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.
Image | 1 ![]() Gonicc | 2 ![]() Fiskars | 3 ![]() Gardenite | 4 ![]() Gardenite | 5 ![]() Gonicc | 6 ![]() The Gardener's Friend | 7 ![]() Komok | 8 ![]() Corona | 9 ![]() Felco | 10 ![]() Okatsune |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Bypass Pruning Shears | PowerGear2 Pruner | Ultra Snip | Power Drive | Bypass Pruning Shears for Small Hands | Ratchet Pruning Shears | Cordless Electric Pruning Shears | Classic Bypass Pruner | Pruning Shears | No. 103 Bypass Pruners |
Features | Comfortable, Lightweight Shears for a Variety of Tasks | Ergonomic and Easy on Hands | Easy-to-Maintain Blades for Precision Tasks | Tough Construction to Cut Tough Branches | Perfect for Gardeners With Small Hands | Uses Leverage to Help You Make a Cut | Cordless Shears With an Ergonomic Handle | Heat-Treated Steel Bypass Blades | Ergonomic, Shock-Absorbing Handle | Sharp-Looking Handles and an Ultra-Sharp Blade |
Price | $20.95 | $24.00 | $18.95 | $24.95 | $19.95 | $39.95 | $239.98 | $22.98 | $34.39 | $35.46 |
Type | Bypass | Bypass | Bypass | Anvil | Bypass | Anvil | Electric, bypass | Bypass | Bypass | Bypass |
Blade material | Carbon steel | Steel | Stainless steel | Carbon steel, Teflon-coated | Steel | Carbon steel | High carbon steel | Steel alloy | Steel | Steel |
Cutting diameter | 3/4 in. | 3/4 in. | 5/16 in. | 5/8 in. | 13/16 in. | 1 in. | 1 in. | 1 in. | 1 in. | Not specified |
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Here are our 10 best options for pruning shears. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.
*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Amy Jeanroy.
GPPS-1002
$20.95
Type | Bypass |
---|---|
Blade material | Carbon steel |
Cutting diameter | 3/4 in. |
391041-1001
$24.00
Type | Bypass |
---|---|
Blade material | Steel |
Cutting diameter | 3/4 in. |
GT-3142
$24.95
Type | Anvil |
---|---|
Blade material | Carbon steel, Teflon-coated |
Cutting diameter | 5/8 in. |
$19.95
Type | Bypass |
---|---|
Blade material | Steel |
Cutting diameter | 13/16 in. |
3130-3
$39.95
Type | Anvil |
---|---|
Blade material | Carbon steel |
Cutting diameter | 1 in. |
JYH-700
$239.98
Type | Electric, bypass |
---|---|
Blade material | High carbon steel |
Cutting diameter | 1 in. |
BP 3180D
$22.98
Type | Bypass |
---|---|
Blade material | Steel alloy |
Cutting diameter | 1 in. |
$35.46
Type | Bypass |
---|---|
Blade material | Steel |
Cutting diameter | Not specified |
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.
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!
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