DeWalt 60V MAX 10 in. Telescoping Pole Saw

Why I reached for this 60V pole saw

I spend a lot of time pruning mature ornamentals and cleaning up storm-damaged limbs, and I prefer tools that let me work efficiently without dragging cords or firing up small gas engines. This DeWalt 60V pole saw hits that sweet spot: plenty of reach, genuine cutting muscle, and the convenience of the FLEXVOLT battery ecosystem. It’s not featherweight and it’s not cheap once you add a battery and charger, but it earns its keep if you’ve got regular overhead pruning to do.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, the tool is thoughtfully kitted. You get the saw with a 10-inch bar and low-profile chain preinstalled, a scrench, a shoulder strap, a basic sharpening file, and a bar cover. You’ll need bar and chain oil and a FLEXVOLT battery; neither is included. Fitting the bar cover, filling the oil tank, and checking chain tension took just a few minutes. The side-mounted adjustment makes tensioning straightforward with the scrench.

The telescoping shaft locks with a large collar that’s easy to work with gloves on. The build feels robust—particularly the metal branch hook at the head and the foot mount near the battery, which keeps the battery and motor housing off the ground when you set the saw down. That foot also gives you a secure “parking” position between cuts.

Reach and balance

DeWalt lists a maximum pole length of up to 140 inches, though I’ve also seen a 10-foot figure in a spec field. In use, it extends far enough to handle the upper canopy of small to medium trees without a ladder. As with all long-reach saws, effective reach depends on your height and how comfortably you can work overhead.

Balance is good for a telescoping design. The battery at the base helps counterweight the cutting head, but there’s no getting around physics: at full extension, you’re holding a lot of mass out in front of you. It’s manageable for a series of quick cuts, yet you’ll feel it in your shoulders if you’re pruning continuously at maximum length. The included shoulder strap is worth using. It takes some load off your arms and makes positioning the saw more precise.

Controls and safety

The main handle has a two-stage trigger with a safety interlock. It’s slightly fussy until muscle memory kicks in, especially with thicker gloves, but it does a good job preventing accidental activation while you’re repositioning the tool. The trigger feel is smooth and predictable.

The branch hook is a highlight. It’s sturdy enough to nudge hangers free or pull a cut limb to fall the direction you intend. That little bit of control overhead makes a big difference in where brush lands.

Cutting performance

DeWalt markets this as comparable to a small 28cc gas pole saw, with a stated peak power of 1.7 hp. Chain speed is oddly documented—one place cites 15.6 m/s, another 6.5 m/s—but numbers aside, the real-world takeaway is that it cuts briskly for a 10-inch pole saw. On green hardwood limbs in the 3- to 6-inch range, it rips cleanly and doesn’t bog if you keep the chain sharp and let the saw do the work. I also used it to step through 8-inch sections by cutting from multiple sides; it’s slower there, but entirely doable with good technique.

The low-profile 3/8-inch pitch, .043-gauge chain is the right match for the motor. It’s quick to sharpen with the included file and bites predictably without excessive vibration. Kickback tendencies are mild for a narrow-kerf setup as long as you respect the bar tip. The 10-inch bar is a nice compromise for a telescoping saw—long enough for healthy pruning cuts, short enough to keep weight and torque manageable at full extension.

Oiling, maintenance, and chain care

The adjustable oiler is a welcome upgrade you don’t always see on cordless pole saws. I run it slightly richer when cutting resinous or dusty wood and dial it back for quick trims. The reservoir is easy to check at a glance, and the saw doesn’t leak appreciably when stored upright with the sheath on.

General maintenance is predictable: keep the chain sharp, tensioned, and oiled; check fasteners periodically; wipe down the telescoping sections so they collapse and lock smoothly. Pole saw chains stretch rapidly when new, so plan to re-tension after the first few cuts and again mid-session. The included scrench lives in a pocket on my chaps so I’m not hunting for it.

Battery and runtime

This tool is sold bare, and it’s compatible with DeWalt’s FLEXVOLT batteries. You can run any of the standard 60V packs; larger amp-hour packs deliver longer runtime but add noticeable weight. Overhead, I’ve found the sweet spot is a midsize pack that balances work time and fatigue. A massive pack will absolutely extend your session, but it makes the tool top- and tail-heavy at full extension.

Runtime always depends on the size and hardness of what you’re cutting and how often you’re taking the saw off the trigger. For intermittent pruning—an afternoon of limb clean-up mixed with dragging brush—I can get through a lot on one charge with a mid- to large-capacity pack. For production work or storm cleanup, I’d carry a spare battery so you can keep moving while one pack cools and charges.

Ergonomics and user experience

• Vibration and noise: Considerably lower than small gas units. You can work, talk, and still hear what’s happening in the canopy.
• Flex: There’s a bit of flex at full extension, no worse than other long telescoping setups. Let the saw feed at its own rate; forcing it adds bounce.
• Storage and transport: Collapses down to a manageable length. The foot mount is nice when loading and unloading—it keeps the battery from taking the hit.
• Cleanup: The sheath goes on and off without wrestling, and the exterior wipes down easily.

What could be better

• Weight overhead: Bare-tool weight is reasonable, but with a large battery and full extension, fatigue sets in. The included shoulder strap helps; a padded aftermarket harness helps even more.
• Trigger interlock: Effective but slightly finicky with heavy gloves until you adapt.
• Documentation: The published chain speed and maximum length figures aren’t consistent across materials. The saw performs well; it would just be useful to see one authoritative spec.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth knowing if you’re planning long sessions aloft.

Practical cutting tips

• Set the oiler mid-range to start, then adjust based on your wood and bar oil.
• Make a small undercut to prevent bark tearing, then finish from the top.
• Use the hook to guide the fall direction of small limbs and to free hangers safely.
• Re-tension the chain a few minutes after the first cuts of the day.
• Don’t muscle it at full extension; let the chain speed and gravity do the work.

Who it’s for

Homeowners with lots of trees, property managers, and pros who already own FLEXVOLT tools will get the most value here. If you’re only pruning once a year or your trees are under 12 feet, a shorter, lighter pole saw might be easier to live with. If you’re trimming regularly, want gas-like performance without gas headaches, and need adjustable reach, this 60V pole saw rises to the top.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 60V pole saw for users who want serious pruning performance in a cordless package and can manage the weight at full extension. It cuts quickly and cleanly, the telescoping shaft offers real reach, and the adjustable oiler, metal hook, and protective foot mount are thoughtful, jobsite-ready touches. Pair it with a mid- to large-capacity FLEXVOLT battery, use the shoulder strap, and you’ll have a capable tool that replaces a lot of ladder work. If you prioritize featherweight handling above all else, look to a shorter saw; otherwise, this one earns a spot on the truck.