We researched the best loppers in a variety of categories, evaluating products for their comfort, ease of use, reach, and cutting capacity. Due to its high-quality construction, impressive cutting power, and telescoping handles, the Kings County Tools Double Ratcheting Anvil Lopper is our top overall pick. Here are the best loppers to enhance your pruning experience. The telescoping handles can be adjusted between 26 and 40 inches in length, making this one of the most versatile loppers on the market. When fully extended, you should be able to reach high branches and tall shrubs without having to strain yourself. However, these loppers weigh in at over 4 pounds, so you likely can experience some arm fatigue over time. The manufacturer says hand fatigue is reduced by the product’s non-slip rubber grips. Price at time of publish: $70 Thanks to padded grips on the handles, this tool is comfortable to hold for an extended period. At just under 3 pounds, it might not be the lightest, but it’s not cumbersome when cutting overhead either. This lopper also features shock-absorbing bumpers to improve overall comfort. While it works great for more basic gardening and pruning tasks, it’s not the best choice for heavy-duty jobs. But it offers a high-quality design and maximum performance. Price at time of publish: $27 These loppers have forged aluminum handles with non-slip grips, which makes them comfortable to hold and maneuver, and built-in shock absorbers to protect the wrists and arms. These loppers come in multiple lengths ranging from 16.9 to 33.1 inches. The 33-inch length is ideal for trimming higher branches and taller shrubs. At just under 4.5 pounds, these loppers are on the heavy side, so they likely could cause some arm fatigue after extended use. Price at time of publish: $271 Compared with other models, these loppers have a limited cutting capacity of up to .75 inches, so they’re best suited for cutting smaller stems and branches. They also should not be used on softer greenery or thicker branches. Measuring 31 inches long, the Jardineer loppers come in handy for reaching overhead branches. The handles are soft and offer a comfortable, nonslip grip. At nearly 5 pounds, however, this tool is on the heavy side and could cause some arm fatigue over time. Price at time of publish: $46 With a few slight pumps on the handle, these loppers can cut through dead branches up to 1.5 inches thick. They come in particularly handy for broken branches and deadwood, as well as dry stems and limbs. The carbon steel blade provides long-lasting sharpness and a smooth cut. It is coated with Teflon to resist rust and corrosion. For a comfortable hold, the aluminum handles feature soft, non-slip grips. At just over 4 pounds, these loppers are fairly heavy, and you may experience arm fatigue if you don’t give yourself a break. Thanks to a safety lock, these loppers can be stored safely in a closed position. Price at time of publish: $70 These loppers have a narrow blade opening, which is ideal for accessing tight spots. The blade can be resharpened as needed, so you can expect years of reliable use. What’s more, Corona backs their products with a limited lifetime warranty. At just under 4 pounds, these loppers are on the heavier side, which means you may experience some fatigue when working overhead. Price at time of publish: $43 With a 30-inch length, these loppers can reach higher branches and taller shrubs. The longer handles also help create more leverage. At 3.6 pounds, the Tabor loppers can be used overhead with little wrist and arm fatigue for most users. But a shock-absorbing bumper, which this product lacks, would eliminate additional arm stress. This lopper is available in another version with an extendable aluminum handle, which can be adjusted between 19 and 32.5 inches. Price at time of publish: $68
Comfort and Convenience
Pruning trees and other woody plants can be labor intensive, so be sure to choose the lopper tool that feels most comfortable—and learn how to use your lopper properly. Tree loppers constructed with lightweight materials lower the stress on your arms and hands. Cushioned grips help reduce the pressure and wear and tear on your hands and wrists. Ratcheting loppers that cut in smaller increments work best for people with diminished strength in their hands. A carbon steel blade should stay strong enough to do the job, and the option of replacing blades comes in handy if you use the pruners a lot.
Reach and Capacity
Choose a lopper with long enough handles to reach the branches you need to prune. Make sure the blade is wide enough to cut through the size branch you need to remove. Most loppers cut between 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, and some are extendable, which allows you to set the tool at just the length you need. Make sure the lopper has enough maneuverability to accomplish the work you need to do. Those with shorter handles might work better for pruning shrubs with small dense branching while longer handles might be needed for pruning trees. A lopper with extendable handles might fit the need for both tasks.
Why Trust the Spruce?
This article was written by Sage McHugh, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. To select the best loppers for this roundup, she considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their comfort, ease of use, reach, and cutting capacity. For expert insight, she interviewed Andrew Hughes, an arborist and owner of Urban Loggers, a tree cutting company based in Ohio.
