The Best Pruning Shears in 2023

Pruning, aka not that thing that happens to your fingers when you spend too much time soaking in water. How can you do it? Well, the first step is investing in some of the best pruning shears, and we’ve got you covered. Garden and yard work is fulfilling and relaxing, but only when you have the right tools. Using bad shears, clippers, and loppers will turn a relaxing experience into a frustrating fiasco, so it’s important to do a bit of research before choosing a seemingly simple pair of pruning shears.

We’ve compiled a list of pruning shears that’ll satisfy any green thumb out there. A good set of pruning shears need some weight to them. Too much weight and they’ll be uncomfortable. Too little, and the quality might become questionable. It’s not the most straightforward process but, together, we can find the right tool for you. From some promising underdogs to the industry’s most wanted, here is our best pruning shears list.

felco f-2 classic manual hand pruner
  • Sap groove
  • Anvil blade (even if it’s bent)
  • Wire cutting notch
  • Metal handles with rubberized wraps

Tending to a garden or orchard is a passion, and any passion needs to be complemented by quality tools. The Felco F-2 pruner comes with a sap groove, invaluable if you’re planning on cutting trees. This inlet that’s placed conveniently along your lower blade will keep your shears functional for longer. Things won’t get sticky and clean up is much, much easier.

The rubberized, shock-absorbing rubber cushion makes these Felco pruners a delight to use. Much easier on the palms than other products. The aluminum handles are lightweight and balance well with the hardened steel blades. Felco is one of the more premium pruner brands out there, and this blade will definitely make trimming your trees and hedges an easy task.

The ergonomic design allows it to fit comfortably in your hand and to get good angles, no matter what you’re cutting. The blades stay sharp for long, the handle doesn’t cause your hands to blister, and the design is very on point. It’s more expensive, but with more longevity than other products, you’re definitely gonna get good mileage out of this pair of pruners.

Pros:
  • Good price-performance ratio
  • Simple, ergonomic design
  • Durable, quality steel that resist corrosion
Cons:
  • People with small hands might have trouble using this

Fiskars Steel Bypass Pruning Shears

The Best Bypass Pruning Shears

fiskars steel bypass pruning shears
  • Ideal for cutting branches and twigs up to ⅝’’ in diameter
  • Foamy handles for comfort
  • Carbon steel blades
  • Low-friction coating

Fiskars is a well-reputed gardening brand. Their steel bypass pruners are great for maintaining shrubbery, house plants, small branches, anything that is under ⅝-inches in diameter. Bypass pruning shears, in general, aren’t heavy-duty tools. This particular item is affordable and can definitely be used for light yard work.

The steel blades are durable, but with a short handle and a short blade length, you won’t be using this on trees (unless it’s just some twigs), and thick bush branches. The blades are made using steel, so they’ll last for a while and they’re easy to sharpen. The heat-treated carbon steel holds its shape for long, and the initial sharpness is resilient.

The product comes at a reasonable price and with a lifetime warranty. Fiskars put their trust in the quality of their products, and you should too. This product is perfect for maintaining small plants, either indoors or outdoors, but not for trimming hedges and trees.

Pros:
  • Lifetime warranty
  • High-quality craftsmanship
  • Very affordable
  • Carbon steel blade
  • Easy to handle
  • Good for all hand types
Cons:
  • Not made for thick branches

Corona BP 3180D Forged Classic Bypass Pruner

Great for Thicker Branches

corona bp 3180d forged classic bypass pruner
  • Heat-treated steel blade
  • Bypass-style pruner

If you’re looking for quality bypass pruners, then look no further. The Corona BP 3180D classic is a product targeted towards conscientious homeowners. The design is perfect to work small plants with, the blades are long-enough to cut branches that are as thick as 1 inch in diameter, and the blades are heat-treated for longevity.

The Corona BP 3180D forged is a good product for people who are looking for an affordable product that delivers quality and a good amount of features packed in the purchase. You have heat-treated steel that guarantees a sharp blade right out of the box and a shape that holds even after multiple sharpenings.

With a sap groove, the product won’t get sticky and will allow you to trim plants in long sessions without having to deal with cleanup after each cut. The handle is not the most comfortable, but it’s long enough to give you a good amount of force to cut through the plants, so it’s good enough. Overall, it’s a solid product.

Pros:
  • Heat-treated steel blades are long-lasting
  • Good build quality
  • Sap groove makes cleanup easier
Cons:
  • Handle is not very comfortable

The Gardener’s Friend Pruners

The Best Pruning Shears for Roses

the gardener's friend pruners
  • Ratcheting design
  • Compact
  • Ergonomic handles

The Gardener’s Friend pruners bring a level of comfort that’s unmatched. The handle is very ergonomic, the blade is big enough to cut through 1-inch branches, and the ratchet system allows you to keep clipping without getting your hands worn-out. It’s an ideal product for people who aren’t in great shape but still want to keep their plants nice and trim.

The Gardener’s Friend pruners are aptly named. They’re designed for people who value comfort and utility above all else. The design is visually-appealing, the features are tailored for a comfort fit, and the blades hold their shape throughout years of use. If you’re looking for something heavy-duty, these aren’t gonna get you through thick branches, but if you’re looking for something reliable and steady, these will land you with just that.

Pros:
  • Easy to use
  • Durable materials
  • Affordable
Cons:
  • Great for small plants and flowers, but not for thicker branches
  • Not strong enough for hardwood

gonicc GPPS-1003 8″ Pruning Shears

Compact, Comfortable, Powerful

gonicc gpps-1003 pruning shears
  • ¾-inch max cuts
  • Bypass-style pruners
  • Foam comfort grip handles
  • Titanium steel blades

Quality is arguably the most important aspect of a tool. You need reliable materials, a good brand, and a solid design. The gonicc GPPS-1003 provides the user with titanium steel blades. The foam handles are grippy and comfortable, so you can keep trimming and pruning for lengthy periods of time without having to worry too much about getting tired.

The titanium steel blade is less flexible than other types of steel, so it’s going to hold its shape better throughout time, allowing you to work on hardwood, and keeping the blades sharp for as long as possible. The sap groove keeps any sticky sap away from your clipping mechanism, allowing you to work without having the need to keep wiping your tool every few trims.

With a max ¾’’ cut, you can use it on different plants and trees, but you don’t have the freedom to trim really thick branches. For one, that’s not what a bypass pruner is for in the first place. Secondly, the handle isn’t big enough to generate enough force to cut through thick branches either. This is a great product if you’re looking to maintain a small garden, some indoor plants, anything along these lines.

Pros:
  • Premium quality
  • Great for livewood
  • Very ergonomic design
Cons:
  • Not amazing for thicker branches
  • Not amazing for deadwood

KOHAM Professional Cordless Electric Pruning Shears

The Best Electric Pruning Shears

koham professional cordless electric pruning shears
  • 8000 cuts on a full charge
  • Up to 1.18-inch cuts
  • Two included batteries
  • Bypass-style blades

With a brushless motor, a powerful battery, and the capacity to cut branches up to 1.18-inches in diameter, the Koham professional cordless electric pruning shears is the best product for true professionals. With a hefty price tag, all of the money you’re planning on investing goes towards quality and ergonomics. The brushless motor allows this pair of electric pruning shears to run a long time on a charge, without having the need to keep swapping batteries.

The included battery holds about 8000 cuts on a full charge, so you’re covered for months of trimming. These bypass pruners are easy to use, so they’re ideal for senior gardeners who aren’t as spry as they used to be. The design is solid, the product is covered by a good warranty, and Koham even included a secondary battery, so you can always get to work, no matter what.

Price-wise, they’re a bit expensive. If you’re on the market for something value-oriented, check out another product that we’ve featured, but if you’re looking for quality above all else, then this is the right choice for you.

Pros:
  • Very comfortable to use
  • Great quality
  • Fit to cut thick branches
Cons:
  • Very expensive compared to manual shears

Fiskars 7.9-12 Foot Extendable Tree Pruning Stik Pruner

The Best Pruner for Trees

fiskars 7.9-12 foot extendable tree pruning stik pruner
  • 12-foot pole
  • Can cut up to 1 ¼-inch thick branches
  • Telescopic design

If you’re looking to prune some trees, then what we’ve presented you with so far would be of little help. Let’s take a look at a tree pruning stick, namely the Fiskars Stik Pruner, a product with a solid design, sharp blades, and a 12-foot pole, you’re getting a lean, mean pruning machine.

With a lifetime warranty, a telescopic pole, and a blade that can cut 1 and ¼’’ branches, you can trim the trees on your property with ease. Typically, pruning sticks come with a rope to work the blade, which leaves you with an unsteady grip and poor cutting power. This product, however, allows you to cut using two hands, giving you maximum precision and stability. It’s also easier to maneuver by people who aren’t in peak physical condition.

Pros:
  • Easy to store
  • Lightweight and easy to maneuver
  • Hardened steel blade
Cons:
  • Not amazing for pruning low-hanging trees and plants

How to Choose the Best Pruning Shears

If you’re a gardener, you know that choosing the right pair of pruners or loppers can be a problem. There’s a lot of work that you have to put into making your garden look pristine. Keeping your plants healthy involves a lot of research. The right hedge trimmers, lawn edgers, it can be daunting. Let’s take a look at a few pointers to help you pick the best pruners for the job at hand.

Anvil vs Bypass Shears

Anvil-style blades are great for clean cuts. The sharp blade pushes perpendicularly on the anvil, resulting in clean cuts. That being said, when you use an anvil-style pruner on live wood, you’ll have a bad time. Live wood (like rose branches and stems), is very malleable, and you won’t find a good angle for the cut, stunting the growth of that branch. For live wood, bypass pruners will yield much better results. Bypass blades act more like scissors, so it doesn’t matter if the wood is malleable; you’ll get a clean cut either way.

With that being said, anvil shears do provide more cutting power, so hardwood and anything that’s brittle will be easier to cut with an anvil-style pair of shears.

Blade Length

For gardening, most pruners will work. If you only need to trim flowers, then blade length shouldn’t be a big concern to you. With that in mind, if you’re planning on trimming trees, having a decent-size blade will make your job much easier. It’s important to get clean cuts for the future growth of your trees. Pick up a blade that’s rated to cut at least 1-inch branches.

Handles

Your hands will definitely become sore if you don’t pick up an ergonomic product. Foam handles are definitely the best. You get a lot of shock absorption and can do a lot of trimming until you start noticing any kind of discomfort in the palms of your hand. Subpar pruners have rubber wraps, that will definitely start stripping with time, leaving you with sharp edges digging into your palms.

Blade Quality

You need a good, quality blade. Any sort of steel alloy will do the trick. Steel is one of the most durable metals out there, and it is resilient to corrosion. Add some non-stick coating and you have a very good, very reliable pair of shears that will last for a long time. Sure, you’ll still have to maintain and sharpen the blades, but not as often.

About The Author

Catalin Tabacu

Living in a small mountain town, Catalin likes to spend his free time on the trails or at the lake. Big fan of the occasional morning jog (emphasis on occasional) and constantly trying out different diets, he likes to keep an eye out on current dieting trends and fitness influencers. Being a scrappy guy, he also likes to take things into his own hands when possible, so when the time comes to retouch the hardwood floors or to give the furniture a new finish, he doesn't shy away from getting his hands dirty.

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