A favorite of both professional landscapers and weekend gardeners is the Corona classic bypass hand pruner. The straight-forward, reliable design at a reasonable price (not to mention the lifetime warranty!) makes it our best overall pick for hand pruners. The durable, forged steel bypass blades can cut up to 1-inch branches, and the non-slip rubber handles provide a comfortable grip even you're not wearing gardening gloves. After some wear and tear, easily sharpen the blades with the Corona sharpener tool and these pruners are as good as new.
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For less than $20, you can snag the Fiskars softgrip hand pruner. The sleek black and orange pruners cut up to 5/8-in. branches, perfect for small shrubs and other light yard maintenance like pruning roses. The blades aren't as thick as more heavy-duty pruners, but they have a low-friction coating that helps them glide and prevents rust. Fiskars is a popular brand with reliably high reviewer ratings, but if these pruners ever break, they're covered with a full lifetime warranty!
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Even pruning shears can be chic! If you want something a little more luxurious in your gardening tool kit, check out this French-made bypass pruner from Garrett Wade. The 8-inch blades are made with durable forged steel for smooth cutting. The handles feature real leather grips and come with a leather holster, giving the tool old-world elegance you probably wouldn't expect from ordinary pruning shears. You'll pay a little more, but these pruners deliver on both style and function worthy of the price.
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Swiss-made Felco is another brand of pruners professionals recommend as a long-lasting tool. The Felco 7 pruners are made for more demanding pruning jobs thanks to the revolving handle. It moves on its axis with your hand, reducing the force required to cut through larger branches so you get maximum cutting power with minimum hand cramps. You'll also love the cushioned shock absorber handles in signature Felco red.
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Who knew dependable pruning shears could be so stylish? The Modern Sprout pruning shears have a unique modern shape with pretty gray-blue rounded handles. They're small and lightweight; perfect to stow in your pocket, then whip out as needed to snip flowers and tend to small plants. The needle nose tip on the carbon steel blades means you can access tight spaces where your shrubs need trimming with accuracy. They're smart for indoor plants too!
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The Gardener's Friend pruning shears are designed specifically for gardeners who suffer from arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. The secret to these easy-to-use pruners is in the ratchet mechanism, which uses leverage to make cuts that are gentle on your hands. Open the pruners wide to make a large cut and then squeeze the handles; release and squeeze again to continue cutting through the branch. It usually takes about three "squeezes" to get through a large branch (up to 3/4 inch), with much less hand pressure than traditional pruner cutting action. These pruners are one of our favorite adaptive gardening tools.
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For faster pruning, consider this electric pruner, which operates with the pull of a trigger. This little power tool helps you snip and cut piles of branches at double the speed as a hand pruner. It features steel precision blades for clean cuts, a soft grip handle for comfort and can cut up to 3/4-inch branches.
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Measure your hand from the tip of your fingers to the base of your palm. If the measurement is less than 6 7/8 inches (17.5 cm.) your hand is considered "small" according to Felco, and you might need more compact pruning shears. The Felco 160S pruning shears are smaller and ergonomically designed so those with smaller hands can operate them comfortably. The cushioned, shock absorber handles soften the cutting impact. But don't let their small size fool you! The hardened steel blades ensure reliably powerful and precise cuts.
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Calling all lefties! Thanks to its ambidextrous design, the Fiskars 5.5-inch bypass pruner works for both right and left-handed gardeners. The cushioned comfort grip handles provide secure, slip-free use. And the steel, low-friction blades are always sharp and ready for action.
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If your hands hurt from gripping hard handles, you'll like the Gonicc titanium bypass pruning shears. The handles are made from high quality aluminum, but are wrapped in a thick cushioned layer of PVC foam. One five-star reviewer says, "These garden shears are well-made, sharp and easy on the hands. I love the soft covered handles. It makes them super comfortable and easy to grip."
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