Verdict
Bigger and more powerful than the original, the Stihl GTA 30 is a pruner that uses a saw chain. With its 15cm guide rail, this tool is ideal for quickly cutting through logs up to 5cm in diameter, although it can handle some cuts above this. Dual AS 2 batteries increase the power over the original, without particularly bulking out the tool.
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Very powerful
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Easy to handle
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Excellent build quality
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Double charger and batteries add to the price
Key Features
Introduction
A bigger, more powerful pruner, the Stihl GTA 30 uses two 10.8V AS 2 batteries for more power. It has a longer blade than its predecessor, making it more versatile while maintaining similar ease of handling.
Whether you need to cut back heavy vegetation or you just want something flexible for cutting up wood, the Stihl GTA 30 is an incredible tool
Design and features
- Runs off two AS 2 batteries
- Neat carry case
- 15cm guide bar
I loved the Stihl GTA 26 cordless pruner. Incredibly powerful for such a lightweight tool, it quickly became one of my favourites, both for pruning back thicker tree growth and even cutting up smaller logs and pallets.
The Stihl GTA 30 is a bigger version of the same. It has a 15cm guide bar, with a ¼-inch PM3 saw chain for the cutting. To cope with the extra length, this tool takes two of Stihl’s compact 10.8V AS 2 batteries.
These clip into the end of the pruner, but maintain the tool’s balance, and they don’t noticeably add to the pruner’s weight (it’s 1.5kg without and 1.94kg with both batteries).
The tool comes with the batteries and a double charger, which adds to the price, but the charger really is required: you get both AS 2 batteries ready at the same time, and you can then use the charger with other tools that use the same system, such as the Stihl ASA 20 Cordless Secateurs.
There’s a travel case in the box, which adds protection and makes the Stihl GTA 30 easier to store.
Open it up and there’s space inside for up to four AS 2 batteries, the charger, the pruner and some of Stihl’s MultiOil Bio for lubricating the chain.
As with the GTA 26, maintenance of the Stihl GTA 30 is pretty simple. There’s a simple tensioning system via the RightChain system, which has a fold-out handle.
After each battery depletion, the chain should be brushed clean, then oil should be applied under the guide and the device run to lubricate.
Using the Stihl GTA 30 is also very easy. It’s designed to be used two-handed: one hand on top for stability, and one around the handle.
As this is a pruner, you can use this tool with standard safety gear: protective eyewear and gloves.
For safety, there’s a thumb switch (on either side to suit left-and-right-handed people), and then a trigger that engages the saw chain.
Press the pruner gently into the cutting surface, as the guide slowly lifts up to allow clean passage through.
Battery life is indicated by the three LEDs on the side of the tool, so it’s easy to keep an eye on how long you’ve got left.
Performance
- Cuts quickly
- Very easy to use
- Flexible
Using the Stihl GTA 30 is as easy as its predecessor, as it’s light and simple to manoeuvre where you want it. Once up to speed, the saw chain can be placed on the surface to cut, and then you don’t need very much pressure to start cutting.
Stihl recommends that this tool is used on logs up to 5cm in diameter, although that 15cm guide bar does mean that you can tackle thicker items. I had some old logs around 12cm in diameter, and managed to cut them up into smaller chunks, suitable for burning.
The wood was quite soft, which helped, and I wouldn’t do a lot of heavy-duty cutting with this tool, but this serves to show that the Stihl GTA 30 is capable of a lot.
For anything of 5cm and below, the GTA 30 cuts through with ease, much faster than the previous model could manage.
I also had some old pallets and decking that needed cutting, as well as some smaller logs below the 5cm recommended diameter. What’s impressive is how quickly the pruner moves through all of these items, making it a brilliant utility device outside of pruning jobs.
Battery life is rated at up to 180 cuts of 4cm diameter wood, which is double that of the GTA 26’s rated life. That stacks up, and for your typical pruning jobs and cutting down larger branches into more manageable ones, the Stihl GTA 30 will easily last.
Should you buy it?
You want a versatile pruning tool
Ideal for regular pruning of branches up to 5cm in diameter, this tool is also useful for cutting up wood and for general use around the garden.
You need to deal with big logs
If you want to cut up sizeable logs, you may want to invest in a cordless chainsaw and safety gear, too.
Final Thoughts
An incredibly versatile tool, the Stihl GTA 30 is light, small and very powerful. Whether you want to cut wood up for a fire, deal with old pallets or prune back a tree, this tool can handle it all.
How We Test
We test every pruner we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
- We test each pruner for ease of use and handling
- We cut a variety of branches to see what jobs each pruner is good (or bad) at
- For battery-powered models, we see how far they can cut before running out of power
FAQs
Yes, it will only operate with both batteries installed.
Yes, you should wear protective eyewear and gloves while using this pruner.
Full Specs
| Stihl GTA 30 Review | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Stihl |
| Size (Dimensions) | x x INCHES |
| Weight | 1.94 KG |
| Release Date | 2026 |
| First Reviewed Date | 24/06/2026 |
| Model Number | Stihl GTA 30 |
| Adjustable length | – |
| Power source | Battery |
| Blade length (cm) | 15 cm |
| Hedge trimmer type | Hedge trimmer |
| UK RRP | £279 |
| USA RRP | TBC |
