Best Overall

Felco F7 Pruning Shears

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• Super-sharp blades allow for more precise cuts.

Keep in Mind

• The rotating handles might take some practice.

We wouldn't be exaggerating if we described the Felco F7 as the Rolls-Royce of pruning shears. These Swiss-manufactured pruning shears are high-end for all the right reasons. Not only are they super sharp and can easily slice twigs and stems up to 1 inch thick, but they’re also actually the best pruning shears for large hands.

An angled head and a pointed hardened steel anvil blade allow the shears to make clean, precise cuts, so you don’t have to worry about your tree getting infected or pests coming to roost inside the tree. If your blade becomes worn or damaged, you can order a replacement.

The Felco's one-handed design reduces the risk of blisters by allowing for 30% less pressure (according to the manufacturers) compared to other prune shears. It also makes the tool feel more natural to use. Rubber shock absorbers make cutting feel smooth and easy.

A micro-metric setting allows you to adjust the cutting head exactly the way you want to get a precise cut. While we think these prune shears are well worth the money—the rotating handle may take some time to get used to. Felco is a favorite brand of Clayton’s, so these are expert-approved.

Product Details: Material: Aluminum | Weight: 0.31 lbs. | Type: Bypass | Max. Cutting Capacity: 1 inch

Best Anvil

Woodland Tools Co. Adjustable Anvil Pruning Shears

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• You’re able to adjust the size based on the size of your hand.

Keep in Mind

• Although, it has a ⅝ cutting width, the cutting radius will be less if you adjust it to a smaller size.

These anvil pruning shears from Woodland Tools Co. have been performance-tested by the brand to ensure the cleanest cuts through dry and dormant wood. Plus, they feature a cushioned grip, so you won’t strain your muscles in the process.

Because the shears are designed for thicker cuts, they are heavy-duty and able to cut back branches up to ⅝ inch with minimal effort. In terms of design, these pruning shears with anvil blades are suited for both large and small hands.

Before you start snipping, you’re able to adjust the size. But, keep in mind that this may limit cutting width.

Additionally, these pruning shears have an internal spring, unlike others that have it on the outside. This reduces the chance of the spring falling out or getting damaged.

The blades are carbon steel and coated in a non-stick seal to retain sharpness and prevent rust from forming.

This tool also stores easily—you can either tuck it away in your toolbox or use the hole on its handle to hang it on a wall.

Product Details: Material: Carbon steel | Weight: 0.44 lbs. | Type: Anvil | Max. Cutting Capacity: ⅝ inch

Best Bypass

Fiskars SoftGrip Bypass Pruning Shears

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• With an ergonomic design and a light weight, these shears can help prevent hand fatigue.

Keep in Mind

• These shears are designed for small branches and stems with a maximum cutting capacity of ⅝ inches.

For a reliable pair of bypass pruning shears, the Fiskars SoftGrip shears are a favorite among our editors. These bypass pruning shears are durably made with alloy steel, and they come with a lifetime guarantee.

Made with a cushioned but sturdy, ergonomic grip, these shears will help keep your hand stay comfortable while you cut stems and small branches. Weighing only 0.37 pounds, they’re also lightweight so they won’t tire out your hands as quickly.

We also appreciated that the shears have an easy open and close lock, so you can safely store them when you’re not pruning your plants.

The low-friction blade coating features a self-cleaning sap groove to help prevent the two blades from sticking to each other, and the coating also helps prevent rust.

The shears are accessible to both left- and right-handed gardeners, but keep in mind these shears are for small branches and stems only since they have a maximum cutting capacity of ⅝ inches.

If you need an option for 1-inch thick branches, we recommend the Felco F7 pruning shears instead.

Product Details: Material: Alloy steel | Weight: 0.37 lbs. | Type: Bypass | Max. Cutting Capacity: ⅝ inches

Best Ratchet

The Gardener's Friend Ratchet Pruning Shears

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• The ratchet mechanism allows it to open easily to clean and sharpen the blades.

Keep in Mind

• You need to make sure the cleaning pad doesn't slip out of its holder while you’re working.

Ratchet pruners are good for cutting thick branches with little physical effort, and this option from Gardener’s Friends is a good pick for anyone with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or limited hand mobility.

The pruning shears have a ratcheting mechanism (meaning there is no spring) that allows you to chisel branches in three stages with varying amounts of pressure until they are completely sliced through.

They also feature a left and right flip latch that allows you to unlock the sears by squeezing and then sliding the button down on the handle. The handles expand wide to not only give you more leverage but also make it easier to clean and sharpen the blades.

A soft rubber grip makes using them extremely comfortable, so you can spend more time in the garden harvesting produce and flowers or cutting tree branches. And the aluminum body is lightweight, so it doesn’t feel heavy in your hand or pocket.

These pruners are rust-resistant and come with their own cleaning sponge that is stored directly on the handle. Just be aware that this cleaning pad is easy to lose because it can fall out while you’re working—you may want to store it separately.

Product Details: Material: Carbon steel | Weight: 0.49 lbs. | Type: Ratchet | Max. Cutting Capacity: 1 inch

Best Small

ARS Light Pruner

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• This Japanese pruner is smaller than other pruning shears at 7 inches long, and it's easier to control than other heavy-duty styles.

Keep in Mind

• The blades can’t open wider than ⅝ inch.

Made in Japan, these pruning shears from ARS have a loyal following among home gardeners. It’s small (only 7 inches long) and lightweight, making it much easier to control compared to a lopper or other heavy-duty pruner.

Additionally, it’s designed with a small, 2-inch blade that’s curved to cut through deadwood and branches efficiently. 

The bypass pruning shears make clean incisions on flower bushes and are sharp enough to cut back young fruit trees. Like other quality pruners, they're made of high-carbon steel but have the added bonus of being heat-treated for maximum sharpness. 

In addition, the blades are coated with chrome plating that makes it easy to clean off sap or any debris. Because it’s smaller, the cutting capacity is limited, so you won’t be able to cut stems and branches that are more than ⅝ inch thick.

Product Details: Material: High carbon steel | Weight: 6 ounces | Type: Bypass | Max. Cutting Capacity: ⅝ inch

Best Electric

Dewalt 20V Electric Pruning Shears

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• The nonstick blades prevent sap buildup, and the battery lasts for an hour on one charge. 

Keep in Mind

• It’s a bit of an overkill for pruning flowers—and it’s the heaviest option on our list. 

Electric shears, like the Dewalt 20V Electric Pruning Shears, will help prevent hand fatigue if you’re having to prune a large amount of trees or shrubs.

Since these shears are battery powered, you don’t have to worry about finding an outdoor power outlet or an extension cord. On one charge, you’ll be able to get up to 60 minutes of power. 

The curved, steel blades are treated with a nonstick coating to prevent sap buildup. Because of its ergonomic design, you can use the electric pruning shears with just one hand. 

If you already have a Dewalt 20V battery and charger, you can use it for this tool or you can choose to include the accessories with the purchase if you don’t own a Dewalt tool. 

Product Details: Material: Steel | Weight: 2.5 lbs | Type: Electric | Max. Cutting Capacity: 1.5 inch

Best Left-Handed

Felco F9 Pruning Shears

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• These are buy-it-for-life bypass pruning shears, and you can buy replacement parts if needed.

Keep in Mind

• They're only available in red.

Felco has made a pruner for all the lefties out there which makes trimming plants and stems safe and comfortable.

This pair has the same high quality materials as other pruners from the Felco brand, and comes with hardened steel blades that are heat-treated, so they’re able to handle heavy gardening jobs.

In addition, it features an angled head and revolving handle to lessen arm and wrist strain.

These pruning shears feature rubber shock absorbers that offer added comfort, plus cushion the impact every time you make a cut. The body is about 8.3 inches long and has a cutting diameter of 1 inch.

They have a sap groove that prevents sticky blades and a notch to cut through wires. Note that these aren’t bypass shears, so if you’re looking for those, you’ll have to pick a model that works for both left and right hand grips.

One of the best features of these shears is that you don’t have to buy new ones when you wear them out or they become damaged, because most parts are replaceable.

Product Details: Material: Aluminum, steel | Weight: 0.55 lbs. | Type: Bypass | Max. Cutting Capacity: 1 inch

The Bottom Line

Overall, we recommend the Felco F7 pruning shears because the ultra-sharp blades can handle most types of branches in your garden or yard, and the high-quality materials are built to last for years.

What to Know About Pruning Shears Before Shopping

Material

“Generally, heavy-duty pruning shears are made from materials like high-quality steel, stainless steel, or titanium for blades or Japanese carbon steel blades (which is even more durable than stainless steel),” says Nancy Trautz Awot, a horticulture specialist at Burpee Gardening. 

Aluminum blades are also durable, but they’re lighter in weight compared to steel and more resistant to rust. Carbon steel blades are strong enough to use on branches, but they’re heavier and are more prone to rust if they’re not stored properly.

Type

There are four main types of pruning shears: bypass, ratchet, anvil, and straight-blade. While they can all cut back branches, leaves, and stems, they have different cutting methods to get the job done and some are better at certain tasks than others. 

Bypass: “Bypass pruners are beneficial because they make clean cuts without damaging healthy branches,” Clayton says. Bypass pruners have curved blades that don’t connect—or bypass each other—for a smooth, precise cut. One blade is typically sharp while the other blade is dull. 

“Bypass pruners are the most common type of pruner and are often considered a must-have tool,” Trautz-Awot says. “They can be used on a variety of plants and are ideal for pruning shrubs, flowers, and small stems.” 

However, they aren’t as effective on larger branches. 

Anvil: Anvil pruning shears are similar to bypass pruning shears, but instead of two moving blades, a single blade cuts through tough material.

“They are less versatile than other pruners because they are only used for dead wood and stems,” Trautz-Awot says. “Their crushing motion will damage green plant material.”

Ratchet: Ratchet pruners are almost the same as anvil pruners, but they cut through the wood in stages, so you don’t have to apply a lot of hand pressure to break down a branch. If you have arthritis, small hands, or hand mobility issues, ratchet pruners are a good choice.

Straight-blade: To make delicate snips for a floral arrangement or need floral shears for your flower garden, straight-blade shears are your best bet. Unlike bypass pruning shears which have curved blades, straight-blade shears have straight-edged blades, similar to scissors. 

“Straight-blade pruners are a tool of choice for flower gardeners,” Trautz-Awot says. “Its small, sharp, straight blades are ideal to use on more delicate plants, and they can be used to make very precise cuts.”

Cutting Capacity

Average-sized pruning shears usually have a cutting capacity of up to 1 inch. Larger pruning shears like loppers can slice heavy tree branches or dense foliage up to 2 or 3 inches. For small pruners, the cutting diameters may be less than an inch, such as ¾ or ⅝ of an inch.

“The cutting capacity will also depend on the specific shears, so make sure to check the product details before purchasing. You certainly don't want to buy a small shear and it won't handle the job, " Clayton says.

Size

When you’re looking for the right pruner size for your garden, it’s a good idea to first assess the plants and trees in your yard or garden.

“If your garden has plants with thicker and tougher stems and branches, a larger-size pruner is ideal to easily cut through the material,” Trautz-Awot says. “If your garden has flowers or shrubs with delicate leaves and stems, smaller pruners are recommended, as a larger tool would damage these delicate plants.”

In addition, you’ll notice that pruning shears have different shapes and handle lengths. The one that is most comfortable for you is entirely based on your preferences and hand size.

“Consider your comfort when determining the best size,” Trautz-Awot advises. “Larger pruners can be heavier, which can lead to fatigue if you will be pruning frequently.”

Your Questions, Answered

Which pruning shears should I use for dead wood?

Most experts will agree that a pair of anvil pruning shears, like the Woodland Tools Co. Adjustable Anvil Pruning Shears, are essential for cutting dead wood and branches.

This is because anvil pruners are designed to cut through husky stems and branches, but crushes them to bits in the process. Many gardeners are fine with this since dead wood usually ends up in the trash or compost anyway.

What maintenance is involved with pruning shears?

With pruning shears, you'll want to make sure you regularly clean them to help avoid spreading pests and diseases among your plants. You can clean your shears by using at least 70% isopropyl or rubbing alcohol—simply spray it on your shears or rub it on them with a clean cloth.

Additionally, occasionally sharpening your shears is essential. If you use your shears frequently, you may want to sharpen them every few weeks; however, if you only use them every now and then, sharpening them once or twice a year will be sufficient.

You can use a blade sharpening tool, like the Fiskars Diamond Coated Blade Sharpener, to sharpen your pruning shears.

How often should you replace pruning shears?

Depending on how often you use them and how you care for them, pruning shears can last for years. You can continue to use your pruning shears season after season until they crack, chip, or the spring breaks. To avoid rust, make sure to regularly clean your shears and store them in a dry location.

Who We Are

Nor'Adila Hepburn is a writer who specializes in in-depth buying guides for Better Homes & Gardens. To find the best pruning shears, she received tips from gardening experts Bryan Clayton, CEO of Green Pal, and Nancy Trautz-Awot, a horticulture specialist at Burpee Gardening for added insight. 

This article was update by Brandi Fuller, who has been a shopping editor for Better Homes & Gardens since 2022. She specializes in topics like pests control, wildlife, and outdoor products.