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Do you have greenery in the yard that's getting unruly? Or are you looking to remove and cut up dead wood? Whether you opt for a traditional or an electric, cordless option, pruning shears can help you remove and tame wood, shrubbery, and any other plants you need to work with! You can choose from more classic brands, like Felco, or upgrade to a more modern option from the quality Japanese brands like Ryobi.
To help you find the best pruning shears out there, we did the research for you and came up with a list of 10 great options. We fell in love with the Gonicc Professional Bypass Pruning Shears because of their ergonomic handle, sap grooves, and 3/4 inches cutting diameter! See what else made our 10 best list, as well as points to keep in mind while shopping in our buying guide, reviewed by a master gardener and homestead blogger.
Gardening and wildcrafting food for her family, Amy grows in a variety of gardens including hydroponic, raised beds, containers, and in the ground. As a master gardener, she has successfully gardened across the country.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
When it comes to choosing the best shears, you'll want to consider overall type, blade type, cutting diameter, and specific features. Here's what to keep in mind.
While deciding on the best secateurs for you, you'll want to think about what kinds of cuts you'll need to make and how you'll want to make them.
Anvil shears have a head with a sharp cutting blade and an anvil that come together to make a powerful cut.
They’re spring-loaded and open after making each cut, so that your hand doesn’t wear out too quickly. But, since anvil pruners cut so harshly, they’re best used when it doesn’t matter whether you make a clean cut, like when cutting old or dead wood.
Bypass shears, on the other hand, have a curved blade and a base. These two pieces move past each other and make a cleaner cut. Bypass pruners are better for greenery, as they can work with both hard and soft tissues.
Anything delicate, such as fruits or vegetables, should be pruned with a bypass model. Its clean, delicate cut doesn’t crush stems or branches, which can be harmful to plants. The easy use of bypass secateurs also makes them better for people with conditions like arthritis.
And if you want extra assistance from your shears, you can opt for a motorized, electric version. These typically allow you to prune with the use of a trigger, making the model easier to use and more reliable. Some models are plug-in, but most today are cordless, running on changeable or rechargeable batteries.
Other benefits to electric pruning shears include easy-to-switch settings for varying cutting power and ability, and other helpful features such as built-in LED lights to illuminate where you’re working.
There’s a wide array of blade materials. Steel blades are usually best because they’re durable, sturdy, and effective. Stainless steel blades are best for light pruning, as they’re fairly rust-resistant, but dull quickly.
Carbon steel blades are another popular option. They’re stronger than stainless steel versions, but they’re also more likely to rust. You’ll have to clean and oil them more.
Titanium-coated blades, which usually have a gold tint to them, are generally very good blades, since they’re durable, rust-resistant, and sharp. There are other coatings to prevent rust and corrosion as well, such as non-stick Teflon and chrome coatings.
You’ll also have to get a pair of shears with the right cutting diameter for your needs. Size is calculated in relation to what you’ll be cutting.
Most shears’ cutting ability ranges anywhere from a half to one and a half inches. You can use any size for cutting small greenery, but typically, larger stems require pruners with a cutting diameter of at least three-quarter inches.
Some shears come with an adjustable pivot, which allows you to manually change the type of cut you get. Certain models also have dual adjustment mechanisms, which allow you to change both open position and blade tension. If you have adjustable shears, there’s no need to have more than one pair with you at a time!
Some models also have angled heads that make awkward cutting easier and prevent wrist fatigue. Another helpful feature is a safety latch, which keeps blades in a closed position when they’re not in use.
You’ll also want to decide what kind of handle you need your shears to have. Some models offer more of a non-slip, looped, or ergonomic type of grip, which can include padding or special mechanisms for easier use.
And certain blades have sap grooves, which helps skim off sap, so they don’t gum up during or after use. In addition, some have covered springs to protect against sap as well as other debris.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gonicc Bypass Pruning Shears |GPPS-1002 | $20.95 Low Mid | Comfortable, Lightweight Shears for a Variety of Tasks | ||
2 | Fiskars PowerGear2 Pruner|391041-1001 | $24.00 Mid | Ergonomic and Easy on Hands | ||
3 | Gardenite Ultra Snip | $18.95 Low Mid | Easy-to-Maintain Blades for Precision Tasks | ||
4 | Gardenite Power Drive|GT-3142 | $24.95 Mid | Tough Construction to Cut Tough Branches | ||
5 | Gonicc Bypass Pruning Shears for Small Hands | $19.95 Low Mid | Perfect for Gardeners With Small Hands | ||
6 | The Gardener's Friend Ratchet Pruning Shears|3130-3 | $39.95 High Mid | Uses Leverage to Help You Make a Cut | ||
7 | Komok Cordless Electric Pruning Shears |JYH-700 | $239.98 High | Cordless Shears With an Ergonomic Handle | ||
8 | Corona Classic Bypass Pruner|BP 3180D | $22.98 Mid | Heat-Treated Steel Bypass Blades | ||
9 | Felco Pruning Shears|F5 | $34.39 High Mid | Ergonomic, Shock-Absorbing Handle | ||
10 | Okatsune No. 103 Bypass Pruners | $35.46 High Mid | Sharp-Looking Handles and an Ultra-Sharp Blade |
These bypass shears have ergonomic, non-slip handles that are made of aluminum wrapped in a layer of PVC. They're eight inches long with a handle lock and adjustable tension. The blades have sap grooves and are made of high carbon steel, and can cut branches up to three-quarters of an inch.
A few customers said their shears dulled quickly and some others reported that the spring broke apart. But, overall, multiple reviewers praised these shears for their clean cutting ability and how comfortable they are to use. A few people noted they're comfortable even if you have small hands.
These bypass shears have steel blades with a low-friction coating that facilitates smooth cutting and fights against rust and gumming up. They also have a special mechanism to focus power where branches are thickest while cutting. And this model even has contoured handles for comfortable use and reduced hand fatigue.
A few customers said these shears were tough to use if you don't have large hands, and also noted that this model is awkward for left-handed people. But reviewers praised these shears for how easy they were on their hands, especially those with arthritis. And a few others praised this model's ergonomics and cutting mechanism.
These bypass shears are equipped with stainless steel blades suitable for pruning small stems and deadheading. The handles are over six inches long and are made of chromed zinc with a rubber grip. They're spring-loaded to avoid hand fatigue.
A few customers noted that they were annoyed with the difficulty of undoing the safety lock. But multiple customers praised the comfort of the handles and say they're easy to use. They also like how simple the blades are to maintain and mention they cut cleanly.
These anvil shears are equipped with heat-treated and hardened carbon steel blades, which are coated with non-stick Teflon for fighting sap and other stickiness. The handles have an ergonomic design that requires less pressure to cut in order to reduce hand fatigue.
They also have a ratcheting mechanism that allows you to cut in steps. Each new step will provide more pressure, so you can more easily cut large diameter branches and hard woods.
A few buyers said the ratchet broke quickly. But people loved these shears for their sharpness and how long they stay that way. Customers also noted how easy the secateurs are on their hands. They also like how they're lightweight.
These bypass shears have blades of hardened steel with sap grooves. This model also has an ergonomic, non-slip handle made of aluminum and PVC and are specifically made for smaller hands.
Some buyers had issues with the safety lock being stuck in the "on" position and one person said the blade tends to pop out of alignment. But multiple reviewers loved the sharpness of these shears, how easy they are to use with small hands, and their powerful cutting ability.
These anvil pruning shears have an ergonomic handle that makes this model great for seniors or people with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. They have a ratchet mechanism that uses leverage to help make a cut, which means less effort from you. They can cut greenery up to one inch thick and have a carbon steel blade.
Some with small hands were disappointed that these secateurs didn't fit their hands well, and others found that they broke quickly. But, overall people loved these shears for their ratchet mechanism and how easy they are to cut with. Multiple customers also praised this model's powerful cutting ability.
These shears are powered by a 2AH large-capacity rechargeable battery and have blades made of carbon steel. They come with a carrying case and a charger and include two batteries with a promise of up to eight hours of working time. They have a cutting diameter of about an inch and a shockproof, ergonomic handle design.
Some customers found that their shears stopped working quickly and a few others reported poor battery life. But, overall, people loved how they require little effort to use and say they're great for casual gardeners with arthritis or other hand issues. And one buyer loved these shears' case and included a spare blade.
These bypass pruners have fully heat-treated blades made of steel alloy. They can cut up to one inch in diameter and have sap grooves to avoid gumming up. The hook and blade are matched by hand, and its blades are replaceable and can be sharpened. Its spring is made of solid steel and it should be lubricated after each use.
Some buyers noted these shears were tough to work with and a few others didn't find the handle comfortable. But, overall people loved the sharpness and clean cuts they left. And multiple customers said the safety lock works very well.
These shears are equipped with hardened-steel blades and forged aluminum handles. The blades are narrow so you can cut a branch flush to the main trunk. They weigh 11 ounces in all, and the handle is also ergonomic and has a cushioned shock absorber.
Some customers reported that their shears' blades tended to accumulate sap, and a few others said these are hard to use with smaller hands. But, overall, buyers loved the sharp, clean cuts, how they seem to be sturdily-made, and their ease of use!
These bypass shears are equipped with blades made of Japanese steel. This model weighs eight ounces, has eye-catching red and white handles, and a simple yet effective spring.
Some buyers found the handles too slick, and note that they open pretty wide, so they may cause fatigue if you have small hands. But overall, people loved how sharp these shears' blades were and how long they stayed sharp! Multiple customers also noted how well the safety lock works.
Looking for more tools and gear to make your life easier while gardening or working with other plants? Check out these articles for some more helpful options!
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Gonicc|Bypass Pruning Shears |GPPS-1002
No. 2: Fiskars|PowerGear2 Pruner|391041-1001
No. 3: Gardenite|Ultra Snip
No. 4: Gardenite|Power Drive|GT-3142
No. 5: Gonicc|Bypass Pruning Shears for Small Hands
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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