The Black and Decker NPP2018 is one of the best value-priced cordless pole saws. Continue on for our full review.
Power
The NPP2018 uses an 18V NiCad battery system. While not quite as powerful as Black & Decker’s 20V offering, it’s still rated for pruning up to 6” tree limbs with its 8” bar. The blade cuts through smaller branches in seconds. For a lightweight cordless saw, you’d think it would bog down on bigger branches, but it really cuts quite well.
Ease of Use
B&D pole saws are some of the easiest to handle and operate, as they are very lightweight and well balanced. At 7.6 pounds, it’s one of the lightest saws available. Unlike corded saws, the weight is very well balanced between the base of the saw (battery) and the cutting end (motor, bar, and chain).
Beginners to using saws and power tools in general should have no problem operating the NPP2018 after reading through the instructions.
Maintenance and Reliability
As far as maintenance goes, cordless saws are easy. Just keep the bar and chain oiled and check the chain regularly for damage and wear. One small downside to this model is that it does not have an automatic oiler, which is a reservoir and dispenser that puts oil on the blade. You will need to use the included bottle to apply oil before each trimming session.
Reliability is excellent. Though plastics are used in various components, that doesn’t reduce the saw’s durability for occasional use.
Maximum Extension
When fully extended, the NPP2018 measures 9 feet 7 inches. This is a bit shorter than B&D’s 20V model, but is still longer than most of the competition. It has a surprisingly long reach for such a light saw – expect to reach branches as high as 14’ off the ground without a ladder.
Package Contents
The box contains the saw, battery, charger, manual, oil bottle, chain adjusting tool, carrying bag, and scabbard. The scabbard not only protects the saw, but is used to store the oil bottle and chain tool. The inclusion of a storage bag is a nice addition that most other manufacturers don’t offer, and works well for holding the saw plus all accessories.
All you’ll need is bar and chain oil to get started.
Keep in mind spare batteries can be purchased and you can interchange the 18V battery with a number of other tools from Black & Decker such as their string trimmer and hedge trimmer.
Price
At just under $100, I think this saw is a great bargain. Many other cordless saws are priced closer to $150. The NPP2018 has all the features of other brands plus more.
Warranty
Black & Decker has a 2-year parts and labor warranty covering this model.
Replacement Parts
Not much is available in the way of replacement parts for the NPP2018, but you will find replacement chains, batteries, and chargers are readily available.
Pros
– Good power for a cordless
– Very lightweight and easy to handle
– Includes storage bag
– Great overall value
Cons
– Must be manually oiled
– Charging the battery completely takes several hours
Conclusion
I would not hesitate to recommend the NPP2018 for anyone who needs an easy-to-use pole saw. Being cordless, it’s very convenient and easy to operate. The price is very reasonable for what you get, and it’s one of the best bargains around.