DeWalt Pole Saws: Power, Reach, and Platform Differences

The short answer is that different jobs need different tools. A landscaper trimming ornamental trees in a residential yard doesn't need the same saw as an arborist working through storm debris or a lineman clearing branches from a right-of-way. DeWalt's pole saw lineup is built to cover that range without forcing everyone to buy more saw than they need. 

The 20V MAX XR models (the DCPS620 series) are lighter, run off batteries most DeWalt users already own, and handle limbs up to about 6 to 8 inches without much trouble. The 60V MAX FLEXVOLT model (DCPS671) is heavier, more powerful, and comes with a 10-inch bar -- it's the right choice when you're dealing with thicker wood or longer run times under load. Then there's the universal attachment option and the combo kit, both of which exist for people who already have compatible DeWalt gear and want to stretch their investment.

Here's a look at everything in the lineup.

The DCPS620 is DeWalt's 20V MAX XR cordless pole saw. All three versions -- the DCPS620B, DCPS620M1, and DCPS620P1 -- use the same tool. The only difference is what comes in the box. You get an 8-inch bar and chain, a brushless motor, auto-oiling, a tree hook at the base, anti-vibration handle, and metal bucking strips to help you control your cut. The pole telescopes out to give you up to 15 feet of reach when you factor in your height. On a full 5.0Ah battery, DeWalt rates it at up to 96 cuts per charge on 4-inch branches. That's a solid day of light-to-medium trimming.

The brushless motor matters here. It runs cooler, pulls only the power it needs, and lasts longer than a brushed motor would. That's why the 20V model is a legitimate work tool and not just a homeowner saw with a DeWalt badge on it.

The DCPS620B is the bare tool version. It ships without a battery or charger. This is the right buy if you're already running the 20V MAX platform and have batteries to spare. Pair it with a 5.0Ah battery for the best run time, or a 4.0Ah if that's what you have.

The DCPS620M1 includes the same pole saw plus a 20V MAX 4.0Ah battery and charger. If you don't already have 20V batteries, or if your current batteries are worn out, this kit gets you everything you need to go to work. The 4.0Ah battery gives you good run time for residential work or smaller commercial jobs.

The DCPS620P1 is the same tool again, this time bundled with a 20V MAX 5.0Ah battery and charger. If you're going to be using this saw hard -- multiple jobs in a day, larger quantities of branches, or cold weather where batteries drain faster -- the 5.0Ah battery is worth the difference. This is the kit DeWalt typically uses for the 96-cut-per-charge rating.

The DWOAS6PS is a pole saw attachment designed for the DeWalt Universal Attachment System. It's not a standalone tool. You need a compatible DeWalt powerhead -- the DCPH820 or similar -- to use it. If you already own one of those powerheads, this attachment gives you an 8-inch bar and chain with auto-oiling without buying a full pole saw. It's a smart option if you want to build out a multi-head system for trimming, edging, and cutting without buying a separate motor for every attachment.

If you don't already have a compatible powerhead, this isn't the most economical way to get into pole sawing. But if you're already running the Universal Attachment platform, it's a solid add-on.

The DCKO86M1 bundles the DCPS620 20V MAX XR pole saw with the DCPH820 20V MAX XR pole hedge trimmer -- two heads, one battery and charger in the box. This is a real value if you do both tree trimming and hedge work. Landscapers, groundskeepers, and anyone who manages a property on a regular basis will get the most out of this kit. You're getting the same 15-foot reach and 8-inch bar as the standalone DCPS620, plus the hedge trimmer attachment for the same battery platform.

The kit ships with a single 4.0Ah battery and charger. If you're running both tools in a full workday, you'll want to pick up a second battery so one can charge while you work.

The DCPS671 is a different animal from the 20V models. It runs on DeWalt's 60V MAX FLEXVOLT platform, which means the battery works in both 60V MAX tools and 20V MAX tools -- it steps down automatically based on the tool you're running. The DCPS671 itself needs the 60V input to deliver full power, so don't expect the same performance if you're using a 20V adapter.

DeWalt rates the DCPS671 at 75% more peak power and 64% more torque than a 28cc gas pole saw. That's a real number, not marketing fluff -- it comes from testing against a specific gas model, and it reflects the kind of muscle this saw has when you're cutting through thick, wet, or hardwood branches. The bar is a 10-inch unit instead of the 8-inch bar on the 20V models, and the telescoping pole extends to 140 inches -- about 11.7 feet. That reach is slightly less than the 20V, but the extra bar length and chain speed (23 meters per second) more than make up for it on heavy cuts.

If you're on a tree crew, doing storm cleanup, clearing right-of-ways, or cutting branches over 8 inches in diameter on a regular basis, this is the pole saw to buy.

The DCPS671B is the bare tool version of the 60V pole saw. Buy this if you're already running FLEXVOLT and have a 60V MAX battery and charger. If you don't, you'll need to pick those up separately -- a FLEXVOLT 3.0Ah battery and a fast charger are the minimum you want for this saw.

The DCPS671X1 packages the 60V pole saw with a FLEXVOLT 3.0Ah battery and charger. If you're new to the 60V platform, this is the way to start. The FLEXVOLT 3.0Ah battery is a dual-voltage battery -- it reads as 20V MAX when used in a 20V tool and delivers the full 60V when the tool requires it. So buying into this kit also expands your 20V MAX battery pool at the same time.

Here's a side-by-side look at the full DeWalt cordless pole saw lineup to help you make a quick comparison.

This is the most common question in the lineup, so here's a straight answer. 

Get the 20V MAX XR (DCPS620) if you're doing regular trimming work on branches under 6 to 8 inches in diameter. It's lighter, quieter, easier to maneuver overhead for long periods, and most DeWalt users already have 20V batteries on hand. The 15-foot reach is generous. It's plenty of saw for residential landscaping, utility trimming, orchard work, or clearing low branches ahead of a construction job.

Get the 60V MAX (DCPS671) if you're cutting regularly through larger limbs, dealing with hardwoods or wet wood from storm damage, or you need the extra bar length and chain speed to keep up with volume work. Tree crews, arborists, linemen, and utility maintenance workers doing right-of-way clearing will feel the difference the 60V platform provides. The 10-inch bar and higher chain speed mean fewer passes, less time per cut, and more work done before the battery needs a swap.

One thing to know: the 60V and 20V batteries are NOT interchangeable for full performance. FLEXVOLT batteries can run in 20V tools at 20V output, but you can't run a FLEXVOLT tool on a standard 20V battery. Make sure you understand which platform you're buying into before you go bare tool.

Pole saws don't just belong in the landscaping van. Here's how different trades put them to work.

Tree crews and arborists use pole saws constantly -- both for initial limb removal on standing trees and for cleanup after a tree has already been dropped. The 60V model covers the heavy-limb work; the 20V is good for follow-up detail cuts and smaller trees.

Linemen and utility workers clearing vegetation from power line right-of-ways deal with a wide mix of species and sizes. A cordless pole saw keeps them mobile without dragging a gas saw or running extension cords. The 60V model's power-to-weight ratio makes it a real substitute for a lightweight gas saw in those situations.

Contractors and framers sometimes have to clear a site before breaking ground. Overhanging limbs, small trees, and brush all have to come down. A 20V pole saw paired with whatever DeWalt batteries are already on the truck makes this a quick task instead of a half-day rental situation.

Landscapers and grounds maintenance crews who also handle hedge trimming can get a lot out of the DCKO86M1 combo kit. Running both the pole saw and pole hedge trimmer off the same battery platform cuts down on charging logistics and the number of tools you're hauling around.

Bar and chain oil isn't optional. The auto-oiling system on every DeWalt pole saw works, but it only works if the oil reservoir is full. Check it before every use. Running a dry chain damages both the chain and the bar fast.

Chain tension matters too. A loose chain can come off mid-cut. A chain that's too tight creates excess friction and heat. Check the tension before you start and again after the first few cuts on a new chain -- it stretches as it warms up.

Overhead cutting puts stress on your shoulders and arms that ground-level work doesn't. If you're doing a full day with a pole saw, gloves with good grip and vibration dampening are worth having. The anti-vibration handle on the DCPS620 helps, but it doesn't eliminate fatigue on long sessions.

Know what's above you. On job sites, overhead hazards -- power lines, other branches under tension, scaffold, and equipment -- need to be checked before you start reaching overhead with any cutting tool. This is basic stuff, but it matters more with a pole saw than almost any other tool on site.

DeWalt's cordless pole saw lineup gives you real options without a lot of filler. The DCPS620 series in 20V is a solid, lightweight brushless saw that handles most trimming and light cutting jobs. If you need more power -- whether that's bigger wood, faster cuts, or higher volume -- the DCPS671 in 60V MAX FLEXVOLT is a legitimate step up with measurable performance gains over gas-powered competition. The attachment and combo kit fill in specific gaps for people already working within the DeWalt system.

If you're already on 20V MAX and your cuts are mostly 8 inches and under, the DCPS620P1 kit gets you the saw and the battery to run it at peak performance. If you're doing tree work for a living or clearing heavy storm damage on a regular basis, the DCPS671X1 kit is the better investment. Either way, you're getting a brushless motor with auto-oiling, a legitimate reach advantage over any gas chainsaw you'd hold in your hands, and a battery platform that works with the rest of your DeWalt gear.