Best Loppers for Pruning – Reviews & Buying Guide

Trying to trim down your garden plants but can’t find the ideal product to do so? Don’t worry – the best loppers for pruning we have here will offer everything you need.

Maintaining a garden filled with medium and large plants is not an easy job. Once the branches start growing disproportionally and the bushes start losing their shape – you’ll have to trim them down to maintain the place looking neat.

And for that, nothing will offer a better experience than a lopper.

That’s why we looked for the best options in the market, analyzed them, and came back with some reviews for you to learn.

Reading this article will help you find out more about loppers and the different options you have available.

Let us show you what loppers are all about!

10 Best Loppers Breakdown

Reviews of The Best Loppers for The Money

Entering the market with little to no knowledge about loppers can be a disastrous experience. That’s why it is essential to learn more about the product you’re getting by reading some reviews. Herein, the next ones will help you pick a new lopper for your home!

1. TABOR TOOLS GG12A  Anvil Lopper with Compound- Best Overall Lopper

 

Chopping through wood with this magnificent piece is almost as easy as cutting cheese. The removal of twigs and branches is smooth, and with its 2-inches cutting capacity, you can trim down medium-sized plants without problems.

The blades are made of carbon steel, with a sharpened design that delivers no less than superb results. You can also get spare blades if needed, adding tons of convenience despite the performance.

As for handling, you shouldn’t have any problem with the 22-inches handles along with rubberized grip fast usage.

You can achieve tons of leverage to cut thick twigs in no time. And with the comfort the grip offers, you can do this without harming your fingers, hands, or wrists.

This comes at the expense of the Dynamic Compound mechanism it offers; ideal for getting through most branches smoothly. Achieving the perfect strength to cut thick pieces of wood is a piece of cake with this lopper set.

Overall, you could say it has no competitor when it comes to pruning and trimming sturdy wood. With enough strength, a flawless mechanism, and an exceptional set of Anvil blades – you will get through the hardest of jobs with no effort.

For that and much more, we can easily say this is the best loppers model you will find.

2. AIRAJ Loppers with Compound Action – Best loppers for large branches

Cutting long twigs is not an easy job. Especially when these are thick enough not to let blades pass through, you can easily spend hours cutting them.

Luckily, you can get the AIRAJ loppers – the best professional loppers for large branches you’ll find out there.

They stand out for the 2-inches Anvil blades made of SK-5 high carbon steel. The super-strong build and overall design allow smooth trimming of any wood. They are also durable and keep a sharp edge for many months of use.

This model is also easy to handle, with a Comfort Grip circular design that lets you grab with ease and comfort. You will enjoy the 26-inches length with stainless-steel build of the handles too; flawless addition to achieving the best-leveraged cutting possible.

And let’s not forget about the compound action mechanism that helps to achieve unprecedented levels of strength along with the anvil blade design.

3. BLACK+DECKER LP-1000 Cordless Alligator lopper

When a manual lopper doesn’t cut it – you need to go for something more practical. In that case, the Black & Decker LP1000 Alligator will do the job like no other.

As the best loppers for trees, this set provides 4.5 AMP of electric power with its powerful motor, capable of getting through thick & large branches in a few seconds.

This happens thanks to the built-in saw, ideal for trimming trees, and other large pieces of wood that would be impossible to do with manual loppers.

Of course, you get a saw mechanism that works really well with the clamping design. This way, you won’t have to do much more than just grabbing the piece to cut and start the saw. It will get through any branch fast & effectively.

The mechanism also comes with a highly reliable cutting bar and long-lasting chain, so you can expect its exceptional cutting performance to last a lifetime.

4. Fiskars 32-Inch PowerGear Bypass Lopper

While boasting a small design, this 2-inches Fiskars Bypass Lopper can get through most branches without issues. Using precision-ground and hardened blades, it cuts smoothly and delivers no less than highly precise results.

You can also enjoy a durable construction using rust-resistant coating for higher resistance over time. Along with a low-friction layer that helps the blade crush wood faster, this lopper leaves nothing to be desired.

It is also comfortable to use, with circular rubber handles and a shock-absorbing set of bumpers that prevent unwanted impacts.

With its 32-inches length and 2.55 pounds of weight, cutting branches with this model will be easier than falling off a log.

5. EZ Kut Heavy Duty Tree Pruner – Best Ratcheting Loppers

There’s no more satisfying cutting mechanism for a lopper than the ratchet. It provides the easiest yet more effective way to transform small blades into sharp branch-cutting tools.

But it is not the mechanism itself that stands out the most, but the superb SK5 Hardened Carbon Steel you get. Ideal for achieving maximum sharpness, you can get through hard branches like slicing butter out of a plate. The edges even come with a non-stick coating, delivering superior durability with no rust over time.

These loppers are still light and easy to use, with replaceable handles boasting a tubular telescopic design for extra reach. Along with that, you get rubber non-slip grips so you can achieve a straightforward and comfy cutting experience.

With a replaceable blade and telescopic handles – there’s nothing this model can’t cut. You even get a locking catch mechanism that helps you store the piece securely for years.

6. TABOR TOOLS GL16 – Best Bypass Loppers

When looking for the best garden loppers, you should go no further than this model. There’s simply no alternative as reliable, easy-to-use, and affordable as this one.

With its short 1.25-inches cutting diameter, you can achieve a splendid experience when cutting the smallest branches. The comfort grips and the 22-inches handle do make it easy to attain substantial leverage and cut through anything without issues.

The carbon steel blades don’t stay behind, though. Despite being short, they are outstandingly reliable and can handle years of use without losing the edges. They even come with shock-guards that absorb the impact each time you close to cut – preventing unwanted wearing.

Apart from that, you can say this is a small and light design overall. This allows secure storage and ensures a much straightforward usage – fast and with little effort. This is the ideal model for most garden operations.

7. Corona SL 4364 DualLINK Loppers-  Best for heavy duty

When it comes to quality brands, Corona is undoubtedly among the best you can get. And with the DualLINK model, you will enjoy no less than a magnificent trimming experience.

This piece stands out for the extendable handles using a trapezoid design. They can go from 27.5 up to 37.5 inches for the maximum reach imaginable.

The PowerSOURCE 4-bar linkage also augments the leverage, so you can crush any branch fast. Especially when you add the ComfortGEL design, achieving maximum cutting strength is not a problem for these loppers.

With the 1.75-inches cutting diameter, they still leave some size behind. But it is plenty and more than enough for most trimming operations.

As for the blade, you’ll get a two-zone design that works for both small and large cuts. And with its carbon steel construction, it lasts a long time before losing any sharpness. And you get all of this for a pretty decent cost.

8. MLTOOLS ML-L8230 – Easy Cut Ratcheting Lopper

Getting an MLTOOLS product is the synonym of getting exceptional quality from a less popular brand that never disappoints.

The ML L8230 is a high-quality loppers model that goes through any 1.75-inches branch without an issue. Boasting an SK-5 carbon steel blade, it leaves no space for badly cut branches.

This gets better with the ratcheting mechanism, increasing the overall leverage capacity of the product, so you trim branches fast and with little resistance.

But it is straightforward to use still, boasting light aluminum handles with an extendable feature for extra reach. You can cut even the highest branches without any problem with this model, as it goes from 25.5 up to 37.5 inches with the telescopic mechanism.

And to make it even better, you get non-slip rubber grips for extra comfort. Achieving the ideal leverage and cutting for hours won’t be any problem with these loppers.

9. KSEIBI Extendable Anvil Razor-Edge Pruning Lopper

If you want the best pruning loppers, then no other model will achieve the performance and overall reliability of the KSEIBI Extendable Razor-Edge lopper.

It is nothing short of amazing what this excellent lopper can do, starting from the extendable aluminum handles. It can go from 27 to 40 inches in length thanks to this system, allowing users of all kinds to reach the highest branches to prune with no problems.

You can expect a lot of reliability from the aluminum handles, especially with the Lock Button for extra convenience. With its 5 levels of extension, you can achieve any type of performance quickly.

The blade helps this length to work amazingly well. Hardened SK-5 steel and coated with TEFLON, allows a magnificent smooth cutting experience when using. It also prevents rust and resists corrosion while lasting more than standard alternatives.

10. Corona FL-3420 Compound Action Lopper

To finish the list, we come with our last Corona lopper review. There isn’t any better we could pick for this; as the Compound Action FL3420 Lopper goes through branches smoothly and effectively.

Cutting with this model is completely enjoyable. Using its 4-bar compound design, a 1.5-inches blade capacity, and exceptional 24-inches handles – you can enjoy a magnificent experience every time you use it.

With the fiberglass handles, you can expect top-notch precision and 32-inches in reach. They also help to achieve more leverage and higher cutting power. The best of these handles is the 8-inches non-slip foam grips, perfect for higher reliability and comfort when using.

Then, you find the high-carbon steel anvil blade with TEFLON coating, ideal for extra durability and resistance. It handles small, medium, and professional jobs without problems – and for several years.

Types of Loppers

Now, it is time to go over the three kinds of loppers you’ll find out there. They differ in many ways, starting from the design. But the most evident difference is the cutting head or blade. Here we explain all of them;

1 Bypass Loppers

Every time you see a scissor-like design on the cutting head – you’re seeing bypass loppers.

These are the most popular due to their straightforward design. Cutting with one of these is as easy as just calculating and closing the handles.

Usually, they are comprised of an edged blade that cuts the branches, and a dulled blade that works as support. Bypass loppers usually have a curved or hooked cutting head, ideal for grip when cutting.

2 Anvil Loppers

Then you’ll find the also popular anvil lopper. As its name says, it is designed with a sharp blade that cuts through the branches, and an anvil-like head that works as support.

The blade usually touches the anvil after cutting the branches. This way, the results tend to be more precise than with other models.

When people compare anvil lopper vs bypass lopper regarding overall capacity, both perform really well. But the anvil model tends to be larger due to the more effective design.

3 Pole Loppers

Ultimately, you’ll find the less popular pole lopper. Instead of having two handles, these have only one handle that works with a jaw-like head.

The jaws activate by using a pulley mechanism along with a cord. This mechanism opens and closes the jaws when activated from the handle.

The focus of these loppers is to cut things that are really far away, especially on top of bushes or small trees.

Which is Better Anvil or Bypass Loppers?

Both loppers have their own uses, so there’s no actual winner. The upper jaw of an anvil lopper comes with a sharp blade and the lower jaw is an anvil made out of softer metal.

As the upper blade of the lopper doesn’t bypass the lower part, you don’t get a clean cut. On bypass loppers, the blade sweeps through the lower part ensuring a clean, razor-sharp cut that maintains the health of the plant.

The thing is you should leave all the grunt work to anvil loppers as they’re perfect for cutting thick(or dead) branches. But avoid them for thin branches where you don’t want to risk damaging the soft plant tissue.

 

How to choose the Best Loppers (Buying Guide)

Getting the best loppers in the world is probably impossible. But you can certainly get the best for your needs. That’s right. If you learn how to separate a bad product from the right one depending on what you’re looking for. Then you’ll probably have success in finding the perfect loppers.

So, care to know how to pick the ideal model for your demands?

Here’s what you should know first;

Types of Handles

Having the right handles can improve overall grip and leverage while also aiding to achieve different kinds of reach. Here, we explain what handles you should go for;

Telescopic or extendable handles are those which length you can modify.

Some can be adjusted at up to 31 inches in length while going as low as just 20 inches or less.

This makes them ideal for reaching more difficult places when fully extended, or to achieve better cutting strength when not extended at all.

It is also essential to consider that the more extended the product, the less strength, and precision it will have.

The best loppers for the money always come with simple rubberized handles. These will help to achieve maximum grip and comfort when using.

A telescopic model also comes with this type of handle too, but they offer the extendable feature along.

It is crucial to consider the design, though. Most rubberized handles are circular. But some flat-sided designs can offer superior grip and much more leverage as a consequence.

Overall Length

The length of loppers comes from the addition of the handles’ length with the length of the cutting head.

This is not hard to measure. But you’ll first have to know the different measurements you’ll find for handles.

As we said before, telescopic handles can go from 20 up to 31 inches depending on the model. And if you add the 5 to 7 inches that a typical cutting head measures, then you’ll get loppers that can be from 25 up to 38 inches in length.

It is crucial to know the length because it changes the overall performance of the loppers completely.

Those that are larger than 30 inches will not be easy to handle but will be able to reach higher branches if needed.

As for those smaller than 25 inches, you will have the chance to exert more strength and leverage. This will end up in better cutting capacity, but you will have limited reach.

We recommend staying between 25 and 30 inches for the best results. But if you can go for a set of handles with a telescopic design, you will have the best experience. This way, you can achieve both high strength for small operations, and high reach for hard-to-reach branches.

Build of Handles

Here, you’ll have to consider two major models; aluminum and fiberglass. Both are pretty useful, but it is still essential to know their differences.

These are less popular than aluminum because they tend to be more expensive. However, fiberglass is light and durable, leaving no space to lack of strength when cutting.

These are usually more durable than other models as well, so they are always a great choice. But of course, you will face a much higher price tag.

With aluminum, you get decent weight and exceptional strength. But they are usually not as long-lasting or as light as fiberglass. In fact, aluminum handles are known to bend over time, which can be a huge disappointment. They are way cheaper than the latter, though.

Apart from the material, make sure you pick a model that comes with a shock guard. These stoppers keep the handles from hitting each other, which increases the overall durability of the loppers.

Weight

Many people tend to overlook the weight of their loppers, but it has a significant impact on how easy they are to use.

Overall, we recommend going no less than 2.5 pounds so you can get a decently strong product. And if you want to have a reliable yet still easy to use set of loppers, don’t go over 4.5 pounds. Anything over or below those weights will probably feel uncomfortable or ineffective.

Blade Builds

The effectiveness of the loppers cut depends heavily on the material used in the product.

Most blades are either stainless steel or carbon steel. The best, of course, is carbon steel due to its superior durability and strength.

But stainless steel options are not a bad option. They just offer less strength, which means the blade will dull out and chip faster than the others.

Apart from that, we heavily recommend going for hardened and coated blades. They often offer superior effectiveness, smoother cuts, and better durability.

For hardened steels, you will obtain an edge that lasts longer, doesn’t nick, and requires less sharpening. As for coatings like PTFE, you will get blades that stick less to the surfaces and go smoothly through branches.

Overall, we just recommend getting blades that come with additional features. Anything that is hardened, coated, reinforced, or similar – will probably improve your trimming experience. And of course, it will also probably last more.

Cutting Capacity

Here’s where we go over the cutting diameter of the blade. This diameter changes the overall result, performance, and capacity of your loppers.

For example, the best professional loppers don’t offer less than 1.5 inches of cutting diameter. But you may find loppers that go up to 3 or even 4 inches. It all depends on the focus on the loppers.

A lopper saw, for example, won’t offer less than 3.5 inches of cutting diameter. In contrast, you may find small cutting heads for some loppers that are as little as 1 inch.

For the best results, we recommend going for anything that helps you cut most branches of at least 1.5 inches.

Anything below 1.5 will be too little. As for thickest out there, we think 2 inches is enough as branches that are thicker than that will probably be really hard to cut with loppers.

But if you want to go for loppers of less than 1.5 inches, then you’ll have a less cutting capacity for most branches. These would instead be ideal for small plants and the like.

And if you go over 2 inches, you will need more strength to handle the tool and cut branches. So, be sure of getting the right one considering your overall requirements.

Types of Mechanisms

If you are in search of the best garden loppers or an ideal one for your garden trimming, then getting the right machine will be essential.

Here, you will find four types; ratchet, gears, compound, and saws. All four are very effective, but they operate differently and offer specific results for different purposes.

Want to know more about each? Then read up:

When we talk about ratcheting loppers, we refer to those that come with a latch that clicks when you close the handle. This mechanism helps to exert more pressure when cutting, delivering a secure grip.

In short, each time you close the handles, the latch clicks and keeps the blade closed. After the click, you can open the handles again without opening the blade, so you can pump to achieve even more cutting force. This is not necessary if you cut something at first, though.

For those who struggle with normal scissor-like loppers, this mechanism can help a lot. Cutting hardwoods and thick branches is a piece of cake with this mechanism.

Most loppers with this mechanism are often 2 or 2.5 inches in cutting diameter. You will rarely find these models with telescopic handles too.

These are the successor of the classic loppers design. It comprises a gear in the blades that helps to move them more freely and achieve higher leverage before cutting.

Usually, the gear is just below the blades.  The gear keeps both the dull and the cutting blade together, but also helps to move them smoothly. Apart from that, you can open this mechanism as much as possible for the highest cutting.

When you open the handles, the gear turns to let both blades move along with the handles. And when you close, it does the same by helping to keep together the edges but also achieve higher leverage.

These are close to a traditional scissor-like design. So using one of these is very easy. Yet, they don’t offer as much cutting capacity as other mechanisms without the extra arm effort.

You will find geared loppers going from 1 to 2.5 inches. They will demand a lot of space around if you want to achieve enough cutting power using your arms.

Then, you’ll find compounding loppers. These are complex, similarly to ratcheting but with a way secure grip overall.

These have several moving parts, including gears and pivot points. This happens because they keep the blade together better, which helps to achieve an ideal grip when using.

They are also known as lever-action loppers because they help to achieve higher leverage. However, the mechanism often demands careful pumps to work. Otherwise, it may bounce and not close at all.

These are ideal for cutting thick branches with precision. You could say they are a combination of ratcheting with geared loppers. That’s why they are a little more effective than both.

You will mostly find them with 2 inches of cutting diameter. But they can go either way depending on the design. What’s sure is that they are better for precision.

Sometimes, the mechanism of the lopper is not a lopper anymore but a saw. Yes, some models do the same as a lopper does but using a saw as a cutting blade.

Of course, there’s nothing similar to geared, compounding, or ratcheting mechanisms here. It is just a saw, with a chain and a bar that turns to cut branches.

These models often go up to 4 inches or more in cutting diameter. They are ideal for cutting large tree branches and the like. Of course, it is not a saw in its entirety so you will have a limit in overall branch diameter.

If you want an electric lopper, then saw loppers are your go-to option. They make overall operation easier and way more effective. But that comes at the expense of a higher price tag.

The Right Care for Your Loppers

It doesn’t matter if you have Corona, Tabor, or Fiskars loppers – doing maintenance is critical to keep them working correctly. Here’s what you should do to maintain your loppers working;

Sharpen Blades Consistently

Most blades get dulled over time. It is pretty common and happens to any type of blade, it doesn’t matter the material or design.

We recommend sharpening the blade with a file. That would be the easiest and more effective way to do so.

Clean After Use

Every time you use a lopper, residues of vegetation and wood tend to stay on the surface of the blade. If you don’t clean these residues, they can create mold and buildup on the edge which harms the effectiveness of each cut.

To prevent that, always clean the loppers after use, rubbing a soft towel with alcohol on the blade and handles.

Always Lubricate

Most loppers can stay on the basement, garage, or toolbox for weeks, months, or even years. While they are not being used, the mechanisms tend to get stiff and lose strength.

That’s why it is recommended to lubricate their gears and mechanisms every time before using them. Use non-corrosive 3-in-1 oil if possible.

Use Loppers the Right Way

Finally, to take care of your loppers you need to use them safely and without demanding more than they can offer.

For that, never try to cut big logs, weeds, grass, flowerbeds, or anything that’s not a branch. This will ensure that you’re not overusing and misusing the tool which could cause premature wearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have you any doubt this article hasn’t answered yet? Then you’ll probably find out your answer here;

#1: Is it recommended to replace blades once they get dull?

Not necessarily. It is recommended to do so only when the blade is split, broken, or impossible to sharpen. Otherwise, you can just sharpen to get your edge back.

#2: How much can you expect a set of loppers to last?

They can last a lifetime without problems. Just be sure to replace blades, nuts, screws, or grips when needed.

#3: Is it possible to replace the handles?

No, you can only replace nuts, blades, and grips. Handles are often irreplaceable. In the case that a handle breaks, it would be a better idea to buy new loppers.

#4: What is the best brand for loppers?

There’s no doubt Tabor loppers make the best models out there when we talk about the ideal value between price and quality.

#5: Can old people or children use loppers?

It is not an easy tool to use, and it can also be dangerous due to the edge of the blade. So, it’s better to keep loppers away from children or elderly people who can’t operate one safely.

Conclusion

Getting the best loppers for pruning will not be an easy job. Even after reading our complete buying guide and learning more about these products, you may still need to do a throughout consideration before making your choice.

But if you follow our advice, read our reviews with care, and get rid of your doubts with our FAQs – then you’re on the right path.

Just make sure the product you pick meets any requirements and needs you may have. Then, you’ll have the perfect product in your hands.