The best pruning shears make yard work more enjoyable. Trimming trees and pruning plants can be quite a chore without the proper tools at your disposal. Pruning shears utilize sharp blades, compound action movements, and ratcheting levers to multiply your inherent hand strength for clean, effortless cuts. There are styles of pruning shears that are specifically designed for large tree branches, some for small flowers, and there are many multipurpose models that can take on your entire yard’s variety of vegetation.
We reviewed dozens of pruning shears and have identified the best on the market for your gardening and landscaping needs. Considering factors such as material quality, ease of use, and overall functionality we have chosen our top picks and provided a detailed rundown of the rest to give you the definitive guide to the best pruning shears available today.
After conducting exhaustive research on a plethora of pruning shears we have chosen the Truly Garden Pruning Shears as our top overall pick. The people who regularly use these pruning shears praise them for their quality craftsmanship. They compare well against premium brand name pruning shears which can cost more than double what these Truly Garden Pruning Shears are going for.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Pruning Shears
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pruning Shears Overall | Truly Garden Pruning Shears | 4.7 |
| Best Electric Pruning Shears | KOMOK Professional Electric Pruning Shears | 4.4 |
| Best Budget Pruning Shears | TABOR TOOLS Multi-Task Pruning Shears | 4.8 |
| Best Pruning Shears for Plants | EnduroPRO Titanium Pruning Shears | 4.6 |
| Best Pruning Shears for Trees | Terme Compound Action Pruning Shears | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Pruning Shears Overall: Truly Garden Pruning Shears
The Truly Garden Pruning Shears are a well-rounded tool that any gardener would be happy to have in their landscaping toolbox. Truly Garden is a family-owned business run by a United States veteran based in Los Gatos, California. The company’s mission is to produce high-quality, long-lasting gardening tools, and they back that statement up with a five-year no questions asked warranty on all of their products.
These refined pruning shears feature ergonomic aluminum grips with cushioned coatings, hardened steel blades, a rubber shock absorber, and a spring-loaded fulcrum. They’re made well and kept simple to perform reliably for years to come. This size of pruner is ideal for most garden uses from cutting display flowers to pruning branches up to 20mm thick.
This product comes packaged with a genuine leather sheath that holds the pruning shears snugly in place and can be easily attached to your belt or belted toolkit. It’s a convenient way to keep this multipurpose tool handy while you’re working in your garden.
Truly Garden Pruning Shears Key Features:
- 8.5 inches in total length
- Bypass-style pruning shears
- Genuine leather sheath included
- Five-year warranty
Best Electric Pruning Shears: KOMOK Professional Electric Pruning Shears
There’s no stopping the KOMOK Professional Electric Pruning Shears, that is as long as you don’t trigger the built-in safety mechanisms. These power pruners can cut through countless branches up to 30mm in thickness without issue, and the device will work tirelessly for up to seven hours before needing a battery recharge. The fast-charging adapter will have your battery at full power in as little as 90 minutes so you can quickly get back to pruning if you feel so inclined.
Dual lithium-ion batteries power the brushless motor with 600W of power, turning the heavy-duty steel alloy blade into a cutting force that every dangling tree branch and unwieldy lavender stem should fear. The safety trigger is the first line of defense against accidents, and the pruner’s secondary touch-sensitive safety mode will stop the device if it feels your finger or body touch the blade.
Backup batteries and blades can be purchased from the manufacturer to keep this electric pruner operational for a lifetime. Beware though, because once you purchase a power pruner this good you’ll never want to go back to manual pruning shears ever again!
KOMOK Professional Electric Pruning Shears Key Features:
- Packaged with two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
- Cuts branches up to 30mm thick
- Six to seven-hour battery life
- 18-month warranty
Best Budget Pruning Shears: TABOR TOOLS Multi-Task Pruning Shears
More than simple floral scissors, the TABOR TOOLS Multi-Task Pruning Shears have the strength to cut pencil-thick branches and stems while retaining the maneuverability and precision needed for delicate floral cuts. This little tool can do it all, or, at least it thinks it can. Don’t try to cut large branches with it because you’ll hurt its pride.
That said, the stainless steel blades are more capable than they at first appear. The shock-absorbing spring allows you to squeeze as hard as you want without risk of injuring your hand or wrist, and the straight-edged blades are easy to sharpen.
A locking clip can be used to securely store away the pruning shears when they are not in use. The fulcrum is held together by an adjustable nut and bolt that can be conveniently taken apart for easy cleaning and blade sharpening.
TABOR TOOLS Multi-Task Pruning Shears Key Features:
- Stainless steel construction
- Locking clip
- Shock-absorbing spring
Best Pruning Shears for Plants: EnduroPRO Titanium Pruning Shears
The EnduroPro Titanium Pruning Shears were designed to adapt on-the-fly to different gardening situations. A Micrometric Adjustment System can be manipulated to work with different hand sizes and various plant stem girths. With the flick of a thumb, you can set the handles to fully open by default or to open only halfway which is ideal for smaller hands. The blade tension can be altered depending on the task at hand to create precise cuts every single time.
Additionally, the steel cutting blade of these pruning shears is coated in titanium for reduced friction and enhanced rust prevention. The blade itself has been fastened with sap grooves to keep sticky sap and excess debris from sticking to the blade, and a small wire-cutting notch has been punched into the blade near its fulcrum for multipurpose landscaping versatility. You never know when a wire might get in your way!
This device can cut branches up to 30mm thick. You’d think all of these extra features may lead to a less-reliable end product, but these pruning shears come backed by a lifetime warranty. If you like to fine-tune your pruning, these are the shears for you.
EnduroPRO Titanium Pruning Shears Key Features:
- Titanium-coated blade
- Sap groove and wire-cutting notch
- Micrometric Adjustment System
- Lifetime warranty
Best Pruning Shears for Trees: Terme Compound Action Pruning Shears
There are bigger, more powerful tree loppers on the market that can cut through much larger branches, but the Terme Compound Action Pruning Shears are a well-balanced set of long-reaching pruning shears that will take care of what most people need without overstepping into heavy-duty landscaping territory.
These are more like the other pruning shears on our list than heavy-duty tree loppers, only with longer handles and a wider bite. The compound lever system is a marvel of engineering that enhances your own leverage force and multiplies it for a stronger, easier cut. Combining that long 30-inch reach and powerful leverage with a razor-sharp Teflon-coated blade leaves you with this beast of a tree trimmer. The extra-wide bite can grip and slice a branch up to 60mm thick.
The aluminum handles help to keep the overall weight light so that these large shears are easy to carry and use for long periods, and they’re fitted with soft non-slip grips for added comfort. A thumb release lock button keeps the pruning shears safe when not in use and provides an easy way to unlock it at a moment’s notice when you need to use them.
Terme Compound Action Pruning Shears Key Features:
- Cuts branches up to 60mm thick
- 30-inch total length
- Teflon-coated blade
- Compound lever drive system
Who Should Buy Pruning Shears
Anyone who enjoys gardening or landscaping should buy a quality pair of pruning shears. If you have trees and plants on your property that need maintenance, pruning shears will make the work easier and more pleasurable. Even if gardening isn’t your hobby of choice a solid set of pruning shears is worth having because they will help you finish your yard upkeep chores much more quickly.
For those who want to do as little yard work as possible, electric pruning shears are the easiest and most efficient way to keep your plants and trees trimmed. You may also be interested in other landscaping power tools such as electric lawnmowers and wood chippers that will get the job done fast with little effort on your end.
Important Features to Consider
There are a few important considerations to think through before purchasing pruning shears.
- What do you need to cut? Flowers? Plants? Trees? Everything? There are many styles of pruning shears, each with its own flora-cutting capabilities. Flower scissors, hedge pruners, and tree loppers have their specific uses, but many of the pruning shears we’ve included in this article do a fine job all around. If you have a particular task in mind, make sure to grab the tool that was designed for it, but a standard set of pruning shears can cover all of your bases fairly well.
- Hand strength. Basic pruning shears are designed for a single hand to squeeze the handles for small cuts. Longer handles with non-slip grips will give you more cutting leverage and can be used with two hands. Ratchet mechanisms make cutting easier by locking the shears into the deepest part of a cut, enabling you to pump-squeeze those difficult cuts to finish them off. Electric pruning shears are the easiest to cut with and require virtually no hand strength at all.
- Blade features and coatings. All of the blades on our list are made of hardened steel, but many are coated with materials such as Teflon and titanium which can discourage rust and keep sticky sap and other debris off of the blade. Some blades have slotted grooves that can further prevent gunk from sticking to the blade, and others have wire-cutting notches close to their fulcrums for supplemental landscaping versatility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are pruning shears and how do they work?
Pruning shears are a strong scissor-like landscaping tool used for pruning plants and trees. They are used for cutting flowers, trimming hedges, and lopping branches off of trees. There are a few types of pruning shears to be aware of.
The most common is bypass pruning shears which have two blades, one of which is curved, that ‘bypass’ each other in a scissor motion to make a cut. Some bypass pruning shears have a ratchet mechanism that helps make difficult cuts easier which can be beneficial to those with weak grips. Loppers are another type of pruning shear that often use bypass blades on long-reaching handles for increased leverage to cut thick or out-of-reach tree branches.
Anvil pruning shears utilize a single flat blade that presses down onto a flat surface for a straight cut. These are less common, but they can be more powerful for cutting thick branches without the need for long handles.
What are the advantages of pruning?
Proper pruning keeps your plants healthy and attractive. Trees and small plants alike can have dead or decaying limbs and leaves which must be pruned in order to maintain the plant’s optimal health. You can prevent falling limbs and control the size of a plant by regularly pruning it.
In many cases, pruning can encourage fruiting and flowering of plants. If you want to increase your plant’s flower output, or harvest as much fruit from it as possible, proper pruning is one of the best ways to make it happen.
How do you sharpen pruning shears?
You can sharpen pruning shears by thoroughly cleaning them and buffing off any rust with steel wool before clamping them down for sharpening. Metal files can then be used to sharpen the blade. Once sharpened, it is necessary to coat the blade with linseed oil or a similar oil to prevent rust.
Most pruning blades can also be removed and replaced. Some pruning shears are packaged with a set of replacement blades, and most others can be replaced by contacting the manufacturer or picking up generic replacements at your local hardware store.
Can you use scissors to prune?
Household scissors can be used to prune small plants and flowers, but this wouldn’t be good for your plants or the scissors themselves. Pruning shears are much stronger than household scissors, and their blades are designed to properly cut plants, whereas household scissors may crunch or otherwise damage the plants. Below we have included a few pairs of gardening scissors that are specifically designed for flowers and small plants, so if you wish to use something more like a traditional pair of scissors those would be your best bet.
Other Pruning Shears We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other pruning shears. Even though they didn’t make our five best pruning shear list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your gardening and landscaping needs. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Budget Pruning Shears
With 20-inch long handles that are fitted with non-slip powder-coated grips, you’ll have all the leverage you need and then some to prune small branches with the EONLION Lopper Shears. It’s high carbon steel blades will stay sharp for the long haul and you’ll want to coat them with anti-rust oil to keep them in tip-top shape.
Key Features:
- Compound action bypass lopper
- 20-inch handles
- One-year warranty
Cost: $20
Housolution Picking and Pruning Shears
Choose either the Housolution Picking or Pruning Shears for all of your small plant pruning needs. The picking blades are straight and sharp for precise flower cuts while the rounded pruning blades provide more leverage for a stronger cut.
Key Features:
- High carbon steel blades
- Sprung grips
- Safety lock
Cost: $7
TABOR TOOLS Classic Tree Trimmer
The TABOR TOOLS Classic Tree Trimmer has top-tier features at a budget price. The bypass blade swoops past the lower jaw for clean cuts, a shock-guard bumper prevents jarring impacts between the handles, and a non-stick coating covers the cutting blade for easy cleaning.
Key Features:
- Non-stick blade coating
- 22-inch handles
- Shock-guard bumper
Cost: $19
Tesinll Professional Pruning Shears
The ergonomically designed Tesinll Professional Pruning Shears feature a shock-absorbing spring that doubles as a blade tensioner. It actually has two of those springs as a backup comes packaged with the shears. This product was built to last a lifetime.
Key Features:
- Electroplated steel blades
- Safety lock
- Shock-absorbing system
Electric Pruning Shears
Codirom Electric Pruning Shears
Make pruning easy with the Codirom Electric Pruning Shears. The 21V lithium battery can power the device for up to six hours of continuous use and can be charged back to full power in about an hour.
Key Features:
- Cuts branches up to 30mm thick
- One-year warranty
- Five to six hours of battery operation
Cost: $200
RYOBI Rechargeable Pruning Shears
The RYOBI Rechargeable Pruning Shears are a compact, lightweight unit that is easy to maneuver in tight spaces. It has a safety trigger to ensure that the blade is closed only when it is safe to do so, and its battery duration lasts about 45 minutes.
Key Features:
- Cuts branches up to 12mm thick
- 45 minutes of battery operation
- Safety trigger
Cost: $90
SALEM MASTER Electric Pruning Shears
The SALEM MASTER Electric Pruning Shears are a great option for those who need a device that is ready to work all throughout the day. Battery life extends up to seven hours of consistent use, and the unit comes with two backup batteries to keep the shears running longer then you could ever need.
Key Features:
- Cuts branches up to 30mm thick
- Six to seven hours of battery operation
- Packaged with two backup batteries
Cost: $300
Scott’s Rechargeable Power Pruner
Scott’s Rechargeable Power Pruner is a lightweight, handheld electric pruner that has plenty of power. Its 7.2V lithium-ion battery will last between 200 and 800 cuts, and the brand’s reputation for durability comes guaranteed on these shears with a two-year warranty.
Key Features:
- Cuts branches up to 20mm
- Optional extension pole
- Two-year warranty
Cost: $70
WONDER MASTER Professional Cordless Pruner
The WONDER MASTER Professional Cordless Pruner has a long battery life and a hardened steel blade. The unit weighs in at a little under five pounds which can be heavy to hold for long periods of time, but the ergonomically designed non-slip handle makes it a bit easier.
Key Features:
- Cuts branches up to 30mm
- Six to seven hours of battery operation
- Two-year warranty
Pruning Shears for Plants
Classic Pro Titanium Pruning Shears
Though the entire product speaks of quality, it is the blade of the Classic Pro Titanium Pruning Shears that steals the spotlight. The blade is coated in protective titanium, it features sap grooves to expel debris and keep itself clean, and there is a wire-cutting notch located at the blade’s base.
Key Features:
- Titanium-coated steel blade
- Sap grooves
- Wire cutting notch
Cost: $30
Power and performance are the hallmarks of the Felco Anvil Garden Pruners. The ultra-strong screw-mounted anvil blade is designed for maximum power through minimum effort. The ergonomic handles and cushioned shock absorber keep your hand in comfort through long gardening sessions.
Key Features:
- Screw-mounted anvil blade
- Every part is replaceable
- Cushioned shock absorber
Cost: $47
The bypass blades of the Felco Pruning Shears sweep past one another as if connected to a jaw for a more precise and evenly-distributed cut when compared to the powerful pinch of an anvil blade. These shears have a wire-cutting notch and sap grooves, and if the blade ever wears thin it can be easily replaced.
Key Features:
- Bypass pruner blade
- Every part is replaceable
- Cushioned shock absorber
Cost: $55
The Garden Elite Pruning Shears are so beautiful that you won’t want to get them dirty. They feature ergonomic rubber non-slip grips and a non-stick Teflon-coated steel blade in a black and silver aesthetic. Don’t let the fancy looks make you think this is flimsy, however, because these shears are tough enough to be backed by a lifetime warranty.
Key Features:
- Teflon-coated steel blade
- Non-slip rubber grips
- Lifetime warranty
Cost: $45
They may be more floral scissors than pruning shears, but the hardened steel blades of the Gardenite Ultra Snip are more than capable of clipping a few unwanted branches. These tough scissors have a comfortable, non-slip grip and come backed by a lifetime warranty.
Key Features:
- Chromed zinc handles with rubber grips
- Locking mechanism
- Lifetime warranty
Cost: $15
The perfect complement to your large pruners and loppers, the Micman Teflon Floral Scissors are great for creating beautiful bouquets and are strong enough to prune small branches when necessary. The Teflon-coated razor-sharp blades repel water and debris, and the large enclosed handles ensure that your grip will never slip.
Key Features:
- Teflon-coated steel blades
- Large non-slip enclosed handles
- Packaged with a snap-on lanyard
Cost: $20
Looking like a million dollars, Will’s Sword Sharp Pruners are beautifully designed and come with a lifetime warranty. They might as well be worth a million dollars! The handle is designed to prevent sweaty hands from slipping, and an automatic rebounce switch can act like a snake’s unhinged jaw to prune larger than expected tree limbs.
Key Features:
- Automatic rebounce switch
- Anti-skid damping handle
- Lifetime warranty
Pruning Shears for Trees
Perhaps the pinnacle of tree pruners, the Felco F22 Pruning Shears are lightweight, long-reaching, and sharp pruning shears that’ll make your pruning easier than it has ever been. Every part is replaceable. You’ll never want to use another pair of pruning shears ever again.
Key Features:
- Forged aluminum handles
- Screw-mounted anvil blade
- Rubber shock absorbers
Cost: $200
The Roamwild Multi-Cutter is the ideal landscaping tool for the type of person that carries a pocket knife multi-tool on their person at all times. This three in one device has two sets of handles and a telescoping design to achieve the right leverage in any given gardening situation.
Key Features:
- Three in one hedge clippers, bypass shears, and saw
- Double sets of grips
- Telescopic handles
Cost: $50
Design for people who have difficulty gardening due to arthritis or other ailments that cause pain and weaken grip, The Gardener’s Friend Pruners have a uniquely powerful ratchet mechanism that makes pruning easier on the hands. The handle is built for comfort and is ambidextrous so that everyone can use it.
Key Features:
- Rachet mechanism for easy cutting
- Soft rubber hand grip
- Won’t rust or dull
Cost: $40
The Zenport Light Tree Lopper has a long reach with a pointed blade for easy access to tight spaces. Small limbs will be cut with ease, but the blades are smaller than the average tree lopper and are not meant for larger limbs. This is a great product for small limbs and vines that are out of normal reach.
Key Features:
- 24-inch length
- Nylon-padded swivel head and bolt
- Rubber shock absorbers
Cost: $27
