Pruning plants? These are the best secateurs we’ve tested 

We looked at the two most popular types of secateurs available – bypass and anvil secateurs. Having read existing reviews, we selected a range to cut soft or hard woods, providing precision or force.  

As bypass secateurs are more popular, we chose six brands to test, with one pair of anvil secateurs. But we will be updating this guide with more anvil secateurs in due course.  

We loved these secateurs. They were comfortable, easy to use, affordable and ticked all our boxes. The soft-touch, comfort handle is particularly ergonomic – we felt our hands fitted really well around the handle, and it was nicely shaped. The secateurs certainly feel well balanced in the hand. The handles are spring-loaded so you don’t feel like you need a lot of strength to pull the blades together. They don’t cause any strain to the hand when closing to cut material and they can be used for a decent length of time without tiring the hand.

The security lock is positioned on the top side of the left blade and is easy to lock and unlock. The blades are non-stick coated, making them easier to clean. They create a clean cut on material, but struggle with thicker stems, such as the apple tree, although you will find it easier to cut thicker material if you have a larger hand span, which gives you more power. These secateurs come in as the heaviest at 279g (9.8oz), although they do not feel heavy to hold, and made pruning a pleasant experience.

There are lots of things to like about these secateurs so we won’t be giving them away in a hurry. We loved the comfort of the handle, and the locking slider was a breeze to use with one hand. They felt super secure when locked, without the worry that they would spring open. We also felt they suited different hand sizes, making them a good option if you want to avoid buying “his and her” secateurs.  

There wasn’t much we didn’t like, apart from them falling a little short on cutting the 12mm stem we tested.  

The sliding locking device, on top of the secateurs, can be opened and closed with your thumb. We found this super helpful, as this left our spare hand free to hold back any stems or branches. The locking mechanism feels really secure and you can guarantee they won’t spring open by accident. We also liked the rubber grip on the handle; this made up for the fact that the straight handle didn’t sit in the hand as well as the ergonomic design of some of the other pairs.  

The anvil secateurs are designed to cut through up to 25mm (0.98in), so we expected them to cope with cutting thicker stems than the bypass secateurs we tested. They certainly lived up to the task of cutting through 12mm (0.47in) and we both found this easy.

But they did have a couple of downsides: we found there was no information on the packaging, unlike the other pairs, which at the very least stated the product’s features. And some people with larger hands may find the handle too short. The handle’s inside measurement is 9cm (3.5in), compared to others measuring 10cm (3.9in). Although it’s only 1 cm, it did seem to make a difference and almost feels as if something is missing from the secateurs. Overall, we found these to be good compact anvil secateurs at a great price. 

Great for those tougher jobs that bypass secateurs won’t manage, and ideal for gardeners with smaller hands and less hand strength.

The handle may be too short for those with large hands, and it lacked the comfort of a curved ergonomic shape.  

From experience, we know that it’s all too easy to get distracted when pruning, only to forget where you’ve left your secateurs! We can guarantee that you won’t lose sight of these bright and cheery, orange-handled secateurs. And whenever we picked up these secateurs to test, the orange handle instantly put a smile on our faces.

These bypass secateurs are specially designed for our left-handed friends and have a comfortable contoured design on the upper and lower handles. We also liked the ease of the spring action, which didn’t feel stiff or awkward. 

These orange beauties gave the best performance in the cutting test and cut through the thickest stem with ease. Although, it’s claimed they can cut through up to 25mm (0.98in) of live wood, you may well struggle with this if you have a small hand. We found the safety catch easy to use and our larger tester was able to open and close it with his left hand.

However, it was trickier for our smaller tester to keep a firm hold of the handle while securing the catch. Although there wasn’t an endless amount of information on the packaging, we liked how it gave maintenance instructions, reminding users to clean the blades with oil after use and sharpen periodically. And with a carbon steel blade, they do need to be maintained well to protect their life. Although the right-handed version comes with a spare blade and spring, this isn’t included with the left-handed pair. 

Although secateurs are a practical tool, we loved the bright orange colour, which added a bit of fun to pruning and made them easier to find in a pile of cut foliage. They were also comfortable to use and would suit gardeners with different hand sizes.

The catch isn’t difficult to use, but it could easily be knocked and dislodged.  

For those with smaller hands, these bypass secateurs are more difficult to grip when the handle is open wide, and some control is lost. But Okatsune hasn’t forgotten that we’re all different shapes and sizes and offers a smaller (101) and extra large (104) version.

On the plus side, the ergonomic design provides a good placement for your thumb, and, although slim, the length of the handle does make the secateurs suitable for larger hands too.  

The safety clasp, positioned at the end of the handles, rather than close to the blades, is particularly secure, although it can be a bit snappy. We had to be careful to tuck it back in towards the inner handle while open, to avoid catching it on our clothes. If you’re just nipping into the garden wearing your Sunday best, to deadhead a rose or two, you may need to be more careful.

Despite being one of the most expensive pairs we tested, they were disappointing on the thickness cutting test, but they did well on thinner tasks. Made from high carbon steel, these premium secateurs guarantee a sharp cut over a longer length of time than their stainless-steel rivals. 

We liked the design of the narrow handle and it felt comfortable and compact in a smaller hand. Our smaller tester particularly liked the tactile feel of the secateurs, and they were pleasant to hold.  

Although it states on the packaging that they are heavy duty secateurs, they did struggle to cut the 12mm (0.47in) stem. 

These stylish secateurs certainly ooze premium clout, and would make an ideal gift to a gardening fanatic. The box also contains instructions on how to care for them, which you’ll need,  as they have a tough carbon steel blade that is prone to rusting if not cared for.  

Although they claim to cut through a maximum of 15mm (0.59in), they underperformed on our thickness cutting test, and for this reason would suit a larger, stronger hand. However, they are available in a small version, which would give those with a shorter hand span more control. On lighter tasks they gave a clean, precise cut and worked well when pruning soft-stemmed geraniums.

The yellow handles are easy to spot in the garden, although we don’t think you’ll want to be leaving these around for too long, seeing the cost.  

The clasp at the base of the handles is very secure, but like the Okatsune secateurs, it can be a bit snappy and needs to be tucked in to avoid catching. On the downside, the handle is slippery, and the secateurs could benefit from a more textured grip.

However, overall, if you’re happy to take care of your secateurs, this premium pair will keep you gardening for years. Just don’t lose them! 

They gave a good clean, precise cut and performed well on soft stems. The packaging also gave some instructions on cutting technique and how to maintain the secateurs. We felt confident that, with the right care, these would last us for years.   

The handle was slippery, which we wouldn’t have expected from a high-end product, and they struggled to cut thicker stems.  

It wasn’t obvious that these secateurs have two cutting widths, and we only found out by checking on the packaging, but it turned out to be a real bonus and the best feature of the secateurs, which apart from the Darlac pair, none of the others we tested had. The width is simply adjusted by repositioning the closing clasp, with the result that the handles don’t open as wide. This is a bonus for those with smaller hands who find the constant stretch of the wider setting tiring.  

But it does mean the design of the clasp is slightly compromised, making it tricky to close shut, although this gets easier with practice. The secateurs also offer adjustable blade tension, although these instructions weren’t included in the packaging and we had to search online to find out how to make the adjustment.  

An added feature is a notch at the base of the cutting blades that makes it possible to cut wires without damaging the main blades. Again, none of the other secateurs we tested had this feature. This can be a bonus if you make a habit of cutting through wires with the normal part of your secateurs, which is not recommended, as it can damage the blade.  

As the name suggests, these certainly feel like heavy-duty secateurs. 

We were excited and surprised to find two cutting widths. If you share your secateurs with other members of your household, this gives more flexibility on hand size and strength.  

The clasp is difficult to close and could easily become dislodged, although it did become easier to open and close over time.  

If you blink you might be forgiven for thinking these red-handled Darlac forged bypass pruners are identical to the Spear and Jackson secateurs we’ve tested. However, once you pick these up, you can tell they are slightly heavier – even though it’s only a marginal 13g (half an ounce). Conversely, the blade’s opening aperture is narrower by approximately 2mm (0.08in).  

These secateurs are advertised as being “suited for tougher work” and they certainly felt robust and comfortable in the hand, but they didn’t perform as well as we had anticipated in the cutting test. In fact, they weren’t able to cut through the 12mm (0.47in) stem of old wood.   

But there is lots to like, just as with the Spear and Jackson secateurs. They have a two-position catch that gives you the option for a narrower opening aperture, ideal for smaller hands. And they also have the capacity to cut wire, with a notch at the base of the blades. 

These secateurs certainly have a nice springy action, which we found made them easy to use. We felt the main downside was the safety catch, which didn’t feel as secure as others. 

The handle is a good size for all hand sizes and is nicely moulded to give a comfortable hold. 

Their robustness might make them on the heavy side for some gardeners. 

There are three types of secateurs – bypass, anvil and ratchet. For the purpose of this guide, we are testing bypass and anvil secateurs.

• Bypass secateurs work in a similar way to scissors – the two blades bypass each other creating a clean cut. The cutting action helps minimise bruising to the stem of the living plant. They are best suited to light pruning, deadheading and cutting green wood. You can expect bypass secateurs to cut the thickness of a little finger, although some claim to cut 25mm. It will all depend on the user’s hand strength and the opening aperture of the blades.
• Anvil secateurs provide more pressure than bypass secateur. The sharp top blade presses down on a flat metal base that cuts through the material. Anvil secateurs are best suited to cutting deadwood and brown wood, or pruning in winter. They need to be kept sharp.

• Ratchet secateurs can have either a bypass or anvil blade. What makes them different is that they have ratchet springs, which allow them to cut in stages. The actions of press, release and repeat require little pressure on the handles, which makes them particularly good for tougher jobs, or for those with weaker hands.

Secateurs have either carbon steel or stainless steel blades. Carbon steel blades are superior to stainless steel blades, as the steel is harder and retains its sharpness for longer. However, their improved performance and longevity usually comes at a cost. Apart from being more expensive, the blades are prone to rusting and will require regular maintenance.

Stainless steel blades are the perfect choice for gardeners concerned about rusting, as they contain a layer of chromium oxide that protects the surface. However, in the long-term they are not as durable as carbon steel blades, which, if cared for, will last a lifetime.

Another element to consider is the material of the handle. You’ll want to combine a material that is comfortable to hold with something that is easy to clean. After all, gardening can be a mucky business.

It can be tricky to find secateurs if you’re left-handed, as they’re not as widely available as secateurs for right-handed gardeners. To get the best out of your secateurs, it’s important to buy a pair of secateurs that are not too large for your hand.  

“Getting the right size can be trickier when it comes to choosing a left-handed secateur,” says Rainer Schubert, managing director at Burgon and Ball, “since most manufacturers offer only one left-handed design – if any at all.”  

The lack of choice has the knock-on effect of making it harder to find a pair with a good, comfortable fit. However, Felco do offer a range of left-handed secateurs. 

What you pay for a pair of secateurs really depends on how much you’re going to use them and if you’re prepared to maintain them. If you invest in a pair of secateurs with carbon steel blades, which can last a long time, but then don’t maintain them, it’s a false economy.  

There’s also another issue. Are you prone to losing your secateurs, only to find them under shrubbery a few months later once you’ve already replaced them? And if you’re a forgetful gardener and leave your secateurs out in the garden overnight, they will not last as if you’d cleaned them and put them somewhere dry. 

Prices vary widely, from as little as £2 to over £100, although the secateurs we’ve tested range from £16 to £84.   

“When choosing secateurs, find a pair that fit comfortably in your hand,” says Karen Abbott, marketing manager at Spear and Jackson, “and test the weight when opening and closing the blades.”  

Schubert advises: “You should be able to hold both handles comfortably in a relaxed grip. Using a secateur that is too large can lead to tension in the hand and wrist. It can also lead to holding the secateur at the narrowest part of the handle, close to the pivot point. This can lead to catching your glove – or worse, your skin – in the moving parts of the tool.” 

You’ll always make the best cut with a sharp pair of secateurs, as blunt blades will damage the plant.

When cutting thin green stems, use the tip of the blade, but move down the blade to cut thicker stems. 

Don’t use force to cut through thick stems, as it will damage the blade. Instead, swap to long-handled pruners or use a pruning saw.