RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw Review: The Hassle-Free Way to Tame Your Trees

We’ve all been there. Staring up at that one defiant branch, just high enough to be out of reach, casting an unwanted shadow or scraping against the roofline with every gust of wind. For me, it was an old oak limb that had decided to make a new home directly over our patio. The thought of dragging out a heavy, wobbly extension ladder and trying to manage a manual handsaw while perched precariously two stories up was, to put it mildly, unappealing. The alternative? A loud, smelly, gas-powered pole saw that I’d have to mix fuel for, wrestle to start, and endure the vibration and fumes. There had to be a better, simpler way for routine yard maintenance. This is the exact predicament that sends homeowners on a quest for a tool that offers reach, convenience, and power without the associated headaches. Ignoring the problem isn’t an option; overgrown limbs can damage property, become hazardous in storms, and simply make a well-kept yard look untidy. The search for a lightweight, battery-powered solution becomes not just a matter of convenience, but of safety and sanity.

What to Consider Before Buying a Cordless Pole Saw

A cordless pole saw is more than just a chainsaw on a stick; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your property from the vertical march of nature. It empowers you to safely and efficiently prune high branches, trim overgrown trees, and maintain your landscape’s health and aesthetics from the safety of the ground. The primary benefit is accessibility. It eliminates the need for unstable ladders and the physical strain of manual sawing, turning a daunting, day-long project into a manageable task you can complete in an afternoon. It’s about taking control of your yard care with a tool that is both powerful and approachable.

The ideal customer for this type of product is the suburban homeowner with small-to-medium-sized trees that require periodic maintenance. If you find yourself needing to trim branches up to 6 inches in diameter and value the convenience of a grab-and-go tool, a cordless model is likely your perfect match. However, it might not be suitable for those who need to clear large tracts of land, fell entire trees, or perform commercial-grade arborist work. For those heavy-duty tasks, a professional-grade, high-horsepower gas model would be a more appropriate, albeit more complex, alternative. For the average user, the simplicity and low-maintenance nature of a battery-powered saw like the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw is precisely what makes yard work less of a chore.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Maximum Reach & Length: This is arguably the most important specification. Measure the height of the branches you need to cut and add your own height for a rough estimate of the reach you require. A saw with a 9.5-foot reach, like this RYOBI model, is excellent for most single-story home applications, allowing you to comfortably reach branches 12-14 feet from the ground. Always ensure the pole is adjustable or comes in sections for easier storage and handling.
• Power & Battery Performance: The power of a cordless saw is dictated by its voltage (V) and the runtime by its battery capacity (Amp-hours, Ah). An 18V system is a great balance of weight and power for common pruning tasks. Pay close attention to the included battery; a 1.5 Ah battery is fine for quick jobs, but for more extensive work, you’ll want a 4.0 Ah battery or larger for longer runtime between charges.
• Cutting Capacity & Bar Length: The bar length (in this case, 8 inches) determines the maximum diameter of the branch you can cut in a single pass. An 8-inch bar is perfectly suited for limbing and pruning, easily handling branches from 4 to 6 inches thick. For anything larger, you would need to step up to a more powerful saw with a 10 or 12-inch bar.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Weight and balance are critical. A tool that is too top-heavy will be exhausting and unsafe to use for extended periods. Look for features like an in-line motor and angled cutting head for better control. Furthermore, consider the maintenance. Models with automatic oilers are convenient, but an oil-free design, a standout feature of this RYOBI, eliminates the mess and hassle of bar and chain oil entirely, making it exceptionally user-friendly.

Choosing the right tool transforms a difficult job into a satisfying one. By evaluating these factors against your specific needs, you can find a pole saw that will serve you well for years to come.

While the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw

Opening the box, the familiar, vibrant RYOBI green is the first thing that greets you. The tool feels solid yet surprisingly manageable. Assembly is straightforward and takes less than ten minutes; the pole consists of a few sections that lock together securely, and the only tool you need is the included combination wrench (cleverly stored on-board in the scabbard) to check the chain tension. The main components are the motor head with the 8-inch bar and chain, the middle extension pole, and the handle/battery base.

What immediately stands out compared to many other pole saws on the market is its weight and balance. At just over 5.3 kg (about 11.7 lbs) with the battery, it’s noticeably lighter than many 40V or gas-powered competitors. The in-line motor design, which places the motor directly behind the cutting head, contributes to a much better balance than side-motor designs, reducing the “top-heavy” feeling that can quickly lead to fatigue. The most intriguing feature right out of the box, however, is the bold “OIL-FREE” marking. For anyone who has dealt with the constant mess and refilling of bar and chain oil, this promise of hassle-free operation is a significant and welcome innovation. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of this unique design.

A Deep Dive into the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw’s Performance

A tool can look good on paper, but the real test is how it performs in the yard. We put the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw through its paces on a variety of common backyard challenges, from delicate pruning of fruit trees to tackling tougher, thicker limbs on mature hardwoods. Our goal was to push it to its limits to see where it shines and where it falls short. Over several weekends of testing, we got a clear picture of this tool’s capabilities, and the results were genuinely impressive for its class.

The “Oil-Free” Advantage: A Game-Changer for Maintenance

Let’s address the most unique feature first: the oil-free design. Traditionally, chainsaws and pole saws require a constant supply of bar and chain oil to lubricate the chain as it speeds around the bar, preventing overheating and premature wear. This means constantly checking oil levels, dealing with messy refills, and cleaning up oily residue from the tool and the ground. RYOBI’s oil-free technology is a radical departure from this norm. We were initially skeptical. How could a chain operate effectively without external lubrication? The answer lies in the engineering of the bar and the chain itself, which are designed to operate with reduced friction.

In practice, this is a massive win for convenience. We simply clicked in the battery and got to work. There were no oil reservoirs to fill, no leaks to worry about during storage, and no oily sawdust clinging to every surface. After cutting through dozens of branches, we inspected the bar and chain. While they were warm to the touch, there were no signs of excessive heat, discoloration, or binding. The saw cut just as smoothly on the last branch as it did on the first. This feature alone makes the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw an incredibly attractive option for homeowners who want a powerful tool without the traditional maintenance headaches. It transforms tree trimming from a messy, multi-step process into a simple, clean task. This simplified approach is a feature that really sets it apart from many competitors in its price range.

Real-World Cutting Performance and Reach

With a fully charged battery, we set our sights on that troublesome oak limb over the patio. It was about 4 inches in diameter and roughly 13 feet off the ground. Extending the pole to its maximum 9.5-foot length was simple, with a secure locking collar holding it in place. Lifting the saw into position, the balance was immediately noticeable. While any object on the end of a long pole has leverage, the in-line motor kept it manageable, allowing for precise placement of the bar on the branch. The angled cutting head is a subtle but brilliant design choice, providing a more natural cutting angle without having to contort your body.

Pulling the trigger, the 18V motor spun the chain to life with a confident hum, much quieter than a gas engine. We let the weight of the saw do the work, and it bit into the oak with surprising aggression. The full complement chain, designed for faster cutting, chewed through the 4-inch limb in about 15-20 seconds. We proceeded to make several more cuts on branches of varying thickness, from 1-inch saplings to a 5.5-inch pine branch. The saw handled everything up to its recommended capacity with ease. It only started to struggle when we pushed it on a branch closer to 7 inches, where it required more patience. For its intended purpose—pruning and limbing branches up to 6 inches—its performance is stellar. The combination of reach, balance, and cutting power makes it an incredibly effective tool for cleaning up the canopy of backyard trees.

Battery Life & The ONE+ Ecosystem

The biggest limiting factor of this kit is the included 1.5 Ah battery. It’s a compact, lightweight battery that helps keep the overall weight down, but its capacity is modest. In our testing, we were able to make approximately 25-30 cuts on branches averaging 3-4 inches in diameter before the battery was depleted. For someone with just a few specific branches to trim, this is perfectly adequate. You can trim the problem limb, pop the battery on the charger, and be done in under an hour.

However, if you have a more significant pruning project planned, this small battery will become a source of frustration. This is where the true value of the RYOBI ONE+ ecosystem comes into play. If you already own other RYOBI 18V tools, you likely have a collection of larger batteries. We swapped the 1.5 Ah battery for a 4.0 Ah battery from one of our drills, and the experience was transformed. The runtime more than doubled, allowing us to complete an entire section of the yard on a single charge. If you are new to the RYOBI system, we would strongly recommend either buying a second battery or purchasing the tool and a larger 4.0 Ah or 6.0 Ah battery separately. The value proposition of this kit is immense for those already invested in the platform, but new users should factor in the cost of a larger battery for extended use. You can check the latest price on this complete kit to see if it fits your budget.

What Other Users Are Saying

Diving into user feedback, a common thread is appreciation for the saw’s lightweight design and overall convenience. Many echo our findings, praising how easy it is to handle compared to heavier gas models. The oil-free feature is another frequently mentioned highlight, with users expressing relief at not having to deal with the typical mess and maintenance of chain lubrication. However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect. We did encounter an isolated but notable complaint from one user who reported receiving a chain that appeared “rusty and used” right out of the box. While this seems to be a rare quality control or shipping issue rather than a widespread product flaw, it serves as a good reminder to always inspect a new tool thoroughly upon arrival. Setting aside these infrequent delivery concerns, the vast majority of feedback centers on the tool’s solid performance for residential pruning, confirming our experience that it’s a reliable and user-friendly solution for the average homeowner.

How the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw Compares to the Competition

The RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw holds a strong position in the market, but it’s not without stout competition. Depending on your specific needs for reach, power, or versatility, one of its rivals might be a better fit. Here’s a look at how it stacks up against three popular alternatives.

1. CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Pole Saw 14-Foot 4.0Ah

The Craftsman V20 is built for homeowners with taller trees. Its most significant advantage is its impressive 14-foot reach, a full 4.5 feet more than the RYOBI. This extra length can be the difference between safely reaching a high branch and needing a ladder. It also comes standard with a much larger 4.0 Ah battery, providing significantly longer runtime right out of the box. The trade-off is weight and maneuverability; the Craftsman is heavier and can feel more unwieldy when fully extended. If maximum reach and extended cutting time are your top priorities, and you don’t mind the extra weight, the Craftsman V20 is a formidable alternative.

2. RYOBI 18V 8″ Cordless Pole Saw

This alternative is essentially the bare tool version of a very similar RYOBI model. The primary reason to choose this option is if you are already heavily invested in the RYOBI ONE+ 18V ecosystem and have a surplus of batteries and chargers. It offers a nearly identical 8-inch cutting performance and reach. By purchasing the bare tool, you can save a significant amount of money upfront. This is the budget-conscious choice for the existing RYOBI enthusiast who just needs to add the pole saw functionality to their tool arsenal without redundant batteries and chargers.

3. Greenworks 40V 8″ Pole Saw Hedge Trimmer

The Greenworks model competes on two fronts: power and versatility. Operating on a 40V platform, it generally offers more torque and cutting power than the 18V RYOBI, which can be beneficial for tackling slightly thicker or tougher hardwood branches. The standout feature, however, is its dual-functionality as both a pole saw and a pole hedge trimmer. The interchangeable heads make it an incredible value for homeowners who need to maintain both high branches and tall hedges. If you need more power and can benefit from the 2-in-1 design, the Greenworks 40V combo kit is an exceptionally versatile and powerful option.

Final Verdict: Is the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw Worth It?

After extensive testing, our conclusion is a resounding yes, but for the right user. The RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Saw is an outstanding tool for the modern homeowner who values convenience, simplicity, and low maintenance above all else. Its revolutionary oil-free design is a genuine game-changer, eliminating one of the biggest hassles of chainsaw ownership. Combined with its light weight, excellent balance, and sufficient reach for most residential jobs, it makes quick work of pruning tasks that would otherwise be a chore.

It’s not a commercial-grade tool for clearing acres of land, and the included 1.5 Ah battery is best suited for quick, targeted jobs. However, for anyone already in the RYOBI ONE+ ecosystem or for new users tackling typical suburban yard maintenance, its performance is fantastic. It strikes an ideal balance between power, usability, and innovative design. If you’re tired of wrestling with ladders, manual saws, or messy gas tools, this is the solution you’ve been waiting for. We wholeheartedly recommend it as a top-tier choice for keeping your trees in pristine shape with minimal fuss. To experience this new level of convenience in yard care, you can find the best price and order yours today.