Taskstar SH301 Cordless Pole Saw and Hedge Trimmer Combo Review

The pole saw, hedge trimmer, shrub shear and grass shear all run off the same 20 V packs, so you carry one tool and one charger instead of three separate machines. That is the practical gain of the kit, and it is what the two batteries, the fast charger and the four cutting heads justify for a household that wants one tool for several jobs.

Reach from the ground

The extension pole adjusts from 6 to 9 ft, the maximum reach is 15 ft and the tool is 48 in long. That is enough to limb low and mid-height branches and to trim a tall hedge without a ladder for a typical homeowner.

Cutting performance

Amazon's summary of its customer reviews reports that buyers cut small and large branches easily, with one customer noting limbs of 6-inch diameter. The 6-inch bar and the 33 ft/s chain speed are the figures behind that. Treat the 6-inch bar as the ceiling of what the saw takes, not as the everyday workload.

Battery life

Two 4.0 Ah packs come with a fast charger, and buyers on Amazon rate battery life positively. With two packs, one charges while the other cuts, so a session does not stop when the first pack runs down.

Handling and weight

The kit weighs 16.1 lb and has an ergonomic handle. One buyer on Amazon notes it can be used with one hand. Keep one-handed use for light cuts at low height and hold the tool with both hands when you work overhead.

Chain oiling

Chain lubrication is automatic, which is one less thing to remember in the middle of a cut. An oil bottle comes in the box to fill the reservoir.

The hedge side

A 12-inch dual-action hedge trimmer blade, a 12-inch shrub shear blade and a 5-inch grass shear give real capacity for hedges, shrubs and edges rather than a token attachment. The blade length is about 12 in (30 cm).

What comes in the box

• Extendable pole saw and 6-inch mini chainsaw
• Hedge trimmer, 12-inch shrub shear blade and 5-inch grass shear
• Two chains, one already fitted on the saw
• Two 4.0 Ah batteries and a fast charger
• Oil bottle, anti-slip gloves, goggles and a user manual

The gloves and goggles are included, which matters if this is your first powered cutting tool. The warranty is 2 years from the manufacturer.

Chain retention is the known weak point. Amazon's summary reports mixed chain durability, with several buyers saying the chain constantly comes off. In practice, check the tension before each session, re-tension a new chain after its first few cuts. This is the single biggest reason to think twice before buying.

Oiling needs watching

Buyers are divided on oil capacity. The automatic system saves you from pumping oil by hand, but the reservoir still needs checking during a session, and the included bottle is there for refills.

It is a homeowner tool

At 16.1 lb, the SH301 gets tiring when you hold it up at full extension. The 15 ft reach is real, but your working height is less than that headline once you count your own height and where your hands sit.

The 6-inch bar is a ceiling

The saw will not replace a full-size chainsaw for felling or thick trunks. It is built for branches, hedges, shrubs and lawn edges.

One battery platform

The 20 V packs serve this kit. There is no wider range of tools to share them with, so the batteries earn their keep only on the SH301's own heads.

Safety gear to check

Check whether the saw has a chain brake before you buy, and whatever the answer, keep your face out from under the limb you are cutting and keep both feet on the ground.

The 6-inch bar sets the largest limb the saw takes, and the 16.1 lb weight is what you feel at full extension.

Taskstar also sells the SC08, a 2-in-1 pole saw for tree trimming with an 8-inch bar, a brushless motor, an adjustable extension pole, two 4.0 Ah batteries, a charger and auto oiling, reaching a 15 ft maximum. It differs from the SH301 in its 8-inch bar instead of 6-inch, its brushless motor, and its two-in-one pole saw design rather than the six-in-one combo. Choose the SC08 if your work is mostly limbs and you want the longer bar and brushless motor; choose the SH301 if you need the hedge trimmer, shrub shear and grass shear heads as well.

The SH301 earns its place when one battery kit has to cover limbing, hedge trimming and edging in a yard of ordinary size. The two 4.0 Ah packs, the fast charger, the 15 ft reach and the four cutting heads are what you are buying, and they remove the need for separate tools and separate chargers.

It stops making sense when the chain has to stay reliable without upkeep, when you spend long stretches cutting overhead, or when the limbs you face are thicker than a 6-inch bar takes. In those cases the tool will frustrate you more than it helps.