Cordless Pole Saw vs Gas Pole Saw: Which One Should You Buy?

Side by side

Example figures are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 19 October 2026.

cordless pole saw vs gas pole saw: the real difference

The cordless side trades engine for batteries: 20V packs, 2 4.0Ah each, 18 ft/s chain speed, and 8 to 8.6-inch bars. The gas side trades batteries for displacement: 42.7cc and 21.7cc engines, 12 and 10-inch bars. Reach is close on paper, 12 to 15 feet across all four, so the choice comes down to power delivery and upkeep, not height. Weight splits the same way: the cordless 20V saw states 8 pounds, the gas Husqvarna 13.1 pounds, and the other two state no weight, so check the listing before you assume a gas saw will feel light at full extension.

What the listings tell you

We read 4 pole saw listings. Both cordless listings state 20V, 2 4.0Ah batteries and 18 ft/s chain speed; neither gas listing states chain speed. Bars run 8 to 12 inches; reach runs 12 to 15 feet. Two listings state weight, 8 and 13.1 pounds; two state none. Warranties: 365 days on both Alloymans, one year on the PROYAMA, none stated on the Husqvarna. Two listings state auto oilers on the cordless side and one on the gas side.

Power and upkeep

Power delivery is where the sides split. The cordless Alloymans run 20V with 2 4.0Ah batteries each: the 2-in-1 gives 30 minutes per battery and up to 110 cuts on 4×4 wood with two batteries, while the dedicated 20V saw gives up to 140 cuts on 4×4. Both state 18 ft/s chain speed with automatic oilers and tool-free tensioning, so the cutting feel is consistent until the battery fades. The gas saws give no chain speed figure: the PROYAMA states a 42.7cc 2-cycle engine rated 2 hp, and the Husqvarna a 21.7cc engine at 0.8 hp. Gas refuels in minutes and runs as long as the tank and your arms last; cordless swaps a battery and keeps going, with the 2-in-1 letting you alternate two packs.

Upkeep differs the same way. Cordless needs chain oil, tension checks and charged batteries; both Alloyman kits include the charger, and the 20V saw adds an oil level indicator. Gas needs all of that plus fuel: the PROYAMA 2-cycle engine takes mixed fuel, and any gas saw wants fresh mix and a clean air filter each season. The Husqvarna adds Smart Start for easier pulls. If you already own batteries on a 20V platform, that tips the math; if you own the Husqvarna 122LK head, the 122LKP attachment clicks straight on.

Choose cordless if

• You trim near the house and want quiet starts with no fuel mixing.
• You want the 2-in-1 kit with the hedge trimmer attachment.
• 8 pounds and a dual safety lock sound right for overhead work.

Choose gas if

• You cut big limbs far from any outlet.
• You want the 12-inch Oregon bar and 2 hp rating.
• You already own the Husqvarna 122LK power head for the 122LKP attachment.

Around the Woodpile

• Check chain tension and oil before each session; both Alloymans and the Husqvarna state auto oilers.
• Both Alloyman kits carry a 365-day warranty; the PROYAMA states one year.
• Wear eye protection, gloves and a helmet; keep bystanders clear of falling limbs.
• Match the bar to the branch: 8 to 12-inch bars here, limbs up to 8 inches on the Husqvarna.
• Store batteries charged and gas drained per the manuals between seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which reaches higher, cordless or gas?

Neither side wins outright: the Alloyman 20V and PROYAMA both state 15 feet of reach, the 2-in-1 states 12 feet, and the Husqvarna 12 feet. Note the two Alloyman reach figures assume a person of stated height holding the pole at shoulder height; the gas listings state no such assumption.

How long does a cordless pole saw battery last?

The Alloyman 2-in-1 states 30 minutes per battery and up to 110 cuts on 4×4 wood with two batteries; the Alloyman 20V states up to 140 cuts on 4×4. No runtime minutes are stated for the 20V saw alone.

Do gas pole saws need mixed fuel?

The PROYAMA states a 2-cycle engine, which takes mixed fuel. Follow the fuel ratio in the manual that ships with the saw.

Is a 2-in-1 pole saw and trimmer worth it?

If you also trim hedges, yes: the Alloyman 2-in-1 adds a 16-inch trimmer that cuts 3/4-inch branches at 1400 SPM, with a 135-degree rotating head. If you only cut limbs, the dedicated 20V saw gives more reach and more cuts per charge.

How much do these pole saws weigh?

Where stated: 8 pounds for the Alloyman 20V and 13.1 pounds for the Husqvarna 122LKP. The Alloyman 2-in-1 and the PROYAMA state no weight, so compare in hand if you can.

What size branches can these cut?

Bars run 8 to 12 inches here. The Husqvarna states limbs up to 8 inches thick; the trimmer attachment cuts 3/4-inch branches. Match the bar to the wood.

Related: corded vs battery pole saw and best pole saw for small yards.