Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Cordless Pole Chainsaw Review: The Homeowner’s Secret Weapon for Taming Trees

For months, it was the first thing I saw when I pulled into the driveway—a thick, unruly oak limb that had decided my roof was its new best friend. It hung there, menacingly, scraping against the shingles with every gust of wind, a constant, low-grade source of anxiety. The thought of climbing a wobbly ladder with a hand saw was daunting, and the cost of hiring a professional arborist for a single branch felt excessive. This is the classic homeowner’s dilemma: a problem too big for manual tools but too small to justify a major expense. It’s in this frustrating middle ground that the need for a capable, accessible, and safe solution becomes paramount. Ignoring it wasn’t an option, but the path forward was unclear until I decided to take matters into my own hands with a tool designed specifically for this kind of challenge.

Before You Reach for the Sky: A Buyer’s Guide to Pole Saws

A pole saw is more than just a chainsaw on a stick; it’s a key solution for property maintenance, safety, and aesthetics. It empowers homeowners to manage overgrown trees, remove hazardous deadwood hanging over walkways or structures, and prune high branches to allow more sunlight into their yards—all while keeping their feet safely on the ground. The primary benefit is this extension of reach, which fundamentally changes the risk calculation involved in tree care. Instead of balancing precariously on a ladder, you have a stable, powerful tool that brings the cutting power to the branch, not the other way around. This translates to greater safety, efficiency, and the satisfaction of a job well done without professional assistance.

The ideal customer for a cordless electric pole saw is the suburban homeowner, the DIY weekend warrior, or anyone managing a property with mature trees. If you’re facing seasonal pruning, storm cleanup, or simply reclaiming your yard from the encroaching wilderness, a tool like the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Cordless Pole Chainsaw is a game-changer. However, it might not be the right fit for a professional arborist who needs to run a tool for eight hours straight or someone clearing acres of dense forest. For those heavy-duty, commercial-grade tasks, a high-powered gas model is still the standard. But for the vast majority of residential needs, the convenience, low noise, and minimal maintenance of a cordless model are far more practical.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The most critical dimension is reach. Consider the tool’s collapsed and fully extended length. The Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE extends to 7.2 feet, providing an estimated 14 feet of reach for an average-height user. Also, consider the tool’s weight (8 pounds in this case). While light, remember that the weight is amplified by leverage when the pole is fully extended, which can cause fatigue.
• Capacity/Performance: Look at the bar length and maximum cutting thickness. An 8-inch bar, like the one on this Sun Joe, is perfect for limbs up to 7.5 inches thick, covering most residential pruning tasks. For cordless models, battery voltage (V) and amp-hours (Ah) are key. Higher numbers generally mean more power and longer runtime. A 24V, 2.0 Ah battery provides a solid balance for typical yard work.
• Materials & Durability: The pole should be made of a sturdy but lightweight material like aluminum or fiberglass. The chainsaw housing is typically a high-impact plastic, which is durable enough for homeowner use. The quality of the bar and chain directly impacts cutting performance and longevity, so look for reputable brands and auto-lubricating features.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good pole saw should be easy to assemble and operate. Features like tool-less chain tensioning and a clear oil reservoir window are significant quality-of-life improvements. Cordless models eliminate the hassle of mixing gas and oil, but you must maintain the battery and, most importantly, always keep the bar and chain oil reservoir full to prevent damage.

While the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Cordless Pole Chainsaw 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:

Unboxing and First Impressions of the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE

Upon opening the box, the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Cordless Pole Chainsaw presented itself as a well-organized and approachable kit. All the components—the chainsaw head, the telescoping pole, the handle/battery section, the 24V battery and charger, and the blade sheath—were securely packed. My first thought was that for a tool with this much reach and power, it felt surprisingly lightweight and manageable. Assembly was straightforward. The manual clearly illustrates how to attach the 8-inch bar and chain, and tensioning the chain is done with a simple screw adjustment. The only thing missing from the box is bar and chain oil, a crucial component you must purchase separately before the first use. Clicking the battery into place and connecting the three main sections felt secure and intuitive. The overall build quality is solid, with robust plastics and a sturdy aluminum pole that feels ready for real work, putting it right in line with the quality we expect for top-tier homeowner tools. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of the complete package.

Deep Dive: Putting the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE to the Test

A tool’s true character is only revealed through use. Specs on a page are one thing; performance in the yard is another entirely. We spent several weeks putting the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Cordless Pole Chainsaw through its paces, tackling everything from light pruning to post-storm cleanup. Our goal was to push it past simple limb-trimming and understand its practical limits, its ergonomic feel, and its overall value as a core piece of yard equipment. The results were, for the most part, deeply impressive, though not without a critical caveat.

Sheer Cutting Power: More Bite Than You’d Expect

Let’s be blunt: my expectations for a 24-volt battery-powered chainsaw were modest. I grew up around gas-powered saws and have often found battery tools to be underpowered compromises. The Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Cordless Pole Chainsaw shattered that prejudice within the first five minutes. We started with some 3-inch maple branches, and the saw zipped through them without a hint of struggle. The auto-lubricating 8-inch bar and chain moved smoothly, letting the weight of the saw do the work. Emboldened, we moved to the main event: the 6-inch oak limb hanging over my roof. Positioning myself safely on the ground, I extended the pole, angled the head to 30 degrees for a better cutting angle, and rested the blade on the branch. The moment I pulled the trigger, the saw bit in and threw a steady stream of wood chips. It didn’t bog down or complain; it just cut. This experience is echoed by numerous users, one of whom stated they “took down a 20ft tall fruit tree” and it “cut through it like butter,” even tackling a 12-inch base. Another was shocked when it powered through 10-inch water oak branches. The key, we found, is not to force it. Let the motor work at its own pace, keep the oil reservoir topped up, and the saw will reward you with clean, efficient cuts that defy its size and power rating.

Ergonomics, Reach, and Real-World Handling

A pole saw’s effectiveness is as much about balance and handling as it is about cutting power. At 8 pounds, the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Cordless Pole Chainsaw is objectively light. When used as a handheld chainsaw for bucking up downed limbs, it’s an absolute joy—nimble, easy to control, and far less intimidating than a larger saw. However, the laws of physics are immutable. When you slide that 8-pound motor and bar to the end of a 7.2-foot pole, it feels significantly heavier. We found that for vertical cuts on high branches, the weight was very manageable. The challenge comes when making horizontal cuts at full extension, which requires more core and shoulder strength. This is a common trait for all pole saws. Yet, we were impressed by feedback from a 71-year-old user who “could hold it without any issue,” proving that with proper technique—bracing the pole against your body and using a smooth, rocking motion—it remains accessible to a wide range of users. The telescoping pole locks securely, and the adjustable head is a genuinely useful feature, allowing you to make precise relief cuts from the ground that would be impossible with a fixed-head saw. This ergonomic design is a feature that really sets it apart in the homeowner category.

Cordless Freedom and Battery Performance

The transition from gas or corded tools to battery power is liberating. With the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE, there are no fumes, no deafening roar, no tangled cords, and no pull-starts that strain your shoulder. You simply slide in the 2.0 Ah battery, and you’re ready to work. The quiet operation is a massive benefit, both for your own ears and for neighborhood harmony. We found the battery life to be quite respectable for its size. The manufacturer claims up to 32 cuts on 4×4 pine, which we found translates to about 30-40 minutes of steady, intermittent work on mixed-size branches. For a typical session of pruning a few trees, this is more than enough. If you have a larger property or a big cleanup project, investing in a second battery would be a wise move to eliminate downtime while the first one charges. This freedom allows you to move around the yard effortlessly, tackling one problem area after another without being tethered to an outlet. As one user aptly put it, “My favorite bit is it’s not anything near as loud as a 2 stroke and you don’t run out of gas… I can stop when I’m ready to, not when the tool’s outa juice.”

A Critical Look at Versatility and a Major Safety Concern

The standout feature of the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Cordless Pole Chainsaw is its 2-in-1 design. The ability to quickly detach the chainsaw head from the pole and use it as a compact, handheld unit is brilliant. After felling high branches with the pole, we converted it in under a minute to process the branches on the ground into manageable lengths for the woodpile or yard waste bin. This versatility effectively gives you two essential yard tools for the price of one, representing incredible value. However, we must address a significant safety concern raised by a small but vocal group of users. Several reviews report that the mechanism connecting the handle/battery section to either the pole or the saw head can disengage during use. One user described it as “an injury waiting to happen” when it “popped right out of the handle” while cutting. In our own extensive testing, we could not replicate this failure. We made sure the connection clicked firmly into place and double-checked it before every cutting session, and it remained secure. Nonetheless, the existence of these reports is a serious red flag. We strongly advise any owner to be hyper-vigilant about confirming that the locking mechanism is fully engaged before every single use. This potential issue is the most significant drawback of an otherwise outstanding tool and something we hope the manufacturer addresses in future iterations.

What Other Users Are Saying

While our hands-on testing forms the core of this review, the collective experience of hundreds of users provides a broader perspective. The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with many users expressing surprise and delight at the tool’s power and convenience. One ecstatic owner calls it their “FAVORITE TOOL I OWN,” emphasizing how much work they can accomplish with it. Another, who saved over $300 on a professional quote for a fallen branch, noted it’s “capable of much more than you think, despite its size.” This theme of exceeding expectations is common, especially among those new to electric chainsaws.

However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the negative feedback, which centers almost exclusively on two points. The most critical, as we detailed above, is the potential for the handle to detach. One user wrote, “This is a major issue and needs to be fixed,” after it came apart mid-use. This isn’t just a flaw; it’s a serious safety hazard that potential buyers must be aware of and mitigate through diligent checks. The second, more common complaint is the weight when fully extended. A user who otherwise loved the saw admitted, “When fully extended it is a little heavy to maneuver but it gets the job done with ease.” This feedback aligns perfectly with our findings: the saw is a powerhouse, but its use requires respect for its weight and a vigilant approach to its locking mechanism.

How Does the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Compare to the Competition?

No product exists in a vacuum. The Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Cordless Pole Chainsaw offers a fantastic blend of power, versatility, and value, but different users have different needs. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives.

1. DocSmart Cordless 2-IN-1 6-inch Pole Saw and Mini Chainsaw

The DocSmart is another 2-in-1 tool but leans more towards the “pruner” end of the spectrum. Its 6-inch bar makes it ideal for smaller limbs and more delicate trimming jobs where the Sun Joe’s 8-inch bar might be overkill. Its primary advantage is that it typically comes as a kit with two batteries, offering excellent value and eliminating runtime anxiety for bigger jobs. While it lacks the raw cutting capacity of the Sun Joe for thicker branches, it’s a fantastic choice for users whose primary need is light-duty pruning and who value having a spare battery ready to go right out of the box.

2. DEWALT DCPS620B Brushless Cordless Pole Saw

The DEWALT DCPS620B represents a step up in both performance and price, targeting the prosumer or serious DIYer. Its brushless motor delivers superior power, efficiency, and tool longevity compared to the brushed motor in the Sun Joe. As a “tool only” offering, it’s the perfect choice for anyone already invested in DEWALT’s extensive 20V MAX* battery platform. While it doesn’t convert to a handheld saw, it’s a dedicated pole saw that excels at its one job, offering professional-grade performance, durability, and a well-balanced feel for those who prioritize raw cutting speed and are willing to pay a premium for it.

3. Skil PWR CORE 40 Brushless 10” Pole Saw Kit

The Skil PWR CORE 40 is a direct competitor that aims to outmuscle the Sun Joe. With a higher 40V power system, a brushless motor, and a longer 10-inch bar, this saw is built for more demanding jobs and thicker branches. Its telescoping shaft extends over 9 feet, providing slightly more reach than the Sun Joe. Sold as a complete kit with a powerful 2.5Ah battery and fast charger, this is the ideal alternative for a homeowner with larger, tougher trees who needs maximum power and reach in a cordless package and is prepared for the added weight that comes with that capability.

The Final Verdict: Is the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Worth It?

After extensive use and careful consideration, our verdict on the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE Cordless Pole Chainsaw is overwhelmingly positive, with one important condition. For the average homeowner, this tool is a phenomenal value. It delivers cutting power that punches far above its weight class, handling common yard tasks with an ease that is genuinely surprising. Its 2-in-1 versatility, converting from a capable pole saw to a handy little chainsaw, is a killer feature that provides two tools in one compact, easy-to-store package. It’s quiet, emission-free, and liberates you from cords and gasoline.

We recommend it for any homeowner looking to take control of their property’s tree maintenance without breaking the bank. It’s perfect for seasonal pruning, storm cleanup, and finally tackling those out-of-reach branches. However, this recommendation comes with the strong advisory to be meticulously careful about ensuring the handle and pole sections are securely locked before every use. If you practice that one safety check, you’ll be rewarded with a tool that is not only effective but also enjoyable to use. If you’re ready to reclaim your yard and tackle those high branches with confidence, we highly recommend you check the latest price and availability for the Sun Joe 24V-PS8-LTE today.