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The best secateurs to buy for effortless pruning
We trimmed and clipped to find the best secateurs for every gardener…
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
The best secateurs can make light work of those tricky garden jobs, from trimming and tidying to taking down heavy branches. They’re an essential in every gardener’s kit.
But choosing a new set of pruning shears isn’t as easy as you may think. For example, there are three types to consider: bypass (like scissors, they're a good all-rounder), anvil (more powerful, good for deadwood) and ratchet secateurs (easier on the hands, great for thick stems). You’ll also want a blade that cuts cleanly and releases easily with minimal pressure, taking the effort out of those tough outdoor jobs.
Well, don't worry, because we've done the hard work for you. We’ve researched, trimmed, clipped and sheered to find the very best secateurs on the market – so you can prune like a pro.
Best secateurs to buy for your garden
How we chose the best secateurs
We've been busy trimming and pruning with many of the secateurs in this roundup. We used them for a range of tasks, including clipping fresh and dead stems, cutting back branches of varying thickness, from thin prunings to thick deadwood, and trimming herbaceous plants. For those we haven't been hands-on with ourselves, we canvassed other gardeners and researched all the leading brands and designs on the market, considering the following key factors:
- Whether you need to apply lots of pressure when cutting
- How heavy they are and whether they feel well-balanced
- The material of the blades
- Whether the blades are replaceable or easy to clean
- Whether they have any extra features or safety locks
These are our favourite buys.
Darlac Expert Bypass Pruner
Darlac Expert Bypass Pruner
Pros
- Easy to use
- Comfortable to hold
- Suitable for small and large hands
- Comes with a spanner so you can replace the blades
Cons
- On the heavier side for standard secateurs – but still light enough to hold for long periods
These pruners are comfortable to hold, easy to use and effective at pruning fresh green shrubbery as well as thicker branches. They have a 25mm cutting capacity and you can choose between two positions on the safety catch to suit both small and large hands.
Carbon steel blades offer sharpness and durability and there’s a useful wire-cutting notch for trimming wire supports. The slim design and curved handle provide comfort, and they come with a handy spanner so you can replace the blades, earning a big thumbs up from us.
Key specifications
| Type | Bypass |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 25mm |
| Weight | 250g |
| Material | Carbon steel blade |
| Replaceable blades | Yes |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Shock absorbers, wire-cutting notch, spanner, sap groove, lifetime guarantee |
VonHaus 7.2V Cordless Pruner
VonHaus 7.2V Cordless Pruner
Pros
- Battery-power reduces strain and effort
- Long lasting battery
- Comfortable to use
- Effective at snipping a range of plants
Cons
- On the heavier side
- Make noise when cutting
If your hands quickly get tired from using secateurs, opt for these clever power-assisted pruners from Vonhaus. A small rechargeable battery slots into the end of the tool and offers up to 800 cuts on a single charge. Then, there’s a two-step safety switch to prevent your fingers getting caught in the blade.
The pruners easily cut through leafy stems as well as thin woody branches – with minimal effort from us. They’re a little noisy in use, and the motion of the blades is on the slower side, but we think that’s a compromise that’s worth making.
Key specifications
| Type | Electric |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 25mm |
| Weight | 920g |
| Material | Alloy steel |
| Replaceable blades | No |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | 800-cut battery life, two stage safety trigger, ergonomic handle |
Pros
- Lifetime guarantee
- Great for leafy plants and green stems
- Plenty of high-quality features
- Replaceable blades
Cons
- Expensive compared to others on the market
These quality secateurs have sharp aluminium alloy blades that snip through green stems like butter. They include a sap groove to stop the blades sticking together when cutting soft plant stems, ensuring consistent clean cuts and a smoother experience when gardening.
The ergonomic handle makes them comfortable to use for long periods too, with shock absorbers and a non-slip coating built-in to protect your hands. They come with a lifetime guarantee as well, and all parts are replaceable. While they may be expensive compared to others, you’ll be gardening with these for years to come.
Key specifications
| Type | Bypass |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 25mm |
| Weight | 245g |
| Material | Aluminium alloy |
| Replaceable blades | Yes |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Lifetime guarantee, sap groove, shock absorbers |
Darlac DP744 Super Classic Ratchet Garden Pruner
Darlac DP744 Super Classic Ratchet Garden Pruner
Pros
- Ratchet mechanism helps tackle thicker stems
- Comfortable, soft rubber handle
- Replaceable blades
Cons
- Safety catch is difficult to click into place with one hand
This ratchet anvil design makes light work of branches, whether green or brown, saving your wrists from strain and discomfort. The ratchet mechanism helped cut through 20mm of thick deadwood with only a little extra pressure needed.
The safety catch is well positioned for both right and left-handed users, but it was difficult to click into place with just one hand. Aside from that, they’re comfortable to hold and offer great value for money for anyone who struggles with tougher pruning jobs.
Key specifications
| Type | Ratchet anvil |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 25mm |
| Weight | 206g |
| Material | PTFE coated blade |
| Replaceable blades | Yes |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Soft rubber grip |
Wolf Garten Bypass Secateurs RR 2500
Wolf Garten Bypass Secateurs RR 2500
Pros
- Plenty of extra features
- Lightweight
- Non-stick blade
- Comfortable handle
Cons
- Limited maintenance advice
- Blades aren’t replaceable
Fitted with a soft rubber grip and shock absorbers, these comfortable secateurs are great for use over long periods. Even when cutting thick, fresh wood, which requires a little more effort and pressure, they still tick all the boxes for comfort.
They also have non-stick blades and a sap groove, which make the secateurs easy to release even after prolonged use. Plus, there’s an additional wire cutter that makes them more versatile.
Key specifications
| Type | Bypass |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 22mm |
| Weight | 198g |
| Material | PTFE blade with non-stick coating |
| Replaceable blades | No |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Sap groove, shock absorber, wire cutter, ten-year guarantee |
Davaon 215mm Pro Classic Bypass Pruner
Davaon 215mm Pro Classic Bypass Pruner
Pros
- Has a sap groove and non-stick blades
- Adjustable width grip
- Budget-friendly
- Comfortable handle
Cons
- Not as effective at cutting thick deadwood
- Blades aren’t replaceable
These budget pruners are an excellent pick if you don’t want to spend a lot. They have a comfortable non-slip grip, an easily accessible safety catch, and a simple locking mechanism that allows you to switch between 50% and full width grip, making them a top buy for couples who do an even share of the gardening chores.
Trimming plants and general pruning is a breeze with these secateurs, but thick deadwood proved more of a challenge (despite them having a large cutting diameter), needing extra effort to cut clean through.
Key specifications
| Type | Bypass |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 20mm |
| Weight | 256g |
| Material | High carbon steel blade |
| Replaceable blades | No |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Sap groove, shock absorber, wire cutter notch, three-year guarantee |
Wilkinson Sword 1111168W Ratchet Anvil Pruner
Wilkinson Sword 1111168W Ratchet Anvil Pruner
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-stick coating on the blades
- Excellent at chopping larger branches
- Slim grip width
Cons
- Lack additional features like a sap groove and wire cutter
- Blades aren’t replaceable
These compact pruners would suit those with smaller hands who struggle to cut through thick or particularly tough branches. They don’t need a lot of pressure, thanks to the chopping ratchet action, while the soft grip handle and slim design add an extra layer of comfort.
At just 132g, these pruners are the lightest in our list, allowing you to snip for longer without getting tired wrists. They’re missing premium features like a sap groove and wire cutter but they’re still a reliable pick for clearing away those chunkier branches.
Key specifications
| Type | Ratchet anvil |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 22mm |
| Weight | 132g |
| Material | Carbon steel with non-stick coating and nylon fibre |
| Replaceable blades | No |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Three-step ratchet mechanism |
Okatsune 103 Bypass Secateurs
Pros
- Sharp
- Premium design
- Comfortable handle
Cons
- Expensive
- Lacks extras like a sap groove and wire cutter
Established in the 1940s in Japan, Okatsune has made a name for itself by producing premium, reliable secateurs. These well-rounded, medium-weight pruners cut cleanly with minimal pressure needed and have a slim, ergonomic handle. Most pruning tasks are effortless with these, but thicker deadwood requires some extra effort even with the 25mm cutting diameter.
We’d have liked more features for the price tag, such as a sap groove and wire cutter; but they come with a spare spring, so they should last you through many seasons.
Key specifications
| Type | Bypass |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 25mm |
| Weight | 228g |
| Material | Izumo yasugi steel |
| Replaceable blades | No |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Spare spring |
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We carried out hours of research and hands-on testing before selecting the best secateurs. Where we haven't tried them ourselves, we've chosen brands that we’ve previously tested, those recommended by keen gardeners, and pairs that have received the most five-star customer reviews online.
Every pair of pruners have been assessed for key features such as a comfortable handle, safety locks, sharp blades, ease-of-use and quality design.
Our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, has reviewed hundreds of products and looks after lots of our gardening content, finding everything from the best gardening gloves to the best electric lawnmowers. She’s a keen gardener so knows exactly what’s required from a top-quality pair of secateurs.
The verdict: What are the best secateurs to buy?
If you want bypass secateurs, opt for the Darlac Expert Bypass Pruner, which are comfortable to hold, reliable for cutting stems, and come with a lifetime guarantee.
If you’re looking for a pair of ratchet secateurs, the Darlac DP744 Super Classic Ratchet Garden Pruner were our favourites.
However, if you fancy switching up your gardening tools, try the Vonhaus Cordless Garden pruner, a battery-powered pair of pruners that makes light work of snipping and saves your hands from the extra effort.
What is the best type of secateurs to buy?
Bypass secateurs
For every day pruning: Bypass secateurs work like scissors, with two sharpened blades that pass over one another to produce a clean cut. They produce a clean, precise cut, making them suitable for a range of pruning jobs, including trimming delicate plants. The sharp blades also cause the least damage to a live plant, reducing the risk of infection. Their versatility makes them the most popular type of secateurs on the market.
Anvil secateurs
For tougher jobs: Anvil secateurs have one blade, which works in the same way as a knife on a chopping board. The sharp blade pushes through a branch or deadwood onto a lower block below. This design gives you more power when cutting, making them best suited to tougher garden jobs. However, the slicing is messier than with a bypass action.
Ratchet secateurs
For those who struggle to cut thick branches: If you have arthritis or lack the strength needed to cut through thicker branches with regular secateurs, a ratchet mechanism may be a good option. This design is available on both bypass and anvil pruners and allows you to make tougher cuts in several steps, by repeatedly squeezing and releasing the handles.This is particularly useful on anvil secateurs, if you’re dealing with a lot of thick deadwood, which can be wearing on the hands over time. Just note that ratchet bypass secateurs tend to be harder to come by.
How to choose the best secateurs
Here are some of the key features to consider when shopping for your new gardening partner-in-crime.
Blade cutting diameter: This can vary from 10 to 30mm and refers to the largest length the blades can cut when opened. If you want to tackle thick shrubbery and deadwood, you'll need a larger diameter.
Secateur weight: A pair of secateurs can weigh anywhere from under 100g up to 400g. A lighter weight is ideal for continued use and fine pruning, but heavier models can feel more robust.
Replaceable blades and springs: Some pruners feature replaceable blades and springs, and some even come with their own spanners to do this with. This is useful for switching out the necessary parts when they suffer wear and tear, rather than buying a whole new set of secateurs.
Comfort: Some models feature shock absorbers on the inside of the blade, which help reduce the impact on your wrist in case the blades close suddenly when cutting. Some will also have cushioning on the handles for added comfort, while others have revolving handles, which allows one handle to rotate with you as you grip, moving with your hand to make the cutting movement feel more natural.
Extra features: For added versatility, look for secateurs with a wire cutter. This is a small notch at the innermost point when the blades are fully open, and it makes cutting through thin metal a much easier task. Many bypass secateurs also come with a sap groove. This pushes tree sap into a specific space as the large blade closes over the other. On release, the sap is wiped off to prevent the blades from sticking.
Safety: A safety lock can be found on most secateurs to keep the blades closed when they’re not in use. Some secateurs even feature two safety locks, which means the blades won't fully open to the maximum cutting distance if the second lock is set. This is a useful addition as it means the secateurs can suit both small and large grips.
How long do secateurs typically last?
A good quality pair of secateurs should last for 10 to 20 years, especially if you clean them regularly and look after them. Many also come with replaceable blades and extra parts to help them last even longer.
If you’re concerned about durability, opt for a pair with a long guarantee. Our overall winner, the Darlac Expert Bypass Pruner, comes with a lifetime guarantee and a spanner for replacing the blades.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
