We tried and tested pruners from market-leading brands (Image: Getty) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Any gardener knows that a decent pair of secateurs will be one of the hardest-working tools in your shed. Whether that’s for dead-heading, pruning, cutting back perennials or other smaller jobs to keep things tidy.
There is a baffling number of secateurs on the market, and ultimately, the pair you choose will come down to personal choice. However, if, like me, you have some stiffness and joint pain, or arthritis is making things tricky, then the right pair could make all the difference.
There are different types of secatuers on the market.
Anvil: Ideal for cutting through thicker, tougher stems or dead wood, anvil secateurs have a cutting blade and a flat edge, which could be likened to a knife on a chopping board.
Bypass: These ones are more like a pair of scissors, with two pointed blades; they are good for the likes of greener growth and soft wood. They usually have a smaller cutting diameter than anvils, for stems 10-15mm thick.
Ratchet: These can have anvil or bypass blades, but use a ratchet spring mechanism that works through repeated squeeze-and-release actions, meaning they cut in stages and are considered good for gardeners with weaker hands.
How we tested secateurs for weak hands
Along with my neighbour Nigel, who is an avid gardener in his 80s and has pretty far advanced arthritis in both hands, with some joints fused. I meanwhile have painful joints and a bit of stiffness. We tried them in our respective gardens on a variety of tasks.
I tried secateurs from the market-leading brands to bring you our favourites. We judged each pair against the same criteria: quality and sharpness of the blade, effectiveness on green stems, effectiveness on woody stems, how easy we found them to use, how comfortable they were to hold and whether we would consider them suitable for those with weaker hands. For each of these points, we gave them a mark out a five, with an overall score out of thirty. We then weighed up whether we felt they are good value for money and if we would recommend them to a friend.
Fiskars X-series Bypass Pruner M P921
Fiskars X-series Bypass Pruner M P921 (Image: Fiskars)
Blade type: Bypass
Weight: 220kg
Max cutting diameter: 2.4cm
We tried three pairs by Finnish brand Fiskars, and we were impressed by both the bypass and anvil models. both found these performed well on woody and green stems – though i find bypass not as good for wet green stems – and Nigel found they worked well for larger hands as they have a “broad grip”. I gave these full marks for being suitable for those with weak hands and like the rotating handle.
Score: 27.5/30
Fiskars X-series Anvil Pruner L P941
Fiskars X-series Anvil Pruner L P941 (Image: Fiskars)
Blade type: Anvil
Weight: 221g
Maximum cutting width: 2.6cm
These were Nigel’s favourite pair, giving them full marks for their performance on different types of stems. I was a big fan of the rotating handle and found these easy to use. Nigel says he finds anvil pairs easier for cutting woody stems like rose bushes.
Score: 27.5/30
RHS Burgon and Ball bypass secateurs
RHS Burgon and Ball Bypass Secateurs (Image: Burgon and Ball)
Type: Bypass
Weight: 200g
Length: 21cm
Maximum cutting width: 2.5cm
This RHS-endorsed pair is keenly priced (the second cheapest on this list at the time of writing). I found these to be a good basic secatur, but didn’t find them great on tougher woody stems (4), and for me, they were a little wide – better for larger hands. Nigel found these “light in the hand and requiring a broad grip” – Nigel says “size of hand matters more than strength” –come with a 10-year guarantee against manufacturing defects.
Score: 26/30
Kent and Stowe Garden Life all purpose mini secateur
Kent and Stowe Garden Life All Purpose Mini Secateur (Image: Kent and Stowe)
Type: Anvil
Weight: 186g
Length: 17cm
Maximum cutting width: 1.5cm
These are a lighter, smaller version of the Kent and Stowe SureCut All Purpose Lite Secateurs (which we also tried; they weigh 330g) and are designed for gardeners who may find some tools too heavy. As you might expect, they have a smaller maximum cutting diameter. The brand says they are ideal for dead-heading, taking cuttings and the like. We found they were good for small outdoor jobs and indoor pruning. Nigel says they are ideal for those with small hands, but we both found these hard to lock and unlock, and for me, the handles felt a little rough.
Score: 26/30
Bosch EasyPrune cordless pruner
Bosch Cordless EasyPrune (Image: Bosch)
Type: Cordless powered bypass
Weight: 490g
Length: 25cm
Maximum cutting width: 2.5cm
We tried two powered pairs from Bosch, one pair of shears, but I found these more standard secateurs the better of the two, and they were particularly effective on big stems and branches. They have a charge time of 210mins.
Score: 25/30
Felco Erganomic rotating secateurs
Felco erganomic rotating secateurs (Image: Felco erganomic rotating secateurs)
Weight: 260g
Length: 19cm
Maximum cutting width: 1.8cm
As the Swiss brand promises, these ones are very good for smaller hands. I found them comfortable to use, and the rolling handle was effective, particularly when cutting woody stems. We both found them slightly top-heavy compared to others, so that is worth bearing in mind. Plus, they are more expensive than others, but the forged aluminium handles come with a lifetime warranty against defects.
Score: 25/30
We also tried the new Fiskars P981 model, which will be available in the UK market soon. You can switch between modes for cutting thin stems and then thicker ones up to 2.6cm. I found these to be a great all-rounder, and Nigel reported back that he found them “easy to hold, with a nice light action”.
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