Secateurs are an indispensable tool in your garden armoury. Pruning is essential to keeping your trees, shrubs and bushes looking neat and tidy, as well as helping to regenerate new growth – and that’s where a decent pair of secateurs can help!
The type of secateurs you require is dependent on the task at hand; if you will use them for more delicate plants, flowers or shrubs, you are best suited to bypass secateurs. However, if you plan on pruning thick tree branches, we would recommend opting for a pair of anvil secateurs which should make light work of the task.
We have compiled this list of recommended secateurs to help you tackle a range of different tasks, taking factors such as cost, durability and ease of use into consideration.
Our top five garden secateurs
FAQs
What is the difference between pruners and secateurs?
Secateurs and pruners are the same thing, and each term can be used interchangeably.
What is the difference between anvil and bypass secateurs?
Bypass secateurs are the more common type, with two blades on either side, cutting the same way as a pair of scissors. These are great for cutting live plants, rather than hardened dead branches.
On the other hand, bypass secateurs work with one blade and are ideal for cutting for thicker branches and deadwood.
How do you maintain garden secateurs?
After each use, make sure to clean your secateurs with warm soapy water and dry them off well. This is especially important if they are covered in sap, as this can corrode the blade. After that, we advise lubricating the blades with vegetable oil, to prevent rust.
Sharpening your pruners may also be necessary, as they can go blunt over time making them hard to cut with. You can do this by running over the blade with a sharpening stone.
Best Garden Secateurs
Top of the list
These bypass secateurs frequently appear at the top of experts lists, and with good reason. They have been made with ease of use in mind, making them comfortable to use one-handed thanks to their lightweight construction. Their sharp, angled blades make cutting through plants a smooth experience, and won't cause any unnecessary damage.
| Dimensions: | 26cm x 7.3cm x 2cm |
| Max cut: | 25mm |
Best for large hands
FELCO's anvil secateurs have been designed with medium to large hands in mind. The hardened steel blades and forged aluminium alloy handles make for a sturdy and durable tool that is built to last – so much so, they have a lifetime guarantee and FELCO will replace any part of the secateurs if they were to break.
| Dimensions: | 23.5cm x 10.2cm x 2.5cm |
| Max cut: | 25mm |
Best for delicate stems
This affordable offering from GRÜNTEK shouldn't be looked down on. The blades of these bypass secateurs are made from steel, meaning they will withstand general wear and tear, but also claim to be suitable for professional use. They make light work of cutting through delicate stems up to 20mm in diameter – so they are a great choice for precise work.
| Dimensions: | 21.5cm x 6.4cm x 2.3cm |
| Max cut: | 20mm |
Best for casual use
If you're looking for premium, durable and - above all - comfortable pruners, then look no further. These Gonicc secateurs are sharp and reliable, making them ideal for any light pruning work. The blade is made of ultra-fine polishing technology, and the frame is ergonomically designed with non-slip handles.
| Dimensions: | 27.9cm x 10cm x 3.5cm |
| Max cut: | 19mm |
5.
Spear & Jackson 6758GS Razorsharp Geared Anvil Secateurs
If you're in need of a robust tool to get through thicker branches, these anvil secateurs could be the ones for you. Constructed with steel blades and a cast aluminium body, they are sturdy but lightweight, making them a pleasant choice. They have also been designed with geared action to make the cutting action comfortable.
| Dimensions: | 21.5cm x 9cm x 2cm |
| Max cut: | 15mm |
Best for comfort
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Davaon's bypass secateurs are a very comfortable yet effortless choice. Their construction, with an auto-rotating lower handle which is designed to spread muscular force evenly across your fingers, makes them easy to squeeze together and easy to use with minimal exertion. There is also a finger protection guard built in to stop you being scratched by thorns and sharp branches.
| Dimensions: | 22cm x 5cm x 9cm |
| Max cut: | 20mm |
Best for both delicate and thick branches
If you're in need of secateurs for both delicate stems and thick branches, this reasonably priced set from Davaon will do the trick. The bypass secateurs will make seamless work of live stems, and the anvil secateurs are ideal for cutting through woody and dried-out stems - you'll have all bases covered. They promise to be built for comfort and to stand up to general wear and tear thanks to their steel and fibreglass build.
| Dimensions: | 20.3cm x 1.8cm x 6cm |
| Max cut: | 20mm |
Best lightweight option
Another fantastic option for cutting stems and light branches. The blade is high-quality, made of high carbon steel, and the safety lock allows for an easy and convenient safety system. These pruners are very lightweight, and won't tire the hand after length of use.
| Dimensions: | 45.7cm x 4.57cm x 15.4cm |
| Max cut: | 19mm |
Abby Nair works for Bauer Media as Dynamic Assistant, helping across our specialist hobby titles.
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