11 Best Pruning Shears, According to Gardening Experts

Cut clean through stems and light branches up to 5/8" thick, whether it's a Bonsai tree branch or a sturdy flower stem. These all-steel pruners have racked up over 26,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, with reviewers noting the model is easy to use, easy to hold and incredibly durable. Plus, we love its easy-open lock mechanism and low-friction coating designed to help the blades cut through branches, stay clean of sap and resist rust. Fiskars also stands behind their products with a lifetime guarantee.

Whether you're trimming herbs, flowers, houseplants or light branches, reviewers say these professional pruning scissors deliver super sharp and precise cuts. The spring is designed to help reduces hand fatigue, while the locking mechanisms keeps the blades closed when not in use. If you're a beginner gardener or plant parent and you're looking for a solid value option, you really can't go wrong with this $4 pick.

With ergonomic handles and a one-handed safety lock, these garden pruners are a great choice for trimming flowers, bushes and branches. Designed to perfectly fit in your hand, the German-made shears can be easily adjusted to two handle widths or two cutting diameters.

Ratchet pruners, like this pair from the Gardener's Friend, provide better leverage, so your hands won't tire as quickly. Ideal for senior gardeners or anyone with weaker hands, these shears make clean cuts with a fraction of the effort. They're designed to cut anything from small blooms to 3/4" branches.

A great choice for small indoor plants and flowers, these lightweight pruning shears have a needle-nose tip that allows for delicate cuts. We also love that the sage green ergonomic handle and rust-resistant blades look beautiful enough to keep the shears within reach — whether on a bookshelf or windowsill.

Strong yet lightweight, these manual pruners have almost 15,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. One reviewer even notes that they "cut branches like butter" and others claim these pruners are the best they've ever owned. We love that this pair features non-slip handles, titanium steel construction and a sap groove design to keep shears from sticking.

Make clean and precise cuts with these bypass pruners, which feature an ergonomic rubber handle that minimizes physical strain. There's also an easy-to-fasten safety lock when the shears aren't being used. Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab, uses these shears to deadhead her rose bushes, hydrangeas and other flowering plants. "They're comfortable to hold in small hands, are sharp and snip cleanly, are easy to lock and they have a sturdy spring," she says.

These anvil pruners, with hardened steel blades, have a slim design that makes it easy to access to hard-to-reach areas. While this pick is more expensive than some of our other recommendations, many reviewers note that these manual hand pruners are "worth every penny" and "last a lifetime." If this exact model doesn't look like a fit for you, take note that FELCO offers a ton of similar (just as durable) models.

A great pick for indoor houseplants and delicate outdoor flowers, these compact, stainless steel shears feature a fine point for precise trimming and shaping. "I really like how they work, but I love the different colors they come in — I won't lie," says plant pro Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, also known as the Houseplant Guru. In addition to berry, they're also available in red, orange, green and other bright shades.

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If you're worried about hand cramps, go electric. This 3.6-volt rechargeable power pruner makes it super easy to trim green wood, branches and stems with precision. This pair is a great option for anyone who has an expansive outdoor garden.

With long, straight blades, these shears make it easy to reach inside or around your plants to make fine cuts. The leather strap lock is easy to use, and doesn't get in the way while you're cutting. "If trimming smaller, non-woody plants, small pruners like the coronas are best," says Steinkopf, who loves these Corona pruners for their rubberized handles and long stainless steel blades.