The 10 Best Pruners of 2023

Best Overall

Fiskar PowerGear 2 Pruner

4.5

View On Amazon View On Home Depot

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 it 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, you can lock them so they can remain free of gunk. Fiskars backs up this product with a lifetime guarantee.

Price at time of publish: $27

_{Type: Bypass | Maximum Cut Capacity: 3/4 inch thick | Locking Mechanism: Yes}

Best for Light Duty

FELCO F-2 One-Hand Pruning Shear

4.8

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Macy's

Despite their higher price point, Swiss-made Felco pruners are frequently the top pick of horticulturists, thanks to their durability and variety of designs. We like this anvil model because they're easy to hold and use, and their slim design gives you easier access to hard-to-reach areas. The forged-aluminum alloy handles are made to fit comfortably in small to medium-sized hands and have a rubber cushioned shock-absorbing coating.

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

_{Type: Anvil | Maximum Cut Capacity: 1 inch thick | Locking Mechanism: Yes}

Best Ratchet

The Gardener's Friend Ratchet Pruning Shears

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sears.com

The ergonomic design of these three-stage ratchet pruners makes them comfortable for use by all but the largest hands and the leverage given by the three-step ratchet mechanism helps complete cuts with less effort than a typical pruner. Each cut consists of three parts or stages: You depress and release at each stage until the cut is made.

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

_{Type: Ratchet | Maximum Cut Capacity: 1 inch thick | Locking Mechanism: Yes}

Best Heavy Duty

ARS HP-VS8Z Signature Heavy Duty Pruner

View On Amazon

ARS is a familiar name in gardening tools, and their heavy-duty pruner lives up to its name in durability and sharpness. Comfortable to use, even for smaller hands, and easy to lock and unlock with one hand, the clippers work well on green and woody stems up to 1 inch. 

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

_{Type: Bypass | Maximum Cut Capacity: 1 inch | Locking Mechanism: Yes}

Best for Less Hand Stress

gonicc 8" Professional Premium Titanium Bypass Pruning Shears

View On Amazon

If repetitive motions make your hands stiff after a long day in the garden, the gonicc bypass pruner may reduce the aches. Cushioned handles and smooth opening motion make even the most repetitive gardening tasks easier to deal with. The frame is made from lightweight aluminum, and the handles are covered with a cushion of PVC foam material for a comfortable and non-slip grip.

The easy-on-the-hands action in no way subtracts from effectiveness. This bypass pruner features 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

_{Type: Bypass | Maximum Cut Capacity: 3/4 inch | Locking Mechanism: Yes}

Best for Small Hands

Corona BP 4214D FlexDIAL ComfortGEL Bypass Pruner

5

View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Walmart

If you have gardeners of different hand sizes who share tools, then the Corona Flex Dial Bypass Pruning Shears are a perfect choice. The adjustable grip allows you to custom fit this tool for small hands—as narrow as 3.25 inches—to large hands, over 8 inches in width. Thumb movement on a dial located between the blades lets you lock in one of eight settings. The grip is coated with a gel for comfort and a non-slip feel.

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 on 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

_{Type: Bypass | Maximum Cut Capacity: 3/4 inch | Locking Mechanism: Yes}

Best Battery

Sun Joe Cordless Rechargeable Power Pruner

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's

For light pruning with ease, the Sun Joe Cordless Rechargeable Pruner does a good job at removing branches up to 1/2 inch thick—we recommend 1/4 inch as a width with minimal effort—with clean, precise cuts. While not as powerful as manual pruners, this cordless model works well for those with limited hand strength. We also like that the lightweight (under 3 pounds) tool's cordless capability provides maximum access without having to worry about electrical cord tangles and snags.

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

_{Type: Rechargeable Power Pruner | Maximum Cut Capacity:: 1/2 inch thick | Locking Mechanism: Safety Switch}

Best Left-handed

Felco 10 Bypass Pruner

View On Amazon

Many products for the garden and elsewhere are designed with an inherent right-hander bias and can be awkward for left-handers to use. Fortunately, some companies, such as Felco, offer quality left-handed tools. This bypass pruner is the left-handed version of the Felco 7. The Felco 10 bypass pruner makes precise cuts up to 1 inch in diameter. With an adjustment key, the pruner requires 30 percent less effort than other pruners. A revolving handle is oriented to left-handed operation.

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

_{Blade Length: Not listed | Maximum Cut Capacity: 1 inch thick | Locking Mechanism: Not listed}

Best Bypass

Felco F-6 Classic Pruner for Smaller Hands

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Gardenersedge.com

This compact product, intended for use on small shrubs and vines, gets widespread acclaim for its combination of robust cutting power, precision, efficiency, and comfort. We like the narrow anvil blade, which eases snipping those small sub-branches, and how you can adjust the heads for a cleaner cut, making the wound quicker to seal. The manufacturer claims the distinctive rotating handle and rubber shock absorbers should reduce strain on the wrist. 

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

_{Blade Length: 8 inches | Type: Bypass | Maximum Cut Capacity: .8 inch | Locking Mechanism: Not listed}