: Sturdy without excess weight.
• Metal tree hook: Genuinely useful for managing branches after the cut.
• Foot mount: Keeps the battery and motor off the ground when setting the tool down.
• LED status display: Quick glance feedback while working.

Who it’s for—and who should pass

If you’re already invested in DeWalt’s 60V line and need a capable, no-fuss pole saw for regular pruning and occasional larger limb work, this model fits well. Landscapers, property owners with mature trees, and maintenance crews who value battery convenience over small-engine upkeep will appreciate the power-to-weight balance.

If you need absolute rigidity at full reach, or if your work routinely involves awkward, side-loaded cuts where the head is used to pry and sweep, you might prefer a heavier, more rigid (often gas-powered) pole saw or a model with a different shaft architecture. Likewise, if you don’t own a compatible battery and charger, factor that cost in—tool-only pricing is attractive until you add a high-capacity pack.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt pole saw for users who prioritize clean, controlled cuts, battery convenience, and a well-thought-out feature set. It delivers strong cutting performance for a 10-inch head, a safer-feeling low-profile chain, and practical touches like adjustable oiling, a captured bar nut, and a robust gear case. Use a higher-capacity 60V battery, adopt good overhead technique, and avoid using the head as a lever, and you’ll get reliable results with less noise and maintenance than a gas unit. If your top priority is a zero-flex shaft for aggressive, side-loaded cutting, look elsewhere; for most pruning and limb work up to the bar’s capacity, this is a capable, confidence-inspiring choice.