Pruners and garden shears for trimming roses, fruit trees, hedges and shrubs, from hand secateurs and pruning saws to cordless shears. The range suits home gardeners and keen allotment growers, with over 20 models from GARDENA, SILKY, BOSCH, WOLF-GARTEN and FELCO.
How to choose pruners and garden shears
Manual or cordless. Hand secateurs and shears are light, quiet and need no charging, which suits regular light pruning. Cordless shears and pruners save effort on long hedge runs or when your hands tire quickly, but they add the weight of a battery.
Cutting capacity and blade type. Check the maximum branch diameter and stay well below it for everyday work. Bypass blades pass each other like scissors and give a clean cut on live green stems, while anvil blades crush against a flat surface and are better for dry, dead wood. For anything thicker than a thumb, a pruning saw is the safer tool.
Handle and comfort. Grip size, weight and the force needed to close the handles matter more than they seem after an hour of work. Smaller hands usually do better with a slimmer handle, and a locking catch keeps the blades closed in your pocket or tool bag.
Battery platform. If you already own cordless tools, choosing a pruner that uses the same battery and charger saves money and space. Makita, DEWALT, RYOBI and BOSCH each run their own battery systems, and the batteries are not interchangeable between brands.
Spare parts and blade care. Pruners that allow replacement blades, springs and bolts last far longer than sealed units. Cleaning the blades after use and sharpening them each season keeps cuts clean, which helps plants heal.
Pruner and garden shear brands we carry
- GARDENA: German garden specialist known for hand tools and for its wider garden system, including watering and cordless garden tools.
- SILKY: Japanese maker of pruning saws with sharp, hard-wearing blades, popular with arborists and fruit growers.
- FELCO: Swiss manufacturer of professional secateurs, known for models where almost every part can be replaced.
- WOLF-GARTEN: German brand known for its Multi-Star system of interchangeable heads and handles.
- BOSCH: its green-coloured home and garden line includes cordless shrub shears and pruners built around lithium-ion batteries.
- Makita, DEWALT and RYOBI: cordless tool brands whose garden tools share batteries with their drills and other machines, such as Makita 18V LXT and RYOBI ONE+.
- BLACK+DECKER: known for cordless garden tools aimed at home users with smaller gardens.
Also in our range: BLOW, STANLEY and BATAVIA B.V.
Pruners and garden shears FAQ
What is the difference between bypass and anvil secateurs?
Bypass secateurs cut with two blades that slide past each other, while anvil secateurs press one blade onto a flat surface. Bypass models give a cleaner cut on living stems and are the usual choice for roses and fruit trees. Anvil models suit dead, dry wood but can crush green growth.
Which pruner should I use for thick branches?
Use a pruning saw or long-handled loppers for thick branches. Secateurs are made for stems up to roughly the maximum diameter stated by the maker, and forcing them beyond it damages the blades and the plant. Always check the stated cutting capacity before you buy.
Are cordless garden shears worth buying?
Cordless shears are worth it if you have a lot of trimming, such as long hedges or many shrubs. They reduce hand strain and speed up the job, though they cost more than manual shears and need a charged battery. For a few roses or a small border, hand tools are usually enough.
How do I keep pruners sharp and in good condition?
Wipe the blades clean after each use, dry them and apply a light oil to prevent rust. Sharpen the cutting edge with a fine sharpening stone or diamond file at least once a season. Replace worn blades or springs if the pruner allows it, rather than the whole tool.
