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The best secateurs for pruning your garden, tried and tested
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 light 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, anvil and ratchet secateurs, which all lend themselves to slightly different tasks.
There’s also the all-important performance to consider. You’ll want a blade that cuts cleanly and releases easily with minimal pressure, taking the effort out of those tough outdoor jobs.
Luckily, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have done the hard work for you. We’ve trimmed, clipped and sheered to find the very best secateurs on the market – so you can prune like a pro.
What are the best secateurs?
Ready to take on the garden right away? Here are our top picks in a handy list but scroll on for our detailed reviews.
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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.
What makes a good pair of secateurs?
With so many types of gardening shears on the market, it’s hard to know what makes one pair better than the rest. Here are some of the key features to consider when shopping for your new gardening partner-in-crime.
- Left or right-handed secateurs: As the blades on bypass secateurs have a scissor-like design, they're generally easier to use if you’re right-handed. Left-handed pruners do exist, though, and most premium brands offer models for lefties.
- Blade cutting diameter: This varies 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 to consider this.
- 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 it 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.
Other things to consider when buying secateurs
While these features aren’t essential for a decent pair of pruners, they can provide extra comfort, grip and safeguards, so are worth keeping an eye out for when shopping.
Comfort
Some models feature shock absorbers on the inside of the blade, which help reduce the impact on your wrist and hand should the blades close abruptly when cutting.
Another handy feature for added comfort is cushioning. Some secateurs will have cushioned handles so they’re more comfortable to hold during lengthy pruning sessions.
You can also get revolving handles. This feature allows one handle to rotate with you as you grip, moving with your hand to make the movement more natural.
And 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. Putting the wire in this notch and closing the blades will make cutting through the metal a fuss-free task.
Maintenance and easy cleaning
Many bypass secateurs come with a sap groove for easy cleaning. This is a small indent found on the smaller blade of the secateurs. They work by pushing tree sap into the groove as the large blade closes over the other. On release, the sap is wiped off to prevent the blades from sticking and making cleaning your secateurs a piece of cake.
Another great feature for maintaining your pruners is an oil sponge, which is used to clean and lubricate the blades after use. Some models even have an integrated oil sponge.
Safety
A safety lock can be found on most secateurs to keep the blades closed when 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 we test secateurs
Our experts at the GHI test each pair of secateurs in the same way as you would use them at home.
We clip fresh and dead stems, as well as branches of varying thickness from thin prunings to thick deadwood, to test how much pressure is needed.
We also tackle herbaceous material, considering how cleanly the secateurs cut and how easily they release. And finally, we look at how comfortable they are to use and whether they rub over time.
These are our experts’ gardening superheroes.
Score: 93/100
These pruners performed consistently across the board in our tests. They were comfortable to hold, easy to use and effective at pruning fresh green shrubbery as well as thicker branches.
You can choose between two positions on the safety catch to suit both small and large hands and the blade features a useful wire-cutting notch for trimming wire supports. They were comfortable to use and come with a handy spanner so you can replace the blades, earning a big thumbs up from our experts.
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 |
Score: 93/100
The rotating handle is a brilliant feature on these secateurs, as it moves with your hand as you cut, giving added comfort and a more natural squeezing action. It also offers added protection for your fingers against thorns and bristles.
Joining the Darlac in the top spot, these pruners performed impressively in our tests, tackling herbaecous plants and thin deadwood with ease. The grip can also be adjusted using the safety catch and there’s the added benefit of a knuckle guard too, keeping your hands out of harm’s way.
Key specifications
| Type | Bypass |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 20mm |
| Weight | 335g |
| Material | Carbon steel blade with non-stick coating |
| Replaceable blades | No |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Shock absorbers, a wire-cutting notch, a revolving handle, a sap groove, a cushioned handle, three-year guarantee |
Score: 91/100
Putting these secateurs to work on thin, dead prunings was “like a hot knife through butter”, according to one of our experts. In fact, these secateurs scored consistently well across all our performance tests, only dropping a mark when it came to cutting fresh wood – although they still scored an impressive nine out of ten. The safety catch was easy to lock and unlock with your thumb, too.
The blades aren’t replaceable but do feature a coating for rust resistance and reduced friction when cutting, so they should last well if you follow the manufacturer’s care instructions and dry them after use.
Key specifications
| Type | Bypass |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 20mm |
| Weight | 170g |
| Material | High carbon steel |
| Replaceable blades | No |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | PTFE coating for rust resistance |
Score: 91/100
Our top-scoring anvil secateurs performed well, especially when cutting thicker branches in ratchet mode. The pruners didn’t need much pressure and the looped handle makes them easy to grip and control, while the finger guard protects your hands from any scratches and thorns.
In terms of extra features, our testers loved the useful oil sponge for cleaning and lubricating the blades after use. Plus, the two-in-one ratchet function makes them a versatile investment if you regularly need to tackle some thicker branches. The only downside? They are a little chunky so may be tricky to use in tight spaces.
Key specifications
| Type | Ratchet anvil |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 22mm (ratchet mode); 18mm (single cut mode) |
| Weight | 220g |
| Material | Carbon steel with non-stick coating |
| Replaceable blades | No |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Oil sponge, cushioned handle, five-year guarantee |
Score: 88/100
Fitted with a soft rubber grip and shock absorbers, our testers loved how comfortable these secateurs were to hold over long periods. Even when cutting thick, fresh wood, which required a little more effort and pressure, they still ticked all the boxes for comfort, dropping zero marks.
We also loved the non-stick blade and the sap groove, which made the secateurs easy to release even after after prolonged use. Bear in mind though that, like the Wilkinson Sword design above, there’s no cleaning or maintenance advice provided.
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 |
Score: 88/100
These compact pruners would suit those with smaller hands who struggle to cut through thick or particularly tough branches. On test, they didn’t need a lot of pressure, thanks to the chopping ratchet action, while the soft grip handle added an extra layer of comfort.
Our testers also liked these pruners for their lightweight anvil design – the blade has a wide point that requires less force when cutting, and they weigh just 132g, which makes them easy to use for prolonged periods.
However, they can’t be switched to a single-cut action, like our top-scoring anvil option, and we would have liked some additional features such as a sap groove and wire cutter. Nonetheless, 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 |
Score: 88/100
They may be small, but these Darlac secateurs still impressed with their efficient snipping performance. Testers found that little to no pressure was needed to cut through leafy plants and the blade released easily too, making the whole process comfortable and smooth.
Things were a little more difficult with thick deadwood – the secateurs cut cleanly but rubbed our testers’ hands slightly and more pressure was required with branches over 15mm thick due to the small cutting diameter. That aside, if you’re sticking to small jobs such as trimming plants, you can’t go wrong.
Key specifications
| Type | Bypass |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 15mm |
| Weight | 156g |
| Material | High carbon steel blade |
| Replaceable blades | Yes |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Sap groove, shock absorber |
Score: 87/100
Zero sticking, a comfortable non-slip grip, and an easily accessible safety catch all impressed our testers. Yet, it was the adjustable grip width that helped these secateurs score perfect marks for ease of use. A simple locking mechanism allows you to switch between 50% and full width, making them a top buy for couples who do an even share of the gardening chores.
Trimming plants and general pruning were a breeze, requiring minimal effort and pressure; however, thick deadwood proved more of a challenge (despite them having a large cutting diameter), needing extra elbow grease to cut clean through. That aside, testers found these secateurs a reliable pick.
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 |
Score: 87/100
A small cutting diameter and slim handle are the standout features of these secateurs. They’re designed for light, precise trimming (think: dead heading and clipping) and they didn’t disappoint in testing. Our panel found the blade cut cleanly and easily, tackling leafy plants and thin prunings with ease.
Any branches over 10mm proved difficult but we have no issue with this considering that’s not the task these pruners were made for. However, testers did note that the short handle became uncomfortable after long periods of use, and they aren’t well-suited for bigger hands. Just stick to quick, precise clippings for maximum gardening enjoyment.
Key specifications
| Type | Bypass |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 10mm |
| Weight | 160g |
| Material | Carbon steel non-stick blades |
| Replaceable blades | No |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Wire cutter, five-year guarantee |
Score: 86/100
These well-rounded, medium-weight secateurs cut cleanly with minimal pressure needed. Testers found them a little bulky, but well-balanced with a slim handle that was comfortable to hold. Pruning tasks were effortless but thicker deadwood needed a little extra effort even with the large 25mm cutting diameter.
We’d have liked more features for the price tag, such as a sap groove and wire cutter; however, we did appreciate the three different sizes available, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your hand. They come with a spare spring too, meaning they should last you through seasons of gardening endeavours.
Key specifications
| Type | Bypass |
|---|---|
| Cutting diameter | 25mm |
| Weight | 228g |
| Material | Izumo yasugi steel |
| Replaceable blades | No |
| Safety lock | Yes |
| Other features | Spare spring |
Score: 86/100
This ratchet anvil design made light work of branches, whether green or brown, saving our wrists from strain and discomfort. Testers were particularly impressed with how the ratchet mechanism helped cut through 20mm thick deadwood – only a little pressure was needed, yet it was still fairly easy and comfortable.
The main niggle for our testers was with the safety catch. While well positioned for both right and left-handed users, it was difficult to click into place with just one hand. Aside from that, these ratchet secateurs are good value and ideal 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 |
7 April 2025: The article's titles and introduction have been updated, as well as stock information and pricing to reflect the best deals available.
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.
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