We researched the best pruners for many types of needs such as trimming rose bushes, flowers and even trees. Our top overall pick is the Fiskars 391041-1001 PowerGear2 Pruner; we believe it has the best combination of sharp blades for the cleanest cuts; best size, so you can access just where and how you need to cut; and are easy on your hand. To help you find the right pruners for you and for the tasks you need to accomplish in the garden, here are the best pruners on the market. Sharp enough to snip away the most tender stem but heavy-duty enough to handle branches up to 3/4 inch thick, the Fiskars PowerGear 2 Pruner is a must-have tool. Use them for all kinds of tasks, whether to remove wayward branches, or snip stems while gathering a fresh bouquet for the table. We love the smooth operation of the blades. A modified gear-and-cam mechanism allows cutting through branches easily without having to apply excessive hand pressure. And the bypass-style hardened steel blades have a low-friction coating that allows sap to roll off, reducing gumming and providing rust resistance. The contoured handles, which rotate, are designed to reduce hand fatigue. The handles are comfortable and should fit the shape and natural motion of most hands, And, the cutting action makes the pruners easy to use for those with small hands and less hand strength. However, we’ve noted that lefties can’t take advantage of this feature because the handles rotate only one way. We do like that after you clean the blades before you use them, you can lock the blades so they can remain free of gunk. Fiskars backs up this product with a lifetime guarantee. Price at time of publish: $27 A sap groove forged into the hardened steel blades is designed to prevent sap from building up during use and causing the blades to stick. When you are ready to store them, you can lock the blades to keep them gunk-free. (Though we have noted that the mechanism can seem stiff, at least at first.) All parts of the Felco F2 pruners are replaceable and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Price at time of publish: $59 Made from lightweight aluminum, the handgrip is coated with soft rubber to prevent slippage and is suitable for both left and right-handed users. The carbon steel blade is coated to prevent stickiness from sap. And to clean them, you can use the included detachable sponge. These pruners also come with a spare blade; you can purchase a replacement when both have become dull. Price at time of publish: $40 The chrome-plated blades offer protection against rust and sap and are offset to maximize hand strength. Replacement blades are available, and the ARS website has step-by-step illustrations of how to replace blades on all of their models. The Japanese manufacturer notes that the only authentic version of this product—covered by the 25-year product-wide limited warranty—arrives with English packaging and with red handles. Any product arriving with blue handles is not a genuine ARS pruner. Price at time of publish: $30 The easy-on-the-hands action in no way subtracts from their effectiveness. These bypass pruners feature exceptionally sharp titanium blades that cut branches up to 3/4 inches in diameter. The scissor-like motion is smooth and leaves a clean cut. As with many other products we recommend, this one includes a sap groove in the anvil blade that’s designed to channel off sap. This can help keep pruning shears from sticking. The pruners have a lifetime warranty. Price at time of publish: $28 The dial not only adjusts the grip size but also changes the cutting power level of the coated non-stick blades. Lower settings are best for small, fast cuts of new plant growth. Higher settings work best when cutting through large, woody branches. The carbon steel blades easily clip a variety of plants with a single hand. Those include thin and flexible vines, citrus tree branches, and woody branches. On the downside, we have noted that the locking mechanism, intended to keep the blades from getting gunked up during storage, can engage after every cut. Also, we’ve noted a tendency for the blades to rust prematurely. Price at time of publish: $30 Cuts are made by squeezing a trigger on the ergonomic handle, and the manufacturer claims a cut rate of a half-inch branch in half a second. A safety switch helps prevent accidental cuts. An extra plus is the dual LED lights to help pinpoint the stem that needs to be removed. The manufacturer claims the battery can last up to 750 cuts when fully charged, but we believe 350 is a more reliable number. Price at time of publish: $56 These Corona bypass loppers are sturdy but lightweight enough (1.5 pounds) to maneuver easily, and the high-carbon-steel blades can cut through branches up to 1.5 inches thick. The blades can be resharpened or replaced for years of sharp cuts. The handles feature 12-inch non-slip foam grips. But we have noted that they can tend to slide, requiring continuous readjustment. The manufacturer offers a 10-year limited warranty. Price at time of publish: $36 Of course, this product is also appropriate for righties, particularly those with large hands. Both lefties and righties also should appreciate the product’s light weight, at just over half a pound. What we don’t appreciate is the price point, which is almost 30 percent higher than their right-handed models. Price at time of publish: $91 But we note that the little things make this pruner stand out. For instance, the hardened-steel blades have built-in sap grooves, which should help prevent them from sticking. A wire cutting notch can prevent excessive blade blunting. And the cushioned red grips make these essential garden implements easy to find. Plus, the blades and other components are replaceable, so your purchase never wears out. Price at time of publish: $55
The two-blade system (pruner and two-edged saw) and chain drive should be able to snip branches to 1.25 inches thick. (The manufacturer claims its trademarked technology gives you more power to cut, although we don’t understand how you could measure this.) And you can remove the saw, by undoing a thumbscrew, if you just want to snip thin branches. The manufacturer ensures this product with a full lifetime warranty on the pole, although the blades and rope will degrade over time. Price at time of publish: $90 Anvil pruners use only one sharpened blade that produces a crushing action to remove branches as it strikes a groove on the stationary base. They are best for dead branches but can crush soft green stems. Bypass pruners make cuts with two sharpened blades. They are perfect for green branches and stems because they make clean cuts that help prevent disease from invading the plant. Ratchet pruners are similar to anvil pruners but have a mechanism that allows you to exert less pressure on the handles while cutting larger branches. As you squeeze the handles about halfway, the ratchet mechanism engages, releasing the handles to open wider so you can squeeze again to finish the cut. Ratchet pruners are best for removing larger dead branches from woody shrubs.
Size
The type of job you’re tackling certainly influences the size of pruners you want to pick, but so should the size of your hands and how much weight you’re able to handle comfortably. Some pruners are made specifically for those with small hands. They come in a variety of materials, some of which are heavier than others.
Ease of Use
Pruning can be a tough job, but the right pair of pruners can make the job easier. From those products with ergonomic grips to special handles built for comfort, various factors affect how easy the products are to use. Some are made specifically for people with hands that have been weakened by arthritis, age, and other factors.
Ergonomic Design
Foam, gel, or easy-grip handles can help prevent hand fatigue. Choose a grip that is suitable for the size of your hands.
Safety Features
The best pruners have locking mechanisms that keep the blades closed when not in use. While this feature is essential for safety, it can be frustrating if it engages while using the pruners. Choose a pruner with the lock near the blades rather than the grip to prevent accidental engagement.
Blade Material
The best blades are rust- and corrosion-resistant and coated to help sap slide away, preventing the blades from sticking. Stainless steel blades do not rust but are difficult to sharpen and can break or bend on hard branches. Carbon-steel blades are tough and strong and can be sharpened but are prone to rust unless coated. Look for carbon-steel blades that are coated with titanium (they are gold in color) that provide strength and rust resistance.
Spring Mechanism
The spring mechanism in pruners forces the blades apart after each cut. Look for a securely attached, heavy-duty spring that can withstand years of use.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Mary Marlowe Leverette researched and wrote this roundup. She is a Master Gardener and has extensive personal and professional experience testing, reviewing, and writing about home and garden products. You can find more of her work on The Spruce.
Different plants should be pruned at different times. Since pruning fruit trees and berry plants could harm them when they are producing fruit, the best time to prune those plants is during winter dormancy. For spring-blooming trees and shrubs, wait until their old flowers have fallen, generally in late spring, and before new buds come in. You may need to continuously prune other plants so they can remain vigorous.
