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Bypass Secateurs have two blades, which 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 its important to keep them sharp. 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 the tool is able to 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.
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 loppers and best pruning saws and for help clearing up, see our test of the best wheelbarrows or the best garden shredders. To save some money on your favourite tools, take a look at the best Black Friday tool deals we've found for you.
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. Every pair in our round up below has scored a minimum of four out of five stars, so you can buy with confidence.
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 bypass, anvil and ratchet secateurs below:
RRP: £49.84
Our rating: 4.8/5
Available from Okatsune
Okatsune 103 Secateurs - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Pros:
Cons:
Awarded a BBC Gardeners World Magazine Best Buy for the best all round bypass, 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 and easy to use and feel long lasting. Their red and white handles make them hard to lose in the garden, both during the day and at night and although the safety catch, which is at the end of the handle stakes some getting used to, once mastered, it's a breeze. They come with a two year warranty.
Read the full Okatsune 103 review
Available from: Okatsune
RRP: £34.99
Our rating: 4.8/5
Available from Amazon (£29.99) and Marshalls Garden (£34.99)
BBC Gardeners' World Magazine review Kent and Stowe Eversharp All Purpose Lite secateurs
Pros
Cons
Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for ease of use, these aluminium framed secateurs are packed with useful 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 1cm t0 2.4cm, to suit the user. They have a 24mm 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 they feel strong and sharp cutting through both green and older wood on shrubs and roses with ease. Unfortunately, the grey and black appearance of these secateurs does make them hard to spot if dropped in teh agrden or amongst prunings. They have a handy hole for hanging them up after use and although the blade will rust slightly if not cares for, provided these secateurs are looked after well thy should last you years. They come with a 10 year warranty.
RRP: £34.99
Our rating:4.5/5
Available from Marshalls Garden (£24.99), ManoMano (£33.99) and Electrical World (£44.96)
Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass Secateurs
Pros:
Cons:
Awarded a BBC Gardeners World Magazine Best Buy award for best bypass for comfort the handles of these secateurs have an aluminium frame with a sustainably sourced FSC-certified ash insert. This smooth wood is comfortable to hold and offers a great 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 simple 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.
Read the full Kent and Stowe Eversharp Bypass secateurs review
RRP: £84 (right handed)
Our rating: 4.5/5
Available from Crocus (£99.99)
Niwaki GR Pro
Pros:
Cons:
These robust secateurs from Niwaki were awarded a BBC Gardeners World Magazine Best Buy for the best premium bypass secateurs and feature hand-forged, carbon steel blades which cut stems cleanly and smoothly. The safety catch sits at the end of the handles and is chunky but easy to engage once you get used to it and they feel well balanced and feels comfortable to use. 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. A holster is also available to buy and they come with a two year warranty.
Read the full Niwaki GR Pro review
RRP: £73.99
Our rating: 4.5/5
Available from Amazon UK (£52.50), OnBuy.com (£58.64) and Marshalls Garden (£74.99)
Felco Model 8
Pros:
Cons:
A BBC Gardeners World Magazine Best Buy winner, these are classic secateurs from the world-renowned Swiss brand Felco. They feel sturdy and 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 blade also has a handy wire cutting notch. The red non-slip handle makes them easy to see if lost in the garden.
Read the full Felco 8 Bypass Secateurs review
RRP: £31.99
Our rating: 4.5/5
Available from ManoMano (£23.17), OnBuy.com (£23.85) and B and Q (£24.12)
Darlac DPA Expert
Pros:
Cons:
A BBC Gardeners World Magazine Best Buy winner for best bypass for large stems, these robust secateurs have a comfortable grip and are nice to hold. 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. They come with a lifetime warranty.
Read the full Darlac Expert Bypass DPA review
RRP: £22.99
Our rating: 4.5/5
Available from Amazon
Burgon and Ball Left Handed Bypass
Pros:
Cons:
Awarded a BBC Gardener World Magazine Best Buy for the best left handed bypass secateurs, these have a strong, high-carbon steel blade that cuts well and can take on most pruning jobs easily. They are also simple to sharpen with a large safety catch that engages easily. Replacement parts are available and they come with a 10 year warranty. included.
Read the full Burgon and Ball Left Handed Bypass review
RRP: £20.99
Our rating: 4.3/5
Available from OnBuy.com (£16.40), ManoMano (£17.99) and B and Q (£18.53)
Darlac Compound Action Pruners
Pros:
Cons:
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. The safety catch is on the top of the handle and easy to switch on or off with a flick of the thumb. A great tool for those with less strength they were given a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy award for the best bypass secateurs for smaller hands.
Read the full Darlac Compound Action Pruner review
RRP: £31.34
Our rating: 4.5/5
Available from Amazon UK (£14.10), Electrical World (£17.27) and Tooled Up (£19.95)
Draper Deluxe Anvil
Pros:
Cons:
Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy award for the best budget anvils, our testers were impressed by how comfortable and well balanced these were to use, particularly for larger hands. They have a strong, wide cut, which also makes them easy to sharpen and clean and the handles have comfortable rubber grip inserts so they're comfortable and warm to use. They come with a lifetime warranty.
Read the full Draper Delux Anvil Secateurs review
RRP: £69.99
Our rating: 4.5/5
Available from OnBuy (£64.77) and Amazon (£66.99)
Felco Model 32 anvil secateurs BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Pros:
Cons:
These 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 there was no strain on the hand or wrist. All parts are replaceable and they come with a lifetime warranty. We awarded these BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy status as the Best Anvil All Round.
Read the full Felco Model 32 Pruning Shears review
RRP: £25.99
Our rating: 4.5/5
Available from Amazon (£20.03) and Tooled Up (£25.95)
Gardena Comfort Anvil
Pros:
Cons:
Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy award for the best anvils for comfort, these powerful secateurs are easy to use with soft handles which are comfortable and ease strain well. The blade has a non-stick coating and cuts cleanly and smoothly and they also have a wide cutting width and an easy to reach safety catch. They come with a 25 year warranty.
Read the full Gardena Comfort Anvil Secateurs
RRP: £31.03
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Our rating: 4.3/5
Available from Amazon (£30.67)
Stihl PG25 Anvil
Pros:
Cons:
A BBC Gardeners World Magazine Best Buy winner for the best ratchet secateur for comfort, 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 come with a two year warranty.
Read the full Stihl PG25 Anvil Secateurs review
RRP: £39.99
Our rating: 4.5/5
Available from Amazon (£31.44)
Corona Ratchet Cut Branch and Stem Pruner
Pros:
Cons:
Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy award for the best ratchet anvil for strength, these weighty, robust secateurs have a four gear ratchet system that enables them to cut tough wood easily. Soft, well-gripping handles make working comfortable and effortless and the non stick carbon blade can be resharpened to keep you cutting for years. Best for right handed gardeners the safety catch is a little stiff and needs two hands to engage. They come with a ten year warranty.
Read the full Corona Ratchet Cut Comfort Gel Anvil Secateurs review
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 on test.
RRP: £24.99
Our rating: 4.3/5
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Wolf Garten Anvil Comfort Plus
Pros:
Cons:
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 did feel quite flimsy compared to more sturdy models.
RRP: £40.00
Our rating: 4.3/5
Jardin de France Ratchet
Pros:
Cons:
These ratchet secateurs feature a coated carbon steel blade which 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.
RRP: £19.99
Our rating: 4.3/5
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Darlac Super Classic Ratchet secateurs
Pros:
Cons:
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, although the handles were also quite large which made it trickier to handle. There are replaceable parts available.
RRP: £25.99
Our rating: 4/5
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Spear & Jackson Razorsharp PRO Heavy Duty Bypass
Pros:
Cons:
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 size stems. The plastic-coated handles are bright red so easy to spot if mislaid. Replacement blades and springs are available and they have 10-year guarantee.
Read the full Spear & Jackson Razorsharp PRO Heavy Duty Bypass Secateur review
RRP: £59.99
Our rating: 4/5
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Wolf Garten RS Professional Anvil
Pros:
Cons:
With an integral spring, these large anvil secateurs are comfortable to use. The blade feels sharp and is angled so accessing difficult cuts is 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.
Read the full Wolf Garten RS Professional Anvil Secateurs review
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.
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FELCO has a wide range of tools to cover any pruning need, plus sizing and ergonomic features for any user. Learn what sets one model apart from another and choose the tool that's right for you and your crew.
Many FELCO pruners are designed with the user's hand size in mind. Measure from the tip of the fingers to the base of the palm. The suggested sizing is listed with each pruner.
Small: 6 or shorter
Medium: 6 7
Large: 7 or longer
FELCOs classic pruners are ideal for almost any use case, and are perfect for outfitting a diverse crew. Trim plants, trees, and shrubs up to 1" in diameter with ease.
PrunersFELCO 2
FELCO's most popular pruner style. Great for first-time FELCO buyers. 1" cutting capacity.
FELCO 4
FELCO's basic hand pruner. Durable and high-quality, but with the most basic features. 1" cutting capacity.
FELCO 11
Narrower, pointed blade for cutting close to branches and tree trunks. 1" cutting capacity.
For all day pruning tasks. The features of the ergonomic pruners will reduce arm and wrist fatigue. They are shaped specifically for left or right handed users (see size chart above) along with curved handle forms.
Several models include a rotating handle, preferred by some users for extra comfort.
Delivers traditional motion as you squeeze with ergonomic comfort.
PrunersFELCO 8
Right-handed, ergonomic pruner perfect for precise, effortless cuts. Comfortable grip for large pruning jobs. 1" cutting capacity.
FELCO 6
The FELCO 6 features shorter blades for cutting close to flower and herb stems, or vines. 0.8" cutting capacity.
FELCO 14
A smaller, ergonomic pruner that packs maximum power. Easy to handle with a comfortable grip. 0.7" cutting capacity.
Handle rotates as you squeeze to reduce hand and arm fatigue.
PrunersFELCO 7
Comfortable pruning for prolonged use. Right-handed pruner with rotating handle that requires up to 30% less effort. 1" cutting capacity.
FELCO 12
Great for frequent, fine pruning designed to fit small hands. Rotating handle reduces hand fatigue and blisters. 0.8" cutting capacity.
FELCO 15
Perfect for compact pruning jobs. The rotating handle provides excellent maneuverability. 0.7" cutting capacity.
Lefties need love too. Designed for hardworking left-handed pros.
PrunersFELCO 9
Designed for left-handed users. Durable pruner that leaves clean, effortless cuts. 1" cutting capacity.
FELCO 10
Comfortable swivel handle reduces hand fatigue during prolonged use. 1" cutting capacity.
FELCO 17
Designed for left-handed pros. Great for making clean and precise cuts. Rotating handle reduces effort. 0.8" cutting capacity.
FELCO's narrow-bladed snips are designed for harvesting flowers and fruits or vegetables with more delicate stems. Special features include longer blades to get around leaves and other stems, and curved blades to get closer to fruits without damage.
Pruners FELCO 320Lightweight and compact ergonomic pruner perfect for trimming fruit, vegetable, and flower stems.Features a curved blade with rounded ends.
The perfect pruner for nuseries and greenhouses. Features a straight blade with rounded ends.
Lightweight and compact harvesting snips with the longest reach in FELCO's range. Great for cutting fruit, vegetable, and flower stalks with the most precision.
This unique needle nose shape allows for precise cuts when pruning flowers and harvesting grapes.
Great for clean cuts to flowers, herbs, and fruits. The lightweight handles reduce hand fatigue with an easy lock feature for performance and safety.
FELCO is known for creating tools that fit specific needs, and their goal is to provide solution-based tools for its users.
PrunersFELCO 31
This pruner makes a clean cut, rather than just sqeezing branches and stems. Takes less effort than bypass pruners. 1" cutting capacity on dead and woody material.
FELCO 13
Extra-long handles of the FELCO 13 allow for easy cuts on thick branches and improved leverage. 1.18" cutting capacity.
FELCO 100
Saves your back from aches and pains caused by bending over to pick up pruned material. Great for cutting hardwood and green material. 0.38" cutting capacity.
Gemplers assortment of FELCO loppers are designed with the heavy-duty, professional user in mind. Engineered for optimum performance that lets the tool do the bulk of the work and designed to be the last loppers youll ever buy.
PrunersFELCO 221
Durable and dependable choice for any pruning task. Designed for orchards, fruit trees, and landscaping jobs that require a long reach. Available in 27.6", 31.5", and 35.4" lengths.
FELCO 22
Your superior two-handed pruning tool. Solid, forged metal handles provide long life and lightweight. Anvil blade with a cutting capacity of 1.5". 33" in length.
FELCO 220
Cam-assisted lopper reduces fatigue to help you accomplish more. Bypass cutting head, perfect for live branches and vines. 1.63" cutting capacity. 31.5" in length.
Take pruning to the next level with FELCO battery-powered pruners. These pruners feature a comfortable grip, ultra-ergonomic carrying pack with leather holster, and a lightweight lithium battery. Perform large-scape pruning tasks with ease on orchards and vineyards. Use the FELCO app to monitor battery life, cutting stats, and customize the cutting modes.
Available in a double capacity battery model.
Gemplers has parts and accessories to help you tools last a lifetime and beyond.
PrunersFELCO Replacement Springs
Keeping your pruners in working condition. Replacement springs come in a pack of two and are compatible with FELCO 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 100. and 160.
FELCO 2 Replacement Bolt and Nut Kit
Keep your F2 in top shape with this replacement nut and bolt set. Includes center bolt, screw, nut, and locking segment.
FELCO Replacement Blade
Keep your cuts precise and sharp with FELCO pruner replacement blades. Available for a variety of your favorite FELCO tools.
Accessories from FELCO will help you keep your pruners sharp and safe with our selection of sharpening stones and leather holsters for your FELCO pruners.
PrunersFELCO Holsters
Keep your FELCO pruner safe until you are ready to use it on the job. FELCO leather holsters feature a high-tension metal belt clip.
FELCO Sharpeners
FELCO sharpening stones will keep your tools ready to prune. These easy-to-use sharpeners help extend the life of your pruners.
FELCO Tool Spray
FELCO's tool spray will extend the life and performance of your pruners. This spray removes sap, lubricates blades, and protects your pruners from rust.
For a more in-depth guide to cleaning and caring for your FELCO pruners, visit this guide from felco.com.
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