BBC Gardeners World Magazine https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:42:11 GMT en hourly 1 The 8 best garden loppers for your garden in 2026 – as tested by our reviews experts https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-loppers/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:42:36 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-loppers/ Tackle tough pruning jobs with our pick of the top performing bypass and anvil loppers on test

Jump to our 2 top-rated garden loppers

When it comes to pruning season, trimming and shaping trees and shrubs with thick, woody growth can feel like a daunting task. While your secateurs and other essential gardening tools may not be up to the task, a strong pair of garden loppers are more than capable of tackling tougher trimming jobs. Used with both hands, their long handles make them ideal for cutting branches up to 50mm thick, depending on the lopper.

Darlac compound bypass loppers out on test with our reviews team. Image: Jane Moore

If you’re pruning dense dead wood, then a pair of loppers with an anvil blade is the tool for you. Cuts are made as the top blade slices through the wood onto the flat anvil base. They can crush stems as they cut, and although bypass blades make cleaner, more precise cuts, anvil blades have greater force. They're ideal for clearing dead branches and making the first cut on thick branches before removing them cleanly with bypass loppers or a saw.

Bypass loppers carry on where your secateurs leave off, giving a lovely, clean cut on living stems that are just that bit too thick for secateurs. They have two blades that pass over one another in a scissor action, giving a precise cut and making them perfect for the finer pruning of shrubs and trees. Both types of loppers are available with telescopic handles that extend for greater reach, and many have an additional cutting mechanism to help you cut thicker wood with less effort, helpful for those with less strength, and for very tough wood.

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Our best garden loppers to buy at a glance

Our 2 top-rated garden loppers

Also recommended, under £40

Also recommended, £40+

Comparison table: Best loppers

Our expertise

We tested the different types of bypass and anvil loppers, using them in the garden on a range of different woody shrubs and trees to help you find the right one for your garden. Each pair has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to handling, cutting, maintenance and value for money.  From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on loppers that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list.

Jump to the best garden loppers:

Jump to garden lopper advice:

Our 2 top-rated garden loppers

Wolf Garten Telescopic Anvil Loppers

Our best telescopic loppers 2025

RRP: £124.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from: B&Q (£87.99)

Best Buy telescopic loppers: Wolf Garten Telescopic lopper

Reasons to buy:

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The Wolf Garten loppers were our highest-scoring model overall and were awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best telescopic loppers in 2025. They have a non-stick steel blade with a metal anvil. The extending aluminium handles have matching locking holes on each handle to keep them even and a comfortable, non-slip grip. With flat screws, there was no damage to the wood, and the cut was effortless. Replacement blades are available, and the warranty lasts for 10 years. Kay Maguire

Latest Prices

Felco 231 Loppers

Our best heavy-duty loppers for ease of use 2025

RRP: £219.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from: Amazon (£203)

Best heavy-duty lopper for ease of use (2025): Felco 231 Loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The straightforward but quality construction of these loppers makes them a delight to use, cutting through 40mm woody material with ease. They feel powerful and strong in the hand, while the 1.2kg weight is both comfortable and nicely balanced. The strong alloy handles feature bright red grips, which would be easy to spot in debris. The lever action looks deceptively simple but adds substantially to the cutting strength, while the curved anvil head is easy to clean, sharpen and service.

Felco 231 Loppers

With their narrow, uncomplicated design, these loppers are easy to manoeuvre between branches, cutting cleanly and deftly, which is why we awarded this product a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy heavy-duty lopper for ease of use, 2025. With a lifetime warranty on handles and replacement blades readily available from the manufacturer, these are a lifetime purchase for the keen or professional gardener. Jane Moore

Also recommended, under £40

Darlac Compact Compound Anvil Loppers

Our best loppers for ease of use 2025

RRP: £25.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Mr Fothergill's (£25.95)

Our best loppers for ease of use 2025: Darlac Compact Compound Anvil Loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for ease of use in 2025, these small, light loppers have a steel blade with a rust-resistant coating and a metal anvil. The oval handles are made from aluminium with a rubber grip for added comfort, and there’s also a compound-action cutting mechanism, which we found provided excellent strength when working. These lightweight loppers have a small cutting width; however, a lifetime warranty is included, and replacement parts are available. Kay Maguire

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Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Advantage Telescopic Ratchet Anvil Loppers

Our best ratchet loppers 2025

RRP: £32

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Amazon (£26.49) and Argos (£32)

Our best ratchet loppers 2025: Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Advantage Telescopic Rachet Loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Our testers were impressed with these Spear and Jackson loppers and awarded them a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best ratchet loppers in 2025. The carbon-steel blade and anvil are non-stick and rust-resistant, plus there’s a five-stage ratchet mechanism. The twist-and-slide aluminium handles have a rubber grip and extend 72-104cm. The included warranty is valid for 10 years. Kay Maguire

Latest Prices

Kent & Stowe SureCut All Purpose Extra Power bypass loppers

Our best loppers for value 2025

RRP: £39.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Amazon (£29.52), B&Q (£35.89) and Crocus (£39.99)

Best Buy for value 2025: Kent & Stowe SureCut All Purpose Extra Power Bypass Loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This comfortable, versatile pair of loppers cuts cleanly and smoothly, and it's ideal for cutting live, green wood. Made from high-quality carbon steel, the blades are coated for high rust resistance, and chunky rubber bumpers help ensure easy cutting with little effort and no reverberation travelling through your wrists and arms. They have a maximum cutting width of 35mm, which is adequate for most garden tasks, and the shaped handles provide extra comfort.

They’re also telescopic, giving you extra stretch to reach higher branches, but when reduced in length, they’re still easy to manoeuvre through dense stems. Unfortunately, no spare blades are available. Otherwise, these loppers are very competitively priced, come with a five-year warranty, and we’ve awarded them a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for value in 2025. Kay Maguire

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Also recommended, £40+

Alpen Lopper Weisshorn 280

Our best loppers for ease of use 2024

RRP: £64.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Amazon (£64.99)

Best Buy for ease of use 2024: ALPEN Wiesshorn 280 loppers

Reasons to buy:

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These simple, unfussy loppers are light, with Japanese SK5 carbon-steel blades and a cam-assisted mechanism, making them a great choice for gardeners who lack strength. The gearing gives greater cutting power for tougher woods, and they really do make light work of even tough older wood, with shock absorbers also helping to take the strain. We awarded them a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for ease of use in 2024. A 40mm cutting width makes these perfect for pruning larger stems and branches, and the long handles are useful for reaching up into shrubs.

Although they’re light and easy to manoeuvre, they do make it trickier to work in tight spaces. They’re excellent value for money, the blade is replaceable, and they come with a two-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Fiskars Power Gear X Anvil Loppers LX99

Our best loppers for general use 2025

RRP: £79.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Amazon (£86.76) and ManoMano (£65.47)

Our best loppers for general use 2025: Fiskars Power Gear X Anvil Lopper LX99

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

A BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for general use in 2025, these garden loppers feature a coated, non-stick steel blade with a curved metal anvil that helps you catch and grip branches as you cut. There’s a geared mechanism, as well as light, narrow aluminium handles with a rubber grip. The loppers cut cleanly with a wide cutting width, and they also have useful hanging holes in the handles. They come with a generous 25-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Latest Prices

Felco 221 70cm straight head loppers

Our best loppers for general use 2025

RRP: £119.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

Available from: Amazon (£116.83)

Best Buy for general use 2025: Felco 221 70cm straight head loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Robust, well-made and thoroughly practical, these loppers from Felco are user-friendly and simple in design. The lightweight aluminium handles are comfortable and well-balanced, with grip handles in ‘Felco red’, and the hardened steel blades have a generous 45mm cutting width. A hooked lower counter blade helps to keep a firm hold of the branch you’re cutting.

The loppers are also easy to maintain and come with the same tool you get with Felco secateurs for disassembly, cleaning and sharpening. They also come with a lifetime warranty and, although they’re the most expensive loppers on test, they’re a lifetime purchase for a serious gardener. We awarded them a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for general use in 2025. Kay Maguire

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Best of the rest

Although some models didn't quite achieve a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have various features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest.

Wilkinson Sword bypass loppers

RRP: £24.99

Our rating: 4.4 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£29.99), B&Q (£24.99) and Tooled Up (£24.95)

Wilkinson Sword bypass loppers

Reasons to buy:

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These loppers feel well-made and robust, and at 900g, they have that extra bit of weight I rather like, making them substantial without being cumbersome. I liked the long reach the overall 73cm length afforded me, and the carbon-steel blade with its non-stick coating cut through 30mm woody material cleanly. The long handles with shock-absorbing buffers also offer good leverage, but the drawback of that length is that they sometimes proved awkward to manoeuvre through branches to make the cut I wanted.

Wilkinson Sword bypass loppers out on test with our reviews team. Image: Jane Moore

The large, soft-grip handles give an excellent grip, and the red colouring makes them easy to spot in a pile of debris, which is always useful. With a 10-year warranty and an affordable price, these are sturdy and well-made loppers that would suit many gardeners. Jane Moore

Darlac Heavy Duty Double Compound Action Anvil Loppers

RRP: £39.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

Available from: Crocus (£39.99)

Our best loppers for ease of use 2025: Darlac Compact Compound Anvil Loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

A long steel blade with a rust-resistant coating and light, narrow aluminium handles with a rubber grip make these loppers light and easy to use. Guaranteed for life, the tool features a compound-action cutting mechanism and offers great reach. While spare parts are available, the loppers struggled on tougher wood, putting strain on the wrists while working. Kay Maguire

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Wilkinson Sword Ratchet Loppers

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

Available from: Wilkinson Sword (£34.99)

Wilkinson Sword Ratchet Loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Good for less able gardeners, these loppers feature a long, non-stick blade made from carbon steel with a metal anvil. They have long, narrow aluminium handles with a rubber grip, plus a three-gear ratchet mechanism, although our testers found this did sometimes catch. The warranty on this model is 10 years. Kay Maguire

Corona ComfortGEL DualLink extendable limb and branch loppers

RRP: £49.99

Our rating: 4.1/5

Available from: Amazon (£35.64)

Corona ComfortGEL DualLink extendable limb and branch lopper

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Weighing in at just over 1.8kg, these loppers feel tough, beefy and ready for anything up to their 45mm cutting capacity. They're comfortable to use with telescopic steel handles featuring ‘comfort gel’ grips and an integrated bumper system designed to reduce hand and shoulder fatigue. The power-compounding link feature, DualLINK, works to boost power with less effort, which makes light work of woody material.

Corona ComfortGEL DualLink extendable limb and branch lopper on test. Jane Moore

The high-carbon steel blade is coated with a non-stick finish for ease of cleaning and cutting, but the gearing requires a number of moving parts to keep clean and oiled. Also, the chunky head is difficult to manoeuvre in tight spaces, although the loppers are nicely balanced both in the shorter setting and at the full 94cm reach of the extendable handles. With a lifetime warranty and an affordable price, these loppers are a great buy for the gardener with a lot of regular woody pruning to do. Jane Moore

Darlac Compact Compound bypass loppers

RRP: £25.95

Our rating: 3.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£21.50) and Mr Fothergill’s (£25.95)

Darlac Compact bypass loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The compound action of these loppers, combined with their lightweight construction, makes them a great choice for anyone who struggles with the strength required for pruning larger stems. I like the fact that the compound action looks deceptively simple and uncomplicated, but it does add substantially to the cutting strength, meaning you can tackle green wood up to 30mm in diameter without any problem.

Darlac compound bypass loppers out on test with our reviews team. Image: Jane Moore

With an overall length of 510mm, these are also easy to store, and I found them compact enough to manoeuvre well in between branches. The blades have a rust-resistant coating, and the loppers are easy to clean and sharpen, although due to the gearing, there are more moving parts to maintain. The loppers come with a limited lifetime guarantee, which fully guarantees the product against original defects in material and workmanship for the life of the tool. Jane Moore

Roughneck XT Pro Anvil Loppers

RRP: £70.91

Our rating: 3.6/5

Available from: Amazon (£43.64), B&Q (£43.64) and Power Tools Direct (£44.26)

Roughneck XT Pro Anvil Loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Sturdy and robustly made with a chrome vanadium steel blade, these anvil-action loppers feel nicely weighted and strong enough to tackle any job, especially with the wide 45mm cutting capacity. The air-cushioned grips and overall weight of 1.4kg make them feel workman-like in the hand, and the narrow cutting head makes them easy to manoeuvre amongst branches. They cut most material well, although dense green holly proved something of a challenge.

Roughneck XT Pro Anvil Loppers in use. Jane Moore

The spare construction makes them easy to clean and oil, while the bright yellow handles make these loppers easy to spot in debris. With a lengthy 25-year warranty, these are a good choice for a gardener dealing with rough pruning work, such as brambles. Jane Moore

Bulldog Pro Heavy Duty Tri-Bite Loppers

RRP: £34.98

Our rating: 3.6/5

Available from: Tool Station (£35.98)

Bulldog Pro Heavy Duty Tri-Bite Loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These loppers feel strongly made and robust, and are generally heavy and substantial both in the hand and in use, weighing in at almost 1.6kg. The three-geared mechanism, combined with the non-stick coating on the steel blade, cuts through 40mm woody material easily.

Bulldog Pro Heavy Duty Tri-Bite Loppers on test. Jane Moore

The large, soft-grip handles offer excellent control, especially when using the loppers in awkward spaces. However, the chunkier head makes manoeuvring the loppers more uncomfortable, and the complex gearing makes them more prone to getting caught and more difficult to clean. With a lifetime warranty and an affordable price tag, these loppers feel like a sturdy, well-made tool that would suit many gardeners. Jane Moore

Also tested: garden loppers

Kent & Stowe SureCut All Purpose Bypass Loppers

RRP: £29.99

Our rating: 3.4 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£25.99) and B&Q (£26.99)

Kent and Stowe Surecut All Purpose Bypass Loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

There is a lot to like about these loppers: they’re affordable, have high-quality carbon-steel blades, and are a good weight at 1kg. Add to that the Reflex Energy System, which uses reflex rubber bumpers to absorb impact and deliver a gentle rebound, and these are exactly as described: a good all-purpose choice for many gardeners.

Kent and Stowe Surecut bypass loppers out on test with our reviews team. Image: Jane Moore

In my test, the buffer system worked well, reducing any jarring and making for a more comfortable cut through the green wood of sambucus and hydrangea. The rubber handles make for a good grip and feature a handy hanging loop, while I found that the 70cm reach was ideal for much of my pruning tasks. However, a relatively short warranty period and the dull colouring of these loppers put me off a bit, as I fear I could easily lose them in the debris. Jane Moore

Spear & Jackson Razorsharp 22” Bypass Loppers 4822RSA

RRP: £23.99

Our rating: 3.3 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£19.49) and B&Q (£23.99)

Spear & Jackson loppers

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This compact pair of loppers feels sturdy and robust, with both hardened carbon-steel blades protected by coatings to reduce rust. I liked their weight in the hand, which, at just under 1kg, makes for a tool that feels capable of tackling many pruning jobs in the garden, including stems up to 32mm in diameter. The built-in shock absorbers work efficiently, absorbing any jarring from cutting harder wood, and the loppers tackled most green woods, such as sambucus and hydrangea, with ease and a good, clean cut.

Spear & Jackson bypass loppers out on test with our reviews team. Image: Jane Moore

A big plus for me was the compact size, only 56cm overall, which means they won’t take up too much space in my over-packed shed. The guarantee is fairly short at only five years, but the loppers are well-made, and the simple, unfussy design will make cleaning and sharpening them a breeze. Jane Moore

If you're pruning larger branches, take a look at our review of the best mini chainsaws, the best wood-splitting axes and the best pruning saws, or for smaller cuts, our roundup of the best secateurs and electric pruners. For help clearing up, see our test of the best shredders, best splitting axes and the best wheelbarrows. We also have guides detailing how to prune fruit trees in winter and pruning mistakes to avoid, as well as information on other tools, such as the best Japanese gardening tools and how to use them.

How to choose the best garden loppers

Loppers are ideal for tougher pruning jobs later in the year, and there's a wide range of choices available. In this guide, we go through some of the different models of loppers and the various features they offer, so you can understand which type might work for you.

What are loppers used for?

Loppers are essentially a pair of large, long-handled secateurs capable of taking on stems that would be too thick for even your very best secateurs. Ideal for the autumn and winter pruning period, loppers are designed to cut branches up to around 50mm thick. The tool features long, even telescopic handles, which are operated with both hands to tackle stubborn growth.

What are bypass loppers?

Bypass loppers have two blades that operate in a scissor action to slice cleanly through stems and wood. They are best for all general pruning of green stems and thicker live branches. They often have a slightly narrower cutting width than anvil loppers, of up to 45mm.

What are anvil loppers?

Anvil loppers feature a single blade closing onto a flat base, operating in a similar way to a knife cutting on a chopping board. There may also be a mechanism in the head of the loppers. This could be a ratchet, compound-action or geared mechanism that helps them cut more powerfully and with less effort from you. A ratchet cuts in multiple steps, while geared and compound action provide more leverage to a single cut. Anvil loppers are the toughest type of garden loppers and particularly suit any jobs which involve clearing a lot of dense, dead wood. Lopper blades are usually made from steel or carbon steel and can have a protective or non-stick coating to increase durability.

What are extendable loppers used for?

There are many long-handled loppers that help you reach further or higher up branches, but some are extendable, with telescopic handles. Being able to adjust and extend loppers means you can increase your leverage and cover more areas of your garden. The adjustable nature of telescopic tree loppers means you can alter the length for your needs, rather than being left with excessively long handles while you complete jobs within easier reach. Many of these long-reach loppers with telescopic handles have an additional cutting mechanism that should help make slicing through tough wood a less strenuous job. There are often other handy features on loppers, extendable or otherwise. These include grips over the handles for added comfort or ‘bumpers’ that soften the impact of each cut by preventing the two handles from banging together.

Top tips for pruning

Once you’ve got the perfect loppers, don’t get too carried away; pruning can make or break a plant. Follow these four tips to keep your plants in top condition:

For more pruning advice, browse our pruning guides

How we tested loppers

We tested a range of bypass and anvil loppers with different features, including telescopic handles and ratchet mechanisms. Our experts put the loppers through their paces on various woody branches and stems to test their overall performance. Each pair was assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:

For more information on our testing process, take a look at How we review

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

This review was last updated in March 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability

]]> The 11 best secateurs in 2026, as tested by our experts – bypass, anvil and ratchet types https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-secateurs/ Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:19:15 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-secateurs/ Looking for new secateurs? Browse our pick of the best bypass, ratchet and anvil secateurs, as tested by our reviews experts.

Jump to our 2 top-rated garden secateurs

Secateurs are an indispensable tool, essential for tidying up around the garden. While tools like hedge trimmers and other cordless garden tools are ideal for taking on heavy-duty tasks, secateurs are a simple, hand-held tool used for keeping on top of pruning, dead-heading, cutting back perennials and harvesting fruit, veg and flowers. And, for a vital tool like a pair of secateurs, we know how important it is to find a model that's comfortable and easy to use.

Secateur names can seem a bit baffling, but there are only three types to choose from – bypass, anvil and ratchet – each type designed for a particular job:

Bypass secateurs have two blades that cut like a pair of scissors, with a sharpened blade crossing over a thicker metal platform. They're pointed to help them get in amongst stems and branches and are ideal for cutting stems between 10 and 15mm thick. They're suitable for greener growth and should cut cleanly, so it’s important to keep them sharp. (For more information, read our guide on how to sharpen secateurs.)

Anvil secateurs have one blade that cuts like a knife, with the blade pushing through a stem or branch onto a lower block, in a similar manner to a knife on a chopping board. They're useful for cutting through thicker, woodier stems and dead wood.

Ratchet secateurs have either anvil or bypass blades and feature ratchet springs and mechanisms to ease effort and cut through a stem in a series of stages. This type of tool can make tougher cuts gradually as you repeatedly squeeze and release the handles to get through the growth, and they are particularly useful for gardeners who lack strength.

But if you're not sure which type will suit you, don't worry. We've tested a wide range of secateurs, to find out which ones really are the best for which jobs. So check out our reviews below to get the rundown of the best secateurs to buy in 2026.

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Our best garden secateurs to buy at a glance

Our 2 top-rated garden secateurs

Also recommended: under £30

Also recommended: £30+

Comparison table: best secateurs

Our expertise

We tested the different types of secateurs, using them in the garden on a range of different plants and at different times of year, to help you find the right pair for your garden. Each pair has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to handling, cutting, maintenance and value for money.  From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on secateurs that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list. Every pair in our round-up below has scored a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars, so you can buy with confidence.

Jump to our best secateurs:

Jump to secateur advice:

Our 2 top-rated garden secateurs

1: Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs

Our best all-round secateurs (bypass)

RRP: £49.84

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from: Amazon (£56.95) and B&Q (£56.95)

Okatsune 103 Secateurs - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These simple secateurs have few parts or gimmicks, yet their strong, Japanese steel blades cut cleanly and effortlessly. They're ideal for all pruning tasks, including heavy-duty jobs, cutting consistently well and are well-made, sharp, easy to use, and feel long-lasting. Their red and white handles make them hard to lose in the garden, both day and night.

Although the safety catch, which is at the end of the handle, takes some getting used to, I found it a breeze once mastered. These secateurs are suitable for all gardeners, as they come in three sizes to suit small, medium or large hands. They are at the higher end of the price scale of the various secateurs I tested, but I'd say they're excellent value for money given their good quality and performance. They also have a two-year warranty. Kay Maguire

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Read the full Okatsune 103 review

2: Kent and Stowe Eversharp All Purpose Lite Secateurs

Our best secateurs for ease of use (bypass)

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from: Amazon (£19.98), B&Q (£35) and Marshalls Garden (£29.99)

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine review Kent and Stowe Eversharp All Purpose Lite secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These aluminium-framed secateurs are packed with valuable features. They're suitable for both right- and left-handed gardeners, and those with smaller hands, thanks to the easy switch on the top that adjusts from 1-2.4cm. They have a 2.4cm cutting capacity, although this feels like more, and despite their slightly chunky appearance, they're light and comfortable with marked rubber handles for extra grip. The safety catch, which is placed by your thumb, is easy to open and close with one hand. The hardened carbon steel blade has a plasma coating, and it feels strong and sharp, easily cutting through green and older wood on shrubs and roses.

Unfortunately, these secateurs' grey and black appearance makes them hard to spot if dropped in the garden or amongst prunings. They have a handy hole for hanging them up after use, and although the blade will rust slightly if not cared for, if these secateurs are looked after well, they should last you years. They come with a 10-year warranty. Kay Maguire

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Also recommended: under £30

Burgon and Ball Left-Handed Bypass

Our best left-handed secateurs (bypass)

RRP: £23.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Amazon (£21.58) and On Buy (£36.81)

2048-1365-gw-secateurs-Burgon-and-Ball-Left-Handed-Bypass-Secateurs-2ded46b_NEW

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These reverse-design secateurs are ideal for left-handed gardeners and work really well. They have a high-carbon steel blade, which feels strong and cuts well. The 2.5cm cutting diameter means they can easily tackle most pruning jobs, and have a large safety catch that engages smoothly and easily.

Their ergonomic handles have bright orange plastic grips, so there should be no need to go hunting through piles of prunings for these. They’re easy to sharpen and look after and should last a long time. There are replacement blades and springs available, making these Burgon and Ball secateurs a more sustainable choice. And, given the 10-year warranty, I think they're excellent value for money. Kay Maguire

Read the full Burgon and Ball Left Handed Bypass review

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Darlac Compound Action Pruner

Our best secateurs for smaller hands (bypass)

RRP: £21.95

Our rating: 4.3/5

Available from: B&Q (£19.53), ManoMano (£18.50) and On Buy (25.57)

Our best secateurs for smaller hands (bypass): Darlac Compound Action Pruners

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These bypass secateurs have a central lever action, which makes them very easy on the hands when cutting, just like a ratchet secateur. The handles have a soft grip for comfort, and they're surprisingly light – half the weight of some of the other secateurs tested. I found them comfortable to use, and they cut well. The safety catch is on the top of the handle and is easy to switch on or off with a flick of the thumb. A great tool for those with less strength or smaller hands. The lifetime guarantee makes them excellent value for money too. Kay Maguire

Read the full Darlac Compound Action Pruner review

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Ames ratchet anvil pruner

Our best compact and lightweight secateurs (ratchet)

RRP: £21.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

Available from: Amazon (£17.99)

Best Buy ratchet secateurs for compact and lightweight 2025: Ames ratchet pruner

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Ames ratchet anvil pruner on test

These little secateurs are lightweight, pocket-sized and yet capable of cutting above their weight. The blade is SK5 carbon steel, which is resistant to wear and highly durable. Comfortable in the hand, despite their small size, with the four-stage ratchet, these secateurs cut through 1.8cm dead wood relatively easily, leaving a clean cut. Although the catch is a little awkward to use, the compact form factor was much valued in use. I liked the hole in the handle that makes it possible to attach a lanyard to the secateurs. They also have an impressive 15-year warranty. Jane Moore

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Also recommended: £30+

Darlac DP1030A Expert

Our best secateurs for large stems (bypass)

RRP: £33.95

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: B&Q (£25.99) and ManoMano (25.99)

Our best secateurs for large stems (bypass): Darlac DP1030A Expert

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These robust secateurs have a comfortable grip, and I found them nice to hold. They're good for cutting stems up to 2cm in diameter. The central safety catch is easy to engage with the thumb and can also be used to reduce the blade aperture (opening width) for light work, which is useful. There is a handy wire-cutting notch on the blade, and the red handles make them easy to find if lost in the garden. As secateurs in the mid-price range, they come with an impressive lifetime warranty, and there are replacement parts available too. Kay Maguire

Read the full Darlac Expert Bypass DP1030A review

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Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass Secateurs

Our best secateurs for comfort (bypass)

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Crocus (£39.99)

Our best secateurs for comfort (bypass): Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass Secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These secateurs have an aluminium frame with a sustainably sourced FSC-certified ash insert. This smooth wood is comfortable to hold and offers an excellent grip, even without gardening gloves. They're suitable for both right- and left-handed gardeners, and although the secateurs are lightweight at just 330g, they still feel robust and hard-wearing. When pruning, they cut through almost every material on test with little resistance. Live, green wood was easy to prune, and even hard, dried wood was easy to snip. This is thanks to a carbon steel blade covered in a plasma coating, which Kent and Stowe claim makes these harder than any other blade.

The cutting width can be adjusted with a simple catch, from 1cm to 2.5cm, so these secateurs can tackle thicker branches as well as more delicate stems, and the safety catch, which is placed by your thumb, is easy to open and close with one hand. They also have a handy hole for hanging them up in a shed or greenhouse after use and a notch on the blade for cutting twine and garden wire. With a fantastic 10-year warranty, these secateurs should last you a long time. However, we found that the grey blade and light brown handles are tricky to spot if you drop them in a border or lose them amongst prunings. Kay Maguire

Read the full Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass Secateurs review

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Felco Model 8

Our best secateurs for maintenance (bypass)

RRP: £65

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Amazon (£62.65) and On Buy (£62.65)

Our best secateurs for maintenance (bypass): Felco Model 8

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These classic secateurs from the world-renowned Swiss brand Felco felt sturdy, and they cut well in a variety of different jobs. They're also easy to maintain and come with the Felco lifetime guarantee. The secateurs feel chunky but light, and the ergonomic handle protects the wrist and hand, making longer pruning jobs less tiring. The red non-slip handle is useful, making them easy to see if lost in the garden. The blade also has a handy wire-cutting notch.

Felco come in at the higher end of the price scale compared to many of the other products I tested, but this reflects the high-quality materials they use, such as the precision-cut steel blades. Ideal for right-handed gardeners with medium to large hands, these secateurs are well-designed and will last you for life. Kay Maguire

Read the full Felco 8 Bypass Secateurs review

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Felco Model 32

Our best all-round secateurs (anvil)

RRP: £59

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Amazon (£66) and On Buy (£64.61)

Felco Model 32 anvil secateurs BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These high-quality anvil secateurs are strong and robust, with a hardened steel blade that cuts cleanly and effortlessly through thick, woody growth. With a wide cutting width, they feel sturdy in use and, although there's no comfort padding on the grip, these cut so smoothly that I felt no strain on my hand or wrist.

The safety catch positioned on the front of the secateurs can only be reached when they are held in the right hand. I found it stiff to move, and I needed to loosen it so it didn't require both my hands to open and close. All parts are replaceable, and they come with a lifetime warranty, making these secateurs good value for money. Kay Maguire

Read the full Felco Model 32 Pruning Shears review

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Niwaki GR Pro

Our best premium secateurs (bypass)

RRP: £90 (right-handed)

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Niwaki (£84)

Our best premium secateurs (bypass): Niwaki GR Pro

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These robust secateurs from Niwaki feature a hand-forged carbon-steel blade that cuts stems cleanly and smoothly. The safety catch sits at the end of the handles. I found it chunky, but easy to engage once I got used to it. They felt well-balanced and comfortable to use, and cut stems cleanly. They have bright yellow handles, making them easy to spot in the garden.

A replacement spring is included in your purchase, and they come in a choice of sizes, including small, regular and large and for both left- and right-handed gardeners. These are secateurs built to last, and I think they're good value for money. A holster is also available to buy, and they come with a two-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Read the full Niwaki GR Pro review

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Stihl PG25 Anvil

Our best secateurs for strength (anvil)

RRP: £37

Our rating: 4.3/5

Available from: Amazon (£53) and Mowers Online (£39.02)

Our best secateurs for strength (anvil): Stihl PG25 Anvil

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These sturdy, compact secateurs cut woodier stems with ease. The carbon steel blade has a non-stick coating and can be easily sharpened or replaced, and their orange handles make them easy to find amongst prunings in the garden. They are among the more expensive anvil secateurs, but they are a robust tool that makes light work of pruning jobs. They come with a two-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Read the full Stihl PG25 Anvil Secateurs review

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Best of the rest

Although some models didn't quite achieve a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy, they still have various features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest.

Wolf Garten Anvil Comfort Plus

RRP: £25.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

Available from: Amazon (£18.99) and B&Q (£28.99)

Wolf Garten Anvil Comfort Plus

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The secateurs are small and compact and feature a non-stick blade which cuts cleanly. There is an integrated spring closing between plastic handles, which do have a rubber grip, but only on the upper side. We found the safety catch was easy to reach; however, it was quite stiff to operate. Overall, the tool performed well, but it felt quite flimsy compared to more sturdy models. Kay Maguire

Latest Prices

Jardin de France Ratchet Secateur

RRP: £40.00

Our rating: 4.3/5

Available from: Jardin de France (£34.95)

Jardin de France Ratchet Secateur

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These ratchet secateurs feature a coated carbon-steel blade that cuts well through growth. The handles are aluminium and topped with a rubber grip for added comfort. The tool is suitable for left- and right-hand use, and both the blade and spring are replaceable. We found the safety catch could be fiddly, and the three-gear ratchet did occasionally slip. There is a one-year warranty included, and we thought the secateurs were great value for money overall. Kay Maguire

Darlac Super Classic Ratchet

RRP: £21.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

Available from: Amazon (£14.99), D.T. Brown (£21.95) and Mr Fothergills (£21.95)

Latest Deals Darlac Super Classic Ratchet Secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These Darlac ratchet secateurs come with an impressive 25-year warranty. The coated SK5 steel blade cuts smoothly, although the action took longer than other models tested. The tool has a wide cutting width, which is useful on larger stems. However, the handles were also quite large, which made them trickier to handle. Replaceable parts are available. Kay Maguire

Latest Deals

Bulldog Ratchet Pruning Secateurs

RRP: £21.99

Our rating: 4.1/5

Available from: Amazon (£14.28), B&Q (£16.60) and Tooled Up (£13.95)

Bulldog ratchet pruning secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Bulldog ratchet pruning secateurs in use. Image: Jane Moore

These secateurs feel strongly made and robust, and are generally heavy and solid in the hand. The four-ratchet mechanism cuts through 2cm of dead wood easily and cleanly, and the coating on the steel blade protects against corrosion. The soft-grip handle is nicely ridged, offering an excellent grip, and the little oiler pad set into the handle is a nice touch and proved handy when testing. Despite a shorter warranty than some other secateurs on test, these feel like a sturdy and strongly made pair of secateurs. Jane Moore

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Spear & Jackson Razorsharp PRO Heavy Duty

RRP: £25.99

Our rating: 4/5

Available from: Amazon (£24), B&Q (£28.94) and On Buy (£31.10)

Latest Deals Spear & Jackson Razorsharp PRO Heavy Duty Bypass

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These classic secateurs feel sturdy, capable and long-lasting. They have rubber shock absorbers on the handles to make cutting larger stems comfortable, but the central safety catch often caught halfway through a cut, which was frustrating. Cutting width also needed to be adjusted for different-sized stems. The plastic-coated handles are bright red, so they are easy to spot if mislaid. Replacement blades and springs are available, and they have a 10-year guarantee. Kay Maguire

Read the full Spear & Jackson Razorsharp PRO Heavy Duty Bypass Secateur review

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Wolf Garten RS5000 Professional Anvil

RRP: £59.99

Our rating: 4/5

Available from: Amazon (£41.03), B&Q (£49.99) and Tooled Up (£44.95)

Latest Deals Wolf Garten RS5000 Professional Anvil

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

With an integral spring, these large anvil secateurs are comfortable to use. The blade feels sharp and is angled, making accessing difficult cuts much easier. Plastic grips on the aluminium handles make holding them softer and less cold. However, the wrist cord just gets in the way, and larger cuts were a struggle. They're more expensive than some, but they have great features, the blades and springs are replaceable, and they have a long guarantee. Kay Maguire

Read the full Wolf Garten RS5000 Professional Anvil Secateurs review

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Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Razorsharp Ratchet Anvil Secateurs

RRP: £32.49

Our rating: 3.9/5

Available from: Amazon (£19.99), B&Q (£23,18) and Tooled Up (£27.95)

Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Razorsharp ratchet anvil secateurs

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Razorsharp ratchet anvil secateurs in use. Image: Jane Moore

Well-made and robust with a cast aluminium body, these secateurs offer a cutting width of 2cm, with a ratchet action in four stages. On hard, dead wood, the secateurs cut cleanly and well, although they opened too widely to offer leverage for smaller hands. The blade is coated with PTFE, a non-stick coating that gives a cleaner, smoother cut while also protecting the blade from rust. A finger guard offers protection, while the catch can be closed with one hand and is easily opened by a gentle squeeze action. With a 10-year guarantee, this is a good buy for any keen gardener who deals with a lot of woody winter pruning. Jane Moore

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Burgon & Ball Ratchet Pruner

RRP: £24.99

Our rating: 3.5/5

Available from:  Burgon & Ball (£24.99)

Burgon & Ball ratchet pruner

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Burgon & Ball ratchet pruner in use. Image: Jane Moore

With a wide cutting width of 2.5cm, these secateurs feature a three-stage ratchet and a high-carbon steel blade, offering 2.5 times more cutting power. The handle is nicely moulded with finger protection, although it feels like it is made for larger hands, with the opening width wider than some hands can deal with, reducing the leverage and grip necessary to cut larger branches. The catch is easy to open one-handed, but more difficult to close in this fashion. With a 10-year warranty, these are a good buy for a gardener with larger hands. Jane Moore

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Our expert testers trial hundreds of garden tools to work out which will do the job well and offer the best value, comfort and quality. If you're pruning larger branches, take a look at our reviews of the best electric secateurs, best loppers, best pruning saws and the best mini chainsaws and best wood-splitting axes.  For help clearing up, see our test of the best wheelbarrows or the best garden shredders.

Choosing the right type of secateurs

Watch Alan Titchmarsh's guide to choosing the right type of secateurs. He helps you identify the difference between bypass, anvil and ratchet secateurs and explains which gardening tasks each type of secateurs is best suited to.

Why do you need to clean secateurs?

Once you’ve bought your secateurs, it’s important to look after them so they last as long as possible.

See our video, where Alan Titchmarsh shows you how to clean your secateurs for help

How we tested secateurs

The secateurs were tested around the garden on perennials, trees and shrubs and at different times of the year. They were assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:

For more information on our testing process, take a look at How we review

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

This review was last updated in May 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The 6 best pruning saws to buy in 2026 – as tested by our reviews experts in real gardens https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-pruning-saws/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:11:33 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-pruning-saws/ For larger pruning jobs browse our pick of the best pruning saws. From folding and fixed saws to curved and straight blades these saws will help you prune with ease.

Jump to our top-rated pruning saws

Secateurs and loppers are handy pruning tools, but for thicker branches, a pruning saw is the tool for the job. The last resort before you need a chainsaw, a pruning saw has a toothed blade capable of cutting branches 5cm thick and above, and many different shapes and sizes are available, from compact folding saws that fit in the pocket to long, straight, fixed blades that need a holster to keep them safe.

All have a high-carbon steel blade, and many have been designed to cut a particular type or thickness of wood. As a rule of thumb, the longer the blade, the thicker the wood it can cut, but the strength of the blade, the sharpness of the teeth and how long they stay sharp, as well as grip and comfort, will all affect how easily and well a saw will cut.

Our best pruning saws to buy at a glance

Our 6 top-rated garden loppers

Our expertise

We reviewed a range of the most popular pruning saws, putting them through their paces on woody branches and stems to bring you a list of the best pruning saws. Each saw has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to ease of handling, cutting ability, maintenance and value for money.  From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on pruning saws that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list. Each pruning saw has scored a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars, so you can buy with confidence.

Jump to the best pruning saws:

Jump to pruning saws advice:

Our 6 top-rated pruning saws

Stiga Folding Pruning Saw

Our best folding saw for performance (2025)

RRP: £19.99

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Available from: Stiga (£19.99)

Best Buy folding pruning saw for performance: Stiga folding pruning saw

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

From the outset, this saw feels sturdy and well-balanced in the hand, despite its 25cm high-carbon steel blade. The curved blade has triple-ground teeth and is made of 65Mn steel, which is tougher than other knife steels and has a similar hardness due to its high manganese content.

The handle has a defined grip area, which encourages you to hold it in the correct place for optimal cutting, while the bright yellow would make it easy to spot amongst debris. The blade folds neatly into the 32cm handle, locking securely in position whether closed or open. The handle also features a hole in the end, ready for a handy lanyard.

Stiga folding pruning saw on test. Image: Jane Moore

The Teflon-coated blade cuts cleanly and with little friction, making light and easy work of both live and dead wood. Although the longer length could prove challenging to manoeuvre in some situations, the saw is slender and proved easy to use when pruning a dense shrub. With a five-year warranty, no plastic packaging and a quality finish, this pruning saw is a good choice for the keen gardener with plenty of regular woody pruning to do. Jane Moore

ARS CAM24 PRO Pruning Saw

Our best fixed straight saw

RRP: £48.86

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£42.90), B&Q (£49.99) and Tooled up (£39.95)

Best Buy fixed straight saw: ARS CAM 24 PRO pruning saw

Reasons to buy:

This light, comfortable pruning saw easily cuts even thick, dense wood. The high-carbon steel blade is chrome-plated for durability and impulse-hardened teeth, so they stay sharp longer. It cuts on the pull stroke, and the handle has a rubber grip and is hooked to stop the hand slipping, even when applying pressure. Best for cutting wood at the user's level. All parts are replaceable, it comes with a handy holster and has a lifetime warranty. Kay Maguire

Read the full ARS CAM 24 PRO review

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ARS PM-21 Folding Pruning Saw

Our best folding saw

RRP: £38.95

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£39.55), B&Q (39.95) and Tooled-Up (£31.95)

Best Buy folding saw: ARS PM21 pruning saw review

Reasons to buy:

This light, simple saw has a chrome-plated carbon-steel blade and impulse-hardened teeth, which will stay sharper longer. It’s made from aluminium and has a shaped rubber grip handle that fits comfortably in the hand as you work. This tool is light, comfortable, and easy to use, cutting effortlessly through even thick, dense wood. Every single part is replaceable and it comes with a lifetime warranty. Kay Maguire

Read the full ARS PM-21 Folding Saw review and watch our Best Buy video to see why the ARS PM-21 Folding Pruning Saw was awarded BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy status.

View Green Video on the source website

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Silky Gomboy Curve Professional Folding Saw

Our best folding saw for high use

RRP:£47.39

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Suffolk Mowers (£50.28) and Garden Machines (£45.45)

Best Buy folding saw for high use: Silky Gomboy Curve Professional pruning saw

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This Silky saw is very well made and crafted from excellent-quality materials. Although expensive, it's well worth the price for frequent use. The long, slightly curved blade makes pruning disproportionately easier than with a shorter saw, and it gives good reach, allowing you to get into dense shrubs and awkward spots. The materials are durable, with the teeth set into the blade for a smooth cut with minimal resistance, and the blade folds and secures to the handle easily.

The handle is shaped for a comfortable grip and features a micro-textured rubber coating that ensures a secure grip even when wet. It’s also sufficiently long to use two-handed if a bit more oomph is needed, or when one arm starts to tire. The handle has an 'eye' on the end for hanging and easy storage, and the saw also comes with a plastic case that can be buckled to a belt. Its bright yellow colour makes it easy to spot when you put the saw down to clear prunings, but it is also rather large and could get in the way. Replacement blades are available, but they’re pricey at £29.94. Kay Maguire

Read the full Silky Gomboy Curve Professional Pruning Saw review

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Felco 640 Pruning Saw

Our best fixed curved saw

RRP: £60.00

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£65.99)

Best Buy fixed curved saw: Felco 640 pruning saw review

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This high-quality pruning saw won a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy award for Best fixed curved saw, and it is a joy to use. The high-carbon steel blade is chrome-plated to help prevent corrosion and features impulse-hardened teeth, cutting cleanly and precisely. The curved handle is hooked with a rubber grip, and it feels comfortable and well-balanced in the hand.

With a holster and belt hook for easy carrying, it also has a Velcro strap which wraps comfortably around the leg for added security. Capable of tackling even the toughest wood, this saw is a great investment if you have lots of trees and shrubs to look after. It comes with a lifetime warranty, and replacement parts and a repair service are available. Kay Maguire

Read the full Felco 640 Pruning Saw review

Latest Deals

Stihl PR16 Handycut Folding Saw

Our best compact pruning saw

RRP: £32

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£32.49)

Best Buy compact saw: Stihl PR16 Handycut pruning saw review

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This light, comfortable pruning saw has a chrome-plated Japanese steel blade with a cutting width of 65mm. It's surprisingly sharp and strong, with no clogging or sticking, and it folds in and out of the handle with a plastic button. The shaped handle has well-placed rubber grips that cushion the hand, and our only complaint is the safety catch's stiffness, which loosens with time. The saw is compact, neat and ideal for sticking in a pocket when you go out into the garden. It comes with a two-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Read the full Stihl PR16 Handycut Pruning Saw review

Latest Deals

Best of the rest

Although some models didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest:

Ames Folding Pruning Saw

RRP: £19

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Bradshaws (14.95) and Cambridge Home and Garden (£15)

Ames folding pruning saw

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

With its curved non-slip handle and thumb pad, the Ames folding pruning saw is comfortable in the hand and in use. It features a nylon-fibre handle with a good tactile grip and a handy hole for a lanyard, along with an SK5 carbon-steel blade. The 21cm blade is PTFE-coated for smooth cutting, rust resistance, and lasting sharpness, and it cuts through both live and dead wood with little effort.

Ames folding pruning saw on test. Image: Jane Moore

The blade folds nicely into the 26cm handle and can be securely locked in either the open or closed position for safe handling and storage. With a 15-year warranty, this is a good option for the keen gardener needing a mid-sized pruning saw with a long warranty. Jane Moore

Darlac Sabre Tooth Folding Saw

RRP: £21.99

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: B&Q (£20.99) and Mano Mano (£19.99)

Darlac sabre tooth folding saw review BBC Gardeners' World magazine

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The straight blade on this folding saw is made from carbon steel with a rust-resistant chrome coating and is strong, sturdy and sharp with a 90mm cutting width. The soft rubber grip handle is comfortable and hooked to prevent your hand slipping, and the blade folds in and out, locking in place both ways for safety.

However, you do need to make sure you guide the blade into the handle when closing, otherwise it tends to catch on the handle and, over time, will scuff the rubber. Replacement blades are available at an additional cost. This pruning saw is ideal if you only have a few trees and shrubs, and would prefer to replace the blade rather than buy a new pruning saw. This tool comes with a lifetime warranty. Kay Maguire

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Wilkinson Sword Turbo Folding Saw

RRP: £24.99

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: Mano Mano (£24.99), On Buy (£24.99) and Tooled Up (£21.95)

Wilkinson Sword Turbo folding saw review BBC Gardeners' World magazine

Reasons to buy:

REasons to avoid:

This compact folding saw has a curved blade made from Japanese steel and triple-ground teeth that cut cleanly on the pull stroke. The comfortable handle has a soft rubber grip covering, and it's hooked to stop the hand slipping in use. A gripped, plastic safety catch on the top of the handle locks the blade both open and closed.

However, the blade catches on the handle as it closes, scuffing the rubber, so make sure you guide it into the handle when locking it in place. A handy size for slipping into your pocket, this saw comes with a 10-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Latest Deals

Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Large Folding Pruning Saw

RRP: £32.49

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£25.99) and Tooled Up (£27.94)

Spear and Jackson Razorsharp folding pruning saw review BBC Gardeners' World magazine

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This is one of the largest pruning saws in the group we tested, measuring 60cm, but it feels sturdy to use. It’s comfortable, thanks to a soft grip handle that's curved to prevent your hand from slipping in use. The safety button is easy to use: it unlocks the blade to open or close it, and it also locks in the halfway position to prevent fingers from accidentally catching on the blade.

The straight blade is made from SK5 carbon steel and chrome-plated for lasting sharpness, rust resistance, and durability. It also has precision-ground teeth for a smooth, clean cut, which comfortably tackle branches up to 90mm wide. In the top price range of the group we tested, it comes with just a 10-year warranty, compared to many others that offer a lifetime warranty. However, it’s a sturdy saw that cuts well, has good safety features and is ideal for cutting living, green wood. Kay Maguire 

Latest Deals

Corona Max RazorTOOTH 35.5cm Pruning Saw

RRP: £40.99

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: Burgon & Ball (£40.99)

Corona Max Razor TOOTH pruning saw review BBC Gardeners' World magazine

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

A fixed pruning saw with a long, curved SK5 carbon steel blade, chrome-plated and impulse-hardened, this saw cuts even thick, dense wood cleanly and smoothly. The shaped, ergonomic handle has rubber grips for the fingers and thumb, is curved to prevent the hand slipping when cutting, and it feels comfortable and light in use.

Although the saw comes in a cardboard case, it doesn't include a holster or cover for the blade, which could be an issue when carrying it and storing it. Ideal for medium and larger branches, this saw is available in a variety of sizes and comes with a lifetime warranty. Kay Maguire

Latest Deals

Niwaki GR210 Folding Saw

RRP: £39.00

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: Niwaki (£40)

Latest Deals Niwaki GR210 pruning saw review BBC Gardeners' World magazine

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Packaged in a neat cardboard box and cotton bag, this simple pruning saw has a straight, narrow blade made from SK4 carbon steel.  It has been impulse hardened to ensure the teeth stay sharp for longer and a maximum cutting width of 70mm. It cuts well, tackling dense wood smoothly, and the saw feels light and well-balanced in use. The handle has a chunky, ribbed rubber grip, which testers found became a bit uncomfortable after time and a safety button on the top allows the blade to fold in and out of the handle.

When the blade is open, it locks in place, but not when it's closed; in our test, the blade was quite loose when closed inside the handle and prone to falling out easily, which felt quite dangerous. Fortunately, this was rectified by tightening the large screw on the handle. It's a great-looking piece of kit that's easy to use. Plus, replacement blades and a leather holster are available. It comes with a two-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Latest Deals

Felco 621 Pruning Saw

RRP: £59.99

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£55.98) and On Buy (£53.99)

Felco 621 pruning saw review BBC Gardeners' World magazine

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This well-balanced saw has a fixed, straight blade made from high-carbon steel with a chrome plating to prevent corrosion and a cutting width of 80mm. The teeth have been impulse-hardened to help them stay sharper longer, and they cut smoothly and easily.

The hooked handle helps keep the hand in place when cutting and features a rubber grip to prevent slipping, but compared to other saws we tested, it felt less comfortable to use. It includes a holster and belt hook for safe carrying, replacement parts, and a repair service, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. Kay Maguire

Latest Deals

Silky Pocketboy

RRP: £39.95

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£39.99) and B&Q (39.95)

Silky Pocketboy pruning saw BBC Gardeners World magazine review

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This compact folding saw has a straight blade made from Japanese steel, chrome-plated to resist rust and for easy cleaning, and teeth that are impulse-hardened for harder, longer wear. It's designed to cut on the pull stroke. The comfortable handle features a micro-textured rubber grip and is shaped to be held securely. It folds into the rubber handle simply and easily with a press-down metal fastener and has two cutting positions, though it came loose from its fastener several times during use.

This saw is small and easy to slip into your pocket, so keep it close to your hand when needed. The handle has an 'eye' on the end for hanging it up in the shed, and it also comes with a plastic case that can be hooked onto a belt. It's good for light pruning, but it's expensive for its size and usage. A limited lifetime warranty covers errors in materials or construction, but not wear and tear from use. Kay Maguire

Latest Deals

B&Q Magnusson 330mm Pruning Saw

RRP: £18

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from: B&Q (£20)

B & Q Magnusson pruning saw review BBC Gardeners' World magazine

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

With a fixed straight blade made from SK5 carbon steel, this super-safe saw has a rubber grip handle with a hand guard that protects the fingers. It cuts smoothly and feels light and comfortable to use, but the blade guard is just a simple slip-on cover in transparent plastic that could be easily lost. However, it's great value and has a handy hanging hook so you can store this rather large saw safely out of the way. Kay Maguire

Latest Deals

Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Small Folding Pruning Saw

RRP: £17.99

Our rating: 3.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (13.07) and Tooled Up (£14.95)

Spear & Jackson Razorsharp small folding pruning saw

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

A mid-sized option, this pruning saw features an 18cm carbon steel blade that folds into a 25cm handle. With a nicely curved, ‘pistol-grip’ handle, ribbed grip, and moulded thumb pad, it feels very comfortable and secure in the hand. The handle also features a hole for fitting a lanyard. The blade locks safely in both the open and closed positions.

Spear & Jackson Razorsharp small folding pruning saw on test. Image: Jane Moore

When pruning, it is comfortable to use and a good size for most tasks, although some effort is required, and the cut action is not as smooth as one would hope. With a generous 10-year guarantee and a keen price, this pruning saw would suit the budget-conscious gardener. Jane Moore

Kent & Stowe Turbo Folding Saw

RRP: £14.99

Our rating: 3.5 out of 5

Available from: B&Q (£10.79), Marshalls (£9.99) and Tooled Up (£12.95)

Kent & Stowe Turbo folding saw

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This pocket-sized pruning saw, with its tough 14cm carbon steel blade and ridged rubber grip handle, is both comfortable and nicely balanced, despite its small size. When folded, the saw is only 18cm long, and the locking mechanism secures the blade when folded or in use. The handle has a moulded hole, which is ideal for a lanyard and for hanging the saw in the shed.

Kent & Stowe Turbo folding saw on test. Image Jane Moore

The blade features triple-ground teeth, and the good grip on the handle makes it efficient at cutting through green or wood up to 5cm in diameter, although it's better suited to smaller branches. It has a five-year warranty, and the compact size makes it a great choice for those with smaller hands or a smaller garden. Jane Moore

If you're pruning smaller branches, take a look at our reviews of the best secateurs, best electric secateurs and the best loppers and for help clearing up see our test of the best shredders, best wood-splitting axes and best wheelbarrows.

Pruning saw features explained

Blade: Typically high-carbon steel and curved or straight, fixed or folding. Many have a chrome or anti-rust plating. Most are hardened, so teeth stay sharp for longer.
Teeth: Usually triple-ground, making them sharp and effective. A saw usually cuts on the pull, or occasionally the push, or even both. The pull stroke needs the least effort.
Hanging hole: Handy for storing your saw safely when not in use.
Hook: A useful design feature, this hooked area at the end of the handle prevents your hand from slipping off the saw as you cut.
Safety catch: Most folding saws have a push-button lock that should be easily reached by the thumb. The blade should lock into place for use, but many also lock closed into the handle for safety. Some also lock halfway down.

How to choose a pruning saw

Before you buy, think about the following:

How to use a pruning saw safely

Saws are extremely sharp, so always wear sturdy gloves. If pruning above head height, wear safety glasses and avoid standing on ladders to prune; you need to be stable and comfortably positioned to cut safely. Always choose the right blade for the job - a curved blade is best when cutting above your head.

How we tested pruning saws

We tested a range of folding and fixed saws with both curved and straight blades, putting them through their paces on the types of woody branches and stems that need pruning year-round. They were assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:

For more information on our testing process, see How we review

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

This review was last updated in July 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best garden shears in 2026 - tested by our experts https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-garden-shears/ Thu, 22 Jan 2026 20:01:14 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-garden-shears/ Find your perfect pair of garden shears with our expert tests. A good pair of garden shears can make garden tasks quick and easy to tackle. They’re essential for the proper care of hedges, shrubs, and lawns, helping to keep them neat and in tip-top condition. Unlike secateurs, which are designed for pruning single branches, garden shears can tackle several branches or blades of grass at once. There are a couple of different types:

Edging shears - these specialised lawn tools are long-handled with an angled blade for trimming the edges of lawns next to paving, decking and flowerbeds. Specific lawn shears are also available and are similar to edging shears, but have a flat, horizontal blade for trimming awkward areas of grass, such as tufts around trees or next to fences and walls. Check out our buyers' guide video to find the best edging shears for your garden:

View Green Video on the source website

Hedge shears - Like big garden scissors, these are ideal for pruning and shaping hedges and trees, or cutting down garden waste for compost. They're available with standard or telescopic handles that extend, for safely reaching the tops of tall trees, shrubs, and bushes without using ladders.

Best garden shears at a glance:

Our expertise

We reviewed a range of edging and hedge shears, putting them through their paces on different shaped lawns and on hedges of different ages and species. Each pair of shears has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to blade and handles, comfort, performance and value for money.  From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on pairs of shears that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list. Each pair of shears has scored a minimum of 4 out of 5 stars, so you can buy with confidence.

Jump to:

In every review, we award the outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best garden shears below:

Best hedge shears

Darlac Lightweight Shear 8 Inches

RRP: £39.95

Our rating: 4.75 out of 5

Available from Fothergills

Best Buy lightweight shears: Darlac Lightweight Shears

Best Buy lightweight shears: Darlac Lightweight ShearsPros

Cons

Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best lightweight shears, these hedge shears give an excellent cut, slicing cleanly through the branches of every hedge on test. They’re remarkably light; at just 820g, they weigh less than a bag of sugar. This weight makes them very nimble for precise trimming, but also a joy to use when cutting large hedges and shrubs. They’re made even more comfortable by their effective shock absorbers. They come with a lifetime warranty.

Best Buy review video - the Darlac lightweight shears

In this in-depth video review, Alex David explains why the Darlac lightweight shears were awarded BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy status. 

View Green Video on the source website

Buy the Darlac Lightweight Shears from B&Q, Fothergills and Mano Mano

Latest Deals

Bulldog Premier Wavy Blade Hedge Shears

RRP: £27.43

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Tooled Up

Best Buy for ease of use: Bulldog Premier Wavy Blade Hedge Shears

Pros

Cons

They might be small, but these hedge shears pack a punch, slicing through every hedge in our test with ease and we awarded them a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for ease of use. Their wavy blades are fantastic for gripping branches and leaves without chewing them up and their size makes them great for gardeners who are tight on storage space, plus they have a cover for hanging up and protecting them from rust. However, the shock absorbers don’t work very well, and the plastic handles feel a little cheap. The rubber grips on these handles are just 13cm long, so they may be uncomfortable if you have larger hands.

Buy the Bulldog Premier Wavy Blade Hedge Shears from Amazon, B&Q and Tooled Up

Latest Deals

Best edging shears

Darlac DP812 Lawn Edging Shears

RRP: £42.95

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Available from On Buy

Latest Prices Best Buy lightweight edging shears: Darlac DP812 Lawn Edging Shearse

Pros

Cons

A BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award winner for the best lightweight edging shears, these lawn edging shears have adjustable handles, which adjust from 66cm to 108cm, so you can use them with a straight back, whatever your height and soft grips make them comfortable to handle too. These edging shears feature strong, wavy-edged blades that cut well, and, at 29cm in length, are quick and efficient to get the job done. They also come with a lifetime warranty.

Best Buy review video - the Darlac DP812 Lawn Edging Shears

In this in-depth video review, Cinead McTernan explains why the Darlac DP812 lawn edging shears were awarded BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy status. 

View Green Video on the source website

Read the full Darlac DP812 lawn edging shears review

Buy the Darlac DP812 Lawn Edging Shears from B&Q, D.T.Brown and On Buy

Latest Prices

Bulldog Edging Shears

RRP: £39.36

Our rating: 4.75 out of 5

Available from Tooled Up

Latest Prices Best Buy for performance: Bulldog Edging Shears

Pros

Cons

Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for performance, these edging shears have high-carbon steel blades with an epoxy coating for extra protection against rusting. The handles have rubber grips, but although they aren't ergonomic, they’re extremely well-balanced and always hang parallel to the edge. They’re also lightweight and comfortable to hold.

These shears performed well during the test, cutting through the grass cleanly every time. The full length of the blade is sharp and effective, and they’re thin enough to sit neatly between the lawn and paving stones. However, they feel a little cheap, and no replacement blades are available. The mechanism to open the blades is also a little stiff.

Buy the Bulldog Edging Shears from B&Q, Mano Mano and Tooled Up

Latest Prices

Burgon and Ball RHS Endorsed Edging Shears

RRP: £48.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Latest Prices Best Buy for comfort: Burgon and Ball RHS Endorsed Edging Shears

Pros

Cons

These are lightweight but sturdy edging shears, with one coated carbon-steel blade and one stainless steel blade, for the best of both kinds of steel - rust resistance and strength. They’re well-balanced and have ergonomic handles, which are very comfortable and don’t rub, and we awarded them a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for comfort. It’s easy to get these shears into position, and they easily slice through grass. They’re a good height, but shorter gardeners might find them a little long.

However, they have no hook to hang them up with, and although they’re well-balanced, the blade doesn’t always hang parallel to the edge. Replacement blades aren't available for these, and the shears don’t fully open for sharpening.

Buy the Burgon and Ball RHS Endorsed Edging Shears from Amazon

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Best of the rest

Although some models didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest on test:

Kent and Stowe General Purpose Hedge Shears 8 Inches

RRP: £19.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from B&Q

Kent and Stowe General Purpose Hedge Shears 8” - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Pros

Cons

On test, we found this pair great for snipping through leaves and thinner stems. They’re light and well-balanced, and their handles give great grip without rubbing. However, they struggle with woodier material, and the shock absorbers don’t soften the cut as well as they could.

Buy the Kent and Stowe General Purpose Hedge Shears 8” from B&Q

Latest Prices

Burgon and Ball RHS Endorsed Hedge Shears

RRP: £37.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Latest Prices Burgon and Ball RHS Endorsed Hedge Shears

Pros

Cons:

For cutting a lot of tough hedging, try these shears from Burgon and Ball. The wavy blades are chromed and coated for longevity, and they grip material well, but their most important feature is a compound mechanism - a lever that assists with generating extra force, which means they slice easily through branches. However, they shears aren’t ideal for more delicate tasks like trimming conifers, and the compound action also means that they don’t have shock absorbers, which is a little uncomfortable. We love the ten-year warranty.

Buy the Burgon and Ball RHS Endorsed Hedge Shears from Amazon

Latest Prices

For more help with pruning, take a look at our expert reviews of the best secateurs, the best loppers, best mini chainsaws, electric secateurs and the best hedge trimmers. And for help clearing up see our tests of the best wheelbarrows, the best shredders and the best wood-splitting axes.

How to choose garden shears

Before you buy, consider the following features-

Blades - These are almost always steel; either carbon steel, which is durable and strong but prone to rust, or stainless steel, which is highly resistant to rust but is a little weaker. Sometimes carbon blades are powder-coated to protect the steel from rust. Almost always, shears arrive with a thin coating of oil to both further protect the blades and lubricate the hinge.

Handles - These can be simple and plain, ergonomically designed or include grips for comfort, and are usually made from steel, aluminium, wood or composite plastic. Steel is long-lasting but heavy, wood helps to absorb shock but needs maintenance and care, while composite handles can't be recycled.

Weight - The lighter the shears, the better. These tools get hours of use, so it’s best to steer clear of heavy types, which will be tiring for your hands, wrists and arms.

Bumpers - Generating the power to cut through tough hedging like leylandii, yew, and hawthorn can put a lot of force on your hands. Good bumpers or shock absorbers will soften the impact and ensure a comfortable cut. This is especially helpful for gardeners with mobility or strength issues with their hands.

Length - The longer the blades, the more efficiently they will perform the job, the shorter the shears, the more nimble. If you need to tackle a lot of hedging, go for long shears; for small, neater work, go for smaller shears.

What are wavy hedge shears?

Some hedge shears have wavy blades rather than straight blades. This is to help them grip the plant stems and stop them slipping when being cut, and is useful for more open, larger-leaved hedging. However, wavy blades can be tricky to sharpen, and because they’re a little more expensive to manufacture, can be pricier than more traditional straight-blade shears.

How to sharpen garden shears

Sharp shears are safer and work more efficiently than blunt ones, so it's worth looking after them and sharpening the blades regularly. Although some hedging and edging shears may come with their own specialist sharpening tool, most should come apart easily for sharpening, simply by removing the central nut and bolt with a spanner. Once the two blades are separated, follow our simple tips for easy sharpening :

How we tested garden shears

We tested a range of both edging and hedge shears, just as a gardener would use them, on grass between lawns, paving stones and borders and on a variety of species hedges. They were assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

This review was last updated in January 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best mini chainsaws in 2026 – as tested by our expert reviewers https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-mini-chainsaws/ Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:21:05 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-mini-chainsaws/ Looking for the best mini chainsaw for your next garden tidy up? Ditch your old loppers and take a look at our review Mini chainsaws are simple tools that take the hard work out of cutting wood. They're ideal for gardeners with limited mobility or strength, or those who have a lot of pruning or wood chopping to do. Designed to bridge the gap between manual loppers and full-size chainsaws, they can do everything a saw does - prune trees, shape woody shrubs, or cut up firewood, but with less effort.

Lightweight and portable, mini chainsaws can get into tight spaces where other saws would struggle, and thanks to their lithium-ion batteries, you don’t need to deal with noisy, fiddly engines either. These small handheld saws aren’t designed for heavy-duty tree work, though. They’re designed to be lightweight and easy to handle, rather than heavy and powerful.

They can't take the place of a full-size chainsaw, but if you want to keep your garden looking tidy, they're very handy pieces of kit, especially when combined with the best garden shredder. Plus, some of these mini chainsaws can also be combined with long reach extension poles to help you prune high, hard-to-reach branches.

To find out which model would suit you best, take a look at our reviews of the top mini chainsaws available to buy right now, all tested by our experts, aling with our advice on how to choose and use a mini chainsaw, below. 

Best mini chainsaws to buy at a glance

View Affiliate Playlist on the source website

Comparison table: best mini chainsaws

Our expertise  We tested a range of different mini chainsaws, using them to prune trees and cut firewood to help you find the best one for your next garden project. Each chainsaw features a list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to ease of use, comfort, performance, and value for money. From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on mini chainsaws that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list.

Jump to:

Best mini chainsaws in 2026

Stihl GTA 26 cordless garden pruner

RRP: £119 (for tool only)

Our rating: 4.9/5

Available from Amazon

undefined Best Buy mini chainsaw: Stihl GTA 26 cordless garden pruner

Pros

Cons

The durable and reliable GTA 26 is a fantastic mini chainsaw that offers cordless convenience and enough power to cut through medium-sized branches and logs. It boasts a 10cm bar, a comfortable rubberised grip, tool-free chain tensioning, a battery charge level indicator on the side, and a razor-sharp Swiss-made micro chain. Powered by the tiny 10.8 Volt, 2.5 Ah AS 2 battery, which is compatible with a range of Stihl AS tools, including a strimmer, powered pruners and a hedge trimmer, it’s a surprisingly capable saw for such a small unit. There’s also the option of buying an extension pole for hard-to-reach pruning. The only drawback is a short 25-minute runtime. We awarded the Stihl GTA 26 a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for best mini chainsaw. It comes with a two-year warranty.

Buy the Stihl GTA 26 from Amazon

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Husqvarna Aspire P5-P4A pruner

RRP: £149.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from Husqvarna

Best Buy versatile mini chainsaw: Husqvarna Aspire P5-P4A Pruner

Pros

Cons

The Aspire P5-P4A has a very comfortable handle and a power button that also shows the charge left in the battery. Making use of the brilliantly versatile 18 Volt Power for All Alliance battery platform, you can use the same battery in a range of different tool brands, including Bosch, Gardena and Flymo. This also means you can install higher-capacity batteries than the 2.5Ah one included, to increase your working time. Although it doesn’t come with a carry case, Husqvarna has included a handy hanging hook that you can easily screw into your shed wall to keep it off the floor. You can extend the reach with a pole extension accessory as well. The P5-P4A has been awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for a versatile mini chainsaw. It comes with a two-year warranty and a container of bio chain oil.

Buy the Husqvarna Aspire P5-P4A Pruner from Husqvarna

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Webb Eco WEV20PSB2 cordless pruning saw trimmer

RRP: £89.99 (kit)

Our rating: 4.6/5

Available from Currys

undefined Best Buy budget mini chainsaw: Webb Eco WEV20PSB2 Cordless Pruning Saw

Pros

Cons

The WEV20PSB2 cordless pruning saw is a welcome addition to the new Webb cordless range. An affordable and capable saw for pruning tree limbs or processing firewood, it features a generous 15 cm-long bar and an in-built chain break to avoid dangerous overrun. The 20 Volt tool comes with a 2.0Ah battery and a slimline charger that promises up to 40 minutes of cutting per charge. What we like best is that you get a very capable saw for less than £100, so we’ve awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for a budget mini chainsaw. The only thing you need to buy straight away is your own chain oil to keep the blade in good condition. It comes with a three-year warranty.

Buy the WEV20PSB2 cordless pruning saw from B&Q, Currys and Robert Dyas

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Best of the rest

Although some models didn't quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have great features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest on test:

Bosch EasyChain 18V-15-7 cordless chainsaw

RRP: £131.99 (without battery and charger)

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from Amazon

undefined Bosch EasyChain 18V-15-7

Pros

Cons

Weighing just 1.3kg, the Bosch EasyChain is light enough, and its brushless motor stops when you let go of the trigger, avoiding any dangerous overrun. Featuring a generous 15cm bar and chain made by famed chainsaw brand Oregon, it makes short work of branches and big firewood logs. The battery charge level indicator is a nice feature, as is the impressive run time, which promises 160 cuts per charge. The only issue we had was that the tool-free tensioning system worked itself loose too easily. It comes with a two-year warranty and a bottle of eco-friendly chain oil.

Buy the Bosch EasyChain 18V-15-7 from Amazon, B&Q and Currys

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WORX 12cm cordless compact chainsaw WG324E

RRP: £119.99

Our rating: 3.8/5

Available from B&Q

WORX WG324E Cordless Pruning Saw

Pros

Cons

A great addition if you already have other WORX tools, this runs on their 20 Volt battery system. It’s compact and lightweight, while still feeling powerful enough to chew through branches quickly. It’s supplied with a 2.0Ah battery, good for a 40-minute run time, that features a charge level indicator. The 12cm bar length is fine for small to medium-sized branches, but the chunky handle stops it from being the most comfortable saw to handle. This product comes with a two-year warranty.

Buy WORX WG324E Cordless Pruning Saw from Amazon, B&Q and Wilko

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Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw Pruner

RRP: £139.99

Our rating: 3.7/5

Available from Tooled Up

Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw Pruner

Pros

Cons

This mini chainsaw pruner is ideal for pruning smaller branches and runs on a 24 Volt battery system, which should, in theory at least, get more working time from each charge. It comes with a 2.0Ah battery, which has a charge level indicator on the end, but you can also buy bigger capacity ones from Greenworks. It’s comfortable to use, thanks to an ergonomic pistol grip and a good weight balance. The bar feels a little bit undersized on this saw, however. You only get 10 cm to play with, even though it has a chunky body and a full-size battery. The tool-free chain tensioning system works well, once you get the hang of it, and it comes complete with a case and bottle of chain oil. It features a 50-minute run time and a three-year warranty.

Buy Greenworks 24V Mini Chainsaw Pruner from Amazon, Robert Dyas and Tooled Up

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If you're pruning smaller branches, take a look at our reviews of the best secateurs, best electric secateurs and the best loppers and for help clearing up, see our test of the best wheelbarrows.

How to choose a mini chainsaw

If you’re thinking of buying a mini chainsaw, consider the following points first:

Are they safe? Used properly, and with the right safety equipment, yes. Improper use, even with the extra safety features on the best mini chainsaws, can lead to devastating injuries. Some saws, like the Bosch EasyChain and Webb Eco, feature brushless motors that stop the chain immediately after releasing the trigger, which is effectively a chain brake that you would find on professional-level chainsaws. Other safety features include ergonomic non-slip handles for a firm grip, pivoting bar guards that cover the top of the blade and away from the hands, and handle guards to keep your hands safe

Are they easy to use? Operating an electric pruning chainsaw is as simple as pushing a button, and compared to a traditional petrol-powered chainsaw, you don’t need to learn the ins and outs of a two-stroke engine or mix fuel and oil together. However, learning proper cutting techniques is important to get the most out of your saw, so it's worth looking for a chainsaw training and maintenance guide for help. Learning how to use your saw and resharpen the blade will pay you back in the long run. Keeping the chain sharp will help you cut through wood easily and also puts less stress on the motor and battery. You can buy inexpensive manual chain sharpening kits that use round files and guides to sharpen each tooth on the chain, or splash out on an electric chain grinder to save some effort. Getting the tension right on your chainsaw blade is also important. You should check the tension before using a saw and after making several cuts. A loose chain is prone to jumping off the bar, which is both annoying and dangerous. A properly tensioned blade will cut efficiently and safely. Check the manual for your chainsaw for the correct tension, but it should fit snugly without any sagging

How long can they cut for? It’s not always straightforward, but essentially, the larger your battery, the longer you can cut for. If you value a lightweight and easy-to-handle tool, you’ll have to put up with shorter working times, although you could always invest in more batteries to ensure one is ready to work while the other is on charge. The length of the blade (given as bar length) will also affect battery power. The bigger the bar, the larger the branches you can tackle, but it can be unwieldy to use and will use up more battery power than a shorter bar

How to use a mini chainsaw

Without trying to put anyone off, chainsaws of any size need to be treated with respect.

Here are some tips on how to use a mini chainsaw safely:

How we tested mini chainsaws

The BBC Gardeners' World Magazine reviews team tested a variety of mini chainsaws in the garden to prune trees and shrubs and cut firewood. The following criteria were used to calculate the scores, with equal weight given to each:

For more information on our testing process, see How we Review

Mini chainsaw parts explained

Bar
Acts as the guide for the cutting chain and has a groove that the chain follows. Bar length determines the size of branches you can cut.

Protective hood
This pivoting section sits on top of the bar, protecting the user from the upper chain. It means that if the saw kicks back, the sharp chain is covered. It replaces the chain brake, a safety feature you’d find on full-size saws, which engages when the saw detects kickback.

Motor
This will be brushed or brushless. Brushed motors are simpler and cheaper, but a brushless motor (which literally has no brushes to conduct electricity) is more reliable and efficient, as there’s no friction or heat from the brushes rubbing on the motor, and therefore more expensive.

Safety trigger
A two-step safety start, you need to press both buttons before you can switch the saw on, which should avoid accidental start-ups.

Chain
A segmented chain similar to that on a bicycle. Each section contains a sharp tooth that cuts into the wood. The motor drives the chain around the bar to cut into branches. It only works in one direction, so look for an arrow on the guide bar.

Hanging hook
To keep your saw up off the ground and out of the way, most come with a hanging hook on the handle.

Chain tensioner
To run a chainsaw efficiently and safely, the chain tension needs to be just right - not too loose or too tight. Adjusting the tension is usually achieved with a small hex key, but some saws have a tool-free adjustment feature for ease.

Charge level indicator
Usually found on the chainsaw body or the battery, this shows you how much power is left in your battery. Press the button, and it lights up, telling you when to put it back on charge.

Handle
Designed to fit your hand for comfort and safety, it contains the trigger switch that operates the chainsaw.

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

This article was last updated in January 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best electric secateurs and pruners in 2026 – as tested by our experts https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-electric-secateurs/ Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:08:27 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/best-electric-secateurs/ Take the pain out of pruning with our pick of the best battery powered secateurs Pruning is one of the gardener's most common tasks, and for the odd bit of trimming and cutting, traditional manual secateurs are great, with loppers taking the strain for more demanding jobs. But, if you've got an orchard of fruit trees or a garden full of roses, or you lack strength, suffer from RSI or arthritis, we know that repetitive pruning can be an exhausting chore. Thankfully, electric secateurs, also called electric or battery-powered pruners, are a helpful alternative, and an ideal choice for gardeners who are less able or have a lot of pruning to do.

Powered by a lithium-ion battery and activated by a trigger that opens and closes the blades, they're designed for cutting branches up to 30mm thick quickly and efficiently. They can even take the place of loppers, making your pruning tasks even more efficient as there’s no time wasted swapping from tool to tool. Many are also part of a wider cordless system with their battery and charger fitting all the tools in the range, so once you’ve invested in a tool and battery set, you’ll save money when you buy further bare tools in the future.

Electric secateurs and pruners do cut very fast, so many also have safety features such as a two-trigger start, auto-close or a blade cover to help the user stay safe. Compared to traditional secateurs, they’re expensive, so are they worth the extra cost? Well, we've been testing popular models to see whether the performance they offer outweighs their extra weight and cost. They ranged from budget to premium models, and all had bypass blades.  Not only that, we've added a guide below on how to choose the perfect electric secateurs or pruners for you and your garden.

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Best Buy electric secateurs at a glance

Comparison table: best electric secateurs and pruners

Our expertise Getting the right type of powered pruner means ensuring it has the right features, weight and price for you. To see whether the performance they offer outweighs their extra weight and cost, we put six battery powered pruners to the test. They ranged from budget to premium models, and all had bypass blades. Each set of powered pruners was unpacked, fully charged and used in the garden to cut branches and stems of different sizes and on a range of trees and shrubs. Each pruner has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to handling, performance, design and value for money. From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on electric secateurs that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list.

Jump to:

Best electric secateurs and pruners

Stihl ASA 20 cordless secateurs

RRP: £174

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from Stihl

Best Buy for ease of use: Stihl ASA 20 cordless secateurs

Pros

Cons

These pruners are well designed and thought-out with a host of features that make them great to use, and we awarded them a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for ease of use. The instructions are clear, and the pruners are simple to master with a choice of two cutting widths up to 25mm and progressive cutting. An LCD display tells you exactly how many cuts and battery are remaining, as well as the selected blade width. On a full charge they can make a total of 2,000 cuts.

They have a shaped, ergonomic handle with a rubber grip, so they’re comfortable and, thanks to the comparatively tiny battery, they’re light and easy to work with. They come with a blade cover for safety and an integrated maintenance tool that handily sits just behind the battery. All the packaging is recyclable cardboard and, as part of the Stihl AS battery system, the little battery can be used across a range of other tools, including a mini chainsaw, strimmer and hedge trimmer. They come with a two-year warranty.

Buy the Stihl ASA 20 cordless secateurs from Garden Machinery Direct, Sam Turner & Sons and Stihl

ALPEN Wildhorn 32 electric pruning shears

RRP: £479

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Best Buy premium powered pruners: ALPEN Wildhorne 32 powered pruners

Pros

Cons

In another league price-wise, these professional-level pruners not only cut quickly and smoothly but come with a whole host of impressive features and accessories, including a holster belt, battery pouch, maintenance tool kit and a sturdy carry case. There’s a useful manual that explains clearly how they work, and they also come with three batteries and a charger. Altogether on a full charge, these give an impressive 12 hours of cutting. The little battery is a similar size to the AS2 battery from Stihl, so the pruners are light, and the handle is ergonomically shaped for comfort with an extra rubberised grip.

They cut quickly and smoothly with a cutting width of up to 32mm, plus they have progressive cutting and a choice if semi-open mode and the digital display clearly lets you know battery level, how many cuts you've made and what's left. They are very well designed and thought-out, but they are expensive, costing more than a cordless lawn mower, so they're really only for gardeners with a lot of regular pruning to do or professional growers. They come with a three-year warranty, and we awarded them a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best premium powered pruners.

Buy the ALPEN Wildhorne 32 powered pruners from Amazon

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Worx WG330E cordless pruner garden shears

RRP: £99.99

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from Wilko

undefined Best Buy value powered pruners: Worx Nitro WG330E powered pruners

Pros

Cons

These pruners from Worx have good features for the price. With an ergonomic handle, they feel comfortable and, although they feel weighty, once the battery is on, they’re well balanced. They’re also easy to use once mastered, with simple steps for changing the cutting width and for turning them on and off. There’s a choice of two cutting widths: 15 and 25mm, as well as progressive cutting, and they cut quickly and well. On a full battery, they can make a generous 2500 cuts, and there’s a battery charge indicator on the base of the battery so you can keep an eye on power. Although there’s no blade cover for these pruners, the blades do close, and they have a two-trigger start for safety. We also like how they stand up on end when not in use, so you can put them down safely without fear they’ll fall over. Part of the Worx PowerShare system, the 20V battery can be used in lots of other Worx garden and DIY PowerShare tools, and they also have a three-year warranty when registered. We awarded them a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best value powered pruners.

Buy the Worx Nitro WG330E powered pruners from Wilko

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Best of the rest

Although this model didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, it still had features that made it worth recommending.

Stiga SC100e kit

RRP: £149

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from Amazon

undefined Stiga SC100e kit powered pruners

Pros

Cons

These pruners come in a sturdy carry case with a blade cover (to go over the open blades) and a maintenance tool included, and there are clear instructions for use. There’s a trigger switch for safety, although we did find that a little awkward to get used to, and they have progressive cutting and a choice of three cutting widths of 15, 25 and 30mm. Indicator lights on the base of the pruners let you know which width you’re in, and lights on the battery tell you how much power remains. On a full charge, the pruners can cut for up to 90 minutes, giving 2000 cuts. They cut well, slicing through branches quickly and smoothly, but compared to others in our test, they feel heavy, and the Stiga ePower battery is quite large and gets in the way when you're pruning in congested shrubs. As part of the Stiga ePower system, the battery can be used in a host of other Stiga ePower tools, which will save you money if you invest in them in the future, and they come with a generous five-year warranty.

Buy the Stiga SC100e kit powered pruners from Amazon

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Our expert testers trial hundreds of garden tools to work out which will do the job well and offer the best value, comfort and quality. We’ve tested essentials like the best garden spades and best hoes as well as more specific pruning and cutting kit like the best secateurs, the best loppers, the best mini chainsaws and the best wood-splitting axes. Looking to expand your range of cordless tools? Check out our round-up of the best hedge trimmers, grass trimmers and best cordless mowers.

How to choose an electric secateur

If you’re thinking of investing in one, consider the following points first:

 How we tested electric pruners and secateurs

The BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Reviews team tested the powered pruners on a range of different shrubs and trees in the garden, using them on branches of different thickness. They were tested and compared, and the following criteria were used to calculate the scores, with equal weight given to each:

For more information on our testing process, see How we review

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

This review was last updated in January 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability

]]> Silky Gomboy Curve Professional pruning saw review https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/silky-gomboy-curve-professional-pruning-saw-review/ Thu, 12 Oct 2023 11:15:17 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/silky-gomboy-curve-professional-pruning-saw-review/ High quality, efficient and comfortable pruning saw. Buy the Silky Gomboy Curve Professional pruning saw from Amazon and Silky Fox

What are the main features of the Silky Gomboy Curve Professional folding pruning saw?

The Silky Gomboy Curve Professional folding pruning saw is made from SK-4 Japanese steel that folds into the rubber handle simply and easily with a press-down metal fastener. It has an overall weight of 235g and a blade length of 210mm. The blade is chrome plated to be durable whilst still providing flexibility and the teeth are made of impulse hardened steel which stays sharp up to three times longer than non-hardened teeth. The teeth are taper ground to reduce resistance and give a smoother, more efficient cut. The rubber handle is shaped and micro-textured for a good grip.

What’s the Silky Gomboy Curve Professional folding pruning saw like to use?

The curve of the blade combined with its length makes short work of woody stems and branches, whether green or dead. The long curved blade allow access to tricky spots such as in corners and hard to access branches and this is helped by a choice of two cutting positions. Both handle shape and material give a good grip, even when wet, and it's also sufficiently long to use two-handed. The blade folds into the handle easily with a simple press catch.

Who is the Silky Gomboy Curve Professional folding pruning saw most useful for?

This saw is ideal for tackling a wide range of pruning jobs on woody trees and shrubs. The efficiency of use and high quality materials make it an ideal choice for doing a lot of pruning.

Is the Silky Gomboy Curve Professional folding pruning saw good value for money?

Whilst this saw is one of the most expensive, the price is worth it for its efficiency and durability, especially if you have lots of pruning to do. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty that covers errors in materials or construction, but not wear and tear from use.

Buy the Silky Gomboy Curve Professional pruning saw from Amazon and Silky Fox

This review was last updated in October 2023. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass Secateurs review https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/kent-and-stowe-eversharp-bypass-secateurs-review/ Fri, 21 Oct 2022 08:27:38 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/kent-and-stowe-eversharp-bypass-secateurs-review/ Comfortable, sharp, lightweight bypass secateurs. What are the Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass secateurs like to use?

The smooth wooden handles are comfortable to hold and offer a great grip, and although they’re made from lightweight aluminium, weighing in at just 330g, they still feel tough and hard wearing. The carbon steel blade is covered in a plasma coating, which Kent and Stowe claim makes it harder and sharper than any other blade and while we can’t substantiate this, these are certainly hard and incredibly sharp. When pruning, they cut through almost every material on test with little resistance. Live green wood was easy to prune and they passed cleanly through even hard, dried wood. The cutting width can be adjusted with a simple catch, from 1cm to 2.5cm, so these secateurs can tackle thicker branches as well as more delicate stems. There’s also a safety catch by your thumb, so it’s easy to open and close with one hand. Other great features are a notch for cutting twine and garden wire and a hanging hook on the handle. The only weak feature is the colour – we found the grey blade and light brown handles tricky to spot if you drop the secateurs in a border or amongst prunings.

Are the Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass secateurs good value for money?

We think these secatuers are good vaue for money. These are fantastic secateurs with a great 10-year warranty, and the £34.99 RRP is around the market average.

Who are the Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass secateurs most useful for?

With their FSC-certified ash wood handles, these lightweight secateurs are best for environmentally-conscious gardeners looking for robust, lightweight secateurs. Their incredibly sharp cut makes them great for tackling precise work on thicker materials such as topiary. They’re good for those who lack strength or who have a lot of pruning to do and anyone looking for lightweight, comfortable secateurs.

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This review was last updated in October 2022. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> Felco 640 pruning saw review https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/felco-640-pruning-saw-review/ Thu, 16 Dec 2021 13:43:55 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/felco-640-pruning-saw-review/ A high quality, hard working pruning saw. Buy the Felco 640 pruning saw on Amazon

Latest Deals

What are the main features of the Felco 640 pruning saw?

The blade on this saw is curved and fixed and made from high-carbon steel with a chrome plating and impulse hardening. It has a 120mm cutting width and the teeth are angled so that it cuts on the pull stroke. The handle is curved and hooked at the end and it has a rubber-grip with a hanging hole for easy storage. It comes with a holster and belt hook.

What’s the Felco 640 pruning saw like to use?

This high quality saw feels light and well balanced and it sits comfortably in the hand with the hooked handle ensuring there’s no slipping even when applying pressure. The blade cuts thick dense wood effortlessly, gliding easily with each stroke and there's  no sticking or clogging. It also feels sturdy and strong. Although the blade doesn’t fold away into a pocket it sits snugly in its holster, where it’s held fast and this loops easily to your belt. For added security the Velcro strap wraps comfortably around the leg.

Who is the Felco 640 pruning saw most useful for?

Ideal for anyone with lots of pruning work to do this is more for a dedicated pruning day than for keeping with you in case anything comes up but it can tackle even the toughest wood so is a great investment tool if your garden has lots of woody trees and shrubs.

Is the Felco 640 pruning saw value for money?

This saw was the most expensive in our test but, it's a joy to use, cutting effortlessly. It has replaceable parts, a maintenance and repair service is available (for an additional fee) and it comes with a lifetime warranty so we think it’s good value for money.

Not the right pruning saw for you? We’ve tested other brands in our round up of the best pruning saws. For help finding other pruning tools see out guides to the best anvil loppers, best secateurs and best gardening gloves.

This review was last updated in December 2021. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> Stihl PR16 Handycut folding saw review https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/stihl-pr16-handycut-folding-saw-review/ Thu, 16 Dec 2021 13:30:30 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/pruning/stihl-pr16-handycut-folding-saw-review/ A surprisingly strong, sharp compact pruning saw. Buy the Stihl PR16 Handycut folding saw from AmazonA BB

What are the main features of the Stihl PR16 Handycut folding saw?

This compact folding saw has a curved chrome-plated Japanese steel blade with a cutting width of 65mm. The teeth are angled so that it cuts on the pull stroke and the blade folds in and out of the handle with the help of a plastic button on the top of the handle. The shaped handle has well placed rubber grips for the thumb and fingers to help keep your hand firmly in place and there’s also a large hole at the base of the handle for hanging it up when it’s not in use.

What’s the Stihl PR16 Handycut folding saw like to use?

This little saw is a great size, compact and neat and ideal for sticking in a pocket or bucket with other tools when you go out into the garden. It’s also light and feels comfortable to use and the handle is short enough to give great control as you cut with rubber grips in just the right places to ensure a firm grip, even when applying pressure. The blade is surprisingly sharp and strong, and tackled all the wood in our test with ease with no clogging or sticking. Our only niggle is the button on the top, which allows the blade to fold in and out of the handle, which was quite stiff, although it has loosened with use.

Who is Stihl PR16 Handycut folding saw the most useful for?

Ideal for everyday trimming tasks as well as specific shaping and pruning jobs this handy little saw is handy for anyone with woody shrubs and trees.

Is the Stihl PR16 Handycut folding saw value for money?

In the mid-range of pruning saw in our test this saw felt sharper and stronger than others in our test that are priced similarly and more. Replacement blades are available, it comes with a two-year warranty and we think it’s excellent value for money.

Not the right pruning saw for you? We’ve tested other brands in our round up of the best pruning saws. For help finding other pruning tools see out guides to the best anvil loppers, best secateurs and best gardening gloves.

This review was last updated in December 2021. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

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