Pruning shears are one of the essential garden tools for most yards. They are very strong scissors that are commonly used to prune shrubs and small branches. Their small size allows access to small areas that larger sized shears like loppers cannot reach. Despite being a hand tool, the best pruning shears can cut up to 3/4 ” without much effort.
The two common types of pruning or hand shears are bypass and anvil. Bypass shears have two curved blades. At least one blade is sharp to allow for cutting. They work like a pair of typical scissors where one blade passes by the other to make a cut. Anvil shears have a sharp blade that closes on top of a straight surface (the anvil). Generally, bypass shears are designed to cut shrubs or trees that are alive, while anvil shears are better for dead plants.
Having used poor quality pruning shears through the years, I can tell you that it pays to invest in the best pruning shears you can reasonably afford. Quality shears will save you from the pain of dealing with blisters or other injuries. They will also make your work much easier so you can actually enjoy your gardening.
Table of Contents
Gonicc Professional Premium Titanium
- Drop forged body and handles.
- Quality blade made of Premium Titanium steel with Ultra-fine Polishing Technology.
- Ergonomically designed non-slip handles are strong,lightweight,and comfortable.
- Sap groove design to help keep pruning shears from sticking by channeling off sap.
- Pruners can cut up to 3/4" diameter size tree branches.This may vary depending on tree species.
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These 8″ pruning shears can cut up to an approximate 3/4″ diameter branch. The titanium blade is extremely sharp and will maintain its sharpness for countless cutting sessions. The padded handles ensure comfort and help deter blisters. You might pay a bit more for these pruning shears than your average pruner, but they will last. This is one of those products that you can tell is built with quality in mind just by looking at it.
Corona ClassicCut Forged Bypass
- MAXFORGEDTM STEEL: Corona's forging process compacts steel molecules into our strongest, most durable tools that stay sharper longer
- DUAL ARC BYPASS BLADE efficiently cuts green or dry branches and stems
- HAND-MATCHED HOOK AND BLADE: Slant-ground, narrow-profile hook and blade are matched by hand to ensure precise, close cuts
- SELF-CLEANING SAP GROOVE removes debris for smooth, efficient cutting action
- RESHARPENABLE BLADE for long-lasting performance and reliability
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This hand pruner cuts up to 1″ in diameter. It features a built-in sap groove to help redirect sap to maintain cutting efficiency. The blade is resharpenable and is made from a forged steel alloy. The built-in lock ensures safety when the pruner is not in use.
Fiskars All Steel Bypass
- Quality Garden Tools: Designed to help you cultivate a better garden, Fiskars garden and yard tools are equipped with smart technologies and award-winning, ergonomic features that make it easier and more enjoyable to transform your outdoor space.
- Maximum power and precision: All-steel blade stays sharp longer; Rust-resistant, low-friction coating helps glide through wood; Self-cleaning sap groove keeps blades from sticking; Non-slip grip handle and easy-open lock make control and storage easy
- Long-lasting and reliable: All-steel design provides excellent durability for lasting value. Fiskars pruning shears and tools are built to last and backed by a full lifetime warranty.
- Ideal for a variety of pruning tasks: Works well for trimming bonsai tree branches, cutting flower stems, maintaining your herb garden, and more to encourage overall plant health and appearance.
- Includes 1 Fiskars Manual Bypass Pruners measuring 5.5” long. Makes clean cuts on stems and light branches up to 5/8" in diameter.
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When you buy a Fiskars product you know you are purchasing a quality tool at a very reasonable price. This pruning shear is designed to cut up to 5/8″, which is ideal for small tasks. The non-slip grips provide a nice level of comfort while also helping keep the user safe. The Fiskars pruning shears also contain a sap groove to help deter the blade from sticking. One of the convenient features of these pruning shears is the positioning of the safety lock. The lock is that orange circle in the center of the shears as pictured above. A simple flick of the thumb can unlock or lock the safety with little hassle.
Gonicc Professional SK-5
- √ SK5 HIGH CARBON STEEL BLADES - Quality blade made of high carbon SK-5 steel with chromium-plating technology. SK5 carbon steel blades are ultra strong, sharper and stays sharper than your ordinary blade and lasts even longer! No more worrying about a pruning Scissors blade that might become dull after just a few cuts.
- √ EFFORTLESS CUTTING BY PULLEY MECHANISM - The pulley design and spring loaded mechanism that easy cut branches in less efforts. As you squeeze pulley pruning Scissors, the pulley will scroll, providing ever-increasing pressure as you cut, thus decrease the force you need to apply on the handle.
- √ ERGONOMIC COMFORTABLE DESIGN - Ergonomically designed non-slip handles are strong, comfortable and lightweight of just 185g.
- √ EASY WORKING AND SAFETY - Safety lock can be free with a single hand. The pruning Scissors Perfect for woman and small hands.
- √ DURABLE AND STABLE - The high-quality construction ensures that the products will last you for years to come.
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The high carbon steel blade keeps these anvil pruning shears sharp for many cuts. You can cut up to 3/4″ diameter size branches. These 8″ shears offer a single hand safety release/lock for easy operation. The handles are not a thick as some other brands which may be ideal for people with smaller hands. Gonicc offers 100% money back guarantee and a lifetime warranty, which speaks to the quality of this product.
Crenova Professional Premium Titanium Bypass
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These 8″ shears will cut up to 3/4″ diameter branches. They have a sap groove to help prevent having to clean the blade during use. The SK-5 carbon steel blade is rust-proof and will provide smooth cutting after many uses. One of the nice features of these hand pruners is the padded sponge handles. They have just enough padding to allow comfortable cutting while not being too bulky to sacrifice grip for most people. The product comes with a lifetime warranty.
Premier Blades SK-5 Carbon Steel
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
As you probably already realized from the picture, these shears come with a cool 
Oakridge Bypass Pruners
- REAL WOOD HANDLES - Our Cutting Shears Have Real Redwood Handles Unlike the other brands on the Market!!!
- SHARP CUTTING EDGE - Our Cutting blades have been sharpened to actually cut through mostly items such as paper, shrubs, rope, cable, thin metal, herbs, packaging, meat, sea food shells and meat along with many more items - Too Many To List
- FEELS GREAT IN YOUR HANDS - The Shears Feels great in your hands and are comfortable with the tension spring action making it easy for you to use. Also can be used be either Left hand users or Right hand users, it doesn't matter.
- GREAT GIFT FOR MANY USES - Our Shears can be used for many indoor and outdoor uses and is versatile to be used for your home tool box, work shop, kitchen tools, arts and crafts, pruning, camping, hunting, or any other emergency you may have the requires you to cut
- GUARANTEED TO PERFORM - These Shears are easy to clean and much more reliable than the current brands on the market. They are built to Last and Perform - GUARANTEED TO PERFORM -That's Why We Put Our Name Behind It - Oakridge Gardens(TM)
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The real wood handles set these pruners apart from many other similar products. These shears are simply beautiful and come with a quality leather sheath for storage. This versatile bypass pruner features forged stainless steel for many hours of sharp cutting. You will feel like a professional gardener, if you aren’t already if you own these shears.
Cate’s Garden Premium Bypass
- PREMIUM QUALITY BLADES ★ Forged with SK5 Japanese cutlery high carbon steel blades for heavy duty durability and hard chrome plating for rust resistance. Manufactured with the highest quality techniques for a sharp, clean and precise edge. Manually tested and oiled.
- ERGONOMIC COMFORT DESIGN ★ Specially 45 degree angled blade head is designed to allow pruning at awkward angles and difficult to reach places while reducing wrist fatigue.
- LIGHTWEIGHT CURVED ALUMINUM HANDLES ★ Quality sculpted build with comfortable anti-slip thermoplastic padded shock absorbers for continued comfort over long use.
- DEFINING FEATURES ★ 3/4 inch cutting capacity secateurs for workhorse flower and vegetable pruning and maintenance. Sap grove on lower blade reduces gumming and is easy to clean. High quality heat-treated tensile wire allows spring-back action. Easy to operate drop-forged aluminum snap lock when storing.
- 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE ★ If you are not completely satisfied with your new garden pruners, simply send them back, no questions asked. We guarantee you will love them!
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This 8″ bypass hand pruner comes with an SK5 high carbon steel blade, which allows for cutting up to 3/4″. The product contains a sap groove 
Flora Guard Traditional Bypass
- Cutting capacity: 18 mm or 0.75(inch)
- STAINLESS STEEL BLADES:High carbon steel made. Coated with ilaflon, good for anti-rust, sharp and made for professional gardeners
- ERGONOMICALlLY DESIGNED:Ergonomic hand design, softer PVC dipping grip with silicon cushion. Easy for all size hand using
- CRAFTSMAN MADE:Dedicating to make a better pruner for gardeners.
- 3.3INCH LENGTH OF BLADE IN HANDLE:Guaranteed shear safety,make a better experience for customers.
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you a looking for lower cost, but quality pruning shears, Flora Guard may be an option for you. The blade is made from high-quality SK-5 carbon steel, much like many other higher priced pruners. The economical handles provide comfort while preventing slipping. The cutting maximum is a solid 3/4″. 
The Gardener’s Friend Anvil Style
- Strength-Boosting Shears – Boost your cutting power with ratchet garden shears for pruning, trimming, and harvesting plants. Your TGF anvil pruners help you achieve cleaner cuts with less strain.
- New and Improved! Your favorite assistive clippers are now better than ever. Improved cutting, neoprene insert in the Anvil holds branches and stems in place while you cut. More solid construction.
- For Stems, Stalks, and Small Branches – Whip out your garden snips and clean up flower beds and garden rows. Cut tree branches up to 1 in. thick, depending on the wood and your individual strength.
- Designed for the Dirt – Choose corrosion-resistant garden shears for pruning with a heavy-duty manganese steel blade and aluminum body. Your high-impact tool is incredibly resilient under pressure.
- Let's Be Friends – We're here to provide excellent garden tools for gardening enthusiasts of all sorts. Let us know how we can help you keep your lawn and garden bountiful and beautifully maintained.
Last update on 2023-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you enjoy gardening but have difficultly operating gardening tools due to hand weakness, these shears may be a great option for you. The leverage system allows for much easier cutting than your typical pruner. These shears were developed by a professional gardener with decades of experience. You know that you are getting a product made with the consumer in mind. You can tell just by the picture why these made our list for one of the best pruning shears for this year.
Florian Ratchet-Cut Anvil
- Fiberlass-Filled Nylon Construction offers brutal strength with very light weight.
- Well designed and well sized. Anyone can comfortably use it, but women frequently say it is the only pruner that properly fits their hands.
- Carbon steel blade is heat treated for strength and has non-stick coating.
- Covered by Florian's Lifetime Warranty including a discounted replacement program.
- Made in the USA in New Lenox, Illinois by Illinois Supply Company, new owner of Florian Tools
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
At 7.5 ” long, these are one of the smallest pruning shears listed. However, these shears will have no problem cutting most garden or yard plants at or less than 3/4″ diameter. Yes, the handles are not padded like others on the list, but the quality blade puts minimal stress on your hands and the fiberglass construction allows for lightweight use.
Buying the Best Pruning Shears
While we provided a good list of some of the best pruning shears on the market, there are many quality shears out there beyond what is displayed above. There are also a lot of low-quality shears that will not last through one gardening season and are frankly junk. Below we have listed some tips on finding a good pair of pruning shears.
- Comfort: Look for handles that provide ample padding that is made from quality material. If the handles are not padded well, make sure you are buying a shear that is known to continuously cut smoothly.
- Quality Blade: You should not have to put up a struggle to cut something like a 1/2″ to 2/4″ branch. The blade should be made from quality carbon steel that is known to maintain its sharpness.
- Sap Channel: You should look for pruning shears that have a sap channel. This will keep the blade free of sap and will help avoid interrupting your cutting.
- Money-Back Guarantee and Warranty: A sign of a good pruning shear is often one where the company offers a 100% money-back guarantee and/or an extremely long warranty. This often signals that the company stands behind the quality of its product.
- Locking Feature: Safety is always important when dealing with cutting tools. A quality pruner will come with a way to lock the shears when not in use. That being said, the locking feature should also not get in the way of your cutting. Locks that dangle or lock up unnecessarily when cutting can be a major nuisance. We personally like the button slide lock that is pictured in the Fiskars and Flora shears above.
Good luck with your gardening! We hope you were able to find the best pruning shears for your needs.
