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One of the most essential tools of every gardener is garden shear. Using a pair of durable shear will help to achieve that garden you have wished for.
With the wide range of available products on Amazon alone, it can be confusing choosing one. We understand this, and that is why we have set up this page to walk you through all the hurdles you may encounter when picking the best for you.
Whether you are a professional horticulturist or a hobbyist who just wants to prune a home garden, you will find our guide on the best garden shears useful in selecting the best tool for the job.
In this review, we covered all the types of shares you will need to cultivate a fantastic garden. Whether you need pruning shears, electric garden shears, and hedge shears, we have got you covered.
Table of Contents
Best Garden Shears
Garden Shears Reviews
1. Felco F-2 068780 Classic Manual Hand Pruner
This pruning product is one of the most popular and widely used shears. With over 4,000 customers’ reviews alone from Amazon, this tool can never be a wrong option.
The anvil blade gives you the ability to cut more. Combined with the sap groove, the job becomes easier as it keeps you pruning without the blades gumming up. It features a hardened bolt and nut which assures an exact adjustment of the cutting and anvil blades.
The handles are ergonomically designed to fit into your palms. They are engulfed into a rubber cushion and shock absorber which enhances comfort, thus avoiding fatigue.
The blades are made from high-quality hardened steel. It can conveniently cut metal wires without any dents on the blades. You can use this garden pruner almost for a lifetime without a sign of rust or corrosion.
FELCO has been making this model for over 50 years without changing the design. This means that all parts are duly available. Also backed with their 1-year warranty, you’ve got value for your money.
- Rubber cushion with shock absorber pads
- Ergonomic, comfortable handles
- All parts are available for purchase from the manufacturer
- Covered by a1-year warranty
- Aluminum handles are steel blades and lightweight
- The blades open up too wide which may be uncomfortable to use
- The rubber handles may start to pull off after some time
2. Fiskars Steel Bypass Pruning Shears
The Fiskars pruning shear is recommended if you intend to cut stems and light branches. Safety is always paramount when working with blades, and that is why they have featured a lock-open mechanism that secures the blade when in transit.
The shear is designed to be durable and remains sharp even after heavy use. Thanks to its precision-ground steel blade. The blade will not rust, even if you are not careful with moisture.
Additionally, the low-friction coating enables the blades to glide through the wood while preventing the blades from gumming up. To increase the lifespan of this tool, it is recommended not to cut stems or branches beyond a ⅝ inch diameter.
Talking about the handles, it may not be shaped to fit into your fingers, but this is an advantage for people who have wide palm and small palm.
The Fiskars pruning shear is all you need to start pruning your garden to give it that amazing look. Backed with the company’s lifetime warranty, you can use this tool risk-free.
- Made from durable carbon steel blades
- Well-padded handles for comfort
- Self-cleaning sap groove keeps the blades from sticking
- Full lifetime warranty
- Easy-open lock for protection
- Restriction on the size of the branch you can cut with the shear
3. Vremi Garden Pruning Shears
If you need a versatile tool that can perform a range of tasks such as flower trimming, herb cutting, or vegetable gardening, then the Vremi shear is your companion. This portable garden tool is ideal for both indoor and outdoor jobs.
The blades are made from precision-ground stainless steel. You can be sure that it will never rust or get corroded. It is a heavy-duty blade that can cut both light branches and thick stem. They boast of being far better than anvil pruners.
The thumb-operated safety lock is there to protect the blades when not in use, and protect you from cutting your fingers accidentally.
One of the significant issues with the majority of pruners is hand fatigue and strain. The Vremi shear has used an ergonomic handle that is comfortable to grip. This design is perfect for gardeners with arthritic hands.
With its lightweight and great design, you can easily maneuver your way around hard to reach areas and branches.
- Heavy-duty rustproof blades
- Ergonomic, comfortable grip handles
- Safety lock keeps the blades closed for safety
- Heavy-duty rustproof blades
- Hand grips start to slide off of the metal handles after a while
4. Gonicc 8" Professional Anvil Pruning Shears
Cutting hard stems and blades has never been so easy, but thanks to the Gonicc anvil pruning shears that feature a top-notch mechanism which makes cutting easy and effortless.
The blades caught our attention. It is made from carbon SK-5 steel coupled with chromium-plating technology. Generally, SK5 carbon steel blades are super durable and strong. They are sharper than the regular blades used on other pruners.
We’d talk about the cutting mechanism previously. But to further buttress our point, the cutting mechanism features a pulley and spring-loaded system. This enables you to cut the strongest stem with less effort.
The handles are ergonomically designed. Although there are not fully covered with rubber cushion, they are non-slip handles and comfortable to grip. After all, this deals with the problem of the cushion pulling off.
Just like the others, the presence of a safety lock ensures optimum protection. The shear is ideal for all hand sizes and skill levels. We will not forget to mention that it has got a lifetime warranty on the product. So you can buy risk-free.
- Pulley mechanism makes it effortless to cut hard stems
- Ergonomically designed non-slip handles and lightweight
- Features a lock mechanism
- SK-5 Steel blades increase durability
- Lifetime warranty
- Much complains about the lock-open mechanism not easily responsive
Best Hedge Shears Reviews
5. ARS HS-KR1000 Professional Hedge Shears
As the name implies, this hedge shear is specially designed with the best-selected materials to give you a professional tool that will do the job conveniently.
With the presence of the pivot bolt for blade adjustments, you can perform any task. This makes it versatile. The blades offer long-lasting sharpness, and they are removable and possible to be re-sharpened.
The good thing is that you can replace the blades when they are completely worn out. The blades are made from high-carbon steel measuring 7-inch long.
The overall design is simple yet impressive. With the sturdy construction, you can be sure to perform rugged jobs. Thanks to the screws that secure the blades. Moreover, they can be loosened or tighten to your preference.
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The handles are not also left out. They are made from durable steel. With the shock-absorbing bumper feature on the handles, arm vibration and fatigue are reduced.
- Ergonomically designed handles
- It's very durable
- The blades are replaceable
- Easy to use
- It's lightweight
- The bumper has no cushion that covers the entire handle
- It's somewhat expensive
6. Okatsune Precision Hedge Shears
These hedge shears are made from hot hammer-forged "Izumo Yasuki Steel". This is the same material used in forging Japanese swords. This means the level of sharpness you will get from such a shear.
Cutting and pruning those thick plants in your garden has been made easy with this tool. The design provides for easy use at all skill levels.
Because they are not made from carbon steel, there is a downside with these blades. They have a low resistance to rust. So to ensure longevity, you need to practice proper preventive measures. Always clean them with oil after each use.
The handles are perfectly cylindrical, giving you a perfect grip. They are very sturdy and made from Japanese White Oak.
One thing we love the most is the long and tiny blade which makes it easier to get to hard-to-reach areas.
- Powerful and sharp blades
- Lightweight
- Easy to use and maintain
- Ergonomically designed handles
- A little pricey
- Prone to oxidization
7. Corona HS 3950 Extendable Hedge Shear
You don’t always have to pay a fortune to get a valuable product. The corona hedge shear is affordable, yet one of the best garden shears you can have in your possession.
The carbon steel blades give you high sharpness and will cut the hardest stem. They are durable and will perform a lot of tasks without getting blunt. It is ideal for the manicuring of your lawn, garden, and flowers.
The handles are made from lightweight steel. Designed to be lengthy, it makes you get the job done with less effort. The tip of the hands features a shock stop bumper which helps to reduce arm and shoulder fatigue.
What’s more? The presence of the precision pivot bolt helps to enhance smooth cutting action. It has got an extendable handle feature that gives the user ability to maneuver through difficult and hard-to-reach areas.
Surprisingly, the corona extendable hedge shear can compete with other highly-priced shears reviewed here. Comparing features and material selection to the price, it is worth it. The limited lifetime warranty gives you more conviction to go for it.
- Super sharp blades
- Lightweight
- Durable and strong handles that can be extended
- Easy to use
- Limited lifetime warranty
- It's affordable
- Extensions begin to slip/slide after a long period of use
- Pivot bolt can lose out sometimes
Best Electric Garden Shears Reviews
8. KOHAM Professional Cordless Electric Pruning Shears
The blade of the KOHAM professional cordless pruning shears is forged from SK5 high carbon steel. SK5 blades are always super sharp with high resistant to rusting and corrosion, and with not forgetting to mention the durability.
This shear is powered by a brushless motor. Typically, they are more durable than the standard brush motor with almost 5x service life value. You can conveniently cut up to 0.98 inch/25mm branch diameter.
It comes with two rechargeable lithium batteries that have got a good run time. You can cut more than 8000 times after being fully charged. The charger is there to charge the batteries one after the other. So you get to work with one while the other is being charged.
This shear finds its application in a variety of projects including garden, large pastures, orchards, parks, farms, and greenhouses.
This product is lightweight, weighing only 0.894KG. This provides for easy maneuverability, and coupled with its ergonomic anti-slip handles; you can work for a long time. No doubt that this is the best electric garden shears available in the market.
- Brushless motor improves performance and efficiency
- Ergonomic non-slip handle
- It is lightweight
- SK5 carbon steel increases the durability of the blades
- A little slow to turn on
- It's relatively expensive
9. Seesii Cordless Electric Pruning Shears
The blades are made from Swiss SK5 high carbon steel. It is powered by a brushless motor. The Seesii is a more rugged and professional cordless electric pruning shears that can cut larger stems and branches. With this, you can cut up to 1.26 inch / 32mm hard branches.
It comes with 2pcs, 2AH, 21V rechargeable lithium batteries. When fully charged, you can use your tool for between 6-7 hours. They get completely charged at most 1.5 hours.
We love the extreme super lightweight. You can perform more tasks and work longer without feeling any weight on your hands. It weighs only 700g. Also, the anti-slip and ergonomic design of the handles helps improve user performance.
The full kit comes with the cordless pruner, 2 x backup batteries, a spare blade,2 wrench tool, US charge adapter, all in a portable case.
The Seesii pruning shear is easy to operate, so anyone can use it. You get an 18 months warranty on this product.
- Up to 6000+ shear cuts or 6-7 hours usage
- Ergonomic non-slip handle
- Extra replacement blade
- Ergonomic non-slip handle
- Sharp replacement blades and lightweight
- It is expensive
10. Snow Joe HJ604C Cordless Grass Shear and Hedger
We understand the importance of having a single tool that can perform more tasks than others. While other electric garden shears can only perform pruning, the Snow Joe Cordless shear can be used as a grass shear and a hedger for trimming those amazing flowers in your garden.
It is best used for small gardens and situations where your mowers find it difficult to get. You can quickly convert from a grass shear to a hedger and vice versa. All you need to is change the blade.
This tool is powered by a 7.2 V lithium-ion battery. It comes with a charger. Weighing only 1.2kg with battery, it is lightweight. Despite the low price and super features, the company manages to offer a 2-year warranty which includes replacing the product, should there be any power damage.
Snow Joe HJ604C cordless grass shear is easy to use for anyone. With the push of a button, you are set to give your garden that stunning look.
- Extremely lightweight
- Interchangeable blades to perform more task
- Long-lasting battery
- 2 years warranty
- It is affordable
- Cannot prune other thick plants except cutting grasses
What to Consider When Buying Garden Shears
Even though we have listed and reviewed only the best garden shears, it may still be difficult to pick one if you have not gotten any prior experience using one. Also, there are different types of garden shears, and this makes it even more confusing.
To find the best for you, consider the following criteria.
The type of shear
There is a wide range of garden shears available that perform different jobs. But the two most popular shears that are a must-have for every enthusiast are the pruning shears and the hedging shears.
Before deciding on what to buy, you need to know if you will be using the shear for pruning or hedging. They both do different jobs, and you cannot use one in place of the other.
Manual vs Powered
If you will be doing light pruning for a small garden, then you can go for the manually operated shears. They are usually lightweight; you can use them conveniently at a stretch without feeling fatigued on your hands and shoulders.
Alternatively, if you will be working on a heavy-duty project such as a large farm or garden, then you should go for the electric garden shears. However, it won’t be a bad idea to have both since there’re a lot of inexpensive manually operated garden shears.
Comfort handles
One of the effects of working with shears that have poorly designed handle is blisters. The only way to avoid this is to go for handles that are ergonomically designed. We recommend shears with non-slip features and if possible, rubber cushion.
However, you must note that majority of these shears that come with cushion tends to pull off after numerous usage.
Other essential features
Each of the tools reviewed here comes with their special feature. When choosing a shear, look for the one that best catches your interest. Some of the features include adjustable and telescopic handles, Teflon coated blades to prevent sticky, safety blade lock, just to mention a few.
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How To Clean Garden Shears After Use
After a while of using your garden shear, they will become clogged from the sap of the plants. Over time, this will affect the performance if not well-taken care of. So how do you clean garden shears after use?
With the use of a pan scourer or some wire wool, clean off the blades to get rid of the sap. You can also use WD-40 to loosen the stuck-on material.
Next is to wipe off the sap and WD-40 solution with a cloth. If you are not going to be using them for a while, use a thin film of linseed oil on the blades to protect them against rust.
Garden Shear FAQs
Can you use a hedge trimmer to cut branches?
Depending on the thickness of the branch involved, we do not recommend using a tool outside the initial purpose. Even if you are successful with it, it may not give a professional job.
For cutting branches of less than 2 inches, you can use pruning shears. Anything thicker than that requires a lopper or a more rugged tool.
Are cordless pruners any good?
Cordless pruners are safer to use while working in the garden. Since they make use of batteries, the chances of electrocution are eradicated. They perform the same task as the manually operated ones.
They do more work faster while reducing fatigue. They are an excellent option for heavy-duty jobs.
How thick can hedge trimmers cut?
Most of the manually operated hedge trimmers can cut branches and stems up to ¾ inches. Also, blade sizes of trimmers range from as small as 5 inches for electric detail trimmer up to 26-inch for more heavy-duty ones.
Conclusion
This is one of the best garden shears reviews you will find on the web. We are sure that you will not have complaints as you have heard from other enthusiasts who bought without proper recommendations and research.
So we have reviewed electric garden shears, manually operate pruning shears, and hedging shears. Depending on what you want, any product from this list above will be worth every penny.
Let us further know if there is any way we can be of help to help you find a better one tailored to your need.
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