I Swapped My Hand Shears for Electric Pruners, and It Completely Changed How I Prune My Hydrangeas
If you have lots of woody shrubs your garden, suffer from joint pain or arthritis, or just want to save time and effort, these power pruners are perfect for you!
Every spring, I grab my pruners and dread the chore of pruning my very mature, woody panicle hydrangeas. If you’ve ever struggled with thick branches using traditional hand pruners, you know how exhausting it can be. Hours of bending and struggling to get through thick branches with a measly pair of hand pruners left my hands sore and my back aching.
That all changed when I spotted a pair of electric pruning shears at my local hardware store on a deal I couldn’t pass up. I had always wanted to try them, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. From the first cut, I knew these pruners were a game-changer. They take the strain off my hands and arms, make quick, clean, and precise cuts, and practically do the work for me. Even my 12-year-old son, who rarely leaves his room, now asks to help prune!
Deadheading and pruning my hydrangeas, roses, and other woody plants, including overgrown trees, is now faster and far less strenuous. And it’s not just about ease, proper pruning also improves plant health, strengthens structure, and encourages bigger, more abundant blooms. What used to feel like a dreaded chore has now become one of the most satisfying parts of my spring gardening routine.
Article continues belowHow Electric Pruners Work
The basic mechanics of these cordless power pruners are simple: motorized blades are driven by a brushless motor and powered by rechargeable batteries. With a single press of the button, these tools can trim thick branches in seconds — no more struggling with hand shears or loppers. They are also very portable and lightweight (many weigh less than two pounds), and their cordless design lets you reach tricky spots without straining your body.
Electric pruners will especially save you time if you:
- Have lots of woody shrubs or trees if your garden
- Prefer ergonomic tools due to hand, wrist, or joint pain, including arthritis in the hands
- Just want to save time and effort!
What to Know Before You Buy
You can save money by snagging these affordable Workpro pruners on Amazon, or choose a power pruner from your favorite tool brand, such as Ryobi, DeWalt, or Craftsman, so you can reuse your batteries across your tool collection. While I love my entire Ryobi tool lineup, this particular unit was an off-brand item at a price I couldn’t resist.
If you’re worried about weight, these pruners are very light — many models weigh less than two pounds. Blade lengths vary between 1.8 and 2.4 inches depending on the brand, and many models include a built-in safety switch for peace of mind, plus an automatic sleep mode to conserve battery life.
There will come a time when a branch is too thick for these pruners, and for that, my other favorite go-to tool is a mini chainsaw, which is often available in a combo with the pruner, like this one from Amazon. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and powerful enough to tackle old, woody, thick branches with ease. In fact, I often prefer this little tool over my larger gas or battery-powered chainsaws.
Why They're Perfect for Hydrangeas
I use my new electric pruning shears for just about everything, even cleaning up old flower stems in my perennial garden, but I mainly wanted them for my hydrangeas. From the woody stems of mature panicle types (think Limelight, Vanilla Strawberry, etc.) to the thick branches of oakleaf hydrangeas, and even deadheading my mopheads, these electric pruners make quick work of a task I never used to look forward to.
I also have three smooth hydrangeas, and even though their stems are much thinner, I can breeze through that task as well. Not only does this tool speed up my seasonal pruning, but some of these hydrangeas actually benefit from it, encouraging better branching and more abundant blooms.
If you’ve been relying on traditional hand pruners for thicker, woodier branches — especially hydrangeas — consider upgrading to a cordless electric model. Once you experience the speed and ease, you may wonder how you ever pruned without them!
Get the Most From Your Power Pruners
Because you'll be working with thick, woody branches — and potentially reaching deep into thorny bushes like roses — standard gardening gloves won't cut it. I highly recommend elbow-length protective gloves to protect your hands and forearms from scratches and sharp edges.
When not in use, store your power pruners and batteries separately in a dry, cool indoor location — ideally out of direct sunlight and away from moisture or extreme cold. This canvas bag does the trick!
Using this simple sharpener every few weeks will keep the blades slicing cleanly, which is essential for the health of your plants. For less than $10, this sharpener will ensure your small but mighty power pruners will stay in top condition!
